Welp, Im back. Like I promised, I delivered this as soon as possible. Haha, I worked a little more for you guys.
Questions a comments to address.
First, Asia. Some of you guys want me to remove her. Reason being because she's like a sister. Her personality just doesn't allow that. Well, im gonna deny that request because I have plans for her to rectify those thoughts. Which you'll see very soon.
Second, Rias's pawns. I've decided but I'm not going to reveal them just yet. Not until the coming confrontation between Issei and the peerage. Which will be coming within a few chapters. So don't worry, the reveal is coming.
Third, Kuisha and Issei. Their love will be built a bit slow. I don't like the slow route but I want to take it to properly build Issei and others before making the jump to a love connection. So it'll still be some time.
And fourth, I have changed a few things in Chapter 5. Nothing too major but just some minor tweaks to change how things played out in this chapter. So, if you're curious, give it a quick glance over before delving into this chapter.
Enjoy.
It was the end of the day and school had finally let out. Students were either heading home, downtown to have fun with their friends, or going to their respective clubs.
This was no exception for the prestigious Kuoh Academy. Nor to the former nun, Asia Argento.
She had just finished her classes and was making her way to the Old School building. Many people asked if she wanted to hang out and a few guys asked her out on dates. But she kindly refused them all, responding with the usual "I have club activities".
However, it wasn't as bright and cheery as she made it out to be. By the time she was alone, with no one around her, her smile would disappear and her eyes would gain this crestfallen look. As if her very soul had been sucked out of her.
And, if anyone knew her personally, they'd know the reason why.
Issei.
Her first friend. Her first family. And her first crush.
The boy has become a huge part of her life. He welcomed her with open arms and was very nice to her. He took her on a date and made her feel special for the first time in her life. She felt like she was blessed with him by her side. And then she was murdered for her Sacred Gear.
But she was then saved by him and given a second chance at life. He helped her adjust to school and help make so many friends. He even went as far as to help her learn Japanese so she would fit in better.
And just like that, he wormed his way into her heart and made her feel loved. And made her fall in love with him in return. Even if he didn't see her that way.
But that all quickly changed when Rias announced that she was trading Issei.
It shocked her. It shocked everyone! How could they not be!?
Issei had just defeated Raiser. He had saved Rias from a marriage she didn't want. He put his body on the line, again and again. He sacrificed his arm to get enough power to save her. He went against all of the Underworld so he could help her. He cried, he bled, and he almost died just so she could have a choice.
And how does she repay him? By giving him away to someone else!? By trading him after she deems him useless!? After all he's done for her!
Asia wanted to tell her no. She wanted to tell her she was wrong. To tell her that Issei wasn't just some tool and that he was just as important as anyone there. That she should value him more since he had literally just saved her life. And that trading him would be the biggest mistake she could ever make.
But, just as always, she didn't speak up. She didn't say a word. She sat back and kept her mouth shut. She cowered and held her tongue, all just to avoid the wrath of her king. And at what expense? The betrayal of her friend?
Could she even still call him that? Would he even still see her that way?
The look in his eyes. The way he looked at her, searching and begging for help. She didn't have the strength to meet his gaze head on. Instead, she turned away. All because her king declared she do nothing.
She was scum.
No, scum wouldn't betray their friends. She was worse than scum.
Where was Issei? How was he even doing? Was he still alive? Was he eating healthy, getting stronger, or even alive?
Was he seeing another woman?
Questions like these bounced around the blonde's head as she tried to wrap her mind around it. She wanted to see Issei, to make sure he was okay. But she knew that her master wouldn't allow it. No matter how much she begged or pleaded, she would be denied again and again. If not by Rias than by the ones who stayed by her side since the beginning.
Asia seemed to be the only one who cared for the absence of her first friend. Akeno, Kiba, Koneko, none of them seemed to care that he was gone. And if they did, they hid it very well.
All of them continued their day to day as if nothing happened.
Akeno continued her teasing and playful attitude. Kiba had no change whatsoever in how he acted. And Koneko...she still showed little emotion and ate her snacks.
Was this how things were before Issei came along? Was it really always this boring? Bland? With no signs of anything productive? This accomplished nothing.
Asia wasn't stupid. She remembered how Raiser had crushed them during the Rating Game. He had defeated all of them with ease. He merely played with them and gave them false hope before destroying it all together. It was all a ploy, much similarly used by Moses before he defeated the Egyptians at the Red Sea. It was to make sure they never tried anything again. Despite the fact if Egypt reevaluated their plans and tried again, they would've succeeded.
And what was Rias doing right now? Nothing! They weren't training or even discussing a strategy if something like that came up again. They just continued as if nothing happened. Everyone laid around, went to school, did contracts, and took care of the occasional stray devil.
But what did that accomplish? Absolutely nothing.
The guy Issei went with seemed really strong. Meaning Issei had to be getting stronger himself, right!? So why weren't they? Wasn't the point to being reincarnated was so she could get stronger, move up the ranks, and eventually receive her own peerage? She wasn't getting any closer to that, or to getting Issei back. And it seemed Rias didn't care either as she continued to play around and do nothing.
The bishop promised herself that she would train hard to keep up with Issei. And what was she doing? Lying around and just doing contracts. She wasn't getting stronger, in fact, it almost felt like she was back tracking. And if she didn't fix that soon, she was sure that Issei would be too far out of reach. And the last thing she wanted to do was lose him completely.
"Issei..." Asia whispered, clutching her hand over her heart. She had to do something. Find someway to get stronger and stand by his side again. But what could she do? She wasn't strong physically like Koneko or one of Raiser's rooks. Nor was she adept in magic like Rias or Akeno. All she had was her healing and that didn't offer much to improve on.
What could she do!?
"Rias, I'm honestly very disappointed..." A new voice spoke up. Asia shot up in alert from it and realized she was standing in front of the club's doors. She blinked a few times before noticing the voice came from inside the clubroom. And it sounded the least bit pleased.
"Sairaorg, you know the political system. I had to," the blonde heard her master say.
"I know the system very well. Those fallen were in your territory, you had every right to do something to at least warn him of the empending danger! And the fact that that's how you reincarnated Ise is disgusting. The trust he had for you, it was obviously a lie," Sairaorg growled in response.
Asia poked her head in the door, making sure she wasnt seen or heard, watching the two kings glare at each other. The only thing in between them was the desk and that did little to suppress the energy they were releasing. It was blatantly obvious they were in a heated argument. And Issei was the source. But what about exactly?
"You have no right to question my judgement," Rias snapped back.
"Oh I do, Riri. The moment Issei became my pawn, his problems became mine. And you, you are the biggest one for both of us." Sairaorg looked to be seething. His fists were clenched tight, his teeth weee grit, and his power was growing the more time passed.
Asia was actually surprised by that. He was getting this worked up over Issei? Did that mean that he cared for the brunette?
"He works day in and day out, all so he can live up to your expectations. But to find out that his views of you are fabricated lies, I...I don't even know what to tell him," the Bael stated, sounding very displeased. "You've not only disgraced yourself, you've disgraced the Gremory name."
"Watch where you step Sairaorg. You aren't in the best position to talk down to me. And I could honestly care less about Issei. He was a weak pervert then and probably a weak pervert now," she blurted out, slamming her fist on the desk. "If anything, I should have left him for dead and gone with my current pawns sooner!"
*Gasp!*
The sharp intake of air broke the tension between the two devils and they turned around. There, they saw Asia standing, mouth agape and shock filled eyes. She was frozen stiff, staring at her king with a look of betrayal.
"A-Asia, what're you-"
"Is that really what you think of him?" The former nun asked softly. But it was easily heard by both devils.
"I mean, I-"
"Was he some toy to you? A tool or something?" She asked a little more aggressively. She took a step forward, feeling an emotion she never felt.
"Asia, let me explain..."
"After he saved your life? Was that when you deemed his role fulfilled?" She said a bit louder. She clenched her hands into fists and her eyebrows dropped, narrowing her eyes.
"Asia, it's not like that!"
"Are you gonna do the same to me too? After I've accomplished whatever you see fit, will you trade me to someone else as well? Or just flat out get rid of me?" She tightened her jaw and her shoulders squared.
"No! I would never-"
"Then why did you abandon Issei!?" She shouted at the top of her lungs. Rias flinched from the emotion behind it and, for the first time, was wary of the bishop. "He loved you Rias! And you just threw him aside like trash!"
The redhead's eyes widened to full size. She was caught off guard by the blonde's sudden claim and hesitated to answer. Her breath hitched as Asia felt this new emotion growing in the pit of her stomach.
It slowly spread and filled her with the want and desire to hit something. For the first time ever, Asia wanted to inflict pain upon someone. And that someone stood right before her.
"H-He-"
"Why else would he sacrifice his body for you? His life for you? His pride, his dignity, and the respect of many? Just because he kinda liked you!?"
This was not the same Asia everyone knew. This wasn't the kind, caring, gentle, and loveable ex-nun that Rias had reincarnated. No, this was a completely different girl. This girl was no where near the same Asia before Issei left. Hell, it wasn't the one they had to deal with for the past few weeks. But why? It was so sudden, it was like she suddenly snapped!
"Seems that your sneaky tactics and desperation to get out of the marriage contract with Raiser are now coming full circle," Sairaorg spoke, garnering the club leader's attention once more. He looked as dead serious and angered as Asia, still showing a large amount of disappointment at her. "I'll leave you to your business. I've spent too much time here and it looks like you have a lot of explaining to do."
And just like that, the magic circle appeared and the older male stepped in. But as it begun to flash he looked over his shoulder. "Oh, and I'll be sure to tell your family of your decision. I can only wonder how they'll react once I relay your exact words to them."
And with that, he disappeared with the bright light. Rias stared at the spot where he left before turning back to her bishop, who was still fuming. Now, not only was Asia angry at her but now her parents and brother would catch wind of her deeds.
They had told Rias of how much they liked the boy and hoped to properly meet him. But she kept putting it off in favor of the trade. Now, they would know before she could tell them. And, to make matters worse, she knew Sairaorg would make her out to be the bad guy. What could she do?
First, she had to try and control of raging bishop. This was the last thing she needed.
"Asia, please let me explain..."
"No, I'm not done! Its your turn to listen!" Rias took a step back, feeling what seemed to be fear. And the source of it was the blonde before her. The one who never got angry or yelled at anyone.
What had happened to her bishop? Because, for the first time, Asia was experiencing what was known as rage. And she didn't look to be attempting to control it at all.
-XOXOXOXOX-
"Come on Ise. You gotta keep up," Kuisha shouted over her shoulder.
"Hey, it's not my fault you're so nimble and can slide past everyone," the pawn replied, not too far behind. He shoved past a few more people, trying to keep track of the blonde in front of him. It was a little difficult, being in the center of the city, but luckily his sensory skills had improved and he was able to track her easily. She stood out from most of the human tourists and the few holy followers due to her demonic aura.
"You're such a slowpoke Ise," she said once more, spinning around to see how far back he was. When she noticed him cutting through the crowd like a sharpened blade, she realized she had underestimated him once more.
"Hehe, who's a slowpoke?" He replied with a big grin, just a few yards behind her.
Kuisha smiled and turned, deciding to continue their game of cat and mouse. It wasn't much training but a good excersise nonetheless. And it was pretty fun at the same time.
It wasn't long after that the blonde found an open street. As she turned, a sight immediately caught her eyes and she stopped.
Not too far behind, Issei came charging around the corner. It was a split second between when he sped around and when he saw his senpai. He knew he couldn't stop in time and shifted his body to the side, just barely dodging Kuisha.
She was left untouched but he, on the other hand, lost his balance in the process. And, soon enough, he found his face on the floor and his ass in the air.
"Issei, are you okay?" The queen asked.
The boy shot up and turned back to her. "Don't stop so suddenly!" He shouted from his spot on the ground. His cheeks puffed out and he folded his arms as he sat cross legged and turned away.
Kuisha giggled at the act. "Sorry, but that store really caught my eye."
Issei rose a brow, momentarily losing his disdain, before turning to see what she was talking about.
His eyes landed on what she was looking at and he discovered it was a pastry shop. He blinked a few times before looking back at the queen. She smiled sheepishly and placed a hand over her stomach. It was actually kind of cute.
"We didn't eat anything before we left, so I'm a bit peckish," she admitted before sticking her tongue out.
Issei stared at her a bit longer before he began to chuckle himself. His stomach growled in response, proving the fellow devil's words to be true.
He stood and dusted himself off before jabbing a thumb at the place. "Well why not? I've always been curious of European desserts. Maybe I can find an idea for a new dish while we're there."
"That's the spirit, let's go then, I can't wait!" Kuisha said, barely containing her excitement. She quickly grabbed the brunettes hand before hurrying into the store with him close behind.
As they entered, a little bell above the door rung. From behind the counter, an elderly couple smiled and waved to the two.
"Welcome, welcome. Can we help you two with anything?" The elderly male asked in what was known as English.
Luckily for Issei, Sairaorg had taught him how to understand some of the language. At least to the extent where he could hold a conversation.
"Yes, we saw your shop and had to come in," Kuisha replied with a bright smile. The elderly couple smiled in return while Issei stared at her, awestruck with how fluently she responded. It seemed like it was almost second nature to her.
"Ah, well thank you. There's lots to choose from so take your time," the older male said, smiling just as bright.
"Thank you. We'll be sure to look over carefully," she replied. With a nod, the older couple walked into the back. Most likely to make a few more desserts.
...
"See anything you like Ise?" Kuisha asked, glancing over at the brunette.
"Hmm, I'm curious of the souffle. But then there's also the apple crisp quiche... What about you?" He asked, glancing back at her.
"Well, there's the pie a la mode, but then there's also scones. It's a really tough decision."
"Why not get one of each?" A third voice spoke up.
Both devils were caught off guard and shot around. There, they came face to face with another male. He waved in response with a lazy smile. But both of them became very defensive by the very sight of him.
The male was taller than both of them by a few inches. He had long blonde hair and soft green eyes, giving him a very refreshing look despite his lazy expression. But, what had the two teenagers on edge was his priest outfit and silver cross.
"Ah, sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, haha," he chuckled, waving his hand defensively.
The two devils didn't budge an inch. They could feel the power radiating off the male in front of them and it far exceeded either of theirs. He was powerful, despite being a human. Was he an exorcist or a mage of the Church?
"Ah, Dulio, it's good to see you again," the elder woman spoke from behind the teens. He looked up to her and smiled.
"Yes, it's been some time Alice. How have you been?" He asked with a warming smile.
"I've been well. How are the kids? Did they enjoy the treats we sent?"
"Yes, very much. They loved yours and Adam's cooking. Of course, who wouldn't?"
"I'm glad. Have you come back to get some more for them? Or yourself?" She asked. He chuckled.
"Actually, I've brought a friend. She's been so stiff these past few days, I'm hoping some of your sweets can unwind her."
"Oh, well we'll be happy to meet her."
"Great. She'll be here very soon," he said happily. His attention then switched back to the two devils who were still watching him warily. "In the meantime, why not let me buy you two those sweets as an apology for scaring you?"
Issei and Kuisha were still very cautious. They glanced at each other before looking back at the blonde male. He showed no signs of hostility towards them and didn't seem really willing to fight at all. In fact, he just seemed like an all around nice guy.
Still, they had to stay on guard.
"Well, since you're offering, it'd be rude to say no. Thank you," Kuisha said with a bow.
"No need to thank me. I noticed you two don't look like you're from around here. Least I can do is show a little hospitality," he replied with a big toothy grin.
The bell rung, signaling someone had walked in. The trio turned to it and noticed another person.
Dressed in full nun's clothing, a woman walked in. She looked older than them, maybe around Dulio's age or a little older. She had blue eyes and gentle looking facial features.
"Ah Griselda, you made it!" Dulio said happily. She looked at him with a stoic look before walking over towards the trio. The devils could feel that she was just as strong as the exorcist. This must have been the person he spoke of.
"Dulio, I still don't understand why you invited me out. I must see Xenovia off and I have very little time," she replied.
"Oh come on, you're always so busy. You got to relax every once and a while," Dulio whined, sounding very childish. It actually made Kuisha and Issei lose their caution towards him for the moment. And that, in turn, alerted Griselda to them.
"Oh, and who are you two?" She asked, sounding very polite. It was much different than how she spoke to the older blonde. It was just lucky that she wasnt hostile towards them either.
"These are two new friends I made. They'll be joining us here. They're..." He paused momentarily before turning to the two. "I actually didn't get your names," he said sheepishly, invoking the other three to look at him with deadpanned expressions.
"Honestly Dulio, I wonder about you some times. Anyways, if you'll allow me to introduce myself first, I'm Griselda Quarta, pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"And I'm Dulio Gesualdo. But you kinda already knew that."
"Kuisha Hyoudou," Kuisha introduced herself with a bow. It was on the fly but both devils knew she couldn't reveal her last name. Lest she give away the fact she was a devil. Better they didn't know if they already haven't figured it out.
"Issei Hyoudou, nice to meet you." He went along with the flow and they both silently decided to play the part as brother and sister.
"See, now with introductions out the way... We can enjoy some sweets!" Dulio shouted, immediately changing the subject. He was met with looks of disappointment or caution. The former from his partner and the latter from both teens. He was obviously a weird one.
"Well, seeing as we're here, might as well," Griselda said with a sigh. No use trying to argue against the blonde male. He was a stubborn one.
Issei and Kuisha looked at each other once more. They saw no problem with it but they would still stay on guard just in case. So, with a silent nod, they turned back and smiled softly at the two.
"Thank you for having us," Kuisha said.
"Please take care of us," Issei added, both bowing simultaneously.
"Alright. Well, let's chow down then!"
And there it is. This'll be where I leave it off. Asia has finally reached the end of her fuse, Sairaorg has his answer and is going to relay it to the Gremory family, and Issei and Kuisha have met two very powerful exorcists while they were simply trying to enjoy sweets.
How will it play out, what's going to happen next? You'll have to wait and see. Mwuhahaha.
Issei's Harem: Kuisha, Alice Nakiri, Rindō Kobayashi, Asia, Ravel, Rossweisse, and Roygun Belphagor
Hope you enjoyed. Review to keep up with me. PM ideas and all of that.