IMPORTANT NOTE:

This is not the new chapter, chapter 8 is the new one which should be online in a couple of minutes. Sorry for the annoyance but I had to fix some chapters and split chapter two into a two-parter. Thank you for understanding and hope you enjoy this chapter... again.


The Devil and The Chicken

Chapter 7: It's Part of the Job

Arc: Hollow Heart


Glossary:

"Greetings." Normal speech.

'Greetings.' Thinking speech.

[Greetings.] Comms and phone speech.

{Greetings.}TV and Radio speech.


{START}


~Sona Sitri~ Monday – TIME: 12:10 PM

"Another one..."

Clinching her hands in anger, Sona Sitri read the report to what felt to be the hundredth time. Her stress that she tried to bury came back with a vengeance the moment Tsubaki Shinra told her of what has happened these past few days.

"Hai, Kaicho." Tsubaki nodded, stoic as ever. Standing by her side as she continued addressing her. "Thanks to your sister's servants' help in updating the report, we can finally confirm that these attacks are indeed connected."

Sona's crumbled the paper, growing angry the further she read. "Three attacks in a week… whoever is doing this is not a mindless creature like we first suspected… but…" she clenched her hands, her anger intensifying. "A child!… how much low they could sink?!"

It felt like a gut punch when she first read the report her sister's servants gave her this morning, a report she's been reading all day, even during classes.

A child was killed yesterday, and in comparison to the other killings, this one was blatant. The attacker did not hide their claw marks when they struck the child's body in this latest one. Usually, the bodies did not have a scratch on them, only that their faces carried a look of pure horror, and their bodies looking like they've been sucked dry. Whatever they stared at in their last moment wasn't something the normal eyes should be seeing.

Added with the death of an older man over on Kuoh Bridge last week, this would make it the third attack to have happened in such a small window.

What makes this latest one blatant, the public is starting to notice these patterns of killings happening all over the region. Reports on Kagomine having their own set of troubles and now in Kuoh have caused some locals to report to the police to what they suspect to be a pattern of deaths happening in these short few weeks.

Previously, these deaths happening around the region were occurring randomly, even the Devils were at first not aware of any sort of attacks happening until one of the Lucifer's servants started noticing a sudden surge of energy rising up in various towns. And when the Devils began investigating they soon noticed that the people were not dying normally, and that is before the attacker started leaving wound marks such as recently.

But because of the randomness, these attacks happen this past year, each attack did not have any sort of connection whatsoever, which made it difficult to notice in the beginning. One day, a report of an attack in Kagomine happens, two weeks later another one happens in Karakura, a month later and you got in Kuoh and so on. People wouldn't notice anything out of the ordinary happening because of how random these events occur.

But in Kuoh, three deaths have happened in one town. And in such a short span and in such brutal deaths, people would notice.

"Either they are desperate… or arrogant enough to want to be noticed..." Sona cited, setting the paper aside as she turned up to address the rest of her peerage who were waiting for her in anticipation. Originally, she planned to make tomorrow's Tuesday meeting about these series of incidents and how to approach it slowly, even include Rias and her peerage into this to broaden the investigations.

But the attacker forced her hand, and they will regret it.

"Everyone, I know this is an unfortunate time to be conducting a meeting during Lunchtime and so close to the exams, but its importance outweighs everything else we are doing, so thank you for coming," Sona addressed her peerage, each of them standing in front of her desk. "As said in the reports Tsubaki has given you shows, there has been a series of attacks happening to the locals in the region, and even with our resources, we are still unable in identifying what or who is doing these heinous actions. So I decided to expand our investigations further than what we were doing."

She looked around the room, staring at her peerage before proceeding, "That is why I am giving each of you a task in putting an end to these attacks once and for all," she nodded at her Vice-President, who handed out to everyone a map of the entire town, each area having a circle with two names on it. "You will be split in two and overlooking a specific area around Kuoh. Each of these areas was confirmed attack sites that have happened for the last few months, and we believe they are connected. So I put some of you in these areas base on your familiarity with the area and being close to your home, and I order you to approach this with discretion and not reveal yourselves to anyone I have not assigned this task except for those in my family."

She brought out another piece of paper and began to read out the names "Momo and Tsubasa, you will be in the east where the first reported attack happened, your familiarity with the area will be beneficial in possibly spotting any oddities."

The blue-haired Tsubasa Yura and the white-haired Momo both nodded in compliance with the command.

"Kusaka and Tomoe," she called the two second-years. "You will be in the north where the last attack happened yesterday but be careful, the area will still have the police searching around and not all of them are one of ours."

"Hai!" Tomoe saluted to her King before remembering something. "Oh! I know this one place in the neighborhood that sells these cute hairpins nearby! Maybe I can get everyone a souvenir while we look around!" she turned to Kusaka "Ne, Kusaka-san? What do you think? We can get those cute petal hairpins you wanted!"

Sona sighed and gave the second-year a stern look "This is not an excuse to be dillydallying, Tomoe. Focus on the task at hand, you can buy hairpins after we are done."

Sometimes Sona needs to remind herself she is surrounded by high schoolers.

"As I said, be careful. The area is still fresh with the recent attack. In case you do get questioned, just admit you are just going out shopping."

One of the perks of having a territory under your species is the careful placements of those in power in ensuring the existence of the supernatural remains a secret. Police offices and chiefs, politicians in certain places. Constructing workers in fixing up any damages left behind by a supernatural conflict, to even normal homeowners who act as watchers and servants to the Devil family.

It took a long time, a lot of peace talking to the local pantheon for any of this to happen. But unlike their influence in areas such as Europe and North America, their influence in Japan isn't as strong as anywhere else because it is a Shinto territory, they don't own the area, they are simply living in it.

"Ruruko," she called for the first-year's attention, one of the newer members of her peerage. "You will be helping us in gathering information from the Levitation servants stationed here. Take whatever is connected to our case and bring them to Tsubaki and me so that we can brainstorm in just what we are dealing with here, so you will be working with us for the time being."

The first-year looked hesitant at first from the task she was given, eyeing between her King and the oblivious blond-haired boy Saji with a look she has seen numerous times from girls who expect too much but are too cowardly to confess forward.

"Am I clear?" she firmly asked, not in the mood for some high school love story waiting to unfold.

"Ah!" Ruruko yelped, frightened by her harsh tone before nodding hesitantly "Hai… Kaicho..."

Her response wasn't satisfactory enough, but Sona didn't want to punish the girl over such a trivial thing. She is still young, and new to this world of theirs… the reason why she gave the young girl such a simple task is that she the newest member of her peerage, and lacks the experience in certain parts compared to the rest of the peerage.

"Saji-"

"I accept the task, Kaicho!" The ever-eager Saji Genshirou stepped forward as his King called for him "I will bring this creature to justice for what it has done in making you worried!" he claimed confidently, chest puffed out and arms resting by his hips "So whatever task you will give me I will make it my priority by your side!"

The entire peerage gave Saji a lame look, even Ruraka, the girl who is seeking his affection, gave him a look of disappointment.

"Good to see someone eager with their assignment, Saji. For you will be watching over the bridge in the North where the attack that happened last week," Sona explained and Saji smiled in anticipation, eager for what he thinks to be the caveat with whom he will be working within this task "With Loup Garou."

The look of shock and betrayal after Sona destroyed the boy's expectations with the possibility of working with her were dashed and buried six feet under.

Sona turned to the one member of her peerage who wasn't standing with the rest. Seating by her leftmost of the room on the leather sofa was a tall young man, his physique and size were bigger than anyone in the Academy, even larger than Bazzard Black. Gray of hair, with long bangs that covered his eyes. Dressed in street clothes which consisted of a dark blue jacket, blue jeans, and a red bandana over his head.

The young man looked up from his seat, quiet ever since coming to the council room. His eyes covered behind his bangs, making it hard for anyone to see whether he is looking at them or not. Nonetheless, his quick nod of acknowledgment was enough to warrant an answer.

"Everyone, meet Loup Garou," Sona introduced the young man to her peerage "My Rook and your fellow Peerage teammate, he is a first-year in Kuoh Academy College department, so please make him feel welcomed." the young man lowered his head in respect to his fellow teammates but did not speak a single word, staying quiet as the rest of the peerage greeted the young man.

This is the first time anyone from her peerage has met Garou except for Tsubaki, as he is the second servant she recruited after Her Queen and has stayed by her side all these years loyally. But because of his age and his personality, he has always kept him below notice, keeping to himself has made it difficult to find the time for Sona to introduce the young man to her peerage.

"He is one of the first people along with Tsubaki I have given the task in investigating these incidents since last month. So the reports you have read were all gathered thanks to Loup, he has been going around neighboring towns and has been working diligently to give us enough to sanction this a supernatural incident." she indicated her Vice-president and continued, "But with this problem growing worse by the day, I need all hands on this one and us handling it is not enough."

She turned to Saji, "You and Loup will investigate the bridge, it is one of the only areas where we have absolutely nothing to report except for the recent death that has happened. Find anything that looks odd or senses anything out of place and report back. Loup will be able to help you with that in case you reach a roadblock, he has a great sense of smell that can detect anything out worldly in the area"

Saji looked like he was about to protest, but a quick stern glare from Sona was enough to force the young man to accept his fate in being on a mission with the only other male member of the peerage.

"…Fine," he turned to Loup and gave him a low bow. "…I look forward to working with you, Senpai..."

"…Hmm." Loup simply hummed and nodded in response.

"Wow…" Tomoe whispered to Kusaka. "Did Saji-Kun just accepted his alpha?" she asked, eyeing Garou after realizing his size and his very… sharp looks. "Looks like Bazzy got some competition."

Loup looked the other way and blushed, not expecting such a compliment. The other girls joined in the fun, studying the young man top to bottom.

"Tomoe" Sona called the girl sternly "No PDA during meeting time. You can do that outside of academy grounds".

Even The Sitri Heiress can admit that Loup is very handsome, but one has to respect their personal space, no matter the gender.

"Sorry, Kaicho! Just admiring the view!" the red-headed girl said and giggled, much to Sona's exhaustion, Saji's irritation, and Loup's embarrassment.

Tsubaki clapped her hands to catch everyone's attention. Nodding to her King to continue "Thank you for that, Tsubaki. Now, your tasks are simple, search the area for anything out of place. You will be given special devices that identify energy presence in the detected if you are able to get a reading report it to me or Tsubaki. Am I understood?"

"Hai, Kaicho!" everyone shouted in unison.

"Everyone will be given an hour or an hour and a half after school before you go back home. So do not overdo yourselves or make any heroics. If you find anything that even hints on our possible attacker, report it immediately to me by phone and I will make sure to send the needed help to take care of this. Remember, we are still not sure how to deal with this, so this week will just be gathering information and nothing else" she cited, eyeing every person from the peerage, and giving Tomoe an extra five second in staring down just to emphasize it "Am I understood?" she asked once more.

"Hai, Kaicho!" they answered once more, with Garou nodding alongside them in silence.

"Good, and remember; this does not mean you can get to slack off in not studying for the upcoming exams."

A few of them let out a groan in protest but Sona gave another stern look toward them.

"No complaining, you are still students of Kuoh and representatives of the Student Council. So I expect everyone to do their best for the exams. After that, we will put our effort into this investigation" she noted, leaning forward from her seat "Now, any questions?"

No one asked their King.

Sona smiled, pleased with her peerage's commitment as always "Enjoy the rest of your day, everyone. And remember, don't slack off with your duties"

Her once chronic headaches have subsided after the meeting, making the council president confident in herself and her peerage's skills in these tasks. Hopefully, they can solve this problem sooner rather than later, and make whoever is attacking these innocent people regret their actions swiftly and with a vengeance upon them.

'Kuoh is my territory. Kuoh is my home. The people leaving here in safety and protection are my duty. And those who disturb it will regret coming.'


{D&C}


-Bazzard Black- After School – TIME: 3:45 P.M

Bazzard Black, for the first time since coming to this dead-end of a town, has finally found peace.

And by peace, he means the lack of nuisances and Council President hounding him for crimes he has not committed, and that does not include the dumbasses who try and pick up a fight with him or Issei telling him one of his dumb stories.

Peace with himself, a peace he wishes to happen more often.

Walking through the wet streets of Kuoh, Bazz heads home at an average pace. Hands in his pocket and enjoying the cold air splashing his face. The weather this past week has been growing pretty heavy and seeing it now it looks like it won't be calming down any time soon.

"Goddamn rain…" he muttered, Bazz never liked the rain. It brought nothing but bad memories.

He walked alone in the streets, no Issei, Asia, or Tatsuki walking by his side like usual. Now that all of them are part of school clubs, that would mean they have commitments, duties, and responsibilities for their clubs. With Tatsuki being president of the Karate Club, that means a lot more work on her part now that they are out of the nationals way earlier than expected. While Issei and Asia are doing their work with the ORC, or he should say the Gremory family.

The Devil's work does not stop even on a school night.

Their Devil duties, from the longwinded explanation he got from Issei, is basically doing odd jobs work. The people or clients that hire them to give a task and they do it, fulfilling a contract.

While it is a way to give the Devil family some recognition if they have an existing contract with the client, instead of the long-dead tradition of owning one's soul. The Devil just does odd jobs instead of the usual payment with money. The more jobs they are able to accomplish, be it big or small, the more the family is recognized, and in turn, the more the individual doing the said job is recognized.

It is also one of the reasons why Issei is pretty eager to do as many as he can. If he gets recognized then he is promoted through the Devil ranks. And the more he gets promoted, the closer he gets to his dream.

'For chasing a dumb dream… the kid sure is motivated to at least try and do it…'

Bazz will always see Issei's dream of becoming the Harem King to be stupid, but he respects his commitment to it. This is probably the only positive aspect in his pursuit of his dream and his kindness because, without those, Bazz would have him flogged him on the first day he told him about his dream.

It also reminded him that he is not, 'Thank God' part of a club in school. Shitori tried to reprimand him about it, said that he should contribute to helping the school and expanding club activities for his personal growth. But of course, being the cautious person that he is, Bazz asked if it was mandatory, and of course, Sona Shitori, the most honest Devil he has ever met, answered with a hesitant No. Clubs are there just for social development and personal growth.

After that conversation, he did not join a single club since coming to Kuoh.

He will forever thank Shitori for being truthful with him just for that.

So now here he is because he does not have club duties and is now walking on his own in peace without Issei's constant bragging or trying to show him some chick he found on the internet. Without Tatsuki drilling him about his form or mocking him about it.

And he will admit, it feels pretty weird to not be hearing it now that he put some thought into it.

Bazz found himself approaching the girl's shrine once more, and thankfully, it looked undisturbed-

'What the?'

Bazz noticed something, or someone, standing in front of the shrine. However, it wasn't anyone he knew. The mother of the girl that visited had a distinct look. Even the dumbasses that disturb it were an eyesore to look at. But this individual, the one standing in front of the shrine looked like a kid.

It looked like… The Girl herself.

'No way…' he did not believe what he was seeing 'I… I can see spirits… I thought… I thought I lost it…' he realized, and for the first time ever since coming to Kuoh, he felt… relieved.

He took a step forward, trying to approach the Girl's spirit slowly-

"THERE HE IS!"

Bazz swiveled his head and looked behind him, and right away a sound of him groaning escaped his breath. Behind him were a group of no good delinquent's approaching him.

"That is the one!" one of them shouted, a fat punk that looked he was close to collapsing from all the walking he must have done. "That is the bastard that beat up Yokochini and his crew last week!"

Bazz had, to be honest, that name just flew right out of his brain.

"HAH?! That is the one? Red hair? Ugly ass hair? You Bazz whatever?!" one of them spoke up as they slowly walked forward ahead of the pack. He was a tall one, a punk with a Mohawk, a bad Mohawk at that. Not as glorious or awesome as he once had last year. It pissed him off to see such a travesty of a beautiful hairstyle to abuse by some punk who does not appreciate it.

"You the gaijin that's been beating my boys up!" the tall punk asked, trying to size him up with his crew as they slowly approached him "I've been hearing this King of Kuoh crap all the way to my turn in Karakura! And it's making me puke every time I hear it!"

Bazz turned back to the shrine, hoping the girl was still there but alas, there was nothing but empty air. The punks must have scared the spirit away with their presence.

That pissed him off even more.

"Hey! You listenin to me!" The tall punk shouted, his anger rising by the second "I don't know who you think you are! But you don't beat up anyone from my crew! Remember my name! I am-"

"I don't care..."

"HUH!" The leader's brows twitch at Bazz's words.

"I said," he walked forward, throwing his bag aside. Even though things were peaceful, he found out that beating up punks that tried to annoy and attack him to be the normalist form of relieving stress. And he enjoys it, greatly so "I. Don't. Care. About. Your. Shit. You fuckers pestered me long enough, and disturbed the shrine over there, again," he cited, walking forward, not bothering with slowing his pace "Now stand there and take a beating you wastes of life."

"Why you!" The leader gritted his teeth, taking out a small pocket knife as Bazz charged "KILL HIS ASS!-"

"Hey!"

"Who the hell are you?!"

"OH SHIT!"

Just as he was about to finish his order, the punks suddenly found some of their members flying around all of the sudden. Each of them getting flung in random directions and hitting the other with a brutal throw.

Bazz pushed the brakes on his charge, shocked at the display in front of him as the punks began to fly everywhere starting from the back of the pack.

"What is going on!?" the leader asked, shocked by this interference "Is someone behind us?!"

Before his question could be answered, the leader found a fist flying towards him. And in one shot, the leader's head went back from the impact of the fist. His teeth flying everywhere from the devastating shot.

Instant K.O.

"Who is this crazy broad?!" The fat punk shouted, but he too received another shot to the face.

Bazz's eyes widened after realizing just who is attacking the punks. A woman, wearing a brown hat with goggles on them, covering her tied up black hair. Her clothes consisted of a white shirt with purple sleeves, black pants, and rubber boots. The word 'Unagi' spelled in English across her shirt.

Behind all the carnage and falling bodies, Bazz could see the woman was grinning ear to ear at the beating she is giving to the punks with a vengeance. Anyone who tried to attack her was met with a powerful shot, anyone jumps from behind she quickly grab them and threw to the nearest poor soul too stupid to not move out of the way.

The woman stumped her boot on top of a nearby unconscious body of a punk, who groaned in pain.

"Looks like you are having a blast with your friends here!" the woman said aloud, her hat shadowing her eyes as she continued grinning "Bazzy-chaaaaan!"

'Oh. Hell. No.'

Standing in front of him, in all of her glory and display of destruction that managed to beat even his record at the fastest in destroying all of these punks in seconds, was none other than Unagiya Ikumi.

His boss at his new job.

"Boss?!" he shouted in shock.

"Don't 'Boss' with me, chicken head!" Ikumi shouted back in anger, stomping the body beneath in anger, who groaned in pain some more "Not even a week in the job and now I am seeing you are skipping for bullshit reasons!"

He felt a sweat drop. "I was going back home to change up! These bastards made me late!"

Since last week, a couple more punks were annoying him every single day. And growing by the number each time they showed up. Each telling him they were looking to make a name for themselves or looking for revenge after he beat them up at some point in the past. If he can bother himself in remembering.

Of course, because the punks were always trying to pick a fight with him, he had to answer in kind, which in turn made him late coming to work. Which in turn, made Ikumi pissed off even more because he always comes late bruised up and annoyed from the fighting. Which in turn, made him irrigated to make deliveries.

Somewhere in his mind, he can hear Tatsuki calling a pussy for acting like this.

"Not an excuse!" she raised her head, showing her brown eyes to Bazz. A vein coming out from her head "I am done standing around while you take advantage of my kindness in letting your skip work!"

To Bazz's shock, even with his keen eyes and somewhat better reaction, Ikumi managed to cut the distance between the two and grab him by the collar of his jacket.

"What the-?"

"Shut it you drama queen!" she pulled his collar tightly and pulled him close, much to his discomfort because she brought him way close to her rather… large breast.

'I am gonna kill Issei for giving me ideas…"

"Now, be a good boy and let me kidnap you!"

Bazz's eyes widened in shock as Ikumi managed to effortlessly drag him into a nearby bus she parked in the middle of the road.

'What's with women having ridiculous strength?!'

First Tatsuki and now Ikumi.

He sure has bad luck in dealing with women who can throw him around.

"You want me to seriously work with my school clothes still on?!" Bazz asked as Ikumi slide her bus door open "They are wrinkled as it is!"

"Don't worry about that! I got your sorry ass covered" Ikumi grinned as she pointed at the hanging clothes inside the bus.

"Oh…" he realized after noticing the color "Oh hell no! No way am I wearing that thing!"

"Don't complain! Now dress up! No way am I letting you wear anything that doesn't represent Team Unagiya!" Ikumi proceeded to grab the button of his shirt and started unbuttoning it "Take this off!"

"Woman! I can do it myself!" he tried to move her hands off of him, to no avail. Just where the hell is she getting this absurd strength?! "Knock it off!"

The door of the bus shut close and drove off into the streets. Leaving the broken pile of bodies of the punks all groaning in pain and complaining about some crazy woman kicking their ass.

It's been said that the legend of 'Crazy Unagi' started in this very spot, but none were able to confirm it.


{D&C}


4:20 P.M:

He walked through the dark hallway slowly, the place looked condemned from the outside and it looks a lot worse inside. Makes you wonder just who the hell is willing to live in this place. Busted up lights, terrible display of whoever owns this building not bothering with cleaning the mess around with all the litter and garbage just laying around.

'Even my shitty apartment building looks better than this…'

It's an odd sight to see, most of the buildings he has seen around the area has been pretty well maintained. Building owners always making sure it looked neat and clean for whatever poor sap not knowing any better decides to buy an apartment in this backend of a town. Appearance is important as salespeople tend to present themselves. But never judge a book by its cover because you won't be liking its content like this building he is currently walking in.

'Apartment number… 2-1' he looked around the floor he was at, all the while pulling the collar of his tight shirt in annoyance 'Crazy woman… not bothering with the sizes even…' before finally finding the door matching the written address 'Place better be worth it with all the hassle I had to go through…'

With it being a small building, it made it easier for him to find the right apartment room.

Knocking the door, which echoed around the empty hallway. Bazz took a step back and waited, all the while he pulled the collar of his shirt he was forced to wear growing irritated by the second the longer he stayed wearing it. After Ikumi dragged him into her bus, she forced him to wear this stupid shirt as a way to represent the shop whenever they go out to help their clients. It looked exactly like the shirt that Ikumi wears. White shirt with purple sleeves. He complained to the woman how stupid the shirt looks and how she didn't get the right size for him, and the answer he got was he was just being a baby.

Thankfully, and through sheer willpower and patience, he was able to finish a couple of tasks for the past hour with efficiency even with the shitty shirt. Helped an old lady with her grocery there, fixed someone's bike in another job, and a couple more. This package delivery should be the last one and after that, he will burn this shirt ablaze.

The good thing in this job, all payments are already sent to the shop, so any form of payment he gets is tips from the customer. All they –Unagiya Shop- have to do is show up and do whatever the job was asked of them to do. And bringing delivers from the local mail is a part of the Odd Job Unagiya runs with.

'I don't know what's worse… the shirt or my pride dying while I am wearing…' he noted in irritation, pulling the collar again 'Let's just give them this damn thing and move on…'

The lock being disengaged echoed in the hallway, catching his attention. Sighing, he braced himself to the customer, hoping they wouldn't comment on him possibly being late or worse, and comment on his shirt.

He suffered enough with the mixed looks he was getting as it is, mostly from women passing by.

Blinding light came out from the apartment, lighting the darkened hallway. He flinched back, closing his eyes. His vision was still used to the damping low light of the hallway, he gave it a couple of seconds to let his vision get used to the new one. The damn thing probably uses the entire building's power with how underused it is.

He smelled something in the air, attracting at how good the scent was. Strawberry, he realized.

His vision is finally coming back, allowing him to be able to see what's ahead of him. The German cleared his throat and spoke first, remembering Ikumi's advice when talking to their customers, always introduce yourself and speak plainly.

"Hello? I work at Unagiya shop," he said in a rough tone, shielding his eyes from the blinding light. Not exactly the intended voice he wanted to use but he is introducing himself at least "You ask for a package you wanted us to deliver?"

He raised the small box he carried under his arm, hoping he no longer has to keep carrying the damn thing around.

Finally, a shadow came in front of the light, the owner of the apartment possibly. Bazz sighed in relief and fixed his eyes, opening and closing them before his vision finally settled back. He continued speaking.

"So you can just sign here…" Bazz raised the paper he carried with the other hand before he finally realized something. "…And… we… can…" His words were starting to slow down, eyes focused on the person in front of him. Finding his head slowly going upward, and it went up, and up "…End… this…"

The person in front of the door is, for a lack of a better term, fucking huge. As in, a giant of a man muscled from head to toe. Looking down on the tall, correction, shorter German.

It's been a long time since Bazz has ever seen someone whose height ever surpasses his. And in Japan, there isn't anyone he has come across who even surpasses his. Shinra is the closest so far, not counting the Fallen Angel Kalawarner who reaches his height.

And those were the women. The boys have yet to get as tall as him, probably has to do with his German genes, his father would be proud.

Right now, he was staring up at a very tall and muscular man dressed in… some kind of colorful girl uniform, it looked like those uniforms worn by the Japanese cartoons that Issei once upon a time shown him. Sailor something, apparently a very popular show in Japan. But this… this is the first time he has seen someone actually wearing one in person.

"Nyo~" purred the giant man, his voice did not match his mannerism. Looking at Bazz from head to toe "When they told me someone was coming, I did not expect it to be a very hunky small man~" he commented, lingering on his tight shirt.

Bazz's eyes twitched, he gets enough compliment as it but this is on another level he did want to see in his lifetime.

"Oh! Where are my manners! Nyo~" the giant took a step back, hitting the back of his head on the door frame but it seems to have little effect. The giant raised his right hand close to his face and rested his other by his hip, making the devil horns sign on his right. Taking a rather out-of-place pose between the hallway he took a step back in.

"My name is Mil-tan! A magical girl in training! Nyo~" the giant introduced himself, his voice bellowing into the empty hallway with such a force Bazz felt the floor was shaking "My duties will be fighting evil by moonlight! Winning love by daylight! Never running from a fight! Helping those in need! Nyo~" he took another pose, taking a step forward, hitting his head on the door frame again, and not reacting in pain, again. "Pleased to meet you! Nyo~"

'He is glittering… holy shit…' Bazz's eyes continued twitching, all the while cursing his luck

"Uhh…" Bazz was flabbergast, unsure how to answer to… to this. Pose, a loud announcement, citing your dreams and interests all in a first meeting. It beats Issei's introduction and his proclamation of his stupid dream out of the water. Not like that took a lot of effort.

"My name is…" crap, he was so taken aback with this whole pose and speech he forgot his goddamn name. "You know what… forget it, just sign this paper here and I'll be out of your hair…" he raised the order papers the giant requested Unagiya to deliver to his home. For such a small package to deliver, Bazz sure had to handle a very weird customer ordering it. The German thought solemnly 'Why do I always get the weird ones…'

The giant, Mil-tan, finally noticed what he was trying to do took the first step forward, and extended his hand. Bazz sighed in relief and raised the paper with the pen stuck on it. Finally, he can be done with this day and go back home-

Mil-tan hand passed the paper, instead grabbed the small box that was resting under his arm. Bazz gawked at his action and tried to protest, even tried to tighten his hold on the box. But Mil-tan proved to him that the muscles were not for show.

"Ooooh! It is here!" Mil-tan began tearing the box apart, trying to get what's inside. Bazz did not know why he held his tongue in complaining to the giant about what he just did, but he let him be. Arguing a giant like Mil-tan is just inviting a beating he is not in a mood in taking after a long day's work.

Mil-tan threw away the remains of the box and held up what was inside, showing it to Bazz. The red-head noted it looked like a thick book, splashed with different colors of green, pink and red, weird combo. A picture of a pink-haired girl dressed in the same clothes Mil-tan is currently wearing and doing the same pose he just did seconds ago.

"Volume seven is finally here!" the giant raised the book up like it was the Holy Grail itself, and seeing everything about him, it really is one to him. "I lost the last volume because of the bad delivery. It is why I asked you guys to bring it personally when it arrives! Nyo~" Mil-tan said, overjoyed with their new book.

"Right… good to know…" muttered Bazz and brought the paper forward. "Sorry if I am being a little... pushy with this but I need your signature." he cited, being as polite as he can be to the muscle-bound giant in front of him.

Mil-tan finally noticed the paper and gave him a sheepish look "Sorry about that! I am just excited to read Milky Spiral it almost slipped my mind in paying for your hard work! Nyo~" Grabbing the paper off Bazz's hand, he proceeded to sign on the circled area where it was first marked for Mil-tan to put their signature on it. He gave back the paper with some yen as a tip and took another pose. "That should do it! As a future Magical Girl, I commend your duties Hunky delivery man! Nyo~"

"…Thanks." Bazz looked at the signature and grimaced a bit. 'Why does it have a star by the end of his name…' he noted inwardly and sighed. No use to judge him nor does he have any right to do so. For such a big guy with a deep voice, along with the intimidating looks he carries. Mil-tan's mannerism and aura did not match his appearance at all. Something he understands completely.

'Never judge a book by its cover… guess I finally got what people think about me…' He is starting to understand a lot of people have weird tastes and dreams, and he hopes it doesn't get weirder as it is.

Setting the paper aside, Bazz nodded to Mil-tan in appreciation for finally signing the paper. "Hope you enjoy your reading material." Bazz bowed a little, a motion Ikumi forced him to start doing as a way to show respect to the customer. "Call us again if you want anything else-"

Bazz felt giant hands grab on his shoulders.

"What is your size?"

Bazz was taken aback by Mil-tan's actions, feeling uncomfortable at how close the giant is to his face. He felt being forced to stand still. "Uhh…" he grimaced, cursing at how weak he sounded with his voice.

"Your size," Mil-tan repeated "What is the number?" before the red-head could answer the giant quickly peeked through the back of the shirt and found the paper tag that indicated the size, even if it was useless.

"What the hell?!" Bazz swatted his hands off him. "Look, if you want us for another job, call my boss and I will see if it's worth it," he explained, growing annoyed at the lack of personal space being given here. "Now, if there isn't anything else, I'll be-"

Just as he was about to turn around and just walk away, once again Mil-tan grabbed him by the shoulders and stared deeply into his eyes. Feeling even more nervous than before, and it takes a lot to make him this nervous-

"I have this cute outfit that is too small for me! Nyo~" Mil-tan revealed, tightly pulling Bazz closer into the giant's apartment. "But you are the perfect size for it! And it would be a waste to not see it go to waste and not being worn! It will be a crime to all Magical Girls if it's left to be dusted up! Nyo~"

Bazz finally realizes why the alarms in his brain have been going off, and it wasn't because of any form of physical danger Mil-tan might give him, but the mental danger he might suffer the moment he saw him wear those skirts and outfits.

And now, his fears have finally manifested in front of him, and is laughing at him for ignoring it.

Bazz tried to pry the giant's hand off him to no avail. Those muscles he had were clearly not for show.

"Hey! Don't touch me!-"

"Oh don't' worry! It won't take that long! We will just try out a couple of cute dresses and-"

"A couple?!"

"-You will look absolutely stunning! Nyo~" Mil-tan dragged into his apartment, and all Bazz could see around him were pick walls and photos of girls dressed up in those ridiculous dresses.

And so, Bazzard Black, Kuoh Student and part-time employee of Unagiya Shop found out about the world of magical girls, its people, and his realization that his desperation for money will be the end of him by the time he is done with this job

Duties of someone who cares too much about paying up.


{D&C}


5:00 P.M:

~Tatsuki Arisawa/Bazzard Black~ - Unagiya Household:

"Nice shirt"

"Fuck off"

Tatsuki let out a low chuckle at Bazz's answer as she leaned against the door, drinking through her strawberry juice box as rain poured outside. She finished late with her club meeting and finishing up a quick report with what they will doing for the upcoming School Festival, which ended up taking more of their time than expected.

Entering through the small gate, which was the entrance leading into the residence of the Unagiya family, which also acts as their shop for their odd job requests. Bazz glared at the black-teen in annoyance as he walked through the heavy rain that suddenly began pouring down on the city. Ikumi taking away his blazer removed any form of a shield from the rain, soaking him wet in the process.

"She actually managed to get you to wear that shirt." She noted, eyeing his shirt. "Mine was a lot bigger but it does look good on you."

"Eyes up here, woman." Bazz signaled Tatsuki as he approached her, her eyes lingered way too long on his soaked shirt.

Tatsuki was wearing boxer shorts, black with red flames around them. A sport shirt that had some football team's logo on it, and had her hair tied into a ponytail. He had to keep his eyes from looking anywhere that might warrant a punch from her and kept firm eye contact. He had his pride still in place, and he refuses to ogle.

"And what are you doing here? You moved out?" he asked curiously, a bit aggressive in his tone. Nodding at the house she was standing in, which is owned by the Unagiya.

Tatsuki threw a towel at him, and the German caught it effortlessly as she let him inside the house. "Nah, just crashing for the night." She cited, leaning against the door frame as Bazz stood by her side drying his hair. "Club meeting went too long and then the rain hit, not really safe to walk up a mountain in this shitty weather. So my aunt told me I can stay over a friend's house for things to calm down."

Bazz remembered an explanation from Issei that after Tatsuki's family came back from Karakura town, which was three years ago before he came to Kuoh. They couldn't go back to their old house because they sold it to another family, so they had to go back to an old dojo her aunt owns on the other side of town. The walk from the Academy to the mountain takes a lot of time to travel and in this weather, you are just wishing for an accident or worse.

"And she just lets you stay over?" he asked, still drying his hair -And made sure to bring his old style back- before moving to his face and neck.

Tatsuki shrugged. "Didn't want to annoy my friends in the club. Even though I am sure they wouldn't mind me crashing at their place," Said the third-year, taking another sip from her juice box. "And Ikumi-san helped out a lot for me when we came back. So I am just paying back for all the help she gave me."

"By crashing at her house?" he asked and snorted, "How kind of her…"

Tatsuki snorted, "No, dumbass. By helping out in taking care of her house and her family. I know it's not much but if it helps to take the weights off a bit, then that's enough for me" she explained, staring back into the outside as rain continued pouring, door wide open and feeling a little chilly. "You know what I mean?"

"Hmm…" Bazz hummed in response, neither a yes or no. But he does understand what means in owning to a person who helped you more than you actually deserve. Azazel comes to mind for the red-head. As much of an idiot and sometimes useless he can be in his life, Bazz owes a lot to the Fallen Angel. Namely for getting him out of Germany and finding him a place in Japan.

Although every day he sees how his life ended up being in Japan, he started wondering if it was intentional on the Governor-General's part in putting him specifically in a city-owned by two powerful Devil families.

"Hey," she raised her hand to wipe something on his face. "You got glitter stuck on your face."

Bazz's face turned white after her comment and quickly tried to remove it on his own "Shit…" He swore under his breath, "I thought I removed it all…"

Tatsuki laughed lightly, "Must be a very eager customer." She noted knowingly and Bazz groaned in response. Well aware of how his looks caught the interests of so many people. She grabbed his hand before doing anything. "Let me do it, you'll just mess it up."

Her hands circled around his chin, trying to remove the glitter off of it. In contact, Bazz did not react, simply letting her do her thing. Tatsuki noted how cold the weather is becoming and how she has never seen Bazz's shiver, not even when snowfalls in the city. He always felt warm even on the coldest of days, and even now in the middle of heavy rain, he still not shivering.

'I am shivering here wearing shorts and he is just standing there drenched from head to toe like it is nothing…' She continued studying his skin, noting how warm it feels right now, 'It feels like I am touching a heater…' Even his looks were charming up close, in a rough kind of way, something she's been noticing for the past few months.

"You done there?" Bazz asked, "Or is it one of those sticky type glitter?"

Tatsuki took a step back, embarrassed a bit because she took her sweet time in cleaning off such a small thing on his chin. Thankfully, Bazz did not seem to notice as he focused on his chin for any remains.

"It's gone, don't worry," Tatsuki answered lowly, flinching at how small she sounded before she cleared her throat to sound confident by grinning. "She definitely was an eager customer if you let her put glitter on you."

Instead of being annoyed or embarrassed. Bazz looked like death flashed before his eyes at the memories.

"CHICKENHEAD!" Ikumi Unagiya's voice bellowed out from behind them, nearly shaking the entire house. "Why are you late?! And why are you messing up my floor!" she asked, glaring at the German as she approaches the two, clothes unchanged and her ever-present brown hat still attached on her head.

Bazz grumbled under his breath and just as he was about to respond, Unagiya managed to cut the distance between them and put her hands on his shoulder.

Her touch made him flinch and something flashing from his eyes. 'Damn… I think I just saw pink light flash before me…'

Expecting something else she might do to him, instead, Ikumi was giving him the widest grin he has ever seen from her –Her expression is either grinning before and after kicking someone's ass, or pissed off whenever he mocks the name of her shop- and it honestly frightened him.

"Just got a call from a customer! They said you helped them out of the goodness of your heart!"

Bazz heard Tatsuki chuckle at that last part.

"They even sent us extra payment for your help!" Ikumi said, widening her smile and showing her teeth. "This Mil-tan sounds like a sweet girl and from the looks of it, you got yourself an admirer~" she wiggled her brow, giving him a knowing look.

Within the mind of Bazzard Black, the German screamed at the top of his lungs, memories, and horrors from his time in that apartment came flooding through after trying his best to bury it.

'Clothes were not supposed to have that many… straps…'

Ikumi patted on the shoulder, proud of Bazz's work. "In just a week you did a lot more work than Tatsuki did from last year!"

"Hey!" Tatsuki turned to Ikumi, offended at the comparison. "I am not that desperate like chickenhead here to pay his rent!"

Bazz shook himself off his daze, burying those memories back into the vault, never to be opened, and turned to Tatsuki to give her a small grin. "Jealous?"

"Fuck off- OW!" Tatsuki grabbed her head after Ikumi smacked her on the head. "What was that for?!"

"For swearing in my house!" cited the woman, glaring at Tatsuki like how a mother would do to their child for being a dumbass. "Just because you are freeloading-"

"Freeloading!" Tatsuki gapped at Ikumi while Bazz let out a small 'HA!' in amusement.

"-Doesn't mean you get to swear like a delinquent!" Ikumi finished, hands crossed over her chest and glaring at the black-haired who grumbled her luck under her breath.

Before anything else could happen, the door behind them that lead deeper into the house opened wide, and another person entered into this conversation they were having.

"Mommy?" a small voice called out, sounding tired, "Where are you?"

Ikumi swiveled her head back, eyes widen in shock. "Oh shit!" she swore under her breath and quickly remove her hat and gloves, throwing the gloves at Bazz's face and putting her hat on Tatsuki's head. Ikumi brought out to what looked like a white apron that had flower markings all over it, and let her hair lose –it was tied up the whole time- and turned to address the newly arrived.

"I am hungryyyyyyyyyy~" complained a young boy who looks distinctly a whole hell like Ikumi in facial structure except with messy hair. Kaoru Unagiya, Ikumi's twelve-year-old son. Looking for his mother until setting his eyes upon the trio.

"Awww~ sorry for making you wait, Kaoru-chan~" Ikumi walked up to her son, bringing the boy close to the hug as she brought him closer. "Just give me a few minutes and I'll make your favorite~"

Kaoru widened his smile, hugging his mother back before his eyes finally settled on Bazz, turning his happy expression into a glare.

"What is chicken head doing here?" he asked in disdain, staring at Bazz with suspicion and judgmental eyes. "Just so you know, my mom is still not interested in deadbeats like you!"

"Bite me, kid!" Bazz said in annoyance. He had the displeasure of meeting the brat when he first came to the place for the interview. In fact, he was the one who answered the door when the German showed up. Quickly annoying him with questions of his 'intentions' with his mother and how he will have to fight the kid if he decided to date his mom.

He had to fight the urge to not slap the kid right then and there for even suggesting such a stupid idea.

Another thing that really caught him off guard was the sudden shift in Ikumi's personality. It even made the German wonder if he was dreaming or still back in Mil-tan's apartment. Even fighting the urge to hit his head his in the wall just to make sure.

He turned to Tatsuki, who seemed to be oblivious to Ikumi's personality change. Drinking her juice box and leaning against the wall. Sensing his eyes, the black-haired teen turned and gave him a shrug, well aware of his shock at the scene in front of him.

"This is what I meant in taking the load off of her," Tatsuki explained as she fixed the hat Ikumi put on her, nodding at the mother and son. "She never had enough time to take care of her son after last year's accident and with all the work she had to do for her shop, she had even lesser time. That is before I started helping her out last year." She turned to Bazz, "You helping her with this job removed a lot more burden from Ikumi, so I am really happy you took the job" said Tatsuki with a small smile.

Accident? Now that Tatsuki mentioned it... He has never seen or heard of Ikumi's husband this entire time...

"Hmm…" Bazz turned back to the Unagiya's, Ikumi cooing to her son and telling him what tonight's dinner will be, and the boy is very happy with it. Ikumi showing her softer side to her son made sense, especially with how little time she probably had with her work before Bazz decided to help out.

He remembered a sweet voice, a woman singing Birds chirping and the smell of flowers….

He remembered the garden.

He remembered Home.

Before everything went to hell…

"No matter what people say, you have a beautiful name~"

The face of a redheaded woman came to his mind-

Bazz shook his head. That is a memory he does not want out, especially not with people around him.

"Hey," Tatsuki called for his attention. "You alright? You looked like you've shit."

"It's been a long day, so of course I feel like shit," he answered and flinched, it was a quick response, and Tatsuki would notice it right away-

"Tatsuki-nee-san!" before the black-haired teen could further question him, turned her attention to the younger Unagiya. Tatsuki gave him a wide smile and said "Hey little guy! Looks like I'll be staying here until this rain dies down. Hope you don't mind."

Kaoru shook his head, smiling wider. "Nope! I don't mind!" he raised his hand up for Tatsuki to give him a high five.

"Kaoru–chan~" Ikumi called for her son's attention. "Please be a dear and set up the table for me and Tatsuki. I'll be right up to get things ready"

"Okay!" Kaoru nodded and took a sprint past his mother as he headed to the kitchen. But before doing so, he turned to Bazz and brought out his tongue in mockery. "You still suck, Chickenhead!" he chided and disappeared into the kitchen in the back.

'One of these days I am gonna strangle that damn kid…'

Bazz turned to Ikumi as she grabbed her hat off Tatsuki's head, going back to her usual personality that he has come to call 'Crazy hag'.

"Sorry about that. He still not used to see you as he did to Tatsuki" said Ikumi as she fixed her hat and signaled Bazz to give her the black gloves.

Bazz turned to Tatsuki with a look "Gee, I wonder why he is pretty fast warming up to her and not me." he cited in sarcasm.

"Look, I am sure you got a lot of things to say out loud but keep it to yourself," said Ikumi sternly, eyeing Bazz with a frown. "Just for his sake."

Bazz scoffed. "Keep what to myself? Like how I am not interested in dating old hags- OW! WHAT THE HELL!" The German grabbed his head after getting slugged by the woman.

"What did I say?! Keep it to yourself!"

"Then stop hitting me!"

"Want me to wrap you in my special rope again! That'll teach ya how to behave!"

"You kidnapped me you old hag! You call that teaching?!"

The two continued bickering one another for another minute while Tatsuki stared at the fight with amusement before letting out a cough, catching the two's attention. "Sorry to burst anyone's bubble but it's getting a little late" She nodded at the clock nearby, showing it's getting closer to six o clock.

Ikumi gasped and once again took her hat off and put it on Tatsuki's, who looks like is treating it like a habit whenever she comes over to Unagiya as Ikumi quickly headed to the kitchen to get dinner ready. But before she could do so, she turned back to Bazz. "Hey Bazz, I cleaned up your blazer, it's over there hanged up." She indicated at the coat hanger beside the door. "I'll give your shirt back because Kaoru-chan accidentally used it to clean the floor after he spilled his juice earlier-"

With that new info, Bazz's plans to strangle that kid has grown even more possible because there is nothing accidental using another person's shirt to clean up their mess.

"But you can keep the shirt," she pointed to the Unagi shirt that is too tight for him, which irked him at the remainder. "You are now a part of the team! So represent!" Ikumi gave him a thumb up. "Good work on today's jobs! Keep it up and I might make you a senior member of the company in no time!"

And so, after her little speech, Ikumi went into her house, leaving Tatsuki and Bazz alone beside the open door where rain continued pouring.

Bazz let out a tired sigh, feeling exhausted. "I am starting to hate this job…" he complained as he walked up and grabbed his jacket. Checking the pockets, he found an envelope with its inside what he presumes to be his payment for this week's work. It felt heavy too.

Tatsuki chuckled, fixing the hat and drinking her juice box. "Hey, just so you know I started liking it after a week. So you'll get there eventually."

"Thanks for the useless encouragement..." he cited and promptly wore the blazer, finally feeling comfortable with something less embarrassing and that covers the more obvious parts of his shirt. He looked back at the road outside and grimace, "Shitty weather… I'll just get wet even with my jacket..." he complained. Not like he will get colds or anything, he never gets cold. It's just a bitch to walk around in wet clothes without proper safeguards, and his clothes are made for hotter weather, not rainy ones.

"Here," Tatsuki picked up a purple umbrella that was hanged on the opposite end where the German stood. "You can have mine, and with the weather looking like it's going to get worse by the second, you'll need it." Said the black-haired teen and she handed it to him, grabbing it by its hook.

He raised an eyebrow, grateful for the gesture Tatsuki is doing for him. Bazz walked up and grabbed hold of the umbrella's fabric. But Tatsuki stopped him from taking it away, gripping it tightly.

He raised an eyebrow and stared at Tatsuki, whose eyes were studying Bazz's own.

"What?" he asked, confused.

"Are you sure everything is alright, Bazz?" Tatsuki's eyes were focused, eyes he has seen a number of times when she notices something. And she noticed something off. "You looked like you were staring at a ghost earlier… hell, you sometimes have that look more often than you think." She noted, not letting go with the earlier stupor he had when the Unagiya's were having their family time.

Bazz swore inwardly. Of course, Tatsuki would notice it. Even if he tried to hide, he has done it so many times even a blind monkey would notice something is very wrong with him.

The German looked away, a bad mistake on his part but he didn't care. "As I said, I am fine," he explained, trying to get the umbrella only to feel resistance from Tatsuki's part. "Look, Tatsuki. I am tired, and not in the mood for you to get all therapist on me, already got Shitori doing that on a daily basis-"

"When was the last time you had a decent sleep?"

His eyes widened, taken aback by her question. Even if it was a simple one, it is a question he has been asking himself for a while now ever since coming to Japan.

"How do you-?"

"I am not blind, Bazz. It's one thing to be sleepy because of school, it's another to see it every single day that you are suffering from it." she pointed out, sounding worried. "Anytime I see you I am just wondering if you slept at all. Not to mention two weeks ago when you kept moving your injured shoulder around."

Bazz wrinkled his nose, looking away the moment she made her observation. Big mistake as it is clearly shown to the girl that indeed he is suffering. The descriptions he always gets from Shitori and Gremory about being the most miserable person they have met echoed in his mind.

He has to commend Tatsuki for her observation. He has hoped the injures he got from the Fallen Angel wouldn't more apparent to everyone. He tried his best to hide it, even from the other supernatural beings in school. But Tatsuki is not like most people. And she is stubborn to help those in need.

He respected that about her.

Tatsuki sighed and massaged her temple, she can see he won't actually admit what is going on with him, and he can be pretty stubborn about it. "Look, I am not gonna force you to say anything but if you… if you just keep bottled up you'll just be more miserable than you usually are."

Bazz scoffed, not exactly news she was telling him. "I can handle it."

Tatsuki rolled her eyes and pulled the umbrella away from him. "Says the most miserable high schooler I have ever met." Said Tatsuki. Boys, always prideful when they don't admit that something is wrong with them. "If you want to talk about anything, I can give you an ear if you want me to listen."

"So I can just complain to you about my life and you'll probably tell me to man up?" Asked Bazz in sarcasm and scoffed. "Never knew you had a degree in therapy."

Tatsuki hit his head with her umbrella, which annoyed him more than it hurt him. "Don't be a dick about it."

"I am not, just pointed it out that are you really gonna listen to me talk about nothing for hours? We both know I don't do that," said Bazz and turned to the open door. The rain continued pouring heavily. Turning back to Tatsuki, he gave her a small smile. "Appreciate the effort though, with the whole sense of duty you got going."

Tatsuki hits him again. "Fuck off dickhead. I know you are just pulling my leg with that compliment, which by the way, sucks. You suck at complimenting people."

"So I am told."

She shook her head and threw the umbrella to Bazz, who caught it effortlessly. His reflexes slowly growing better from what she is seeing, and if he can predict her moves in the future she might consider it the only accomplishment worth noting so far.

"Bur seriously, Bazz." Tatsuki gave him a small supportive smile, removing her usual smug grins or pissed-off looks she tends to give him. "Just talk to your friends more often and you might be less miserable-looking than usual." Said the karate captain confidently, to which Bazz responded with a scoff.

"Now there is something even I can't imagine…" He walked to the outside, feeling the rainwater touching his skin as he walked through the rain as he fiddled with the umbrella. Bazz stopped after remembering something that almost escaped his mind and turned back to Tatsuki, who tried to close the door but stopped after noticing Bazz. "Right, almost forgot but I already told the old hag that I won't be working this week or the next. But just remind her about it in case she calls me by mistake."

Tatsuki's eyes widen, just remembering what so important in next week's academy. "Oh shit! I legit forgot we had exams! With all the planning I've been doing with the club it slipped my brain! Thanks for reminding me." She cited. With all the planning she had to do with the karate club, she didn't have that much time off actually studying or opening her books, even the notes she's been taking after coming back she didn't bother reading them, hopefully later this week she will open a book and actually have time to study. "I'll tell her when dinner comes."

"Thanks."

She waved at the German, giving him a wide confident grin she usually carries ever. "Careful on the road, been hearing our town got some assholes attacking people all over town."

He has been hearing a lot about that, but it didn't end with just attacks, people have been dying a lot this week and towns are growing to wonder if they have a serial killer in their midst.

Weirdly enough that would the least interesting bit for him this year if it was true.

"I can handle myself" he nodded to her and took a step back. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight!"

The door closed, leaving Bazz standing in the rain, drenching his black blazer as it continued falling heavily.

Bazz sighed, feeling the weight being lifted after Tatsuki moved on from her question, but he can see that she is keeping her emotions in check to not strangle the answers out of him, so he has to respect that self-restraint and watch out because she will not be leaving the subject alone.

Duties from someone who cares he guess.

He appreciates her concerns, he truly does, but this is something he can't just talk about it with anyone. This is something he has to handle on his own, and if it means a couple of sleepless nights, then so be it.

It's not like he will be around that long anyway.

A thunder sound roared from the sky and the heavy rain intensified. He clicked his tongue, already regretting not bringing out his old hoody because he had to be an idiot and ignore Issei's advice about the weather. 'Thank god the old goat got me that laundry machine…' thought the German as he fiddled with the umbrella, with little success.

Another thunder strike, this time it sounded closer but Bazz ignored it as he tried to open the umbrella before he smelled something reaching his nose. Grimacing at the scent, Bazz found it odd to be smelling something this foul where he was standing. "Christ… is there a dead cat or something?" he looked around and found nothing, but the smell continued to resonate around him. He furrowed his brows, growing annoyed at the scent until he heard something click behind him, like a metal clank being stepped on.

Bazz turned behind, staring at the Unagiya's house but found nothing.

Another clicking noise came, which came with another sound of scratching noises coming from the roof of the house.

"Goddamn cats…" he grumbled under his breath, only cats would be this annoying, probably trying to hide from the rain but found itself stuck in the roof. He looked up, trying to find it. "Where the hell are you, you dumb…" Bazz head continued going upward until his eyes reached the top of the house, his words slowed down, his eyes widened in shock and, for the first time in years, in dread, not for himself, but what is ahead of him. "…cat"

It wasn't a cat.

Its size surpassed that of a cat.

He saw a dark silhouette leaning against the roof of the Unagiya's. While it is dark, he could feel it was staring at him, red eyes glaring with an emotion he hasn't seen ever since he first came to Japan-

Another thunder strike.

The light shined through the darkness, even for a few seconds.

Seconds he wished he took back.

And what he saw in front was something much, much, much worse.

The thing looked like a giant black snake with a torso, its long arms were deep red. It was tall enough to reach at least eight to nine feet long. But what truly shocked him and alarmed him about the thing was the skull-like mask on its face and the large hole on its chest. Red eyes gazing deep into his own as it stared at him with a hollow expression.

Heilig Bogen: Crossbow Form!

His pentacle that hanged around his neck glowed blue as he summoned his crossbow and aimed high, dropping Tatsuki's umbrella in the process as he tried to take down the thing that was standing above the house, his eyes focused and intense.

That is enough for him to act up immediately and fire his arrows at the monster.

But it sensed him and right away dodged its head at the last second as the arrows hit nothing. The thing quickly slithered away, jumping to another building at such a speed despite its size.

"Shit!" Bazz turned around and climbed out the gate, not bothering with opening it, and ran through the streets, trying to catch the monster as it continued jumping through the rooftops of the neighboring houses, somehow able to do so without making any damage.

Running through the rain, Bazz continued firing, trying to catch the monster as it jumped and attached itself into a larger building, slithering upward to its roof.

'Damn it! It's gonna bail!' he took a deep breath, blue vanes began to form around his foot and jumped, but landed awkwardly to the ground. "Come on powers, be goddamn useful!" he pushed on and ran in a sprint, trying to catch thing as he saw it jumping to another tall building but it won't be long before he loses sight of it.

Once more, he took a deep, sensing the air around tightened and absorbing the small Spiritual Particles around him. The pentacle around his neck glowed brighter and he sensed his power awakening once more.

Hirenkyaku!

Blue wiring began to form all over his body, covering his exposed neck and reaching all the way to his leg and he hovered up or more specifically walked up. Like he was climbing on an invincible stair or walking in the air.

He tried to reach higher but his body shakes, feeling the tension he is doing to his body, and fatigue is setting in real fast. 'Holy shit I am this out of shape… to think this used to be a lot easier…'

He soldiered on, if he couldn't go up higher, then he will bring the monster down to him. Bazz aimed up, trying to take a shot the moment it brings its head out when it jumps to the next building.

Bazz found it as it jumped to the next building and grinned, he had the perfect shot. Whipping away the water from his face, Bazz took aim of his crossbow, taking deep breaths as he slowed down. Carefully pointing to the monster's head for a quick one.

"Got you, you peace of shit-HERK!"

Something hit him by his side.

It felt powerful enough for him to actually hear a couple of bones cracking from the attack. Whatever it was, it hurt, nearly breaking his elbow and probably broke a couple of ribs. For a couple of seconds, the world slowed down around him. Bazz turned his head to glare at his attacker but all he saw was something that looked like blue skin that was hitting him.

Time resumed, but just as his realization set in, he heard a voice talk to him, a voice that unnerved him greatly at how… wrong it sounded.

"Meat... sack... die…"

…Bazz flew through the air thanks to the attack, which sent him at a great distance away from them and from his target. He hit the concrete floor, even with all of his power he tried to use Blut Vene to mitigate the damage but he can still feel his skin scrubbing through the hard ground.

He stopped rolling, coming to a violent halt as his body hit a nearby car, denting it. Bazz coughed and slowly raised up from his place, maintain his balance. All the while fighting off the pain he felt on his entire body. Looking around him, he couldn't think straight nor care just which street he ended up in, but he sure messed up whoever was the owner of this car.

Good thing the car alarms didn't blare off. That would suck even more.

"Ah... fuck… I will be feeling this for the whole week…" he hissed in pain, grabbing his shoulder. Clearly, he broke a rib caused by that hairy ball attack, but nothing serious. Bazz cursed once more, he should have noticed that attack coming from a mile, but he got cocky, thinking he could take on the world just because he took down a couple of crows.

Now he is back being hurt even with his powers slowly coming back.

Standing straight and cracking his back, Bazz spat blood and looked above him, seeing nothing but an empty dark sky.

He tried to use his powers, spreading his senses at far as he can go but couldn't get anything at all, other than the usual ones. Spiritual sensory has been pretty useful to him to sense the supernatural around him. But obviously, at the state he is in, not just physically but overall he couldn't get jack shit, even if he was healed up.

"Crap… not good… those bastards hid their pressure the second I was out of sight… which means one thing… they are not stupid…" he hissed in pain before limping toward the direction where –what he guessed- his apartment was located, fighting off the pain that screamed all over his body.

What he saw earlier today near that girl's shrine was no illusion. That was a ghost. The ghost of the young girl that passed away. Whatever he did back in that fight in the church somehow awakened his older powers that he thought it might take a while to come back.

Which means he can now see spirits.

All of them.

"…Just my luck… a goddamn Hollow pack in Kuoh… and smart ones at that…" he cited in annoyance. Two of them were working together, and he wouldn't be surprised there are more of them.

He continued limping his way to his apartment, trying to think of ways to approach this problem after a Hollow nearly attacked a family in their home. And if Hollows picks out their prey that means someone caught their interests.

Whoever that is means they are spiritually aware or possess a lot of spiritual presence within them. And it wasn't him.

It scared him to even think one of them in that house even fits that criteria as he really does not want them involved in this business.

He thought over his options and swore under his breath. Bazz did not have that many. Hunting down a Fallen Angel is one thing but a Hollow is a whole other problem that requires attention than usual, and he can't do it alone.

Bazz groaned, realizing his options ended up being just three, two of them are annoyances and one can get him killed.

'Fuck it, that woman will get her due to one way or another… no use in doing this on my own…' he chided to himself before hissing in pain, it will happen sooner or later, so he better sallow his pride and just go for it. If it keeps people he cares about safe, then so be it. 'Hollows attacking, just when the exams are coming… just my fucking luck…'

Life can be pretty hectic but duties, pride, and caring for people come calling, and he will answer it one way or another.


{D&C}


The Next Day

-Sona Sitri- Tuesday - Kuoh Academy – TIME: 7:30 A.M

Mornings, as usual, was a refreshing time for Sona Sitri. After the events and reports she has been reading all week, she found herself unable to even have a decent sleep without overthinking at these events and feeling helpless to fix it.

She sipped her hot coffee, calming her already stressed-out nerves. Nothing bad for a few hours to relax and focus on her studies before going back to work with the troubles happening around the area. Tsubaki has already scolded her for stressing herself out with work instead of trusting her peerage for help, and after yesterday's meeting, Sona felt her load has been lightened thanks to her peerage.

While she did tell them to do light work these next two weeks because of the exams, that doesn't mean she will do the same. She feels she is this close in finding the culprit, just a few missing pieces in the puzzle that needs to be found. What it was? She will have to dig deeper.

Taking another sip, Sona came close to the Student Council office. She is always the first one in school and the first one to open the office. Finding time for herself away from everything in her life, be it school life or personal life, even if it's just for an hour, it was enough for her.

Ahead of her, much to her shock, was Tsubaki Shinra standing close to the office doors. Speaking what looks like a tall student. Odd, Tsubaki doesn't usually come this time unless she asks her, and it's far too early considering her Vice-President life outside of school being a focus.

'Odd… Tsubaki doesn't usually come this early.' thought The Sitri Heiress. Tsubaki only comes this early if there was a morning meeting. Sona looked past her to stare at who she was speaking to and her eyes narrowed. Taking a quick sip, which did little to relax her nerves after realizing just who her Vice-President was speaking to.

Stomping closer, she cleared her throat to catch the two's attention. "Good morning, Tsubaki. You are up early." Said the Council President, ignoring the scoff that came from the other party after she purposely ignored them.

Tsubaki turned and bowed to her President, her expression being less robotic than usual and more of worry, which made Sona worry, and if her Vice-President is worried then there is a problem, a big one.

"Good morning, Kaicho. Sorry to intrude as I did not want to call you this early." Said Tsubaki as she raised her head, even her tone sounded off. "But something important came up and I think it deserves your attention." She turned to the other party and nodded at them.

Sona's eyes narrowed, she did not like that. Tsubaki always had that calmness under her tone, even during an intense situation like when they hunt a Stray Devil, and her Queen remained under control with her emotions. But the Sitri Heiress could feel the fear under her voice, a fear she hasn't heard since that day when she met her.

She turned and glared at the tall student, who in turn glared back. "What do you want?" she asked in a low tone, already her mood ruined for the morning.

Bazzard Black snorted, amused at her expected reaction when she sees him. However, he grimaced in pain, grabbing his ribs before answering, "Well good morning to you too in this shitty morning."

"Watch your language." Sona scolded him, staring at his posture. "Did you get into a fight again? What did I say about you getting in trouble with-"

"Now is not the time to talk about this, woman." he cut her off, fighting through the pain.

Folding her arms over her chest as she focused her attention on the German. "Well? Out with it, what do you have to say that even my Queen gets a reaction out of it?"

Bazz wrinkled his nose, already seeming to regret coming this early in the morning. Sighing, Bazz relaxed his glare as he addressed the President. "As I said to your number two here, I heard you've been having trouble in the past month with dead bodies showing up. I am just here telling you… no, I am asking you." Bazz looked like he vomited out his words the moment he uttered 'Asking' to Sona, it sounded like he was begging. Much to her satisfaction. "I am willing to help you with this mess."

She really wanted to laugh. This what has Tsubaki worried about? She expected more than Bazz coming here and asking her of all people for help

"We are handling it." She bleated, trying to keep her emotions in check. "I appreciate your willingness to help us with these events occurring all over, but I have my best people on it." She turned to the door of the office, putting the key in, and turned it open. "Now, if you have nothing else to say we have important reports to finish before the exams come up-"

"How skinny were the bodies?"

Sona stopped opening the door to a screeching halt, swiveling her head to stare at Bazz in shock. She turned to Tsubaki who instantly shook her head.

"What?" she asked and cringed at how weak she sounded.

"The bodies your people found, how skinny they looked? Or should I say, do they look like they aged a hundred years?"

Sona took a second or two as she nodded. One of the first suspects they tried to pin these killings were vampires, but that was quickly crushed when the reports came back that the victims did not lose that much blood except for existing injuries. The only thing that looked truly horrifying is their disheveled forms, almost like their very souls have been sucked out of their bodies, aging them instantly.

Bazz took a step forward, leaning close to Sona with a serious look. "Look, I get you and I are never gonna get along, and by the time we graduate we can breathe easy knowing will never see each ever again." Said Bazz, even with his sarcasm about their relationship so far, his tone was serious, which shocked her. "But right now you are dealing with something that clearly you haven't faced before. You need my help because these killings are just gonna get worse by the day, and it will get worse."

Bazz turned to Tsubaki, giving her a knowing look.

"He is right, Kaicho."

Sona turned to her Queen, like him, her tone was as serious. Her expression was grim.

She hasn't seen that expression since she met her Queen. When her Queen told her about-

"These attacks will grow if we don't solve it in time. And I believe Black-san will help us with his powers."

Sona's brows furrowed and turned to Bazz, asking him cautiously. "And what do you get out of this?"

Bazz snorted, shaking his head. "Devils… always thinking there is a catch in everything…" he said under his breath before addressing Sona. "Honestly? Nothing, these bastards are targeting people I care dearly and it is my job in taking them down."

"Job?" Sona asked, confused.

"Let's just say I used to have a job in taking care of these things before I came here." he cited, "Call it my sense of duty acting up in helping out."

That small revelation shocked her. She suspected he used to be some sort of monster hunter back in Germany base on his powers and the descriptions of his fighting style, showing that he is experienced. But his admission that the culprits are things he used to take care of also narrowed down some ideas as to what exactly is Bazzard Black.

"These people they are targeting… Are they?-"

"No," he answered firmly. "They are just normal people who are getting dragged into this mess," said Bazz and Sona grimaced, it matches that all of the victims were simply supernaturally unaware people.

How could you explain to someone whose loved one died because another worldly monster attacked them? When those people aren't aware of its existence.

"Look, I came to you because I know as much of a pain in my ass you can be, I know you care about people." Sona wanted to correct his language but held herself, this was not the time. "I could have gone to Gremory but I know she will hold it over my head for the rest of my life, and she is a glory hound through and through. I could have asked Hyoudou but he isn't ready at the level he is at, and I know for sure that kid would take a bullet for me if I asked, and I am not risking his life." Bazz sniffed, thinking over his words.

Sona disagreed with his assessment of Rias. Yes, she can be very competitive and her desires are always more personal and even selfish, but she has a good heart and always seeks to help everyone. Bazz has yet to see that side of her. His comment on Hyoudou Issei, however, that catch her curiosity as he sounded more conflicted in bringing him into this.

She straightens her back, staring into his eyes, studying them to see if there was some kind of malicious intent behind them.

She found none, no maliciousness. His tone was sincere, he wasn't mocking her or trying to goad her like he always does. He swallowed his pride to even come and ask her of all people for help.

Even though he didn't need to, she already decided it after her Queen pleaded with her.

For almost a year since she met him, Bazz never lied to her. Maybe told half-truths, keeping things to himself, or outright ignored her, but he has never straight up lied to her. He might have shocked her at how… different he truly is compared to what she thought about him throughout the year.

But the case with the Fallen Angels and their conversation back at the Student Council office after she found out has given her a different perspective about him.

She took a deep breath, staring into his eyes, and nodded her head. "We will have a meeting later today in the afternoon with the rest of my peerage, you can explain to them what we will expect to be facing." Said Sona, today would have been the first day of simple investigation to the confirmed areas where the attacks happened. But with this information that Bazzard Black might have, it would help them tremendously. She asked him. "What can you tell me about these attackers?"

Bazzard took a deep breath of his own, staring between her and Tsubaki before finally answering with a question of his own.

"What do you know about Hollows?"


{END}


Author Note:

Done, now we can say we are entering the Hollow Arc, which should take about two chapters.

So yeah, 2020 has been swinging for fences at us these past few months and it has been a difficult time. Thankfully things in my life are pretty normal and quiet, other than trying to find a job in the middle of a pandemic can be pretty annoying but I can get by. After all, we are still at the half-way point.

Also, I know I am a little late for the party, we FINALLY getting the Thousand Year Blood War animated! This means Bleach is coming back! Here's hoping it will solve some plot holes, plot problems, unnecessary prolonging fights (Except Kenpachi's fights, give me more Zaraki Kenpachi), and rushed plot Kubo had to make in the final arc because of the higher-ups.

A couple of notes in this chapter, I never planned on introducing Loup Garou into the story, but I saw him as someone with potential, so I decided to bring him in early and integrate him. Hopefully, I can give him some development along with Tsubaki whom I have plans for in this arc and the next.

Mil-tan. Originally Issei was supposed to be in it too because of his Devil job but decided to just leave Bazz to suffer alone. It is mostly made for comedy but the idea is to show Bazz isn't always an asshole. Just impatient. And he suffered for it.

Ikumi Unagiya, now there is a character from the Fullbringer arc I did not expect to bring. She wasn't in my original outline of characters I have planned, but with Bazz needing to pay for his apartment, Ikumi was the logical choice to use as another Bleach character in the world. And because of Ikumi, she became an integral part of this arc judging by the Hollow being on the roof of her house.

The tags on the relationship, while the primary is Bazz/Sona. This is, after all, a Harem series, so there are others who will show interest to the miserable bastard, Tatsuki is one of them of course. While the genre isn't my cup of tea because most portrayals of the girls I've seen in Harem series are sometimes two notes (Except in DxD girls, ironically) or one-note with nothing to their personality except if it is about the main character. I decided to slowly build the character's own goals and personalities, never around the main character. They are just interested in him.

I also won't like to choose twenty girls (Because it is pretty hectic to write many characters, and for someone like Bazz, he would probably make it worse with his personality), just a reasonable number to build more into their relationship with Bazz that makes sense and not rush it, as seen with Sona and Tatsuki.

Slow build romance has the best rewards.

Quiz time, take a guess which two Hollows have appeared in the last part of the chapter. FYI, one of them isn't the same as the canon.

Hope you guys enjoy this new edition of The Chicken Man and the Council Woman. Construction Criticism in the reviews is always welcomed as I will try my best in answering all of them.

EndNote.