You don't need to worry about the next chapter. why? BECAUSE IT'S HERE!!!
Finally! I got the time to post this chapter because right now, I am really suffering the consequences of staying up late night. My head feels like it's gonna kill me, and I can't even walk straight without holding something. on top of that I only slept for only 2 hours.
But at least, I still have it in myself to post next chapters frequently, and before we go right into the story...
24 FOLLOWS and 17 FAVORITES IN JUST 2 CHAPTERS! WOW!
I can't believe it. I didn't really think that many of you would like my story, to be honest. and for those who gave me a review, some of your opinions are really... what do you call this. attracting, I guess? but, let me answer your questions and there might be some of your opinions that will be rejected. because I've already planned it, right inside this little brain of mine. XD
Jon: Although what you just said is very convincing, I think Koneko will be like a little sister for Zen, rather than a lover. and about the other one, I agree with you on that. and I don't plan on taking her away from him. I'm not that evil, you know.
ProminentDawn: Hahahahaha XD. okay, I'll tell it to you if I ever had some.
Tyrant Overlord Killidia: Nope, he won't. Just like what I said earlier, She will stay at Issei's Harem. it is also neither from Rias nor Akeno. Issei met this one on the late chapters and has yet to develop some feelings on him until she had opened up enough to tell him her past. That is the reason why I took this one from Issei's and placed her to Zen's. also, there will be a glimpse of her in this chapter.
duked: Thanks for the compliment, man. and about your opinion, I think that will be rejected. I have already decided for her to be in Zen's harem, maybe the main lead on it.(idk, but if she isn't then maybe Sona) but don't worry, I also have some plan to him in the future chapters and will pair him into some other waifu material.
Also, let me say this. While I took one of Issei's canon harem, I will also try to add someone to replace that girl. there are some girls who had feelings for Issei, but didn't had some character development, and I will try to improve them in this fanfic
Without further ado, Let's go on the story.
"Hello" - Speaking
'Hello' - Thinking
Hello - Flashback
(3rd Person P.O.V)
Classes had finished and lunch has started. Usually, he would start to take out his bento box and walkout of the classroom to go to his favorite place; the rooftop to have his lunch up there. but before he could go out of the class, Someone had called him.
"Zen." asked the person who called him.
As Zen heard this, he immediately recognized who it was.
"What is it, Tsubaki-fukukaichou?" Replied Zen. Getting familiar with the person who always talked to him whenever he was getting called by Sona on Student Council Room. And...
"Sona-kaichou has called you to go to the student council. Would you please come with me?" Yep, he was getting called again.
"Yeah, I'll be right behind you." was all Zen could say as she went to go ahead, not letting him see the red flush of her cheeks as she walk forward.
'D-Did he saw it? Aaah, why is my heart always beating so fast, everytime I'm beside him!? Even if you love him, you're moving it too fast!! And the way he is right now, he is not prepared for it! But still, who is the person that made him smile, even if it's just a little bit?' thought Tsubaki to herself. From encouraging herself to not be nervous to Zen, to wondering who it was.
The reason why Tsubaki was this head over heels to Zen was because of that time.
--Flashback--
We see Tsubaki here walking back to her and Sona's apartment after school. She was getting stressed so much that she even had to ask her president to leave first after what happened to the school.
She was going to the Student Council Room only to collided with the so-called leader of the Pervert Trio, Hyoudou Issei on the corner beside the stairs towards the Student Council Room.
After they collided, She saw him groping her breast with his right hand, a pervert smile plastered on his face.
And it creeped her out when she heard him mumble the word 'oppai' many times, like he was chanting something. even more when she saw him nosebleed while chanting, his eyes on his hand groping her breast.
What even angered her was that his fellow pervert friends captured them in that position, saying that it was a masterpiece.
Not able to control herself, She punched Issei on his chin so hard that he passed out. The duo having seen this, tried to run away from the Vice President's wrath, but fate was simply not going to make things go on their way this time.
She grabbed their shoulders so much that maybe they heard it cracking like biscuits, completely freaking them out. They tried screaming for pain to attract some attention, only for air to go out of their mouths. After realizing that it was pointless, the thought as they looked at each other.
They were doomed.
She then said to them to delete what they captured, or else life wasn't going to be easy for them. or in simple words, she threatened them.
Not making her angry even further, they obliged.
After her confrontation on the Pervert Trio, She then faced the most irritable enemy of the student council, paperwork.
Normally, She wouldn't have any problem for this things, since she was used to it. But time to time, She remembers her... accident with the Trio, which made her lose focus and scratch her head sometimes.
The other SC(Short for Student Council, it's a pain in the ass to write it always, especially for lazy person like me) members were wondering what was going on her head, including Sona. Tsubaki hardly scratches her head, after all.
After that, She was questioned by them, pondering her to say what was her problem, only for her to reply 'nothing'.
That's why she had to leave early, in hopes for losing this... irritation before tomorrow.
Her mind then went to the transfer student, Murasaki Zen. Although She and Sona knew that he was part of supernatural world, everything about him was unknown.
The profile they received was nonsense. Although it was easy to fool the staffs, they were not.
He last lived in Kyoto before he transferred to Kuoh, He had no parents or relatives alive, The reason he went to Kuoh was to get knowledge outside of Kyoto. It was all nonsense.
The instant they saw it, they knew it was all made-up. This was a problem since they didn't know if he was an ally or enemy, even after all what he said to them.
While his profile was made-up, it was also the evidence why they knew he was part of supernatural world.
It was because the Kyoto was the home to Shinto Faction, a faction where most youkais can be found within.
And a person claiming he came from there, it wasn't just some coincidence.
That, and also when he told them who he truly is. Although there was no evidence that it was him, he just said to them that time will tell.
But other that that, they didn't knew anything about him.
He was truly an enigma, indeed.
As she thought about that, A blonde little girl passed through her side with a ball on her hand.
Seeing how cute the girl looked, her thoughts about Zen suddenly disappeared and her stress subsided a little.
She was walking slowly while the girl was running, both of them heading to crossroads.
Her eyes then widened when she saw the girl chasing the ball as she crossed the road, While a truck was on sight, running very fast that it wasn't able top in time.
She was going to run to the little girl, hearing a middle aged woman on her back screamed for her child, about to be hit by the truck,
Only to realize she wasn't going to be able to make it in time.
Until, She felt someone dashing from behind her to the girl.
The man made it in time to the girl, but the problem was the truck was right in front of them.
She was surprised that someone was able to have this much speed, a human no less.
The man then extended his right hand to the truck while his other hand was holding the girl tightly, as she cried silently.
Then, something unbelievable happened. Something that can only be seen in movies.
The hand that was extended out stopped the truck on its tracks, with the part on the hand crushed too much that it slide inside the truck.
All of the people present at the time can only make their mouths hung open, with their eyes wide opened, not being able to believe what they just saw, including Tsubaki.
They were all silent for a few seconds until the mother of the little girl, with a blonde hair similar to her daughter, arrived at the scene. Not recognizing what just happened, because of how worried she was to her daughter.
"MY DAUGHTER!!"
"MOM!!!" Screamed the little girl as he ran to her mother, with her mother hugging her so tightly.
"I WAS SOO SCARED!!!!" Cried the girl as she grasp her mother's clothes so hard.
The mother can only hug her daughter, showing how worried she was to her, not saying much words.
At that moment, Tsubaki and the man approached them both to ensure the little girl is alright.
"Are you alright?" Asked the man, crouching down to see the girl eye to eye.
The little girl then turned to see who was asking her, only to see the person who saved her.
"Mmm." Exclaimed the girl as she nod her head slowly, with tears still falling on her eyes.
"Is that so? Then don't do that again, okay? Always stick to your mother whenever you're on the sidewalk, okay?" Said the man as he brought his left hand to rub her head, calming her down a little bit.
The girl could only nod her head at this point.
"Thank you so much for saving my daughter. If you didn't arrived in time then..." Said the mother who was starting to cry again, because of how scared she was.
"Don't make assumptions like ifs or something like that, Ma'am. It's all good now that your daughter is safe, right?" The man said as he waved his left hand, shrugging it off like it was nothing.
"Yes, you're right. But still, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I don't know if I could ever pay you..." She said, wiping out the tears on her eyes as she tried to think of paying back her daughter's savoir, only to be stopped by the man himself.
"No, there's no need for that. I just did what it was normal to do, so stop that, please." Begged the man, while his voice was of that begging, his face was remaining emotionless.
"You're really kind, aren't you? Not accepting anything even though you risked your life just to save someone you don't even know, I don't think someone can do that without the courage, you know."
"But still, I may not be able to give you something right now, but if we're able to see again next time, I will try to give you something, even if it's just a single meal. Could you please agree even with just that?" Begged the middle aged mother.
Seeing nothing to argue back, the man finally agreed.
"I understand. If we ever see again, then I will take on your offer." Complied Zen.
After that, The women then snapped her fingers. When Zen tried to look around just to see the people around were in a dazed-like state.
"Although this isn't much, I hope you are satisfied with just this after we meet again, Murasaki Zen."
Zen then turned to see the Mother with her child, only to see something golden fluttering with the air.
Once the glitter-like golden disappeared, the people then regained their bearings, forgetting what happened in the process.
Tsubaki, who was watching the whole time, can only hung her mouth open, not being able to believe what had just happened.
'That is a youkai. A high-ranking, even. To think that they infiltrated the town without us realizing it, just what is happening right now?' thought Tsubaki, though she was pulled back to reality when she heard someone grunt.
When she looked at the source, it was Zen holding his right hand as he walked away, in which she went to take a look at it.
It was bleeding, up to his forearms was full of gashes, most likely came from the truck.
"Let me see." Was all Tsubaki said as she tried to hold Zen's right arm.
"It's okay. It's not that of a big deal." Shrugged Zen , as he took a way his arm away from her.
"LET.ME.SEE." Said Tsubaki in a steeled voice, not taking no for an answer.
Having no choice, Zen let her see it, all in its glory right now.
Having able to see it clearly right now, She can gaped on what she was seeing. A large gash on the upper part of his hand, with small gashes all around it, trailing along the forearm.
"Normally, I would take you to the hospital, but..." Said Tsubaki, thinking what was the best way. Take him to the hospital or heal him with her demonic powers.
"If you want to take someone on the hospital, I'd recommend the driver on the truck. It seems he was knocked out before the accident happened." Replied Zen, pointing a finger to the driver in the truck, his head on the steering wheel. Looking like was out of conscious the whole time.
"Okay. I'll call the ambulance for him, but how about you? I don't think the hospital can heal something like this within a week, much less a day." Said Tsubaki, as she was calling the ambulance.
"Just take me to my house, I've got some 'medics' there." Replied Zen, emphazing the word medic.
"Okay. Where is it?" Asked Tsubaki as they run out of the scene, her finishing the call of ambulance for the driver who was out cold.
Zen then pointed the area where he lives, going here and there with Tsubaki following what was said to her.
They then arrived to Zen's house. It was a simple two-story apartment. Not taking too much information about it, they entered the house and went to the living room. It had a wide space with an L-shaped sofa facing the TV on the wall. On the right side of the living room was the stairs heading the upper floors of the house, probably where Zen's room was located at.
As much as she wants to see Zen's room, she held herself back and went to ask Zen where is the medical kit.
"Where is the medical kit located?" Asked Tsubaki. Looking around the house while trying to look where the medical kit was.
"Just beside the hanging cabinet on the kitchen, is a small cabinet. The medical kit is there." Replied Zen.
At times like this was where he regretted sealing powers. An injury of something like this was just a scratch for him if he just unseal his powers. But then, it would spell trouble if he did that right now.
As Tsubaki heard that, She immediately hurried to the kitchen, finding the medical kit instantly the time she arrived at the kitchen.
She hurried back to Zen's side to take care of his injuries.
"Why don't you just use your demonic powers and finish it fast?" Asked Zen. Wondering why she didn't do it.
"As much as I hated to admit it, I have a low affinity to healing magic. I can heal it instantly if its just a scratch, but healing Injuries like this is not on my alley." Admitted Tsubaki. It seems she was frustrated to herself for not having healing powers sufficient on situations like this.
"That's why after I healed it with my magic, I will bandage it and hope that it goes well." She then continued.
Zen did not respond. He just stared at her healing his injured arm. True to her words, the healing process was very slow and while it healed the smaller ones instantly, the bigger one only healed just a little, enough to stop the blood from overflowing through the gash.
"Okay. This should do it. All that's left is bandage it and hope for the rest." Said Tsubaki as she wrapped bandages around his right forearm.
"Can I...ask you something, if it doesn't bother you?" Asked Zen.
"What is it?" Replied Tsubaki, still focused on his injury.
"Why are you doing this to me? It's not like I did something enough for you to do this for me." Questioned Zen.
As Tsubaki heard this, She stopped bandaging Zen's right arm, suddenly lost in her thoughts. Why was she doing this to him? He didn't do anything for her in the school to recognize him.
No. She was wrong. There was.
Just this afternoon, the accident. That was enough for her to do this for him.
That, and also what she saw after that.
After his interactions with the middle-aged mother and her daughter, the way his back looks like, the way his eyes looked like when he turned back.
It was full of sadness, loneliness and grief, like he was slowly killing himself inside.
That was the reason why he didn't show his emotions all the time, She thought at that moment.
But mostly, the way he saved that little girl, risking list life without a care of himself, and always keeping everyone out of arm's length...
It struck a chord from her.
Her heart suddenly ached the moment she saw that eyes of his, that back that protected the little girl a while ago, it really struck something inside her.
It really, really hurt her so much.
Seeing as how he immediately rejected someone who was going to thank him for doing something good, she found it admirable.
Seeing as how she immediately went to save someone without a second thought, she found it very cool.
And by the time she realized,
Her heart was beating faster than normal, and she could feel her cheeks heating at every second passed.
'No way..' She thought.
Zen, seeing her face flushed and her face in state of surprise, called out for her.
"Hey, are you alright?" Zen asked as he brought his face closer to hers, enough for them to kiss if one would move a little further.
Seeing this, Her face flushed even more, seeing his eyes that was full of sadness this close with a hint of worry within, she can't help but feel happy about it.
'So even at his state, he's still worrying about someone else, huh?' She thought as she made a small smile on her face.
Thinking back, she was also within his home, and the way he told her, it was like...
'It's like he invited me to his house...' She thought, her face now blushing to the point where there was smoke coming out of her ears.
She then thought back to where her current love interest is.
'Still, aren't I in love in Kiba? Isn't he the one I am truly in love these years?' She thought. Thinking back to his relationship with the blond-haired boy.
'But thinking about it, the times we interacted with each other was only when our masters had a meeting with us Peerages in tow. It also looked like he isn't reacting to me as well.' She thought.
Although she knew what happened on Kiba's past, it's not like he can't give some signs that he was reacting to her, or so she thought.
'But when It's Zen, even though I hardly know everything about him, aside from who he really is, I can't help but feel at ease everytime he's around. He also took the leisure of having us as his company, even though he keeps everyone at arm's length.'
'Ah, I see. So that's what this feeling this, huh.' She thought as she clutched her hand to her left chest, still staring at his crimson eyes, a loving smile starting to form on her face.
'It's not that I'm falling in love on him,' She thought as she made Zen see her loving smile, her cheeks still blushing, but that made her even more beautiful.
'it's because I've already...fell in love in him.'
In just a few days after meeting this guy and there, she fell for him. Hard.
She couldn't believe it,
As Zen saw her face, suddenly making a loving smile, still blushing. He can't help but lose his composure and turned his head away from her as he tried to block his face which was now blushing.
'W-What was that? Why did she suddenly smiled at me? What's more, why is my heart beating so fast right now? Why? Why is that face now inside my mind that I can't seem to forget it? Why!?' Thought Zen, confused of why she did that to him.
Tsubaki after seeing this, suddenly feel embarrassed of what she did, even more when she thought how close her face was to Zen's.
Deciding to continue what she was doing, she then answered Zen's last question.
"I-It's because of what you did just a few hours ago. Just because you didn't have any friends doesn't mean you don't have s-s-someone who cares for you." She replied. Stuttering a bit, the situation that happened a few minutes ago still fresh in her mind.
"I-I see." Was all Zen could answer to her, His left hand scratching his head. It was unlikely of him to do that.
As Tsubaki saw this, Her face blushed even more furiously than before.
After a few minutes, Tsubaki finally finished bandaging Zen's arm.
"T-There. All finished." She said. Still stuttering, even after a few minutes passed.
"Y-Yeah. Thanks." Replied Zen, also doing the same.
After another few minutes passed, the two began to regain their bearings.
"Well then, it's time for me to go home, now that I finished what I have to do." She said as she went to the entrance, preparing to leave.
As she went to the entrance, Zen followed. Asking her something which made her blush again.
"Are you sure to return alone? You can stay here if you want to, you know. I don't want see a woman walking down the street alone by herself."
As Zen thought what was wrong on what he said, until a few moments, he suddenly stiffen when he thought back what he said, struggling to keep his emotions on check.
"W-Well, I was going to use a teleportation magic, but are okay with it? I can't just bear to disappear in front of someone." She replied. Making sure of his permission before she uses it.
"No, I don't care. If it will make you return safe to your house, then I don't care." Zen replied, struggling to keep his blank face. He had received enough beating and was still going on. If this continues, he didn't know if he could keep going.
As She heard him say that, She blushed again furiously, because the way Zen said it was like a boyfriend worried about his girlfriend's well-being.
She then began to create the magic circle for teleportation, after she got his permission.
"T-Then, See you tommorow?" She said, still having red tint painted on her face. It made her a little cute, with her waving her hand a little.
Zen thought about how he could answer that. It had been a long time since someone broke his barrier for a long even for just a moment, until he decided to let this slip just this once.
"Yeah, See you tomorrow." He said, showing his true smile on his face, as he waved his left hand towards her.
Tsubaki was surprised too much since this was the first time she saw him smile. since the time he entered the school, all he showed was blank face. Nothing more, Nothing else.
She was about to respond to talking to him once more but the fate, like how cruel he is, didn't make things in their way, as the teleportation magic started to activate, bringing Tsubaki to to her and Sona's Apartment.
When she arrived at the apartment, she saw Sona sitting on the sofa, like she was waiting for her the whole time.
"You finally arrived. Just where did go? I was calling you on your phone several times and you didn't respond, you know? I was really worried about you? And why did go as far as to use the teleportation magic?" Sona asked her a barrage of questions as she crossed her arms beneath her breast, emphasizing them a little bit.
Tsubaki, who was lost in her thoughts because of what just happened before she got teleported, fell back on her knees, suddenly lost all of her strength at her legs, her glass about to fall off from her face, while having a dumbfounded face, which was rare from her.
"W-Wait, Are you okay!? Is something wrong!?" Sona questioned. Her attitude, changing from angry to a worried one.
"Y-Yeah I'm fine, kaichou. It's nothing to worry about." She said blushing a little bit, As she fixed her glasses.
Sona who saw that there was something wrong, decided to not ask further, since it was the secret of her servant. Hopefully, she will tell it to her soon.
After that, both Zen and Tsubaki couldn't sleep that night. Their face still fresh from each other's minds.
--Flashback end--
As she thought back at that time, she can't help but chuckle and blush at the same time. Remembering how embarrassing and how happy that time it was for her, as it was the time she finally realized who she really loved
That, and also because she saw him smile. In which, she found it very endearing.
She thought Zen was starting to change after that, but no. He went back to his emotionless personality. It felt like nothing happened to her, making her think if that was just a dream.
The only evidence she knew that that truly happened was right hand, which was bandaged neatly; courtesy of her, on the next day.
As for Zen, unexpectedly, he was also thinking the same as Tsubaki. About how embarrassing and how happy that time was.
It had been a very long time since he felt very happy. With the first being that time and the second being the time he made his first friend; Issei.
Just like what Tsubaki thought, although what happened that was just a distant memory, a memory that was just like a dream, it hit pretty much of Zen's well-being. Making him think what was he doing up to this point.
He was now trying of considering it, time to time, Most of it was when he was around the SC members.
Should he try it again? With Issei having the Boosted Gear residing inside him, there's a chance that he will live a longer life than normal humans do, and for Sona and Tsubaki, they were devils, who were known for living near forever, so why not try consider it?
He could also try finding someone else to love. He knows that 'She' would not like it if he continued to live like this, and that he should try to move on and try to find someone else.
He could try on Tsubaki, seeing as how their relationship grew after that... accident. And how she let him saw that beautiful smile of hers hidden beneath that serious face of hers, he thought that maybe he had chance
He could also consider Sona, but he had to build up his relationship to her like what he did with Tsubaki few months ago.
A harem was something he was also trying to consider, but he will try to see if he can't pick one the girls he met up until now.
As they were heading to the SC Room, he was thinking about what he should do in the future.
While he was thinking about that, he was again facing the stares of every students he and Tsubaki passed. He can bear it when it was just the beginning, thinking that it will be gone after some time, but he did not expect it to be this long.
He was thinking of wearing his headphones to calm himself down, only hear a scream again on the outside.
"NO WAY!!!"
"WHY ARE YOU GETTING AHEAD OF US, YOU BASTARD!!!!??"
"I CAN'T BELIEVE IIIIT!!!!!!!"
"HOW DID HE FIND SOMEONE THAT PRETTY!!!??"
It was the screaming of the two boys of the Pervert Trio; Matsuda and Motohama and the girls who saw the situation.
Getting curious, Zen decided to go take a look of what's happening.
"Tsubaki-fukukaichou, can you please go ahead? I have to see something real quick." Asked Zen to Tsubaki.
"No. I am also curious about what's the ruckus, so a minute or two won't hurt." Said Tsubaki to Zen.
As the two approached to where the two Perverts are, they were hold off by a crowd of students who are surrounding the two, with Issei and one other.
'This Presence...' thought Zen as he felt a familiar aura around the girl with Issei and the two.
"Oh, Hey! Zen! Over there!" Said Issei as he pulled the hand of the girl with familiar aura.
As Zen saw Issei with his dumb smile, he can't help but also smile, although smaller than Issei's.
When Tsubaki saw this, she felt relieved after who the person was as she also smiled.
'So he finally opened up, huh? Even if it's just a little bit, I'm glad he did that one big step.' She thought, as she clasped her right hand to her left chest.
"Who is this girl, Issei?" Asked Zen, examining the girl whose hand was still grabbed by Issei.
"Let me introduce her to you, Zen. Her name is Yuuma Amano, My girlfriend. Yuuma, He is Zen Murasaki. My friend." Introduced Issei as he pointed his hand to whoever it was when he introduced us to each other.
"Nice to meet you, Murasaki-san. Issei has told me some of his stories about you and I was pretty impressed." Yuuma said as she hold out her hand to shake Zen's.
Responding to her gesture, Zen held out her hand to return the gesture.
"Nice to meet you too, Yuuma-san. But please just call me Zen. I'm not that fond of formalities, you see. And I hope you're satisfied to the person I consider a brother." Said Zen as he shakes her hand.
As Issei heard what Zen just said, he can't help but show that idiotic smile of his, as Zen also shows his small smile to them.
"Ufufufufu. I don't think you have to worry about that, Zen-san. I'm already content of him." Replied Yuuma as she gave Issei A glance full of lust, but beneath that was bloodlust and hate.
Yep, this confirmed Zen's suspicions.
This girl was a fallen angel. Beings who defied the teachings of Biblical God, and has done some immoral things to other beings.
She must have thought she hid it pretty well, but for Zen, it was clear as day. Not because of his powers or Mystic Eyes, but because of how several leagues he was ahead of her, even with a hundred years blank of experience.
He was going to let Issei know that this girl was just toying him, but after he looked at Issei's overjoyed face, he can't help but let it slide for the sake of his friend's happiness.
But if she did something bad to Issei, He will let her think that death will be better than what he will do to her.
Yep, that's how overprotective Zen is to his friends.
"Are you sure he didn't bribe you to do this or something like that?" Questioned Zen, to make sure she isn't suspicious of him.
"*sniff* Even you, Zen? *sniff* just what in the world do you think I am?" Asked Issei, as he cried fake anime tears.
"A shameless pervert." Replied Zen, unexpectedly with Tsubaki who was standing the whole time, said at the same time.
As Issei heard this, he then puffed out his cheeks as looked away from them, even from his so-called girlfriend.
"Um... I've been wondering this all the time but, Is the person beside you your girlfriend?" Asked Yuuma, as she pointed at the person beside Zen; Tsubaki.
The crowd, who then followed the direction she pointed at and saw that Tsubaki was the one beside him, suddenly screamed at realization.
"EEEEEEEEHHHHH!!!!!!!!????"
"NO WAY!! IS THAT TRUE!!??"
"DAMN IIIIIIIIT!!!!! EVEN THE VICE PRESIDENT IS TAKEEEEEN!!!!!"
"WHY IS FATE SO CRUEEEEEEL!!!!!???"
"FUCKING FINALLY!!!!!"
Shouted the crowd, Zen couldn't help but frown at why did they took in something so fast? can't they use their heads at situations like this, even for a little?
He also frowned at the last comment. Someone was expecting them to be together, not giving a damn on his current state. He wasn't going to be like that on her. At least, for now.
As for Tsubaki, She blushed furiously that there was some coming from her ears.
Although she was angry because of how the students in this school react to situations like this, She was happy to imagine it if that were the case. Especially, when she heard the last comment.
"N-No! I'm just guiding him to the SC Room because the President has called him to ask for some...help." Retorted Tsubaki, which had the crowd not believe it, even more when they saw her blush even more.
"Really? I thought that it was because of how close you are to him, when I saw you coming towards here." Said Yuuma, as she put a finger on her chin.
'If only that were the case...' Thought Tsubaki, as she fidget her thumbs a little.
"As much as I wanted it to be, We are just friends-'for now, if she wanted it.' nothing more, nothing else. Though I am not that lucky to have a girl like her." Replied Zen to Yuuma, Before Tsubaki exploded from blushing too much.
He then started to get confused when he thought of entering a relationship with Tsubaki. Was really considering it? But then he thought, What if she rejected him? He knew how much she loved the Prince of Kuoh, Kiba Yuuto of the Occult Research Club, also known as ORC.
There was so many rumors revolving around the school, so much that he knew she herself heard some it. Like, How she stared longingly to him everytime she saw him passing by, or how they actually date in secret and act normally in front of the crowd, and many others.
As the crowd heard this, some are happy and some are disappointed. Happy because they thought they could try their luck on her; most of the men in the scene, and disappointed because they thought there was gonna be a new couple to be gossiped throughout the school.
Even though Zen's reputation inside the school was second to the Pervert Trio, they knew that most of it are false, since the source itself can't be trusted; The Pervert Trio, except Issei.
"I-Is that so? I'm sorry for making assumptions like that." Apologized Yuuma, though Zen felt a bit of malice from her voice.
"I-I don't mind it. If you could please excuse us, because the President is still waiting for us..." Tsubaki dragged Zen towards the stairs as she tried to hide her face from the crowd, still blushing furiously.
After they were gone, they then asked a barrage of questions to the newlyfound couple; Issei and his so-called girlfriend on the other school who came to visit him, Yuuma.
As they were walking through the stairs, going to the SC Room, he felt her hand that was holding his right arm which was now healed, trembling a little bit.
"I'm sorry." Apologized Zen.
"What?"
"I'm sorry, for what had just happened."
"N-No. Don't Apologize. I-I'm fine with it, if it's you." Said Tsubaki, mumbling the last part.
They then stayed quiet through the way to the SC Room. When they were at the entrance of the room, Zen asked her again.
"Are you really okay with it?"
"I told you I'm fine with it. I also didn't mind what everyone said to me. All of that is just nonsense, you know."Replied Tsubaki, now letting go of his hand before another misunderstanding occurs.
"...I see.." was all Zen could say as she opened the door.
As they enter the room, the first thing they saw was Sona. Now standing in front of her table, both of her arms crossed beneath her chest, as she tapped her left foot nonstop. Staring daggers at both of them.
"You've taken such a quite long time to come here, you two. Care to explain why you arrived only right now?" Asked Sona, with a tick now appearing on her head.
"Let me explain it to you, since she still didn't recover from it." Said Zen, as he sat on one of the sofa in the room, with Sona Sitting at the other as Tsubaki went to prepare some tea for the both of them.
He then explained what happened before they got into the room, which made Tsubaki once again, a blushing mess.
After Zen explained everything, Sona was on a deep thought, thinking about something that got her attention.
'From how Zen explained and seeing Tsubaki's state right now, I can probably say that he is starting to open up, even a little bit. I don't know how did they get this close, maybe that time where she came home late, I think.'
'Also, he said Issei Hyoudou suddenly had a girlfriend, and by the time we recognized he had a sacred gear. This can't be just a coincidence.' Thought Sona.
"Did you recognized who she was?" Sona asked to the two.
"Yes. Although She hid pretty well when she was in this town, we recognized her pretty easy when was near enough." Replied Tsubaki as she arrived with a tray on her hand, with Zen nodding to confirm it.
"From what you just did, I take it that you know who she is?" Asked Sona to Zen.
"Yeah, She's a fallen angel. A low-level one, but can gave you or Rias Gremory a run for the money." Zen replied this time, as he took a sip to the tea served by Tsubaki.
'This is good..' Thought Zen, as his eyes widen a little after tasting it.
Tsubaki, after seeing Zen's reaction to her tea made her fidget her finger a little bit as she went to stood behind Sona.
"Hmm, it can give us a hard time taking it down, huh? I'll try not to be careless when we fight it. What are your thoughts about her intentions?"
"Probably just to seduce Issei. because of how he is, he probably didn't realize it that it was trap."
"I thought you care for him as a friend?"
"Yes. I care for him, you see. If it makes him that happy just to have a girlfriend, then I will support him all the way. Although if she tried to kill him, then I will personally deal with her myself." Declared Zen. Glaring at the window, where outside of that was Issei with his fallen girlfriend.
"Did you know that Rias plans to revive him when he got killed by that...crow, right?" Asked Sona.
"No, although I know that she plans to recruit him to her peerage, I didn't know that it is when he got killed. Well, knowing him, he will be loyal to her for the rest of his life, thinking that she saved him from getting killed." Replied Zen to her question.
"Then, what will you do?" Sona stared at Zen as she asked him a question, her thumbs fidgeting a little bit.
"..." Zen just stared at the tea he was holding. What was he gonna do? Will he just leave his friend die while knowing that he can save him? But then, what is Rias' plan? Why did she want him to die and revive him?
The only answer he could think was so that she could make him her loyal servant, making him feel indebted to her because he will think She saved his life when the death came to embrace him.
"Can you first tell me why is she going this far just to get him? Can't she just ask him and hope for the rest?" This time, Zen put down his tea and stared at Sona, right on her eyes which made her flinch a little bit.
"Okay. I will tell it to you, but promise me first to not let her know that you're part of this world. At least until 'he' arrive here." Said Sona, still not wanting to let Rias know about who Zen was.
"And why are you that desperate to hide me from her?" Zen rose an eyebrow as he narrowed his eyes, still staring at Sona's eyes.
"It's because she will do whatever she can just get out of her arranged 'marriage', to the point that she wants your friend to die make sure she gets him completely." She sigh after saying the reason why Rias wanted Issei so much.
After hearing this, Zen was lost in his thoughts.
"Marriage, huh? That's only right, because of how the state of the devils right now. Although they are regaining their numbers thanks to the evil pieces, most of the full-blooded ones are dying out. This is probably the devil council's plan, to ensure that the full-blooded devils will live on, and Judging from the way she is resisting this, she had no intention of going along with it and probably going to gamble it to a rating game." Analyzed Zen, getting Sona and Tsubaki wide-eyed as he stated the possible situations regarding Rias.
"Hey, Sona. Can I ask you who is her suitor?" Zen asked.
Sona, who was still rendered speechless immediately regained her composure after she heard Zen ask her again.
"Huh!? Ah, right. Her suitor is the second son of the Phenex House, Riser Phenex." Said Sona as she pushed back her glasses.
"Phenex, huh? If my memory still serves me right, They're one of the 72 pillars that was known for their instant regeneration abilities, I think.." Said Zen, as he put a hand under his chin.
Tsubaki, who was still flabbergasted last time, has gotten surprised once more, when Zen said that he knew one of the devils in 72 pillars. While they knew who he really was, they didn't know that he know this much about their race.
"Just how much do you know about the devil community? Just from the way you said, it's like you know us like the palm of your hand." Sona asked, not taking it anymore how he perfectly hid his information, even to a women like her, who had trained her brain like a man would to his body, while she was on her house.
"To answer your questions respectively, I don't know too much about you, it's just that I met someone who knew far more than what you both know. and, all will be answered in time. That's what I can only say to you. I'm just still not prepared for it, you know. Telling my past to you and some of it." Answered Zen, as he raised a hand, while his gaze fell down to his tea, in which he put it down before he answered the question.
"Sorry. I just got impatient." Was all Sona could say.
"No, Don't be. I know that you will be curious, hearing me say all of that things, but please give me some time to...consider it." Replied Zen, as he clasped his hand together, while his hands narrowed in sadness, guilt and it was like he was hurt just from thinking about it.
Tsubaki who saw this, can't help but also clasp her hand above her left chest. She felt like crying, just felt it, but decided not to. She doesn't know how Zen will react if he saw her do it.
Sona, also felt hurt from how Zen was...still keeping himself at arm's length. She really wants him to know that there was someone who cared him, and seeing how Tsubaki was flustered by the way they arrived, she knew that her Vice President cared for him more than her, making the Amber color-eyed president sad a little bit.
"You know, if you had some problems bottled up there, know that you can always have us as company for letting it out. Aren't we also your...friends?" Said Sona, having a bit of red tint on her cheeks after saying the word she only applied on the members of the SC and the redhead.
"Friends?" Zen asked, having his eyes widen a little with bit of hope felt on his voice.
"Yes! You might not know it, but we actually consider you as our friend. Right, kaichou!?" Exclaimed Tsubaki, a bit more passionate than her normal personality, after seeing Zen's what you call, a face full of hope.
She was also looking at her kaichou as she made that statement, which got Sona a little surprised. After seeing her friend not in her normally serious persona got her off guard.
"Y-Yeah. Of course we are." Said Sona, as she looked away from the both of them, hiding her rarely flushed face.
Zen after hearing them both say that, suddenly felt like he was in peace as he closed his eyes. Not realizing his lips turned to show a small smile.
"Thanks. I really appreciate it." Was all Zen had said as he simmered at the feeling.
"Idiot." Muttered Sona when she saw Zen's rare smile, as she also made her own smile.
If she was being honest of herself, she could say it to herself that she had a small crush on Zen, but Everytime she saw Tsubaki's reaction to her crush, whether on the class or in this room, she then decided to hide these feelings, and only intervene, if Zen ever had the thought of going through that way.
But before that, they have to fix Zen's 'brokenness'.
Same for Tsubaki who also had a smile of her own, thinking that maybe they made him open up a bit. if not, At the very least they made him doubt for what he was doing up until now.
But still, she thought they were making some progress, by seeing him show a small smile, every now and then.
"Also about Rias's plan to Issei, I'll try not to interfere with it, but if Issei found out the reason why he was suddenly part of her peerage, even I don't know what will happen." Said Zen, keeping the part that his sacred gear was dragon-based.
"About Rias's Peerage, could you please have the pleasure to train them when the time comes? I know that you want to stay out of the supernatural world as much as possible, but..." Sona said, but when she was trying to add something to it, Zen intervened.
"You don't need to worry about that. I was also planning to train Issei when he is aware of the supernatural world, adding a few more people isn't going to kill me." Reassured Zen, making Sona sigh in delight, when she saw Zen taking it simply.
As someone who knew who Zen really is, once the supernatural world knows that there was someone who can take them on and still survive, they will certainly going to win him over. With this heavy tension between the 3 biblical factions, it wouldn't be surprising if there was already a person who recruited him.
"But are you sure about this? After I'm done training them, they will be surely more powerful than before, you know. And why are you going as far as helping your rival?" Asked Zen.
"As much as I also want to know why, I don't even know myself. But I do know one thing, though. Rias' Suitor is the worst scum for the women. His Peerage was filled with only women, with his little sister included among them. To see that she will be included at his collections like she was a toy, I can't bear to see it." Sona Explained.
"I see." Zen replied.
After that, they just kept the serious talks away, and went to the normal talks, like the gossips they were hearing around the school, since they've had enough of it this day. Zen was planning on going to the rooftop again but was interrupted by Sona, saying that it was okay for him to eat here, every now and then, since they were friends. Zen just nodded. He didn't say anything and just obliged.
After that, School in afternoon just went normally. Nothing extraordinary happened, except for the rumors that Issei was having a date on the first day of this coming week. since it was Sunday, a school day off, Issei said to Zen that he will go all out on it, before running away to his house with a huge smile on his face.
After Zen saw him run with a smile, he can't help but also have a small smile on his face.
"I swear to the old man, that idiotic smile of his is really rubbing on me." Zen thought.
Deciding to take a detour, he went to the park. Specifically, the park where he went to save that blonde little girl and her blonde mother.
Her presence was very familiar for him. Not like how he felt Yuuma's presence as a fallen angel, but it was like he knew her, for a long time. Judging from the way she called him, It's like that was the case.
Usually, he could recognize it the time he felt it, but he was so focused at the little girl if she was okay and at the state of his arm at that time.
The only thing he recognized to her was the presence of her race, something he was very familiar with. The reason because it was full of them in the place he was living on before he came to Kuoh.
Kyoto, a place full of youkai...
And she was, also a youkai and a strong one at that. Probably, one that he couldn't fight before unsealing some of his power.
Well, as long as he stayed out of trouble, there was no problem of him unsealing his power.
Yes, it will be very troublesome for him if he unsealed his powers, with him laying low right now.
He was suddenly taken out of his thoughts when he saw a couple with their child holding their arms, walking while they were laughing across the park.
He felt liberated when he saw them, after seeing them. This is why he decided to live peacefully, even if it's just for small time. He know that he will go back to that world, and probably do something that will scare again the whole underworld.
He didn't just know it, his instincts were screaming for it. It was his fate, to continue fighting, until the day where he will disappear like ash.
Just like how he was born in ash.
What was the reason why he was born? What was his purpose? He was thinking so hard that he didn't realize his house was already on his site.
As he was thinking about that, something also crossed his mind. Someone that he totally forgotten, the person who treated him like his own blood.
But he remembered him at the time when his words passed through his mind.
"You don't need a reason to live. Sure, we suffer sometimes and feel joy sometimes through the waves of life, but that's just how fate is. That why, don't act like a mindless monster when you have a rational mind. If you are or being called a monster by those around you, prove them wrong by using that power to protect them. After that, go find someone that loves you for who you are, and enjoy your life to the fullest. Or do you need help about that? This old man got some recommendation for you. How about my daughter? You and her would be perfect for each other, so why not try her, eh? And don't worry about me, you have my permission, so go and make her yours!" The old man in his thoughts said to him, from being serious to becoming like a pervert old man with a creepy smile on his face as he gave him a thumbs up.
'That old man, even though he is long gone in this world, he's still haunting me...' Thought Zen as he chuckled a little bit.
'That reminds me, how is 'she' doing right now? With the old man gone, I wonder how she's taking it, after losing her only parent and her emotional support.' Thought Zen.
After getting out of his thought, he realized that his house was now on his sight.
After a few meters away from his house, he saw something like a black blur on the sidewalk, just in the front of his house and recognized some liquid spilled around it.
As he got closer, he realized that the liquid around it wasn't just an ordinary liquid.
It was blood.
He ran immediately and went to see what it was and if it was still alright, only to see something he didn't expected.
'A cat?'
At Last!! It's finally finished!!
That's a one long chapter I created, probably for the first time. reaching 9k words.
Yep, I know you are probably wondering right now. "Why is the Flashback longer than the present time?" is what you think right?To be honest, I don't really know even myself. XD
I just had some scenarios going through my head and I just thought that maybe this will fit in the story.
And, How was the very first fluff I've ever made? or can that even be called fluff? I don't know, just give some reviews about it and I'll try to make some of it again in the future chapters.
And also if you didn't realize it, there are some unnamed characters here that are part of Zen's past, while the others are part of his harem. if you ever recognize some of it, please keep it to yourself. or else, it wouldn't be fun anymore.
And about Zen's state, the reason why I made him consider his situation in this chapter and made him improve a little bit (him showing small smiles often) is because I don't want to ponder on it too much. just like how my very first reviewer, shob-vce-zloby-zdoxli said, it gets really old very quick and I'll continue to make him improve little by little as several chapter passes. I think in the Kokabiel Arc is where he will totally move on from his past. or at least, that's what I'm planning to.
Also about Zen and Tsubaki's interaction, some of you are probably thinking like, "You said Issei will be the one to break down his walls, but why is Tsubaki and Sona are making the move instead of him?" here's my answer and I'll make it short:
As several chapters pass, Tsubaki and Sona will continue to make him doubt of what he was doing and Issei will be the one to completely break that shell he created over himself.And like what I said in the previous chapters, Zen will finally meet the one who is in Issei's harem in canon but will become his in this fanfic, so stayed tuned.
And, My head is totally f*cking me up right now, so I think my next update will be on Saturday. If not, then maybe next week.
With that finished, I'll see you on the next chapter...
