Aight, make way you plebs. Front page is moine

Sorry that a week became a month. ( ͡° ʖ̯ ͡°) Reasons at the author's note down under

Hope this chapter's worth the wait bruvs

Everyday Life with Supernatural Girls

Chapter 16

||New Dawn||

"…My feet hurt…" Katase bemoaned as the group of four trudged through the snow-paved street of their small, quaint city. "I hate high heels."

"Then why do you wear them?" Issei asked as he glanced down, seeing his friend's brown laced boots with stiletto heels. How females could walk with those heels was still a mystery to him.

"…They're cute..." Katase embarrassedly admitted.

Her two fellow girlfriends nodded along, supporting her point that he missed.

"Boys won't understand." Murayama added after seeing Issei's confused look, smug-like.

Issei deadpanned. "Figures." It seemed that girls would wear anything as long as they were cute. Most girls at least. His male mind wouldn't able to comprehend why girls would forsake comfort for cuteness even if he tried, so he didn't bother.

Aika Kiryuu wasn't one of those girls, though, and speaking of which – "Hey, do you guys still maintain contact with Aika?"

"Hm? Aika? Aika Kiryuu?" Issei nodded at Murayama's question. "Hmm… well~ kinda but kinda don't. She's at Todai (University of Tokyo), did you know? She's like, crazy smart."

"I won't ever forget her." Katase said melancholically at her fond recollection of the bespectacled girl. "She always let me copy her answers during math."

She let him do the same too, actually. Her teases aside, Aika was a chill girl. "Well. Now you have Motohama to cheat from."

Issei regretted saying that, because Katase's blush could melt the snow.

"Why'd you ask Ise-kun?" Murayama interjected, "Teehee~ an old flame or something?"

"Yeah right, no. I was just curious." Issei flat-out rejected the idea, which the girls found boring. "I'm more interested in you two. Do you know how crazy it is having you two boy-beaters girlfriending my two best mates? That's like, that's like something out of a romcom movie."

Issei hated saying that again, because now they were blushing furiously, fiddling with their fingers as their nose glowed red.

"Screw you lovestruck idiots." He puckered, and turned his attention to Akeno. She had been listening more than talking. Though she had this permanent smile on her face, Issei didn't want her to feel left out. "Akeno-san, how are you finding this city so far?"

His genuine attempt to strike a normal conversation was booed rudely by the two previously flustered girls, positively mistaking it as a flirtation attempt.

"I love it! Perhaps it's too early to say, but I love it here. It's not too big that I'd get lost all the time, but there's also many places I haven't been to. And~ I get to meet you guys, ufufu~ I think I'm a very lucky girl."

Akeno replied with a kind smile. She never seemed to stop smiling, but this smile was different. This kind of smile was the subtle kind, barely a lift at both edges of her glossy lips. It didn't lift her cheeks or had those adorable dimples, but her purple eyes smiled along, and they go along nicely with her graceful smile.

When she smiled her real smile, her face lighted up and the world seemed brighter.

Starstruck, Murayama broke the hypnotizing effect. "Will you be my girlfriend Akeno-san?"

"Hm? Ara… ufufufu~ I'm sorry, but you already have someone Murayama-chan."

The small quaint group snickered as they trudged along the snow. The moonlight made the cemented road sparkled in its glow, and the group chattered along until they eventually arrived.

"Whoa. This house's pretty big. I was honestly expecting something more compact." Murayama said.

Katase then added. "I get that it's a shared house, but still. This looks pretty high-end Issei."

Akeno said nothing because she walked past them, stopping only because Murayama had grabbed her wrist.

"Well it's… it's a house." Issei said dubiously. His heart beat paced up from the nervousness and expectations, but Issei opened the door anyway.

"I'm home." He announced in a room voice, though a bit louder to make sure everyone was aware of him and his friends' arrival. Judging from the fact that Kunou hadn't flung into his arms yet, everything appeared to be under control. "Come on in. Just leave your shoes here."

"Excuse us." The three girls then followed along, politely saying their greetings as they untangled their winter boots. Katase in particular, was very happy to finally take them off. They put their shoes neatly at a shoe rack that, surprisingly, didn't have many shoes. Aside from the adult boots and Issei's footwear, there were several small-sized sandals, hinting the existence of children living in the house.

Both Murayama and Katase exchanged a knowing glance with each other, and both hoped they get to see whatever little creature resided here. Once they tangled their jackets and outerwear on the empty hanger, Issei led them inside.

Not five steps as they walked through a small hallway, the wall to their left ended there, revealing the kitchen, the dining table, and the living room, all in one open area, separated by half-walls and counters along with the stools.

A kind voice, a sweet soprano, welcomed their entrance. "Welcome back, Ise-san."

Storing the plates into a cupboard was Yasaka, currently dressed in her purple long-sleeved sweater and comfortable but presentable pair of pants. Her golden hair waved freely down her back, so smooth and delicate. Seeing her without her fluffy tails floating behind her almost caused a heart attack to him.

"Ah, these must be your friends. How do you do?" The Kyuubi smiled as she put away the last of the plates, clasping her hands. "I doubt that you remember me from our last time meeting… but I'm Yasaka. It's very pleasing to meet you again, Murayama-san, Katase-san."

Murayama stuttered. "Uh-buh—pleasure's all mine Yasaka-san."

"I don't think anyone can forget you after they met you once." Katase chimed. "…You're so… pretty."

"Oh my, you're too kind." Yasaka tittered, and Murayama felt that she just fell in love again.

Nervously, Issei tapped his foot. He couldn't shake away his anxiety despite the good atmosphere. "Yasaka-san, this is Akeno-san. She just arrived here about some weeks ago."

"How are you Akeno-san? Pleased to meet you."

"Ara, likewise. I'm Himejima Akeno. Ufufufu~ you have a very beautiful hair, Yasaka-san."

"Oh my, yours as well, Himejima-san. I've never seen someone with a ponytail as silky as yours."

"Ara~? Now you're making me blush."

The two girls 'ufufufu'ed that it was almost impossible to discern whose tittering was theirs. Issei could, though. They might carry the same tune, but Yasaka's voice had a somewhat higher pitch.

"Please make yourself comfortable." Yasaka ushered as the group moved to the living room. "Would any of you like some tea?"

As Issei and his friends made themselves comfortable, with the girls cozying themselves inside the kotatsu after asking for permission, Issei took a seat by the couch. While waiting for Yasaka to make their hot beverages, Murayama finally said what Katase had been wanting to say.

"Issei." She said in a loud whisper, leaning her body forward.

"Ye?"

"You live with her?"

"Yeah." Issei loud-whispered as well. Not because he felt the need to whisper since Yasaka could probably hear them, but because he wanted to mock Murayama by copying her voice.

"You didn't tell us!" Katase followed.

"I did mention she's my neighbor."

Murayama gasped, taking offense at his defense. "Well yeah, not indoor neighbor! Where even do you sleep?"

"Upstairs." Issei replied shortly as he turned on the TV, setting it to the news station. It currently covered tomorrow's weather; sunny with low chance of snowing. "See? This is why I didn't tell you. You'd make a big deal of it."

Murayama made a face. "Well duh! Because it is a big deal! You're like living in a dorm with a beautiful woman no less!"

"Hey, hey, pipe down. Damn, you two are a lot like your boyfriends than I thought."

Although blushing, Katase defended. "That won't work this time mister. Who else are you living together with? I saw some small slippers at the entrance, are those?"

"Her kid's." Issei completed. "Yeah. She has a daughter." That made the girls' eyes wide in excitement save for Akeno, who was looking around, smiling as she listened to the conversation in silence.

Until his ceiling made a stomping noise – he suspected that would be that aforementioned kid, possibly chasing Kuroka around again with a 'gecko' in her hand while in truth it was only her mother's brown hair tie.

"…She's upstairs, as you can tell."

Murayama shook her hands from the excitement alone. "Eeeek- I so want to see her. If her mother's that pretty, can you imagine how adorable her kid is?"

"Oh she's endearing alright." He replied offhandedly as he glanced to his back, right at the kitchen, where his new girlfriend had been madly blushing for a while now. She was so adorable he wanted to just abandon his friends and just stay by the counter, watching her.

He didn't know being lovestruck meant he would have to suppress various urge, such as holding her hand and feeling her warmth on his palm again.

"…What am I doing making her prepare your drinks. I'll be right back." A perfect excuse. With that, Issei successfully ditched his friends, unaware that there were three pair of leering eyes tracking his movements, full of suspicion and the desire to gossip.

Gossip all they want; he'd be free in a few dozen minutes.

The teaspoon clinked with the porcelain cup as Yasaka stirred the steaming amber liquid, already smiling to herself as she saw him approaching her.

He went past her to take a cup for him to make a cold coffee drink, playing it cool when he really wanted to be an absolute cheese with her. He had his back turned at his friends so they couldn't see any dumb expressions he'd make.

"…Hey."

"Ise-san…" Yasaka muttered, still with her smile that was creeping up her cheeks. A nice red tint splayed on her face. "…I missed you."

That was it. That was one of the phrases he had been hoping to hear from a girl for just once in his lifetime. It took his entire willpower to not smile like a fool because of the fuzzy feeling tickling his chest.

"I missed you too." Issei whispered. He was a very happy, happy man. "I'm sorry I didn't spend our first day together."

"It's okay. You've made a promise with them, and… it was rather… unexpected, to say the least." Yasaka spoke softly, "I've been feeling happy the entire day, Ise. It's quite… embarrassing but… is this normal? Do you feel the same way too?"

"Of course I do." Issei almost shouted as he snapped his head towards her, meeting her eyes at last. A pair of luminous golden irises, so warm and kind. Even so, he couldn't maintain contact with hers since he started to feel overwhelmed. "…Of course I do. I've been dying to see you the whole day."

"R-really…?" Her cheeks reddened. If she had her tails in this same dimension, they would be wildly flaying about. In fact, they were, but in that small empty space where she could safely 'hide' them. "I'm… glad."

"Where's uh… where's Raynare? Azazel said she'll be here."

"She's upstairs with the girls. Would you like to call her down?"

"No, no. It's alright. She'll come down soon enough I think."

"Okay."

There were some seconds of silence before Issei asked a new question. "…Yasaka-san?"

"Yes?"

"Would you mind if let my friends know of our… you know."

Yasaka glanced down at the chocolate-colored tray. She felt the steam embracing her already hot cheeks.

"…If you that pleases you so, Ise, how could I mind?"

Issei gulped.

"…Ah crap." He cursed silently. How could he feel this happy by just chatting a while with her? He couldn't face his friends when he kept grinning like this. They'd tease him to oblivion if they saw him. So he put his glasses of iced instant mochaccino on the counter, and washed his face with cold water.

The refreshing and freezing sensation took his mind off his unending joy for the moment, cooling him off in a quite literal manner.

After Yasaka set the drinks on the tray, she and Issei walked towards the living room. Both Murayama and Katase had been grinning at him as he drew near them. Yasaka settled their drinks, receiving their thanks, before she excused herself to her bedroom, and cooled off in there.

Nobody would know that she was rolling on her bed left and right, kicking her legs quietly as she let her vixen features into the open. Her tails wouldn't stop waving even as she held them tightly, and Yasaka was utterly embarrassed despite no one was there to notice.

Back in the living room, Issei coolly drank his iced coffee, shrugging away the two stares he was receiving.

"Ooooh. I think you had something good going on with Yasaka-san there, Issei. Way to go champ."

He didn't respond verbally to Murayama's bait, simply sniggering and shaking his head, smirking to himself.

"Ah? I'm not hearing any denial here, Issei." The former kendo girl prodded, clearly enjoying this more than he thought she would. Even Akeno was starting to join in, tittering as she studied his expressions.

"I'm not denying anything."

A pause.

"Kyaaa-" Murayama and Katase emitted a quiet shriek as they both clasped their hands together. "Our little Issei is in love! And with a mature woman!"

"Ufufu~ how nice. My, I suddenly feel warm all over me. That was rather bold of you, Issei-kun."

"Don't get any naughty ideas now, Issei-kun." Katase warned. "Although, you probably can't help it, can you."

The girls tittered as they bombarded him with teases, which, surprisingly, he didn't mind. Sure he felt embarrassed, but the good kind of embarrassment – if that made any sense.

"Funny hearing from you, Katase." Issei countered, smirking smugly. "You two did it sooner than me and you have the gall to say that?"

That put them into their place as they suddenly twiddled with their fingers, no doubt imagining their first night.

And Akeno finally caught that meaning she missed from the sushi restaurant earlier. She announced her realization with a gasp. "You mean you- oh my. Ara ara, it appears I am quite the innocent one in this group, ufufufu~"

"Waaaahh-" Shamefaced, both the kendo girls buried their face in their hands, crumpling to the kotatsu's flat surface.

As Issei had successfully turned the tide around and was double-teaming with Akeno, another Fallen Angel tottered down the stairs.

"I knew I heard some familiar noises." She muttered, and the girls turned to see her. She was in her working outfit; a plain white dress shirt and black formal pants. She looked professional with those on, if not for the fact she had a few buttons loose.

Kunou must had given her quite the time.

"Yuuma-chan!" Murayama happily greeted, while the two others waved their hand. "Wha- don't tell me you live here too."

"Hello, girls. Fancy meeting you here. And no, I'm just visiting a friend." Raynare continued as she descended down, walking towards them. "My, my, Issei, just few days ago you were walking with your boys, and now you brought three girls back to your place? You turned out to be quite the player ain't ya?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm a playa." Issei blithely said. "They wanted to see what a 'shared house' looked like." He reasoned. It wasn't a lie. They did want to know what a 'shared house' seemed like. He just hadn't told them it was his actual house.

Raynare raised a playful eyebrow. "Oh really~?"

"Yes. Really. By the way, how's Kuroka?" She scowled instantly at that, pouting, even. It was a dirty move from his part, but he had to put her in her place.

"Ha, ha. Very funny." The Fallen Angel mumbled. "Mind if I join you girls?"

"Sure! Sure!" Murayama happily said. Always happy for a new companionship, she was.

With a joking dirty look, Raynare glared at Issei as she settled by the kotatsu, filling the last empty spot.

"Ohmygodyes." Raynare immediately deflated once she eased down, the embalming warmth quickly fended off all cold air from her. Momentarily, the girls did the same as if she was their instructor.

Quietly laughing, Issei took a gulp of his cold beverage. Bitter and sweet, just the overly sweet kind of sweetness one could expect from an instant coffee.

"…Is that… is that an iced drink…?" Raynare observed, "Are you crazy or what?"

"What? I like myself a cold drink every now and then."

"In this weather? At this time?"

"In this weather. At this time." Issei affirmed. "What? I'm not giving you any. Make one yourself."

"Yeesh as if." Raynare grumbled. "Just watching you drink make me feel colder already."

Murayama and Katase blinked as they glanced at each other. "Say," Murayama said, "since when are you this close already?"

Issei wouldn't dare answering that. He didn't want to presume anything or say anything stupid. Which was fine since Raynare replied anyway.

"Last year." The Fallen Angel said blankly, earning a couple of eye rolls. "Someone gotta make a new year joke."

'Kuroka infected her.' Issei thought.

"Well I'm not surprised." Murayama mumbled. Her cheek had now squished into the table surface of the miracle heater-table-blanket. "You're such a chill dude, Issei, and same with you, Yuuma-chan. Maybe I'm being a know-it-all but I had psychology classes you know."

"Oh?" Akeno hummed. "What do you study about, Murayama-chan?"

"Oh, erm… p…psychology and… stuff."

"…You didn't think that through did you." Issei pointed out.

"Nope."

It was a unanimous agreement that they wouldn't push her more. They all knew she didn't pay attention to be able to back her statement with a clear and concise theory. While the girls chatted about girly stuffs that he paid the same amount of attention like Murayama did her psychology lecturer, Issei idly stirred his drink as he stared at the clock atop the TV.

8 o'clock had arrived.

"We interrupt this program for an announcement from: World Supernatural Organization."

"Hey, hey, check this out." Murayama directed their attention to the sudden broadcast. "Not everyday you get a broadcast like this! It's like a movie."

"…I hope it's nothing bad." Katase muttered.

Issei was a bit surprised when Azazel appeared on the TV, donning an actual suit instead of his pimp-like maroon jacket, looking appropriately professional for once. He was standing next to a man with long crimson hair that reminded him of someone from his high school. And next to that man was a blonde-haired man with a face that reminded him of Kiba to a certain degree, only more mellow. Each of them had their own podium with the emblem of the WSO; white dove on a black lotus.

Symbols of peace.

"Hey… doesn't he look like Rias-senpai?"

Right. Rias. Rias Gremory. How could he forget the school's benefactor's daughter? Putting that thought aside, he studied his friends' faces. He noted Raynare's unease. She never looked that serious before. He noticed that Akeno had an idea of where this was going, and had never let her eyes strayed from the screen.

"President Sirzechs Gremory, Chief Minister Azazel, and Seraph Michael. Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen."

"Wait what." Issei thought aloud, "Chief Minister- and a Seraph?"

"Shh!" Murayama shut him up.

"Good day, I bid you all, and a very happy New Year.

Let me begin by expressing my utmost thanks to those who have made this day possible. For so long we have dreamed of today. Today is the day where our dream come true. I am certain I represent most, if not all, of our kind's gratitude.

For the Caretakers and the Overseers who worked tirelessly day and night, we thank you.

Without you, many would still feel alone in the darkest of nights, perhaps terrified, bitter and cold, fearful of the coming dawn. Without you, many would never learn how to trust. Without you, that dream would remain a dream.

Around two months ago, most of you have likely heard of the existence of our kind; the 'Extraspecies'. Perhaps the first time for most. For so long we have remained in hiding, in the safe covers of our Caretaker and Overseers.

Today, at this new day of a new year, I happily announce that we would be very pleased to be able to walk among you. We understand that acceptance and tolerance won't come within a single day. We understand your fear, and in truth, we fear you perhaps more than you do.

We understand that you may view us a freak of nature, and we understand. We have lived among you since the beginning without ever once revealing ourselves, without trying to coexist, thinking that it was merely a wishful thought.

But today, we humbly implore you, to give us a chance.

A chance to prove that all we wanted is to live in peace. To love and fall in love freely, to create and cherish fond memories, that we want to feel without constraints. We all want to help one another, we want to live by each other's happiness, not by each other's misery. We don't want to hate and despise one another. We want kindness and gentleness. We all want to see our children play and grow and live in this beautiful world without needing to shy away from its beauty.

A chance to prove you that we are not much different to one another. That we are decent beings, wishing for a normal life. We don't need a life of prosperity; we simply want to live.

We understand it will take time to be fully accepted. We understand we are asking much without being able to give much. We understand the selfishness of this request, and we understand the problems that may arise.

But a chance is all we ask."

Twelve bat wings, twelve black feathered wings, and twelve golden wings unfurled altogether from their back, erupting several astounded gasps from the audience.

"My name is Sirzechs Gremory, and I am a Devil of House Gremory. To my left is Azazel, Governor of the Grigori, a Fallen Angel. To my right is Michael, a Seraph from Heaven.

As the representatives of our kinds, we beg of you, to give us a chance."

Applauses roared as the camera panned out to a room chock-full of people, standing up as the three leaders bowed their head, remaining still for several seconds as the applauses drowned all other noises.

Issei gulped as he exchanged glances with Akeno and Raynare. That was a heartfelt speech, but would it work? Could his people, his kind, humans, accept these supernatural? Only time could tell. And he might get an example in short time since his two very human friends were with him.

"Well…" Awkwardly, he started while both Fallen Angels tensed up. "That was something."

"Whoa." Murayama muttered.

"Wow." Katase mumbled. "That guy's relative used to be our idol."

Issei started to shake the tip of his foot. "So… what do you guys think on that?"

"…Well I mean I've heard that they exist, but I never seen one anyway." The brunette replied. "…Wait, since he's related to Rias-senpai, then doesn't that mean she's a Devil?"

Issei just realized that too. "Holy- yeah you're right. Damn, that's even crazier to know."

"I knew she has that special kind of air on her!" Murayama cheered proudly, as though that had anything to do with anything.

"Aren't you bothered that she's a Devil though?" Issei said.

"Eh, who cares. What kind of an evil Devil goes to a public school and get good grades? Besides, the guy's hot. Sirzechs, was it?"

"I bet there's going to be a fanclub about him in twitter and insta." Katase followed. "…Might have to apply soon. I like Michael more though… Michael-sama? He looks so angelic."

Issei felt stupid for ever worrying about these two idiots. "What about the Azazel guy?"

"Eh, too old." Murayama blurted.

"Not really my type." Katase followed.

Ouch. Issei, Akeno, and Raynare collectively felt sorry for that dude.

"Welp. Since the cat's out the bag now, so…" Sliding off the kotatsu, Raynare then stood up and walked to a clear space in the living room. A pair of black wings burst open, folding up as she didn't want to hit anything.

Murayama and Katase gasped as their eyes widened.

"Y-you—you're- You're an Angel?!"

"A Fallen Angel." Raynare corrected, smiling sheepishly as she rubbed her elbow. "And my name is also not Amano Yuuma. I'm Raynare. I hope that we can still be friends."

Before Katase and Murayama could say a word, another interjected. "Me too, ufufu~"

Raynare gave way to Akeno as she too, unfurled her wings. Raven in color. She rolled up her wings as well for the same reason. "I'm sorry for keeping this a secret until now, Murayama-chan, Katase-chan, but I had to. I'd like you to know who I am because you're a dear friend of mine."

The two human females squealed as they stood up to hug each other. "Ohmigod, omygod- am I dreaming right now?"

With a smirk, Issei then stood up. "Welp. Might as well."

"NO WAY." Murayama shouted.

"I-Issei?! Even you?"

Issei stood by Akeno and Raynare, who had the same expression as the humans. Expectantly, they watched him, waiting for his reveal that never came.

"…Yep. Still human."

There was a moment of silence.

"I'll seriously smack your face right now." Murayama flatly threatened.

"You knew of this, Issei?" Katase asked, despite a bit annoyed.

Finally, his chance to brag. "Well, yeah. I'm a Caretaker yo."

The girls gasped again. Keep this up and they'd hyperventilate soon enough. "Are you their caretaker?!"

"No, I'm an Overseer." Raynare replied. "Akeno's living with her parents so she doesn't need one."

"Mhmm. My mother's a human and my father's a Fallen Angel. Ufufu~ an interspecies love that was once forbidden… that's kinda romantic don't you think?"

The girls' squealing would be a definite yes to that question.

"So who are you uh… 'Caretaking', Issei?" Katase asked, her eyes full of curiosity.

Issei paused for a moment. He'd tell them, but he felt that this was something they needed to hear from the girls, not him.

"That'd be me nyan." Luckily, his savior arrived. Stepping down the stairs with a messy look and loose red pajamas would be none other than Kuroka, whose twin black tails flicked and black ears flickered. Her amber eyes seemingly glimmered as she gave them a coy, mischievous smile. "'Lo. Humans, your neck looks tasty."

There was a brief pause.

"KYAAAH~ gobble me up Onee-sama~!" So screamed both Katase and Murayama.

"Whoa. You have weird friends, Ise-nyan." Kuroka tittered as she flung beside him. "I might like them. Why are we standing here by the way?"

"Wait until you meet their boyfriends."

But the surprises didn't end there. Silently walking down the stairs, not making any noises whatsoever, was Shirone in her white cat onesie. Currently she had the hood lowered to display her white feline ears. She wasn't as confident as her sister, and stood somewhat behind Kuroka, hiding most of her face behind her sister's back.

Issei had muted the TV in advance.

"…Hello." She muttered in a voice so quiet that it would be easy to miss, but everyone heard her since nobody was talking. "…I'm Shirone. Pleased to meet you."

Murayama melted. She put her hands on her mouth as she squealed. Again. Issei noticed that she had tears in her eyes.

"You're so cute we're gonna die." Katase said simply, representing her more enlivened friend.

"Please don't…" Shirone added, clutching Kuroka's pajama-shirt.

"Don't scare my lil sister, thank you very much." Kuroka said with a barely veiled-threats. Unfortunately, it didn't work as well when used to these two idiots who thought she was the coolest person they had ever seen.

It also didn't help Raynare, who was flabbergasted by the Nekoshou's earlier display of confidence.

"Last but not least!" A child-like voice came from the stairs, causing both Murayama and Katase giggling gleefully as they waited. "The Very Adorable, and Most… Adorable, Kunou!"

Unlike the plebs who used their legs to descend the stairs, Kunou used a little bit of magic and a rapid twirling of her bush tail to make it seem as though she was flying, using her tail to do so. In truth, she was just floating.

Didn't matter. Still cute. Murayama and Katase would gladly vouch from their uncontainable glee. They might pass out from a sudden high intake of sugar.

"Niitan! Catch!"

"OOF-" Issei coughed. A headbutt to his chest would do that to him. Regardless, Kunou landed safely on his hands.

"Welcome home!" The vixen happily said as she nuzzled his chest, brushing his chin with her fox ears. He heard a very audible 'aww' from all girls except the Nekoshou. "Did you miss Kunou?"

"Of course I do."

"Hehe, Kunou knows anyway." She huffed, then turning her head at the new faces. "Hello. She's Kunou. She talks in third person because it's fun."

"Hello~ I'm Akeno."

"Akeno-nee! Hiya!"

Issei smirked. He couldn't get used to the girl's natural smugness, but he wouldn't complain anytime soon.

That said- "Did you rehearse this or something?"

"She made us do it." Kuroka answered.

To which the Fallen Angel replied in her fluster. "Wh-what? I know no such thing."

"Right." Kuroka rolled her eyes. "So. Why are we standing again nyan?"

"I don't know, but I feel like I'm in a superhero movie." Issei commented. "Only less cool and more dumb."

"Well you heard me, go take a seat everyone, or take a hike I don't care nyan." Kuroka said as she took up an entire couch for herself, as per usual, leaving only a space for Shirone to lie down in front of her, as per usual.

"Ahh… it feels nice to let these loose." Akeno muttered. She had her wings splayed on the carpet, going over Raynare's who had done the same. "…Pardon me Issei-kun, but you won't mind if I stay here for a while longer, no?"

"Nah it's cool."

The girls; Murayama, Katase, Akeno, and Raynare, returned to their seat in the kotatsu while Kunou kept herself latched on Issei's chest like a front-backpack. Her orange tail hadn't stop wagging ever since.

"Aaaa- look at her she's so cyoot- But wow. I feel so lame right now." Murayama said as she observed the supernatural and their unique appearances. "Can I touch your ears?"

"Nope." Kuroka sneered, purposely smirking, teasing the poor human as she flicked her black-furred ear.

"Aww..."

Katase maintained her composure better when Murayama wasn't hyping her up. "…So you lied to us about the whole 'shared house' thing, Issei-kun?"

"Yep."

"Is this your house?"

"Uh… not exactly?" He turned to Raynare for help.

"This is his benefactor's house, Riser Phenex. A Devil. He's the one who lets Issei and his small band of misfits live here without paying, for the time being."

Issei nodded. "Yeh. I pay for the utilities at the moment, but I think pretty soon we won't get as much erm… funding. Kunou, you're getting heavy."

"No she's not."

"This whole program is expensive after all." Raynare clarified. "One benefactor can vouch from one to twenty Caretakers depending on their willingness to cooperate, as in providing them houses and covering the monthly expense, minus the utilities now, paying the salaries of the Overseers, and such and such. They're suffering massive losses no doubt, but they're all eager for this program to succeed, so… fingers crossed."

Murayama was awed by the dedication. "Wow… I didn't know such a thing even existed. Well, I did hear of it but… I thought that was just some rumors."

"By the way," Kuroka interjected. "Where's Yasaka-nyan?"

Kunou gasped, and unlatched herself of her Caretaker and rushed to open her bedroom. "Mom! We're doing the reveal-thingy! It's your turn now!"

"O-oh? Of course dear."

Everyone held their breath. Issei too, for some reason. Everyone except Kuroka and Shirone who was busy swatting Akeno's wing – the Fallen Angel had been flicking the feathery tip, and had found two new beings to amuse herself with after her brief introduction with the two.

When her nine lustrous tails took up most of the space underneath the door frame, each tail swaying softly as she walked outside, everyone's characteristics paled in terms of beauty. She held the side of her elbow, shy from the starstruck stares, as Yasaka subconsciously stood by Issei's side.

"…Good evening." She muttered, grabbing the sleeve of his shirt for mental support, forcing herself to look at the two humans in their eyes despite her nervousness. "…I'm Yasaka, a Kyuubi. I hope we can continue to get along well."

"H-hello again, Yasaka-san." Murayama closed her mouth as she gulped down her saliva. "…I think you just became onetwothree—nine times as beautiful."

Katase couldn't say anything, at loss of words as she could only stare at the white-tipped auburn tails that looked like a giant fluffy brush.

Kuroka couldn't help it. The moment was too perfect to stir a little bit of chaos. "She's also his girlfriend nyan."

That easily took away all eyes off her, for a brief moment, because the stares had returned with twice the intensity.

"WHAT?!" Was Murayama's shocked response while her pink-haired best friend stared at Issei, slack-jawed.

Raynare's wasn't much different either. "No. Ff-. Way."

"Oh my."

"What does that mean? Is Kunou Niitan's girl-friend too?"

"You just had to, didn't you?"

"Sorry. Had to. Nyan~" Kuroka shrugged, sticking out a small portion of her tongue at the Caretaker.

Issei didn't know what else to say afterwards, but he would be lying if he claimed he was mad. In fact, it was the other way around. Though embarrassed, as long as she was happy, then Issei supposed, he was alright with Kuroka's tiny annoyances. Besides, having his relationship being announced publicly like that didn't feel all bad. He sure did enjoy his friends' faces of surprise.

But at least, he didn't handle it as bad as Yasaka, who seemed to have frozen still as her face reddened and her tails flounced behind her. She brought one tail forward to cover her face. Only Issei could see the red streak over her pearly cheeks and her tightly pressed lips.

"Sorry for that." Issei whispered, a sheepish smile on his face as he reached for her. "Just bear with me."

That didn't help her much, because now Yasaka had two things to fume about; the embarrassment and their linked fingers.

But nonetheless, the Kyuubi was most certainly pleased, as she fondly held his hand, relishing the feeling that she had only experienced when she was with him. A sense of adoration but unlike towards her daughter. Kind of warm, kind of tingly, and kind of strange, and stronger than a simple 'like'.

Indeed, she had fallen for her Caretaker.

"Thank you... Ise."

The End

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Lmao Jk

To be continued…

I just got inspired on writing new stories, which are "Death's Chosen" and "Mending Ruins", which you should give a read if you're looking for something to read. Just SMASH that like butt- click on my profile and you'll see. There's also a poll there btw

Mending Ruins is romance, serious-toned, like John Wick, set at a time if Trihexa got out 1 year before canon starts. It features an OC – BOO OC BOO – but wait, it's not a fuckin self-insert or an Issei-replacer. Essentially he was Sirzechs' mercenary to do some of Satan's very dirty work. Also, it has smut.

Now I'm not saying I'm the best smut-writer, or best writer for that matter, but I like to think I know how to write one better than average dxd writers

Then there's Rending Ruins which is essentially a revenge story. Issei's the main character in this one but he's hardly a hero. Most anti-hero tends to be good guys at heart than morally bad ones. This Issei isn't bad, but he's not good either. Even downright evil when he needs to be.

Death's Chosen is more lighthearted. An even more comedic take on canon DxD where Issei is a downright pervert. Wait, how is that different to canon Issei? Well, my friends, my Issei is a trash-tier degenerate. He will do a full 1080 front flip if that can get girls to unbutton a single button.

Let me know if you came from this story ye?

Many thanks for the reviews. They're very kind and heartwarming to read. C: