A/N: If you haven't... I would read Fallen DxD if I was you. Not really important, but if you want to learn more about Mei and Elisabeth... well...
"So I have to just visualize what sacred gear I have to use and it just comes to me, right Issei." Raynare asked him. 'Why are you asking him when you have me?' She ignored the voice inside her head. Issei was at the desk in his room, and she was sitting on his bed. Ever since they met four days ago she has been coming every day. She found it calming to be around him, and learning about her new sacred gear from the previous user was a bonus.
"Sounds about right. That's what I did." Issei said matter-of-factly, that he had his eyes on his homework and did not look away.
Raynare, getting confirmation, closed her eyes thinking of Issei. When she did her eyes open now a shade of blue, a pure white katana at her side. With a smile, she got up and walked over to the boy. "Homework is so boring we should go out and test out my new sacred gear, or better yet." She was behind him, hugging him two magic circles appeared on the pair's clothes. "We can play here." her voice taking a more seductive tone.
[Dress Break!]
Issei, feeling a sudden breeze, got up from his chair with surprise clear on his face. Looking at a very naked Raynare, only with an active white boosted gear covering the lower half of her arm and a katana at her hip. Giggling, Raynare closed the distance between them, taking Issei's arm and pulling him towards the bed. "Lucky you, having such a beautiful willing girlfriend, and something tells me you would know what you are doing." Before she could finish Issei's body was covered in static and disappeared. Her smile only grew larger, she put a hand on her katana. "Coward... I guess we are going to play a little hide and seek." She had a mischievous smirk when she followed suit.
Hours later they were back in Issei's room fully clothed. Issei was not too pleased with Raynare. The disguised Raynare had Issei in a side hug much to issei's chagrin. Issei was sitting at his desk finishing his homework with Raynare right beside him trying her best to distract him. Though it took a lot of effort, he was able to get his work finished doing so to the glee of his guest. "You finished, Issei?"
"No thanks to someone." Issei said, mildly irritated.
"Oh come on, I was bored, and learning to use Kaihō-sha seemed more fun." She said dismissively. She then took his hand and started dragging him out of the room.
Not resisting, Issei followed behind her. "But did you really have to strip us naked to do that? I'm pretty sure being able to use the boosted gear at all would count as a success. You didn't have to use dress break on us."
"Says the pervert who came up with it." They were both at the front door and Raynare was putting on her shoes. "Don't just stand there, you owe me food." When she said this Issei began with his shoes.
"I can't believe you talked me into treating you." Issei spoke thinking of his poor wallet, which has been taking a beating the past couple of days.
The girl in front of him just shrugged, shooting a dismissive look. "It was your idea... not having your mother home was the perfect opportunity for us to get closer." She said taking his hand in hers and intertwining their fingers, both exiting the front door Raynare couldn't help but notice the pained expression on Issei. There and then she made a promise to herself that expression and any pain and sadness can only show themselves because of her.
(...)
The populace of Kuoh academy was surprised to see a limousine pull up to the entrance in several forms of surprise. The resident perverted exited the vehicle flanked by two beauties, one of which was a disguised Raynare in the school uniform with displeased expression and a sword case on her back, the other was the concerned volleyball ace Yamamoto Mei looking between the two. She then gave Issei a quick glance before addressing Raynare. "We should probably go see Shitori-san, she is expecting us after all."
"Right... I guess I'll see you later Issei." Raynare said before kissing him on the cheek, to the surprise of their surroundings.
"What... You two are leaving me alone... To deal with all this by myself." Issei spoke with a tired expression. He made a point to bring attention to the crowd forming around them and his annoyance.
"Come on, Issei, you should ignore them." Raynare said dismissively. "Besides, their opinions don't matter in the grand scheme of things, if they're like this because of us, wait until they see your princess."
"She is right, Is Hyoudou-san." Mei added. "Imagine how they would have reacted to you coming to school with Gremory-san instead. I am sure it would have been far worse." She said, closing the distance that her and Raynare while Issei spoke, wrapping her arms around the boy she pulled him into an embrace. "I'm sorry... But you have to trust Sera-nee. None of it was a lie." They stayed like that for a few seconds before she let go of a stiff Issei. She let out a small whisper to make sure that Issei was the only one to hear her, "not even my part in it, Ise."
"So that's why you have been acting weird all morning, here I thought that someone was sick." Issei said while scratching the back of his head. "I wouldn't worry about it, Yamamoto. I would have been suspicious of you regardless. You taking an interest in me days after I came here, that kind of gave you away."
Mei was at a loss, here she was thinking that she had messed up whatever bloomed between them but Issel alleviated some of that fear. Though Issei had no issue with her his recent companion had found something that came to light. Issei had an existing relationship with the girl that arrived with them, and that same person raised flags in Issei's head she had found out about the girl earlier this morning and Issei hadn't told her the full story, and here she was abandoning the life she knew, the very being that she did not want to let go of all for this boy, only to be kept out of the loop. That was something that had to change for the future.
"I am not a good spy I guess..." Mei began. "For what it was worth I want us to act as if nothing happened. I know that our being in this situation changes things, but I want to not think of the last couple of days as a lie. It's selfish I know but..." she paused, taking Issei's hands in hers. "You have become someone, one of the few people that I care about. And losing that connection..." Mei couldn't finish that sentence.
Noticing this Issei reversed the grip on his hands and looked into Mei's eyes under a pair of thick-framed glasses. "I don't know what Serafall told you about me but I am not one that would hold grudges so don't worry about it. I still see you as a friend no matter what these last couple of days were. But I must say though, you surprised me. To think that the friend from middle school that confessed to me was a devil in disguise." Issei said.
Mei blushed and looked away. Raynare looked between the two in mild shock, this again was new information. "You two..." she pointed at both of them before her eyes landed on Issei. "When did this happen? What did you say? Why didn't you tell me Issei? Don't you think that you should tell your lover these sorts of things?"
"Ok. The first thing is first... We are not seeing each other." Issei started to annoy Raynare. "And second, our relationship right now is transactional. We were never going to be actual lovers that were not part of our deal, and thirdly you were goi-" Before Issei got his next point out a smack could be heard and whoever was not paying their group any mind turned and looked to see the disguised Raynare with her hand outstretched and a red handprint on Issei's face right below his left eye a tear moving down the mark. He flinched at seeing an angry face with tears in her eyes.
Raynare without saying a word took off running towards the school's entrance. Mei's eyes flicked between the two of them, caught in between a rock and a hard place, and decided to go after Raynare offering Issei a quick apology. Issei brought his hand to his cheek and rubbed wincing at the soreness.
"What an absolute scumbag."
"That Lowlife, of all people?"
"I thought him being a pervert was the worst thing about him."
It is for the best that no one heard their conversation or he would have had a real dilemma on his hands. Issei ignored the abuse that was pointed his way and left towards the entrance himself.
'Let's be honest my dear wielder but you do deserve it in this outing. Not many people would do as the Fallen did for you Issei, keep in mind that for her the act is not simple reincarnation but her very being was changed. It is a very difficult magic to master, and it is very difficult on the recipient as well. You should apologize when you see her next.'
"I know."
(...)
Elisabeth opened the door to Sirzechs' home to greet the first of his guests. Serafall in a dark red evening dress. Noticing Elisabeth as the person who opened with smiled at the maid. "Hello Liz, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be playing teacher in Japan?"
Her answer came in the form of a shrug as Elisabeth led the way through the mansion, her verbal response coming shortly after. "I have to keep Gray out of trouble." She said with a toothy grin, before making an inquiry of her own. "What about you? Zechs' other guests are not due to arrive for several hours."
"He asked me to come early..." Serafall paused, looking away from Elisabeth. "He might have considered my proposal and is ready to give me an answer. What do you think Liz?"
Elisabeth looked at the woman as she replied. "I don't know Sera, I doubt that's why he called you here." Elisabeth said absent-mindedly.
Serafall's mood shifted for a split second before returning. "Speaking of Rias, how is she doing?"
"She is doing alright, all things considered, you really shouldn't have stepped in like that." Elisabeth said, getting a confused look from the other woman. " You think I would not have noticed that one of my students was a devil in your peerage and she was close to the boy that Rias had her eyes on? You have to give me some credit here."
"Oh... Did you know about that eh? I guess I should have been more careful in my actions."
"About that... " Elisabeth took an unreadable expression. "He is in the club I have been assigned to advise... They both are, if it wasn't for that I would have no idea what you were planning, but that begs the question Sera why him? "
"Rias made the right decision if you ask me. But she waited too long to act upon it, he is very strong right at our level, plus I doubt that Rias looked into it but he has a supernatural background." The woman said thinking to herself. Elisabeth rounded the corner as the two talked coming to the entrance of Sirzechs' study. "So what do you think of him?... You must know him better than anyone I could ask. Well, one that will tell me their honest opinion." She said as she thought about Mei, the poor girl.
Thinking the question over Elisabeth paused at the double doors of the study, a small smile crept on her face. "He is hard working when motivated, and seems the type to only work so he can play harder, but I get there's something below the surface that he keep's hidden for such an open person."
"Uh-oh."
"What?"
"I know that look, last time I saw it I watched you chase after that British girl years back." Serafall explained with a giggle.
"Please, Sera, I am old enough to be his mother... High school student remember."
"Like that's going to stop you, Liz, it sure is not stopping me." Serafall said fantasizing.
"Riiiight." Elisabeth said unconvinced. Opening the doors she caught the scent of someone she never thought she would see today. Sitting at the opposite side of Sirzechs was a blonde man in a three-piece suit who appeared to be in his mid-twenties with a lean build with short blonde hair, bangs spiked. "Great, I should have gone to school after all." She whispered to no one in particular. Clearing her throat she got the attention of both men. "Lord Sirzechs... Lord Phenex... Lady Serafall Beelzebub is here for her meeting with you Lord Sirzechs." She moved an arm to present Serafall with a blank expression before bowing her head and trying to make a quick exit.
Sirzechs looks at the apprehension on the two women's faces and sees Elisabeth trying for a retreat. "Wait, Elisabeth, I need you here for my business with Lady Beelzebub. Mind staying for a bit."
"Of course." Elisabeth said staying by the door while Serafall made her way to where the two men were sitting.
"I apologize Riser, but I have to cut our meeting short." He said getting up as the two men shook hands.
"Not a problem Lord Lucifer, just remember..." Looking over to Elisabeth, a predatory expression on his face. "My sister is still on the table if you ever get bored of this one. She may not be as strong, but a high-class pawn is more up your speed. I consider the offer fair, we are soon to be brothers after all." Riser said the total shift in room temperature was missed by him.
Being given not-so-subtle glares by the two ladies, Sirzechs sighed to himself. Putting a hand on his shoulder, a small chuckle escapes. "You know any of the trades I have made and any of my pieces that left did so of their own volition." He threw a quick glance at Serafall. "In this situation that logic applies, I am respectfully declining your offer Riser. I have no interest in trading any of my pieces Riser." Sirzechs then patted his shoulder, a magic circle being created on Riser's back.
In response Riser smiled before turning to exit, passing by Serafall on the way. The magic circle flickered when they made eye contact and after a few seconds disappeared. "I hope whatever you have to discuss is more fruitful than my endeavors, Lady Beelzebub." Riser said, shooting Sirzechs a glance.
"Oh, it will. I have an offer he can't refuse, at least he should not." Serafall cockily said.
"I thought the same, but it seems your former king is hard to please." He said turning to the other man. "And brother after I marry Rias... We have to do something about your asexual lifestyle. You are a king now and you and your family have left the Mid-class behind you should live like it." Riser said, giving Elisabeth another once over. He seemingly ignored or did not care for the red eyes of Elisabeth glaring a hole through him, giving him a wide berth as he passed by leaving.
Serafall took a seat next to Sirzechs letting out a heavy breath. "So I assume you didn't call me to disguise your tracking spell."
"Please you're the best at this but not the only one." Sirzechs "But we have a pressing matter to discuss. "Saying that he took out an opened envelope and passed it to her.
Serafall took out the contents and looked at the greeting card that fell out. It was an invitation, an invite to the engagement party celebrating the betrothal of Riser and Rias. Serafall's eyes narrowed as she read through the card. 'Issei is going to have a cow when he finds out he was going to join Rias to prevent this from happening. That spirit and loyalty are some of the reasons that I want to make you mine. I guess I have to do you a favor for going along with my whims, my little knight.' she thought to herself. "And why are you showing me this Zechs?"
"Because I can't interfere without causing too much of a stir and you have the perfect excuse with three students of Rias' school on your peerage." Sirzechs gave her a knowing grin. "I will owe you one for this."
With a frown, Serafall handed him back the card now in its envelope. "You don't have to owe me anything Zechs, even though we are not blood it does not matter. You and Rias are family, my siblings, and just like Sona I would do anything for you two." She punctuated her sentence by taking him in a half embrace. "I just need one thing from you."
"Name it."
"I need Liz and Itsuki."