Chapter three, hell yea! This will be the last chapter that's ačll dillydallying in the bar, the next chapter we're diving into the Phenex arc. I will do my best to make it better than it was in the original, and I promise I won't just copy-paste it, cause that would be lazy. No guest reviews this time so let's just jump right in!
I OWN NOTHING! I'M BUT A HOBO THAT SNEAKS INTO THE LIBRARY AND WAISTS TIME WRITING THIS INSTEAD OF WATCHING PORN!
"Hello there." - regular talking
"I am with you, partner." - sacred gears talking
"I can win I feel great!" - inner thoughts
This chapter was beta read by Marethyu. Thank you for your awesome work!
"No."
"Common. Pretty please?"
"Stop it with the puppy eyes, Sera. I am not expanding this bar. Getting the permit would be a pain in the ass, plus construction expenses, and if I make this place any bigger, then I need to hire staff to keep it clean, to serve drinks. And those things cost money."
He just started profiting from this place, damn it! Let his inner dragon be pleased about the stable growth of his bank account for a year. Or was that too much to ask for? Yes, yes it was.
"But EVERY bar needs a karaoke room. Seriously, did you not do any research before you opened?"
Oh no she did not.
"I spent 6 years traversing the world, researching bars, pubs, and inns. Learning the delicate art of mixing cocktails, pouring beverages, and searching for good drinks to import. I paid a good deal of money so you and Azazel can drink the good stuff like it's water, hell, I created a cocktail just for you. I WILL NOT have my knowledge of bars, bartending, or business management is questioned by a magic girl."
Damn. Speaking of repressed dragon traits. He really did not mean to blow up like that. And great, now Sera had tears in her eyes, shit. He made a girl cry. His mom's gonna kick his ass when he visits again.
"Look, Sera, I'm sorry. I've been stressed out recently, and I took it out on you. It was not right." she wiped away the few drops, and gave him a tame smile.
"It's alright, Issei. A hug to make it right?" And without waiting for him, she gave him a hug that almost squeezed the life out of him. What was worse, her… generous assets were pushed firmly against him. It was a testament to his will, that the flow of blood in the southern regions barely increased. He still wrapped her arms around her and held her for ten seconds. Then twenty. Thirty.
"You gonna let go?"
"No. You smell good."
Crap. It wasn't supposed to be that time of the year yet. After she released him and made her way back to the underworld (where he couldn't see, of course), he quickly checked his seals on the inside of his forearm. Cracked, but definitely not so much for his inner dragon traits to be leaking. The physical ones at least. Mental ones were almost ingrained in him.
But wait. If it was not his body producing pheromones to attract mates, why did Serafall say he smelt good- Oh. OH. The conclusion sent a faint blush to his cheeks. Luckily there was no Azazel today. He'd never let him forget it, teasing him at the most inopportune moments.
He did not lie when he talked to Sera though. Despite being in much better shape than your average human (and some cheating with Ki), he was overworked. Plain and simple. On top of working full time at the bar, he was negotiating for a pretty big loan, so he could remodel his house. The small place he built himself was alright, but living with yokai made him desire comforts his small home lacked.
After he was done getting a loan, he would need to hire contractors, make sure his real identity is not leaked, since most companies that dealt with traditional Japanese construction had at least some ties with the supernatural, if they were not owned by them in the first place. Getting his plans approved by the city was the easiest part of all of that.
He also needed to cancel his contract with some deities from Russia. Their vodka was simply not meant for human consumption, and he was mighty afraid of having to pay for a liver transplant sooner rather than later. He'd still keep some on hand though. In case he needed to get Azazel drunk.
Issei was laughed out of his own bar. He just wanted to grow a beard! Not everyone had the money for world-class cosmetics, which were probably the only reason Azazel got any. Great, now he was stooping on his level. As he was walking the familiar path towards his parents' house, he thought about last month.
His new home was progressing nicely. He wished it would go faster though. He hardly got any sleep in his parents' old house, since he could sense any devil that flew over it, and even an occasional fallen. They must have taken residence in the abandoned church.
Also, as if by a miracle he got chosen as a winner of the Kuoh Young Business award, which strangely covered the expansion costs he told Sera about. Some small under the table research led him to the benefactor of the award, Gremor inc. He should have known. With no excuse left, he began planning to turn his small cozy bar into a cafe, with a karaoke room, and (on the weird insistence of the architect) a small V.I.P bar, for his most esteemed guests. He could smell Azazel's work in that.
Closing down for a month also gave him the time to calm down, relax, visit his mom and dad, as well as get a nice tan. Perfectly refreshed and ready to interview some people. He needed a manager, for when he wasn't present, a waitress, a pastry baker, and another bartender.
It went surprisingly smoothly. At the request of the Kuoh Academy, he employed one Tsubaki Shinra as his manager, as well as Murayama Kaori as a waitress. For the pastry person, he employed Mrs. Miyamizu, the older woman who used to bake him treats when he was a child. He was a bit worried if she could manage, but she quickly showed him she still had some spunk. He also got a stern talking to by her husband, to not try to steal his wife from him. As for the bartender, he hired Simon.
The grand reopening was a flood of students, all seeking sweets and coffee. And after they drove the last of them off at 7 pm, the bar opened and stayed open way past midnight, during which the old patrons celebrated the return of their favorite place. Not that Issei was there. He was at the V.I.P lounge, serving Azazel, Serafal, Sirzechs, Grayfia, and Baraquiel. He broke out some of the best liquor and spiced it generously with the vodka.
That was the first night the faction leaders got so close to drunk. By the end of the night, Grayfia was flirting with everyone, Sirzech was in a corner, singing one song or another, and Serafall showed why she was the diplomat of the group by coaxing both of the Fallen present into singing "Time of My Life." She almost got them to do the Swan Lift if Baraquiel hadn't passed out. That was the signal of the night to end, and they all wished Issei all well in future business endeavors, and both Sera and Grayfia giving him a kiss on each cheek, causing his brain to overload for a bit.
The victorious fighting Budda was in Kyoto, attending a meeting. He attended regularly until the then ruler of Kyoto, Inari was assassinated by unknown advisors. He decided to attend this one, mainly to gauge how the new Queen was running things.
"And the last point of order, since we now have Sun Wukong present, we can now pass to him the items specified in the last will and testament of one Inari Kozuki."
Now, this got his attention. He looked at Yasaka, who should have told him about that, after all, she knew well where he resided. but the leader of the faction was much too busy hiding her face behind a fan, many thinking she hid her grief. He knew better.
"To my mentor, and surrogate father, Victorious Fighting Buddha, Sun Wukong, I leave one dozen jars of Kyoto's finest sake. I am sorry we will never get to drink it."
The speaker looked at him, and he gave a nod of acknowledgment, hiding the pain in his heart.
"Since we finally completed that, I would put forward that we also decide what to do with the items left to one Hyo-"
"Do not!" Wukong was surprised by the sudden flare of foxfire, but others were not. It seemed that this was not the first time they tried to wrap this up. He stepped up and spoke.
"I think that it is only fair that we finish this so that his spirit may finally rest." While no one voiced their agreement, it was obvious they were on his side.
"Fine. Do as you please. but not in my presence." The queen of Youkai upped and left, with all the grace she could manage. The youkai who was reading the will continued.
"To my pupil, best friend, and partner in crime, Issei Hyoudo, I leave 25% of my liquid assets and charge him with taking care of my wife and daughter. May you finally find happiness, old friend."
Sun Wukong left that meeting puzzled, loaded with sake jars, and with a newfound purpose. He was done allowing the coward to hide.
"Yo, Bartender! Get that virgin weiner out of your hand and pour me one!" Azazel barged in, barely noon, and sporting no signs of a hangover.
"No."
"What do you mean no?"
"You are being a dick again." Damn it, he knew what he'd say.
"Someone in this bar has to."
"And someone in this bar has footage of what you did last night." That got him thinking.
"Hoo? And what did I do last night? Maybe a 'who'? Was it Sera or Grayfia?" This guy was too confident in his non-existent mojo.
"Baraquiel was involved as well."
"Wow. It is rare you get to do a devil's threeway on an actual devil." Yes, dig that hole deeper.
"It was dirty. And it involved dancing."
"Definitely Sera then. She's got them stripper hips." Time for the finisher.
"Tell me, if I were to say you and Baraquiel had a TIME OF YOUR LIFE last night, what would be the first thing that came to mind?"
"Time of my Life? You mean that corny son in Dirty Da… NO." That color drain was so deliciously cathartic.
"Oh yes."
"We did not."
"You did."
"Did I at least sing the male part?" Ha!
"We both know who has the deeper voice between the two of you."
Azazel hid his face between his arms, and Issei was sure he heard some weeping sounds. Now, he relished revenge. But even he could not sit still while a grown man was crying in his bar. So he pulled the best sake (not the Amaterasu one) and poured a generous measure into a decorative cup, sliding it over to Zaz.
Who immediately grabbed it, and downed it like it was water, and then smirked at him. It was all an act, and Issei fell for it!
"I knew you still had better quality stuff. You've been holding out on me dear Issei, and I do not appreciate that. I thought we were friends!"
"And I thought you knew exactly how much these expansions cost, and you had bribed the architect to make me build the V.I.P lounge."
"I told you I'd be glad to buy a share of the bar."
"Nope. You just want my supplier's list."
"Yea. Pour me one more?" Issei sighed. And poured one more cup. Azazel was an asshole. But an asshole that was his friend and payer.
"So, did anyone else do something stupid last night?"
"Funny you should mention. Sirzechs you see…"
His house was done! It was the perfect mix between the traditional Japanese home, and the modern necessities, such as kitchen, living room, and bathroom. He also cheated and used all his abysmal magic skills to create a hot spring in his backyard. Without Ddraig to help him along, it was that much harder. Luckily dragon blood was worth more than human one, so he would only need to recover for a day at best.
With the new staff, Issei didn't need to work as hard. Tsubaki was an excellent manager keeping the schedules simple and making sure no one was overworked, Murayama was a great waitress, always serving with a smile. Well, except for two people, a baldy and one with glasses. Those two she smacked with her tray. He was shocked the first time it happened but Tsubaki quickly explained.
Issei understood and silently encouraged her. Publicly he chastised the girl anytime it happened. Good thing that neither of the two dumbasses even thought of filing a complaint. They tried to run away, got beaten up, and dragged themselves to whatever hole they live in. Finding out from her friend, Katase, he also threw her a small employee-only birthday party. Mrs. Miyamizu made cupcakes for everyone, and they sang her a song. Issei later came to regret that. Because Sera just arrived at the bar, to hear his voice loud and clear.
"C'mon Issei! Pretty please?"
"No." Was that what they called Deja vu?
"It's my birthday!"
"It is not."
"How would you know?"
"We held a Magical Girl Cafe cosplay event for your birthday. No more gifts until next year." He walked behind the bar, deluding himself that she would forget about it
She did not.
"...it's as if, they've given up
And placed a crown of thorns on you!"
Issei was sitting behind a grand piano that 'someone donated' to the bar. One which Baraquiel, Sirzechs, and Azazel had no problem helping him move to the V.I.P lounge. Right on the day of a certain devil's birthday party.
"So, everything that makes me whole
I'll dedicate to you with all my soul
I'm Yours."
At least Sera was enjoying herself and… Oh no. Was that a video camera? Was she filming this whole time?! To his credit, Issei's fingers did not skip a note, and his voice was without the slightest tremble as he peered his gaze full of hatred straight at the birthday girl.
"Even if there is nothing left, and hope is dwindling every day
And if I start to fade away, I don't belong here anyway!"
Sera did not care that he tried to ignite her with his gaze. She just waved cheerily from behind the professional-grade camera. And Grayfia was holding up a mic? To her, he sent a gaze full of betrayal. AHA! There it was! The lip trembles! Maybe he will manage to keep himself off of YouTube!
"That's why I'll give you everything
I'll dedicate to you it all
With my soul."
He played out the last few keys and then bowed to the clapping audience, the loudest of which was the blond bombshell Azazel brought. And no, she was not a hooker. She was THE motherfucking Gabriel. Just noticing her out of the corner of his eye, he felt himself free from all worries, and how could he not forgive Sera for that innocent little trick? It was after all her birthday.
Michael was sitting in the corner with his fellow brothers. He felt extremely wary when he was invited, but now he could honestly say he did not regret it. Even if all he drank was some harmless cider.
"So..." asked Azael.
"...What do you think brother?"
He was rewarded with an honest smile that lit up the room.
"I am enjoying myself very much. And Gabriel seems to as well. I think we both needed this."
"I get that. Issei just seems to know what you need. Be it a joke, or a talk or advice. I'm guessing it has something to do with his latent senjutsu abilities. Or he's just a natural empath."
"I agree with that." Michael hesitated. Should he speak up? But his brother knew him too well.
"What are you not telling me?"
"Issei he… he harbors deep hatred. It is healing, but slowly"
"Hatred? For who?" The blonde gave his sibling a sad smile.
"Himself." Azazel thought deeply.
"What can I do to help?" Micheal's smile became a little happier. Despite falling all that time ago, it seemed that there was still a bit of angel in there.
"Just keep doing what you've been doing. I won't be looking into what kinds of sins he's bearing, but having people around him that he can call friends, that seems to be the best cure."
Issei did not get on YouTube. But his guilt-tripping did not manage to get the recording deleted and now it was safe, stored somewhere where only Sera, Grayfia, and Venelana could access. Speak of the devil…
"Venelana, what a surprise. Never thought I'd see you in a cafe. You always seemed more of an after-five person."
"Well, it's been a while since I visited, and also a while since I had some time with my daughter, so two birds with one stone. Issei, meet my beautiful daughter Rias. She is starting her third year at Kuoh Academy." The redhead blushed at her introduction, but she still got up and bowed.
Issei bowed in turn, introducing himself with a smile that had her face try to match the color of her hair. But he politely ignored that, as he stayed and chatted with the two lovely ladies. During the chat, he learned that Riass was the head of a research club that dealt in the supernatural, and he couldn't help but laugh.
"Something funny, issei? Are you telling me you don't believe in devils, angels, or various mythical creatures?"
"Can't say I do Venelana. I find myself much too busy to ponder such things." A half-lie. He was, after all, indeed busy.
"Ho? Then should you really be sitting here and chatting with us, since you are so busy?"
"Now now, Venelana, none of that. You already know that I always make time for my friends."
"Is that what we are, Issei? Friends?"
"Are we not? You were the first person to take time for a poor overworked bartender when I just opened up."
"Indeed. And all I got for that was a cheesy pickup line and a conversation."
"Then I should fix this immediately." He turned around and caught the attention of his waitress.
"Murayama! My favorite, for the table." He faced the mother and daughter.
"On the house, of course."
Rias was trying to get out of it, but Venelana was more than happy to accept. Issei's favorite dessert in the summertime was a delightfully cool coffee jelly, served with some whipped cream, which everyone enjoyed. Once Venelana and Rias had to leave, Issei smiled as he took the dishes inside. It was nice to have friends.
How was that? I hope you enjoyed the third chapter, and in the next, we can get to the meat&potatoes of the DxD. READ. REVIEW. Let me know what YOU think, and we'll read each other next time. NPGamer out.
PEACE!