It spreads, it destroys, until nothing is left, and then it leaves you to die slowly and agonizingly, wondering what could've been if not by such deadly encounter.
DxD does not belong to me~.
Hajime Tsukino, Ichijou's father; the man who's always away and a successful businessman with a cute wife... And five children from different other spouses.
Truth to be told, Ichijou is so edgy, so moody and doom'n'gloom, I always imagined that he lost at least a parent in some freaky accident to justify that behaviour of his. Y'know, a good excuse for him to act the way he does, like a typical anti-hero with no friends and a loser as only his.
However, to my surprise, that's not the case, and both his parents are very much alive and healthy. However, I might be a Baka-rina, but even I can sense some feud between the men of the Tsukino household, even though papa Hajime doesn't seem to mind. He looks... Friendly, almost suffocantly so, showering me with presents like that, expensive ones too! I wonder if that's an habit or something...
"Hey, Rina-chan~! Did you hear? Our shitty old man is back from his trip!" I snap back as I idly walk around the Tsukino home, being called by the youngest of the Tsukino sisters, Futaba, so lazily sitting on the sofa on the living room and with her own present at hands. She looks content, waving it around like that. "Look, he even brought me one of those fancy colourful skull from his trip to Mexico! So lame~, it's not even Halloween, what the hell am I going to do with that~? Hahahah!"
"I see." I respond. She looks quite happy with the gift despite her words, and honestly, it's a pretty cool mask! I think I saw a grim reaper wearing that one time. Futaba turns to me, and points at my hands full of presents, laughing once again.
"And what you got there? An Arcadia model and an Optimus Prime figurine? Lucky~!" She trails off. Should I mention that I got a Seiko wristwatch from him too? Despite our presents being on completely different levels, she doesn't seem to mind. I pout. I remember mom scolding me when Nemesis got a life-sized plushie of the oppai dragon while I only got the Switch Princess doll because 'she's older' and I threw quite a tantrum. But she looks okay with that.
"Look what I got. A marble ashtray with a chinese pattern and golden details! I don't even fucking smoke! What the hell our old man has been smoking?" And out of another room, miss Shion appears with said present and a smile on her lips. Another flurry of insults and a smile that doesn't match, is this some kind of tradition. Reaching for the tea table, the second oldest sister sits down and shows other gifts there. "Satsuki got an hourglass with muses sculptured and Minatsu got an ornamental cerimonial katana! Does that piece of shit even knows what women want? Fucking hysterical, I say~!"
"I thought it was pretty cool. It'll look cool back at the clinic, and in case someone goes nuts, I can just smash it on their head." The eldest sister, Satsuki, picks her present back from miss Shion's clutches and sits on the sofa, comtemplating it. That's a rather morbid thought. She was suppose to be a doctor, right?
"The edge of the blade, the pride of a samurai, the forgotten era of honour and pride, but also debauchery and ruin... I feel the romance behind it, but for it I feel no regard, as it is a gift from him." The middle daughter Minatsu toys with her katana a little, unshealthing and shealthing it back idly, a satisfied smile on her face, but the gloomy aura remaining. In fact, the entire living room has a very dense aura, I don't think even Ichijou's Ix would be able to even dent it. What is going on~! Wasn't them suppose to be happy that their father is back? Although... I guess they got their own drama to deal with. "Oh, our dearest guest and housemate has come to join our little wits. Welcome home, Berolina-chan. Care to sit down with us and discuss the matters of our dear male progenitor?"
"Uhh... Actually, could you girls present me to your father properly? I didn't have the time to thank him fully for my presents, and I'd like to chat with him very much." I smile with my hands full of his spoils. Suddenly, the tension around here grew tenfold, so much I thought it darkened a bit too! So scary, they were saying nothing, just sharing stares with each other and then looking away, but something just... Feels wrong. There was a mask of shadows covering their eyes through their bangs, and they looked... Gloomy.
"I... I mean..."
"I rather not, Rina-chan..."
"I really desire to refuse your request, Berolina..."
"No... No fucking way..."
"Huh...?"
"Oh, Ichijou!" But all of us suddenly turn to the kitchen where my dearest king was picking a glass of water to himself. He looks also a bit gloom, but unlike his sisters, his stare was fulming and wrathful, as if he would rip his own forehead off with his frown. He snaps when called, turning to us. "Hey, Rina-chan wants to meet and thank our old man for her presents. Take her there for us, why don't you."
"..." He blinks at us, and I notice how dull his eyes were. I don't think I've ever seen him like that. "I really don't wanna, Gou-nee. Why don't you girls do it instea-..."
*BUMP!*
"I didn't ask for it, I ordered." Scoffed Satsuki after throwing a bottle of water at my Ichijou, making him flinch. "Now go introduce her to our old man before I kick your sheens all the way to his room. You know I will do it."
"... Fine." Instead of raging back or retorting like his always, Ichijou sighed to himself and signed for me to follow him, his head hanging low, probably the lowest I've ever seen him. Once that was done, however, none of the sisters laughed to each other at their brother's expenses. They seemed... Relieved. "C'mon, Rina. Let's meet my dad or whatever..."
"Oh... Okay." I snap at him, bowing to his sisters like a proper lady and following my dearest queen deeper into the house I requested to reform. The walk towards the room was silent and sluggish, mainly because Ichijou would stop, take a deep breath and sigh to resume it, with me following right behind. We pass right next to Mama's room and into the other side. I remember asking for the reformers to only add new rooms and floors and to leave all the others intact, so I guess papa Hajime doesn't share a room with mama? Or he has his own room? How odd.
"Rina... You don't actually need to thank him, that's just a thing he does. Giving gifts like that... You don't to thank him for every little souvenir he brings, otherwise you're gonna have to do it every time he comes back." Ichijou breaks the silence with that comment, his voice a bit gruff and drowsy, not even bothering to look back at me. Him of all people saying that to me?
"But I need to give him a good first impression, right? We just met, but since I've be living here for a while now, I should at least thank him for that. Besides..." My ears start to get hot for some reason, and a small chuckle escapes my lips. I'm... Having those thoughts again, kyah~. "... I'd love to have his blessings regarding us, y'know. Like, I'll be really happy if he accepts me."
"You don't need his blessing, Rina. Nobody needs or wants that." He cuts me. My heart sinks a little and it gets cold now. His voice... It gave me chills, and not the good kind! I can feel he's angry, but not his usual angry... He's angry, yes, but I can feel he's... Something else too. "At least I don't, and neither should you. You're already marked for being this close to me, so asking for it is a waste of time and effort."
"But I want it." I say. I reach for his sleeve and give it a light pull, making him stop on his tracks and recoil a little for the surprise, still not looking at me. A moment of utter silence, and he slowly turns his head to look at me, or rather, to the floor under my feet. He then turns his gaze to me, and behind his anger, he looks... Tired. He sighs, clenching his teeth.
"Fine. For you, whatever." He finally says, lightly pulling his sleeve back to escape my grasp and continue his walk towards the innards of the Tsukino house. I also feel tired, but for a completely different reason. Maybe it's the stone chained to my heart making every step harder than the first.
The rest of our walk was silent as before, not a word from both of us, and even if we wanted to, we reached the room in no time, the wooden door not unlike any other in this house even after the reform with a small sign with the number 1 hanging from it. And after that... Pause, no action nor reaction.
"You can take it from here, right? I'm going, then." Wait, what~? I'm not going to challenge the final boss like that without a party member! Jokes aside, I didn't even notice until now, but Ichijou seemed to have grown gaunt a lot from the living room all the way here, and the shadows under his eyes grew tenfold, his teeth clacking and a frown so tight he might rip his own face apart. "Tell me when you're done..."
"Hey, that's cold. Don't you want to properly present me to your father?" I ask him while reaching and pulling his hand with my own. Unlike other times with such intimate touch, he had no reaction, or rather, not a positive one: he grunted, animalistically so, and snapped his fingers back. So cold. "At least stay. That's the first time I talk to someone so close to you, your father of all people too! I'm kinda nervous..."
"Then why ask to come in the first place, are you stupid?" That one... Hurt. He called me 'stupid' a lot of times, many times, to the point I considered a pet name of a sorts, and honestly not the worst he ever called someone, but this time... It hurt, and he looked dead serious about it, putting salt in the wound. He blinked once he realized my reaction, but instead of the usual apology, he simply snap back to the door with a dissatisfied click of his mouth. "Tch, whatever. Fine, I'm going to introduce you to him, but after that, I rather go to my room. You can stay if you like, I don't really care. Just... Don't make me do this again, got it?"
"..." I don't respond, just nod. I can't talk to him anymore, I can't even say words with all this tension. But he catches my cue, and reaches a hand for the door, knocking a few times.
*KNOCK-KNOCK!*
"Come in!"
"Hey, dad. I'm coming in." He coughs a little and his tone becomes a little brighter, if not still low as always. He reaches for the knob to turn it around and walk inside the unknown room of his whole place.
I followed him suit, and after we pass the doorframe, I reached a new place. This room, Ichijou's dad's room. A typical room of a businessman, there is a few tables here and there with some pretty expensive ornaments, a comfortable lonely sofa on the corner, a wall filled to the brim with diplomas, trophies and a few other achievements, and a working desk in the corner opposite to the door where the man of the hour sits... Polishing a kamen raider figurine. I blink once again, and another corner of the room shines: several desks, displayers and shelves, filled to the brim with tokusatsu figurines, models of ships both real and from films and anime, even some cute vintage toys like tin can robots and teddy bears. On the working desk were resting quite a few soldier miniatures and garage kits. The contrast between those two sides makes me a bit dizzy, it's like a hardcore NEET and the most interesting member of our society are roommates, but I don't see any of them here. Without paying mind to my current state, Ichijou walks towards his dad in front of his desk.
"Oh, Ichijou. What brings you here? Come to help your old man clean his favourite figurines? I'm sorry for taking the key before leaving, I bet you wanted to show your... Lovely friends this room. Teens are into this stuff, no?" The older male, Hajime Tsukino, laughs, putting the insectoid protector down to look at his son with a smile, his sharp brown eyes behind thin glasses now turning to me. A small chuckle. "And you brought Berolina-chan too, how adorable. You want to take some of my toys to play? You're welcome to pick as many as you want, just... Not the NX-0 Unicorn, I'm not done polishing it!"
"Actually, I'm just here because Rina wanted to talk with you. I know you're always busy with your stuff even when you come home, but she insisted." He sighs, pointing his chin at my direction. I flinch, indignant. I did no such thing, what a liar! I couldn't respond because Hajime turns to me with interest, making me jump in surprise and recoil a little behind Ichijou.
"Don't be shy, Berolina-chan. I'm not busy when my children are concerned, you can always come to have a little chat, specially with such lovely companions. After all... The only safe thing is to take the chance." He winks at me, and for some reason I relax a little. Ichijou on the other hand, rolls his eyes and coughs a small puff of smoke from his mouth, clearly tired.
"Let me guess... Nichols, no?" I turn my eyes to my dearest queen. Again with those quotes? I don't know what's more surprising: the amount of quotes Hajime knows, or how Ichijou is able to figure those out in an instant! The older Tsukino pumps his hand in the air and his disposition becomes brighter!
"It's such a good quote, too, huh? You're definitely my son!" He jumps from his seat and leans on the desk, lifting a hand for a high-five aimed at his youngest son. Ichijou, on the other hand and with no intentions to leave his out of his pocket, simply turned around and waved a goodbye with his head, nodding at me, silently passing the attention to me.
"I'm going to my room now. Good to see you back or whatever, dad." He said before leaving this room, not even paying a second glance or a sign from either of us. Papa Hajime sighs and sits back on his seat.
"O-Okay, then. See you at dinner, Ichijou..." The older man says.
"I'm not hungry today. I think I'll pass." But Ichijou responds, still not bothering a second glance or an explanation. What? He's not hungry? I know we had a lot of ice cream this afternoon, but saying he doesn't want to eat at all is odd. No more words or points, the red dragon simply leaves this room and not even closing the door behind. The cold aura from before vanishes, but the tension is still in the air.
I doubt it has anything to do with him being the red dragon...
"So, Berolina-chan..."
"Ah!" How rude of me! I was so concentrated of what in the world bit my dearest queen, for a moment I forgot the reason I came here in the first place! I bowed politely at the patriach of the Tsukino family and found myself a sit to stare at him. Before I could must any words at him, anything, he reaches for the corner of his desk and places a small figurine in front of me, the figurine of a very old robot. I don't... Think I've ever seen this one.
"What a beauty, huh? That's Leopardon, the invencible companion of Yamashiro Takuya, aka the Herald of Hell, Spiderman!" He excitedly exclaims, forcing the figurine to make a pose in front of me. Oh, I kinda remember someone saying there was a Spiderman tokusatsu show, and it was weird, really weird, to the point even someone like me wondered if it was real. After a few seconds, the older man let out an awkward smile escape his lips, sitting down. "... It was a weird time, indeed. But hey, Leopardon was one of the first giant robots to help some tokusatsu hero. You can thank him for planting the seed for the Megazords we have today. Pretty cool, no? I got this one at a pawn shop. Too bad the spiderman was missing."
"I... See." I lean forward a little to give... Leopardon a closer look. It is cool, indeed it is even for someone like me who doesn't understand much, but I shake my head a little. I'm getting blindsided, that's not good at all. I bow a little to the older male, and purse my eyes and lips tightly to appear as royal as possible. "Hm... Thank you for having me at your house, and for the presents as well. I'll cherish them as long as I live."
"No problem. I mean, why do you even need to thank me? We did offer some vacant rooms in our house while you're studying here in Japan as an exchange student together with your other friends, no? I gotta say, why didn't we think of this earlier in this house with so many rooms, I shall never know. Hohohoh..." He shrugs and opens his arms to laugh. Right, that's the story I inserted into his brain regarding us living in such a big house and this place became like a hotel out of the sudden. It's not the most solid of stories, but I guess it'll do until I think of something else. Besides, foreign students and tutors are nothing new in Kuoh town, anyway. I nod.
"Even so, thank you for offering rooms and services during our stay. I... Really appreciate it." I concluded, and from the man, a nod as well and a heartfelt chuckle. Hajime Tsukino, my dearest queen's father. He looks a lot like Ichijou barring the black hair and brown eyes, and around his there's a somewhat adult charm, a level of class that makes him even more handsome. I wonder if Ichijou will look like that in a few decades or so. I shake my head to get rid of that, doesn't that sound like the start of a risky manga! I put my own gifts down and start to scan the place around.
"Hah~. A pretty lady is thanking me so earnestly, a foreign beauty with a kind smile and hair crimson as roses. Ain't I a lucky sonnavabitch?" Tsukino papa chuckles to himself, waving a hand to my direction and with a daring smile in his face. I feel my ears heat up a little, and a finger reaches my face to scratch my cheek. Now I know from where Ichijou gets those from. One, two seconds, and he claps his hands, laughing. "Of course, not as much as Ichijou for having such a cute lass by his side. By the way, if you don't mind me asking, what's your relationship with my son?"
"Hm... Hah?" I was fearing for that question, yet expecting it at the same time. Our relationship... I guess you can say we're close... I guess? I love him, very much so, and he loves me back. We're closer than friends... But can you call us lovers? I guess so. Haaah~. Before I could answer, he simply swat his hands away and let out a quiet chuckle.
"Y'know what? Better not answer so hastely. You both are still young, so it's okay to take things slowly. I'll accept your hesitation as that you're both... Very close." He smiles, and some relief spreads all over me. I guess you can put it like that, being 'very close'. I let out a nervous laugh myself. "But I'm glad my Ichijou is making some friends after all this time. Y'know, Berolina-chan, as much as I like to admit I'm a very busy man, unfortunately I have to also say that I've been an absent father for most of my children's life. Ichijou in particular always had difficulty in making friends, and after... Some events, I dreaded that he would be a loner for the rest of his life. Good to know that, in my absence, he was able to make some friends and even join a club. With such beautiful girls to boot. I gotta say... I'm a bit jealous of him. Huhuhuh..."
"Don't worry. I know how it is like to have... Very busy parents. I guess I can relate to Ichijou in that regard." I said, waving to a chair to ask for his permission to sit down, which he granted with another wave. Oh, what a comfortable chair. Another thing Ichijou and I share are very busy parents, although mine are always dealing with some clan problems or troublemaking supernatural affairs. I turn to him again. "Mr. Hajime seems to be also very busy, since it's the first time we've ever... I mean! It has been a while since we last saw each other."
That was quite a rude slip, but it still holds true. Today is the first day I've even heard the name 'Hajime', or ever saw his face. Ichijou never actually never bothered to talk about his old man, not even in the passing, so much so I thought he was dead like a good parent of a protagonist. To meet him in person and get to know him that much... He also looks very accomplished, and I'm not talking about the fact he had three spouses. I peek one side and I saw a Tokyo-U diploma hanging from a wall, next to some notes and medals of honour. Photos of beautiful landscapes and pretty notable locations also decorates it, but it all changes when a figure of Ultraman Dyna and Tiga enter the frame. I never bothered to introduce my own father because soon or later people tend to discover who he is, but I wonder why Ichijou never talks about his.
"If I may, what's your occupation, to be away for so long? It might be very important." I ask an idle question. Now, I'm a bit curious. It's not like a simple job like a caretaker or a professor is enough to make someone not always be home, and for what's worth, even if he's a 997, going left and right around the world won't do it either.
"Long story short, I'm an entrepreneur that especializes in some pretty big businesses. Sure, I won't say I am that much of a big cheese, but I have some honours like shaking hands with some figureheads and once in a while help some companies start off with the right foot. I'm also a photographer on the spare time." He chuckles. So, that's how it is, a bit vague on the description department, but I guess I would get lost in indepth explanations. Now it makes sense, kinda, to be able to affort a comfortable life for five children and a cute wife, one must work the hardest. All the photos on the wall have also an autograph which I can assume is his. As expected from Ichijou's father, he's amazing. But despite such, he doesn't seem proud of those accomplishments, more like... Meh? "Sounds kinda boring, eh? It is, but at least it gives me enough money to take care of my family and allow me to indulge in my hobby."
"..." I purse my lips. A Tokyo-U alumnus and a big businessman, yet talks like they're chores of a sort. Maybe it's because father is so proud in being the Lucifer, but to have such underwhelming reaction to those is so strange. Also, strange how my Queen also never touches this subject, about his father, his occupation or anything. "Hobbies...?"
"My collection, of course. I really like collecting those very neat vintage, figures and action toys." He says, picking his own figure of the Godzilla and starts trashing the small plastic soldiers on his table. His gaze becomes a little brighter and the smile grows wider. For a moment, he spaces out in his own little world, but then snaps back, puts the toys in order and lets out an awkward click of tongue. "My parents rarely bought those for me when I was a kid, but I was always fascinated by those cool heroes and monsters from tokusatsu shows. Now that I have my own money and I live far, far away from them, I can indulge in those fantasies and play the way I always wanted with them... But, hahah, I'm sorry that you had to see that. I guess an adult playing with those must be pretty cringeworthy, no? Hahah..."
"N-Not at all. If you're happy with it, then it's okay." I wave a hand negatively at him to sign that it was okay for him to indulge. He looks happy with it, but the little moment he had with himself made him blush and now instead he resumes his polishing to his figures. He must really love those, it's kinda... Nostalgic.
"Hah~, even so, I'm sorry that you had to see this. Not acting like an adult is... A small vice of mine. Only recently I started to behave as such... And now, I can only wonder." He now sighs, looking dreamly at a blank wall, which also makes me wonder. He comes closer to his figurine, blows it a little and dusts it a bit more, scratching his nose with the dust there. Once it was done, he puts it down and turns to me. "It's good to know my children turned out to be quite nice kids despite that. If Ichijou ever did something that hurt you or that you didn't like... I can only say 'sorry'. He probably didn't mean it."
"N-N-Not at all! Not at all! Ichijou never has done something that really hurt me or anything! In fact, I am the one who's always putting him in tight situations! Hahahah... He got a lot of patience with me, so no worries!" I wave my hands at the papa Tsukino to dismiss his worries. If anything, he deserves a medal after everything he went through! Of course, fighting devils, dragons and vampires are one thing, but for what's worth, he's also holding pretty well to listen and withstand my own crap! It's not like... He ever did something... That I didn't like. Papa Tsukino smiles.
"I see, I'm glad. Oops, sorry that I've made things awkward. I'm just proud of my own children, that's all." He shrugs, putting his soldier toys away and clean the small mess on his table. "They're such a nice bunch, those kids. If there's anything I've ever done right, was to have them..."
"Mister Hajime...?"
"Oh, nothing. Don't listen to the mumblings of this weird old man. I must be getting senile or something. Hahahah..." He laughs it off, a hand on his face to hide his blushing. He's... Just like Ichijou, if a bit less intense. Is this really the man who married three times? He picks a small pack of cigarettes and turns around, reaching for a lighter not very far from his working desk. "Berolina-chan, if you don't mind, I'm gonna take a few drags. I know you're a good girl, so I'd like to leave for a while. Feel free to knock on the door yourself next time, I'm always open for Ichijou's... Very close friends."
"Ah... Okay. Then, if you excuse me..."I stood up from my sit, bowed politely for the man in front of me, and took my way out of his office. I'm still fascinated of how diverse and polarizing his room is, besides also being so tidy. If I were a kid, this place would be like paradise, the good paradise. Oh well, he did say I can come at anytime, so I guess I can stop by to appreciate the view and maybe play with a few of them, taking a photo or two will also go wild on Devinstagram! Ah, but I need to ask for permission first! What a bummer...
I shake my head. No, that's not the thing to focus right now! What I should be doing in instead discover the reason as to why this family seems so... Incomplete. Ichijou's dad doesn't seem to be a bad person. Overwhelming? Yeah, totally, but harmless nonetheless, at least for a high-class devil like me. So why the bad vibes between them? Maybe because he had more than one wife? But mama is Ichijou's mom, and they're together so far, so there's no reason from him to resent that... Although I understand the hatred from the others. Would it be too much to ask?
"Berolina-chan."
"Hm...?" I turn around before leaving the room, and sitting on his chair, papa Tsukino toys with the tobacco between his teeth and flicks the lighter on and off. Whoa, the charm of an adult man, he's so mature-looking and cool~! I wonder if Ichijou will be just like him in a few years. However, he snaps me back when he turns to me, and then... He gives me an awkward smile. "Mister Hajime...?"
"Just Hajime is fine. If you're feeling daring, you can call me in-law too, y'know." He laughs, and I let out a nervous giggle. In the end though, papa Tsukino bites his piece of smoke and winks a slow one. "But, that aside, Berolina-chan... Thank you for being Ichijou's friend. I'm proud that he's that popular, sure, but... I'm glad he's not so gloomy anymore. I'm sorry if that sounds strange."
"No... Not at all." I snap back. Afer that, content, he smiles, finally turning on his chair away from me and I could see from the reflection on the window that he started to smoke. I take my leave away from the room, and once I close the door behind me, I take a deep breath and wonder to myself...
What in the world just happened?
'[Whoa~! You have green eyes like Nina! They're so pretty and bright! It matches your kimono too!]'
'[Julia~! Don't leave me alone~, the fireworks are scary~! Ah... Uh... H-Hello, little boy.]'
...
'I name Julia! My dad is God's phone to followers! He says this place is also a good place to spread His word! Ah, and this Nina, twin sister! Like clones to each other!'
'H-Hello. N-Nice... To meet you.'
...
'Hey, Ichijou! I'm learning japanese real good, eh? It's easier to speak to you now! I wanna read this kanji thing too! Read this manga thing! It's funny!'
'I... Learning also... I mean! Too. Speak to you... Ichijou...'
...
'Look, Ichijou! I got this giant beetle thingy! Doesn't look like that Kamen Rider man we saw other day? Hey, Nina-chan! Take a look!'
'K-Kyah~! G-Gross~! Don't touch me~! Waaaaaaah~...!'
...
'M-My birthday? It's... O-October 27th? Huh? Sis's? We're twins, so we have the same birthday... Eh? Baking a cake for us?'
'Cool! I want my own, with Doraemon and Ultraman! And Goku and Digimon! Ah, but dad will probably say something about doing something lame again. Aunt Kyou and uncle Hajime are the best...!'
'I... I want my with... Sailor Moon... And Mokona-chan...'
...
'Condoms? What's thoooose~? For protection, ? Oh, but they sticky and soft. Gross~!'
'M-Maybe it's like the sentai's suits. They can protect us even being this soft... O-Oh.'
'Look, you can blow them like balloons too! Hahahah! This one looks like a snake!'
'JULIANA! KATARINA! WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING WITH THOSE?! WHO GIVE YOU THOSE... SINFUL OBJECTS!'
'Oh, daddy! Look what Ichijou brought us! He said uncle Hajime give them to him for protection! But they're so sticky and gross!'
'YOU...!'
...
'YOU SINNER! YOU CORRUPTER! I SHOULD'VE KNOWN YOU WOULD TRY TO CORRUPT MY DAUGHTERS AND DRAG THEM TO THE WRONG PATH! GO BACK TO THE HELL YOU BELONG! YOU DEVIL! YOU SCUM! YOU NON-BELIEVER...!'
'DADDY! STOP! YOU WILL KILL ICHIJOU!'
'WHAT'S WRONG, DADDY?! WHAT ICHIJOU DID WRONG?! PLEASE, STOP HURTING HIM! HE'S OUR FRIEND...!'
...
'Sorry Ichijou, but Julia-chan and Nina-chan... They went back to France. Huh? No, they didn't say anything. Haji, did they say anything?'
'Not that I'm aware off. Jeez, for a holy man, Henry went really all-out. Wonder what made him go berserk like that...'
...
It's all his fault...
Julia-chan and Nina-chan are gone... Because of him.
Futaba, Minatsu, Shion and Satsuki now always are wary of me... Because of him.
All because of him.
That man...
Tsukino Hajime.
I hate him.
I hate him...
So much...
*KNOCK-KNOCK!*
"...?"
"Ichijou...? It's me, Berolina. I brought your dinner." And standing from the other side of the door, I slowly open the door leading to the corridor, the sudden light blinding me a bit considering I've been in the dark for so long. Once I could see properly, I look at my redhead King carrying a small board with a sandwich plate, a can of soda and a piece of cherry pie. I take a closer look around and see that she's alone right now.
"Hey, Rina." I weakly greeted back. She blinks a few times, and her gaze turns a bit sad. "So... Uh, how was dinner?"
"Ichijou, neither you or your sisters went to it, and we couldn't finish the hotpot even with the extra people. Mama got super mad and she'd have dragged you from there if it wasn't for papa saying it was okay." She explains with a wary voice, and I twitch an eyebrow for that. Mom will have to forgive me, but I just can't even eat on the same table as... Him. But now that she's talking about, it does make me feel a bit bad about them. Hotpot, eh? Mom probably thought it would bring us all together with her specialty. I bet it was delicious. "Your dad prepared these because he knew you wouldn't come down, so... Uh, can I come in?"
"Just leave the plate down, I'll eat it later. Thanks, I guess." I sigh. I really not in the mood to have her around and ask things that I rather not talk about. From the other side, Rina pouts.
"You have been acting strange ever since we left the ice cream parlor. What's gotten into you? We were having so much fun back then, and now you're all sulky and gloomy! Was it something I said or did?" She pleads, her grip on the plate loosing and I can see she's tembling a little. I purse my lips, this feeling is just the worst, and I don't want her to feel guilty or anything. But still. "Look, I'm sorry if I did something wrong, okay? I'm not the smartest person, so if I did a slip or something, just tell me, and I'll understand. Just... Talk to me."
"..."
"...?"
"I... Rather not. I'm just not feeling well, that's all." I sigh, closing the frame a bit so that she wouldn't sneak inside or force herself in. Her eyes grow tighter and her pout worsens. I really don't want to talk to her or anyone for that matter for now.
"Is it because of your dad? Is there something I should know about him?" She asks. I want to say so much for that question, so many things just so she could hate him as much as I do, but... That's a 'me' problem, and if I play things wrong, I'm the one who'll get hated... Or worse, I'll end up hating her too. I instead close the door and support my back on the frame. "Ah! Ichijou...!"
"Go away, Rina. I'm just... Want to be alone for now. I'll eat dinner later, I promise. Just... Leave me alone." I sigh, letting a heavy one escapes my lips. I hear the plastic land right next to my door, and a trembling, sobbing moan by the other side. That one probably hurt, but I really don't want to talk about anything right now. She knocks on my door once again.
"F-Fine then. Uh... I'll... I'll be around... If you want to talk about... You know where to find me." I hear her knock one more time and resign herself, the whispers being right next to my ear. "Can... Uh... Can we at least sleep together, like always? Then maybe..."
"No."
"..."
"..."
"Okay. Fine." And with nothing else, she just leaves, soft steps walking down the corridor, but no other sound after that. I'm glad... She's such a nice person. I'd hate to start hating her too.
...
*KNOCK-KNOCK!*
"Dear, it's me. May I come in?"
"Yoko...?" It took a while, but there is another knock on my door. This time, however, the one who calls for me is my fox wife Yoko. She looks a bit more serious and her voice is very low. A sillhouete comes from the lower frame of the door. Still sitting on the other side of it, I move to approach my ear on the wooden gate. I shake my head. "Uh... I'm not feeling well tonight. Please, just leave me alone for now. I need... Some space."
"I understand. Ichijou, I know... I mean, I heard from your sisters the deal you have with your father." A flinch runs down my spine hearing that. Shit, now she knows. What to do now? I don't want her babblering my problems to everyone around, nor drag everyone else with it. Maybe I should just ask her to not share that? "Worry not, I won't tell anyone, nor interrogate you in it. I know... You rather avoid that conversation. I just want to tell you that... If you need anyone or anything, you can alway turn to me. I won't judge nor ridicule you or your feelings. I'll be always nearby in case you want to talk about it..."
"..." I say nothing. How much does she know? Probably not enough, but not at all either. She was the first to bump into my dad, and from their interactions, he must've left an impression. Still. "It's fine, Yoko. I just need some time. I'm fine about it, just... Leave me alone."
"Ichijou..."
"I said I'm fine!" I groaned, sinking even deeper into my legs and hugging them tighter. She stops mid-sentence, probably shocked by the change of volume in my voice, but then I hear another defeated hum, and the sound of a palm gently touching wood. "It's fine... It really is. Whatever you heard from them... It doesn't matter anymore. I'm just in a bad mood. Don't... Don't mind much."
"..." I hear a sigh now. "Understood. Good night, Ichijou."
"..." And with only silence from me, I hear steps walking away.
...
*RING!-RING!*
"Hm...?" Now, instead of a knock, I hear my phone ringing. I flip it open after reaching for it in my pocket, only to see that Annie has texted me on Line. I should really stop giving people my phone number, but then again.
Yo, whaddup. - Annie.
Mom went super Saiyan during supper. - Annie.
And none of your sis showed up. - Annie.
I'm not dumb. WTH happened? - Annie.
"..." I stare blankly at the screen, waiting it to go dark, and then light up as another message comes, still from Annie.
Look, I'm not gonna pretend I have a degree or anything. - Annie.
But if you want to share something and not talk about, I see what I can do. - Annie.
Even if you send me a wall, I'll read it and review it. - Annie.
After the shit you went through for me, that's the least I can do. - Annie.
I'm not the only one on that. - Annie.
You know that, right? Dragon - Annie.
"..."
...
ºTHIS USER HAS BEEN BLOCKEDº
...
*KNOCK! KNOCK!*
"Tsukino-chin? You there?"
"Tasha..." I murmur the name of the next girl who came to my aid. A few knocks on my door, a moment of silence, and then she starts to hum something... A very... Familiar song...
"Do you want to build a snowman? Let's go, go out and play~..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"You ain't even gonna retort? That's such a low-hanging fruit too... C'mon, Tsukino-chin. Be mad. Scream at me. I did a joke... If you're not gonna say anything, then come out so that we can... Ah!" And she exclaims in total surprise, a flinching gasp coming from her as I hear now pained huffs by the other side. What is that? Did she bite her tongue or something? With a trembling voice now, she continues. "Iff you wanna falk, I'm all eaff. We can cuddle and hug and stuff. You can even kiff me if fhaf maffes you feel beffer. Thaff's all. Good nighff..."
And then she leaves with soft steps.
...
*KNOCK-KNOCK!*
"I-Ichijou-san, are you there?" I hear another voice by the other side, this one belonging to the grim reaper hybrid bishop, a few knocks on my door and nothing else. I decided to ignore that one since I will probably hurt her feelings even more saying something out of rage, so for now, the silent treatment. A few seconds later, I hear a small ringing next to the floor. "Uh... I brewed you some tea and brought some cookies since you didn't eat dinner and you haven't touched your sandwiches yet. I... Don't know how to deal with this, and I don't want you to be mad at me, so, uh, I hope you feel better soon. Goodnight."
"..." And my silent treatment continues, but fortunately she leaves without making another sound, her shadow under my frame going straight to a side and the sound of her steps growing weaker and weaker until they dissapear. I close my eyes and I can smell the scent of fresh tea. Chamomile, huh? Maybe I can take one gulp...
...
*BAM! BAM!*
"Hong Long, you're still alive, no?"
"Kan'u...?" My words trail off a little hearing her hoarse, disainful voice by the other side. What, she came to laugh at me and my own patheticness? She's wasting her time with me, I'm feeling already pretty miserable without her help. I grunt. "Go away. You're the last person I want any business with. If you came here to laugh at me, go bother someone else."
"Is that how little you think of me? If I cared an iota, I would be hurt, doubtlessly." She retorts, and my patience starts to run even thinner. One, two seconds, and with a heavy sigh, I hear her knock on my door once again. "Bottling up your frustrations is not healthy, red dragon. If you wish to engage and vent, come with me to the arena and we shall settle things until you're satisfied. But beware, I won't hold back because of your wrath. I am not your friend, after all."
"..." Vent my frustrations? What frustrations? I'm very fine, thank you very much. There she goes again, mocking me ever so slightly. Well, too bad for her, I'm not humouring her expectations nor her bloodlust. "I think I'll pass..."
"..." She says nothing for a while. "I really do not care about you, Hong Long. But mind those who do."
"Just go away." I dismissed her words with some acid, and finally she leaves with another knock and a huff of breath, her heavy steps finally distancing her from me.
...
Why does everbody wants to bother me? First my father, then my sisters, and now them. I just want to be left alone, don't they see that? Besides... If I were to meet them, they'll see a part of me they'd hate. I just want some silence, just that, just that. I would hate to make them shut up myself...
[What's gotten into you, you rascal? Sulking like a loser? So not like you. Do I have to beat sense into you again? I WILL, you know.]
...
[Sigh. You really are not alone, okay? Why shoulder that burden when you can just talk with them and feel good after it? If you can't, then just pretend everything is okay. What you're doing is not manly at all.]
...
[If you don't say anything, then I'll start thinking the worst out of you. I love you, but if I think you're playing with all of it I give to you... Then I'll lose a lot of respect for you.]
Yagura...
Please...
Just go away...
[Fine. Ddraig, let's go. He did say 'please', so let's not hit him for now.]
[UNDERSTOOD. GET WELL, PARTNER.]
I just need some space, I just need some silence. That's all I need, that's all I need...
...
...
*GROAN!*
I snap back to reality once my stomach groans, waking me up from my little slumber and to face small sunlights coming from the nearby window in my room. Since my room is pretty high-up in this monster of a residence, I can clearly see that it was already morning, if not earlier than I am used to.
I yawn tiredly, and I feel a sting in my midsection. Did I really slept through the entire rest of the day? No wonder I'm hungry. I guess I was so mad, it kinda numbed me to it. I sigh, now I must face the comings of my little tantrum... I want to eat, but I don't want to face them or mom. Since it's so early in the morning, maybe they're still asleep, maybe that way I can sneak outside and eat. I sigh, lowering my head one more time and standing up from my little pathetic fetal position to adjust my clothes and turn around to open the door. And what was waiting for me was...
"Zzzz... Zzzz..."
All of them, all of the girls who live with me, deeply asleep, supporting themselves on the walls and onto each other while resting on the cold corridor. Wearing pajamas and covering themselves with shared blankets, Rina, Yoko, Annie, Tasha, Whiswain and Kan'u were around the frame of my door and in front of it taking a rest, as the tablet carrying sandwiches, a piece of pie, cold green tea and cookies rest in front of my door.
Did they really...? But why? They shouldn't have bothered... Why do so much for me? I did say I want be alone... Hah... A-Ah... Why does my eyes sting? I think I didn't sleep enough. It must be it.
I reach for the cold sandwiches to take a bite out of them and get used to the already soggy bread and bitter mayonnaise. I'm so hungry now, I finish my improvised breakfast before I even know it, even drinking the already cold tea and warm soda and the pie with cookies as desserts, doing my best so I wouldn't wake them up. Cleaning the crumbs on my mouth, the sense of weight still remains around my stomach, and just seeing them makes it worse. I need more space, somewhere to breathe. I pick the small dinner tablets and removed myself from that place, taking the stairs to avoid making too many noises with the intent to wash the plates and clean my head a little...
Once I reached the dining room, I see that the hotpot was still on the dining table, plates and bowls lying around which, despite having at least 8 of each, was still not enough to cover half of the table, and the soup inside was getting a bit gross, rotten oden and noodles floating on it like corpses and smelling just like it. What a waste, but I feel... No shame. I should probably clean this mess, though. It's the least I can do. Maybe I can snag myself so proper breakfast too since apparently everybody is still sleeping...
"Oh..."
"Ah." But as I toss the gross miso soup down the drain and was ready to pick the wasted udon and oden from it, coming from the door leading outside was Ryuubi-sensei, in full training gear and sweating a lot. Shit, I forgot she tends to train herself at this hour, maybe that little tantrum did more to my head that I thought. She spots me ready to do the dishes... And smiles.
"Good morning, Hong Long. It seems you have been freed from your little... Rebellious phase. May I help you with the dishes?" She asks, and I say nothing, only move to the other sink so that she can take the first and start rinsing and cleaning like me. The smell of rotten miso soup fills my nostrils and the cold summer morning wind makes me shiver a bit. It's still early in the morning, no problem in just cleaning this up and returning to my little cave. Now, the rest is silence. "What a lovely morning, no? Perfect for some training in the fresh outside air. I guess that's the romance of summer."
"I guess." I say halfheartedly, rinsing and cleaning some bowls for myself and then scrapping the sides of the sink so that the gross remains of oden would go away. A few more moments of silence, my breath actually getting a bit less erratic with time. Something about this place just feels so... Suffocating.
"Last night's supper were also marvellous. Hotpot prepared by dear mother to celebrate father's return. What a feast... Yet, half of our dear gathering didn't show up. Miss Satsuki said she was on duty back on the clinic, miss Shion claimed some overnight studies sessions, miss Minatsu was summoned for rehearsals and miss Futaba told herself sick... So as they claim." A small puff of smoke escape the warlady's lips, a bit bothered and dissatistified, yet not hostile at all. I take a glance at her, and she weakly smiles. "What an unfortunate chain of events, no? Even you was missing, dear Hong Long. Dear mother went quite irate for such development, only dear father to calm her down."
"..." I purse my lips. Mom went through all the trouble to prepare that, only for me to now be dipping down the drain like some waste. I wish I had the nerve to at least be for dinner, but as long as he is around here, I just... Can't. I hear the tap suddenly stopping, and I turn to sensei, who was staring so curiously at me. I frown. "What?"
"Hong Long... Is something bothering you? Your behaviour has been odd since yesterday, and I am not the only one who's noticed such. What caused such shift?"
...
FUCK THIS!
"FUCK OFF, OKAY?!" I exploded at her, tossing the wet cleaning towel on the floor and turning a finger at her, yet she seems unaffected by my shift. "Get off my back! Leave me alone! I'm fine, everything's fine! Even if it wasn't, what makes you think you have any saying in the matter?! I'm just feeling off right now, okay?! I need some space, so fuck off and just forget about me! I don't need your help, nor your attention! IF YOU WANT TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME, THEN JUST GO AWAY AND LEAVE ME BE, YOU B-...!"
*SLAP!*
"...!" And before I could finish that word, a hand came out of nowhere and slapped me on the cheek, a burning one that was still stinging even after the initial scare. My awry gaze goes everywhere, and then focus on the one who assaulted me: no one other than the warlady of the Three Kingdoms, Ryuubi-sensei. And for the first time since I've met her, she seemed... Serious. "S-Sensei..."
"I love you, Ichijou. I adore you, I cherish you. You're my pupil, my dear peer and friend." She says, the pink shine in her eyes glowing from the mask her bangs created on her face. Her tone... Was she always this scary? "As such, I respect you, and you will respect me in return. Regardless of your current mental state, I do not deserve to be caught in the middle of an issue that I clearly have no fault. No one does. You want to exhale your wrath? Do not drag people who treasure you in such, for you will hurt and poison them. Understand?"
"..." The burning sensation is still lingering on my cheek, but what sensei just said made me stop and all the rage inside me to suddenly vanish. And what was left was the worst feeling: guilt. My heart suddenly becomes too heavy, and my eyes began to sting. I clench my teeth. I just... I just want to go away. "S-Sensei... I-I... I-I need to go..."
"Hong Long." Her eyes now drop, and the aura becomes warmer around her. No, it's too late for me, I did something that will make her hate me. I turn around and run off to a random direction. Any place is better than here! Any place is better without me! "Ah! Hong Long, wait...!"
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry, sensei!" I pathetically murmur under my breath, trying my best to escape her and just vanish from the face of this Earth. However, not even one step away, and she catches me by the wrist, making me turn around to face her and dance on her grasp as she picks me by the other hand. "L-Let me go... Please, sensei..."
"..." She looks at me with such pitiable eyes, I feel like dying. I do want to die after what happened! Screaming at someone who has nothing to do with this, at someone who treasures me so much! I just want to vanish and avoid that! I don't want her to hate me! Please, don't hate me, sensei! "This might sting a little."
"Wha-...?" She reaches one of her knuckles in the area between my eyes and give it a small knock. A small and quick knock, yet I felt like my entire head was hit by a bullet, so much force my head tilts backwards in a violent way. When I returned to normal, however, I felt light and calm again. Huh? I feel much better. I dry my eyes and turn to sensei, who sighs with a smile. "Hm... What?"
"Pressure points, old chinese medicine. It won't cure your affliction, but I'm sure it'll make you heart beat at ease." She explains, and while the pain in the middle of my forehead still remains, I feel like a lot has been lifted from my shoulders. Thinking about my dad still pisses me off, but I am no longer cursed by guilt. As expected from the disciple of the Monkey King. We hold hands and interlock fingers. "How are you feeling now? Much better. Forgive me if I'm unable to fully comprehend your grief or rage, Hong Long, but mind your own misdoings. No one deserves to suffer from the sins or shortcomings of others, we are already suffering because of that."
"..." I bite my lips. Shit, with nothing to shield me from the consequences, I can now see how much of an asshole I've been. But still, I just don't feel like talking about it, about him. I cover my mouth and look away, ashamed. "Why are you apologizing, sensei? I'm the one at fault. I'm... Sorry. I must've looked pretty pathetic back then."
"At least you admit it. That's the first thing to do in order to grow. I'm proud of you." She laughs. I sniff and clean my tears, she's too nice for someone like. In fact, they're all too nice for someone like me. I will apologize to every single one of them later, plus mom and my sisters. "Are you ready to talk about it, Hong Long?"
"..." My hand flinches, the thought of him invades my mind once again. I can't help it, he just can't go away. What he did, how he acts now, what he reminds me. I just... Can't. I bite my lips, look sorrowfully to my Rook master, and shook my head negatively. Not yet, I just can't right now. "Not now, sensei. I'm sorry."
"Is that so? Take your time, then." She sighs, lowering her hands so that we could approach one another and she could give me a kiss on the cheek. I really should apologize. After that, she let go off me and walks away from the kitchen and dining room. "Now, I shall bathe in the springs and get rid of my unsighty appearance and odour. I hope to see you well until I come back. Be well, Hong Long."
"Okay." I dumbly wave a hand in goodbye as she vanishes from here, singsonging something as she goes to the springs, leaving me alone.
...
I'm the worst.
I'm really the worst.
I let my wrath get the best out of me, I was rude and childish and petty. Sensei is right, they have nothing to do about how and why I'm feeling like that, and dragging them with me is just the worst thing. My selfishness also picked the worst moment to act up, and now... I might not be any different from him. I clean my face on the sink and stop for a moment or two.
I don't want to scream or burst at them like that ever again, I don't want them to be sad. But as long as he is here, I just... Can't shake the negativity away, I just can't pretend everything is okay. I need to do something, anything. For them, for mom, for my sisters. I just need to... I just need to...
"Girls, I'm going to Kyoto to visit my grandparents for a week or so. You guys are fine taking care of the house until then, right?"
"..."
"..."
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA~...?!"
And pick your stuff, we're going to Kyoto for the temples and cute sexy foxes!
Hello, DxD fandom. It has been a while regarding this story, right? I must say, three months of a hiatus seem a bit too much even after so long. Truth to be told, I was thinking about how to write this chapter in a way to show how... Cursed the Tsukino household is. Cursed by hatred, of course. It wasn't as much as writer's block but instead something I wanted to show the interactions between the tenants of the Tsukino and their (lack of) , to show how much Hajime has an impact in the house with his presence alone. I also tried to balance how much Ichijou is justifiable to act the way he does, yet in no way ustifiable to treat his harem like that!
Also, we saw another glimpse of Ichijou's sorrows and regrets. However, this time, I kinda wanted to focus on how pathetic and petty he is instead of badass and rage-fueled. We already saw how much he carries, but now his hatred is in full bloom in such a... Grounded way, we can only see how he acts. Hahahah... That doesn't even sound like an DxD fanfic, right? Hence why I was a bit hesitant to write it, such a serious chapter. But there is also light, as we saw how much the girls love him. Hahah, sorry for being so corny.
That aside and my cringe side blossoming, I hope you had a good read, don't forget to R&R and hope for the next chapter, which I hope I can write soon enough.
The TOMO: Shiori Kamiyama.
- Ichijou's classmate and friend. The 9th prettiest first-year. She's 16 years-old and her birthday is May 14th.
- A very pretty girl and very intelligent. She's the descendant of the Shirogane conglomerate by her mother's side and so very rich as well. A native from Kuoh town. She's part german too.
- She's quiet and very polite, but careless ones tend to think of her as arrogant or uppity. The girls envy and admire her, the boys lust and worship her. Hence she lacks any real friends until Ichijou came around.
- Her parents died when she was 8 in a car accident, since then she has been living in her mansion with her grandmother Momo Kurokami. She has not much recollection of her parents, hence why she doesn't mind much.
- A sweettooth, likes expensive candies and confectionaries. How she's not fat, it's a mystery.
- Ichijou's beacon of normalcy, he's glad to be friends with her since she symbolizes his normal life in the now chaotic supernatural reality. Unbeknownst to him, he also saved her from her own horrors and despair. Her feelings for him are more intense than she lets on.
- A pretty, quiet, busty young lady everybody thought of having at least once.