A/N: I'm not dead guys I promise! Thanks for being patient and thank you all for all the great reviews on the last chapter. I did the best I could, but I probably have a few grammar and spelling errors here and there. If you find them, pm me or put it in your review and I'll fix it. Just don't be an ass about it.
There will be a longer A/N at the bottom to talk about a few things, so without further ado.
I Own Nothing
Chapter 2: Chocolate, Tensions, and Misunderstandings
A Few Days Later
Issei sighed in content after finishing all but his chocolate bar from his lunch as he leaned back against a large oak tree in Kuoh Academy's garden. It was so peaceful here and a very well needed break from the other… students… in the school. The peaceful silence was only broken by the soft sounds of nature. From the gently blowing of the wind and swaying of the branches of trees to the soft skittering sounds of squirrels and the chirps of a few birds. His new favorite spot was located right next to a section of the garden filled with lavender plants. He had found this place by accident earlier in the week as he tried to hide from one of his two stalkers, and was just now getting a chance to spend his lunch break here.
He felt his eyes close and his mind began to wander over the last week that he had been here at the academy. It was… well, it's been an experience that's for sure. Growing up he didn't really get to play with other kids. With Yasaka being his guardian and being who he is, the other kids either weren't allowed to play with him due to status or were simply just terrified of him. He only ever had Kunou and the She-Devil who were near him in age that he could ever really be around. Kunou was the light in his life, but she spent so much time being trained on her mother's duties and he spent so much time being schooled by his tutors or being smacked around by the Old Man, that they really only ever were able to share dinner and the occasional breakfast together. But on the rare occasion when they could, they spent all the time they could together.
The She-Devil on the other hand… Is the exact opposite. Issei shivered. He couldn't get away from her. She followed him around like a lost… well animal. He'd say puppy but the last time he said that she had gotten so offended that she nearly ripped his head off. She tagged along to every tutoring session and proceeded to do nothing but attempt to… distract him. Issei blushed and quickly shook those thoughts away. But she also came with him to all of his training sessions, and when she wasn't napping during them she's actually very helpful. As a powerhouse in her own right, she helped him understand things better when the Old Man was being cryptic, and she also helped him understand some of the more complex aspects of the Sage Arts that she's so fond of. The only down side to their friendship was the fact that she could never leave the Shrine where they lived.
But that would never be enough to make him care about their friendship any less. Though Issei would be the first to admit that she's obnoxiously loud, extremely overbearing, lewd, very rude, a complete dunce, is by FAR the LAZIEST person he'd ever met, and above all else… she is his best friend in the whole world. Because as much as she grates on his nerves sometimes {read 'ALL the time'} she's always there for him when he needs her, even when he doesn't realize he does.
The She-Devil is one of the many reasons why he agreed to the mission Yasaka gave him. When he accepted the mission he knew the sacrifices he would eventually be required to make, and between her and Kunou? The price was something he was far more than happy to pay.
He shook his head to rid himself of those thoughts. Dwelling on the past was quickly becoming a bad habit of his. And it's one he really need to get rid of.
'"Ise-nii! The past is the past-Nya. Ya can't change it so just keep looking forward-Nyaa!"'
A soft blush spread across his cheeks from all of his memories of the two of them together and he let out a small chuckle at all the trouble the two of them got into. He really didn't know what he'd do without her. His blush deepened as he imagined a huge version of Yasaka appearing in the sky above him with her hands clasped together and her eyes sparkling with joy. Wedding bells tolled in the background and doves surrounded her with little hearts dancing around her.
'"OH! My little Ise-chan is all grown up and going off on his own! He'll soon be getting married and give me lots and lots of Grandch-"'
Issei's blush intensified to the color of blood and immediately sat up and punched himself in the face to clear his head of the memory of her extremely embarrassing farewell. Hard. He gripped his hair and shook his head side to side in frustration.
'What the hell is wrong with me lately?'
Before he could continue that train of thought however, his thoughts (and his peace) was broken by a curt, monotone voice.
_Issei POV_
"… You're in my spot, Perv"
I froze and slowly cracked one eye and saw a pair of tiny feet in a pair of Kitten Converse shoes. I slowly and shakily tilted my head up as I took in the information before me.
Kuoh Academy skirt? Check.
Kuoh Academy blouse? Check.
Weird Cape thing? Check.
Amber eyes? Check.
Cute face? Double Check.
No emotions on said cute face? Check.
White hair? *Sigh* Check.
In front of me with one hand on her hip and the other carrying a freakishly large Bento was none other than Koneko Toujou. The second year who I had mistakenly took for a middle school student due to her small stature. I mean don't get me wrong. I knew EXACTLY who she was at the time. I just didn't know how old she was when I first met her. That particular piece of information was never given to me. Imagine my surprise {read 'Horror'} when I showed up to my first class and there she and that hot treasurer were. One scowling at me, and the other refusing to even look my way for some reason.
To top it all off, the girl had been stalking me all damn week. So, I've been trying my hardest to avoid her as much as possible. So far I had been quite successful outside of class… well besides that ONE night… but it seems my luck has ran out… Wait what is she saying?
"…Stop staring at me like that, Perv. It's… unsettling." She monotone with a very faint red hue dusting her cheeks.
"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to stare."
"… humph… now move, Perv."
This time I caught what she had called me
"HEY! I'm not a Perv," I retorted with indignation, "And what do you mean 'Your spot?'. I was here first."
"… Yeah… tell that to the Kendo club." She replied scathingly as she looked at me like I was something she stepped in.
It felt like an arrow had been shot through my chest as I leapt to my feet, my hands clenched as I tried to plead my innocence to few day old (and completely FALSE) charge.
"That was a COMPLETE misunderstanding! I wasn't peaking on them. It was a total case of wrong place, wrong time!"
By now it felt like all of the blood in my body had rushed to my face. It was worse than the time Yasaka accused me of peaking on them in the bath, albeit jokingly. This girl however was completely serious.
I think.
"… I'm sure that what any Perv would say the same thing to cover up their actions."
Thunk. Another arrow.
"Ugh, I swear if I HAD peaked on them and got caught, which I most definitely did NOT, I would have manned up and taken responsibility for it. Not try and come up with excuses to hide it."
"…So basically… if you wouldn't get caught you would have peaked on them."
Thunk. Yup. Definitely serious.
"I DIDN'T SAY THAT! Stop twisting my words!"
"… You're the worst."
THUNK. THUNK. THUNK.
Anymore and I swear this girl will kill me with words alone! From dealing with the Student Council President, to the interrogations the teenagers at this school put me through, to the incident with the Kendo Club, to this… girl stalking me, and finally to this? The frustrations of the past week welled up in me and I just snapped at her.
"God damnit! Listen here, White Cat! I am-"
My eyes widened in realization of what I had just said and slammed my hand over my mouth far too late to prevent the slip of my tongue. Everything became deathly silent around us.
I looked down at her as her amber eyes had widened significantly and I could literally see the panic and fear in her eyes at what I had just called her. The poor thing couldn't help but let her aura spike from the shock. I'm guessing not many people knew she was a devil. And I'm willing to bet quite a lot on the fact that of those that knew, even fewer know she's a Nekoshou as well.
And I just had to go and screw everything up and jeopardize everything, simply because I let her rattle me.
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, and after a few seconds she opened them and they quickly hardened to a look of both determination and resignation. Though just before that I swear I saw a flash of another emotion… sadness maybe?
She opened eye mouth and I thought she was either going to scream or curse me, but even I couldn't have predicted what she said next.
"… The chocolate bar…"
"Eh?"
The confusion must have been very evident on my face because she sighed and rolled her eyes in frustration before pointing at the chocolate bar in my possession.
"…Give me the chocolate bar and I'll let you sit here today."
"Never in my life… are you for real?"
Koneko growled viciously and her aura darkened considerably, becoming a dark miasma around her small frame. She slowly cocked back her fist and I internally grinned at her poor attempt of intimidation. Please, Yasaka and the She-Devil were far more intimidating. Hell Kunou could put this girl to shame. So I did the only natural thing.
…
…
…
…
I threw myself to my knees before her and presented the chocolate bar with both hands, head bowed.
"Please take it, White Cat-Sama!" I groveled.
"…You're weird…"
The white-haired girl froze and looked at me as if I'd grown a second head. Though the look didn't last long as she snatched the chocolate bar from my hands and ripped the packaging off and began nibbling contentedly on it and sat down next to me, leaning back against the tree with a huge smile on her face and eyes closed in bliss.
In this moment, seeing this somewhat emotionally happy side of her… It brought a smile to my face and also a small pang in my chest. She reminds me so much of Kunou. Well, at least when she's like this she does. The peaceful look on her face, its nice look on her. I couldn't help but think how much cuter she is when she doesn't have that emotionless scowl on her face.
A huge blush appeared on my face as I realized she had stopped nibbling and was looking at me with her head tilted slightly. Gone was her happy smile, but what had replaced it wasn't her typical scowl or neutral expression. Instead, there was a look of pure curiosity. I might even go so far as to say… fascination maybe?
_Narrator POV_
Issei's thoughts were interrupted when Koneko spoke again.
"…thank you…"
Issei's face scrunched up in confusion. 'Why is she thanking me?' he wondered silently. 'For the chocolate bar, maybe?' For the life of him he couldn't figure out what she was referencing with her appreciation.
Koneko saw his look of confusion and couldn't help but let a tiny smile show on her lips. 'This boy…' She shook her head before looking back up at him.
"… For the chocolate… and for the other night with the cat." She said quietly.
Issei seemed to freeze in front of her before a huge smile broke out across his face and he let out a small laugh. At his laugh she looked away trying to hide the faint pink hue that dusted her cheeks from his reaction. 'Really though, this girl is way too cute for her own good.' Issei thought to himself. Even if she could be a pain in his ass sometimes.
Koneko took a deep breath to calm the weird feeling she was experiencing and turned back to him, that same curiosity and fascination returning. Then she asked a single, simple question that really caught Issei off guard.
"…What are you?"
Ahh… There it is. Issei hates that question. He could feel the frown form on his lips and tried to look away before the pang of sadness became evident in his heterochromatic eyes. But Koneko saw it before he could turn away completely. Issei's green eye twitched in pain so he closed his eyes and took a deep breath to weather the pain. 'Every damn time… Stupid thing.' He thought wistfully, before turning back to her with a small smirk in place of his frown. But the smirk never reached his eyes, nor did any other emotion.
'Yet another fake mask.' Koneko thought to herself.
"Me? I'm just an awkward guy trying to live a somewhat normal life for a while." Issei chuckled out.
When her eyes narrowed ever so slightly in a 'You really expect me to believe that?' way, he sighed with a smile (genuine this time), and unconsciously reached out stunning the poor Neko girl and began petting her head gently. Just like he does to the She-Devil every time she catches him feeling down and calls him out on it.
Koneko at first almost lashed out at him for touching her head… again… but the moment he did she felt a shiver go down her spine, and she couldn't help but to relax and ever so slightly tilt her head into it. The feeling was so familiar to her and I made her feel so safe. It was a feeling she couldn't understand, and in the moment she really didn't care. It sent warm tingles down her spine and reminded her of when she was little. Her parents used to pet her head just like this when she was a very small child. It's just sooo soothing. She almost felt herself dozing off from the gentle treatment, but suddenly opened her eyes as two realizations hit her at the same time.
First, was that she remembered that her parents had used Senjutsu to calm her and her sister when they were small children. They would let small wisps of the natural energy trickle down her and her sister's system in miniscule amounts to relax their muscles and help them clear their minds. It was the exact same method he had used to nearly lull her to sleep, albeit his use of the Sacred Art had been so subtle she had almost failed to notice it at all. Secondly, and most importantly, he was no longer petting her head. When she had looked up, he had been gone. There was no sound, nor any indication that he had left. It all but confirmed her suspicions. She may not know exactly who or what he is, but she did know this:
Issei Hyoudou is a part of the Supernatural world, or is at least a practitioner of a supernatural art, and above all else… just using that art makes him extremely dangerous.
Koneko immediately got up and dusted herself off. She had to warn Buchou about this. She had to warn her about him. They had suspicions about him, but they never had any real evidence until now.
She stretched a little before turning towards the old school building. 'White Cat huh? That's the first time he's addressed me by any sort of name since the first time we met… I guess I don't really hate it… Though I would prefer it if he called me Koneko instead.' Her cheeks flamed up again and she shook her head violently trying to clear THAT though out of her head.She paused and looked at one of the trees on the other side of the garden when movement caught her eye.
"I could've sworn…" she trailed off and sighed, thinking it was a figment of her imagination and headed towards the Old School House building, which was the headquarters of the ORC.
_Line Break_
Issei sighed as he stepped out from behind the tree. It had been a really close call and he didn't know how he was going to get out of that one. Seeing her like that? The two of them were far more similar than he had realized at first. He had just reacted out of instinct.
'That was far more trouble than it was worth,' he bemoaned to himself.
He would have to be far more careful proceeding forward. The stakes had just risen considerably with revealing himself far earlier than he had wanted. Granted, he had always intended to reveal himself, but he had planned to do it in his own time after surveilling them a bit more to get a better understanding of them as beings rather than just as Devils. However, with him revealing so much to Koneko unintentionally she would have no choice but to report back to Rias. Which, speaking of Rias Gremory…
A tingle at the back of his neck alerted him to the possibility of someone watching him from afar. He looked over his shoulder towards the far side of the Garden in the direction of the Old Schoolhouse building. The building on the outside appeared to be worn down. It was a 3 story building, and about as wide as it was tall. In terms of Club rooms go, the ORC by far had the largest area allotted to them. It's also the most secluded from the rest of the school. Not many wanted to accidentally walk in on a ritual to summon ghosts or whatever students thought the ORC really did.
But there on the top floor, in the far left window stood a figure as strikingly beautiful as they come. Even from this distance he could clearly make out every stunningly beautiful feature of the tall Crimson-haired girl. He felt himself freeze momentarily when their eyes made contact with each other's. He started to wonder how long the woman had been observing him.
'Ugh… I don't have time for this.'
"Rias." He muttered quietly and rolled his eyes as he turned and walked back towards the main school building as the warning bell began to ring. Before he crossed the threshold of the school he through, he pointed two fingers up and waved them to his side dismissively in a farewell and disappeared into the building.
_Line Break_
Occult Research Club Room
The club room was located at the far side of Kuoh Academy in the old school building, but had direct view of the school's gate, and the school's famous garden from the 3rd floor window. A redhead girl stood in said window and gazed out over the school grounds lost in thought. Even by the highest of standards, she could be said to be extremely beautiful. Her long crimson red hair cascaded down her shoulders to her lower back, with a couple strands that framed her heart shaped face. Her eyes were a mesmerizing blue-green that showed a conflicting image of innocence, yet held traces of cunningness beyond her years. She stood around 5'7 and had a figure that enticed even the most prude of men and women alike. She wore the standard Kuoh Academy girl's uniform with her top somehow containing her overly large bust and her skirt being scandalously short.
She was drawn from her thoughts when she saw a boy. Not just any boy, mind you. Her thoughts were broken by one Hyoudou Issei, the most enigmatic boy in year two, if not the whole school. No one knew hardly anything about him. The only thing anyone knew was his name, his favorite color was red and hated the color white for some reason, and that the only person who he went out of his way to talk to was Tsubasa Yura, her Rook Koneko, and most surprisingly the Kendo Captain and Vice-Captain. If anything it seemed Tsubasa was the first person he seemed to be friends with at all, while he maintained a weird yet comfortable relationship with Koneko. It was a strange relationship to her, but the petite girl definitely seemed to enjoy his presence more than she would probably ever admit out loud any time soon. As for the two kendo girls, it was more of a relationship between a mentor and student. Ever since the "Perverted Duo" tried to use him as a scapegoat and he had met the Kendo Club's challenge, the two girls had begun dragging him off after class to have him spar with them. He claimed to be an amateur at best with only a few years of training. However, his effortless defeat of the first and third rank Kendo practitioners of their age group in the nation made Rias highly doubt that. According to Kiba, who had been watching the exchange, Issei seemed to be struggling to hold back rather than struggling to win. And to add to his mystery, he was the top of his class and yet he slept through most of his classes.
Sona had been baffled and angered by the boy ever since he showed up halfway through the term. He had shown up his first day, then the next took the midterm exams and aced all of them. She gave him warning after warning that he needed to stay awake in class regardless of his grades but he blew off her warnings with hardly more effort than a shrug much to Sona's frustration and Rias's own amusement.
Which drew her to the final thing she knows about him. He claims to know nothing about the supernatural and they are unaware of what his actual species is. For all intents and purposes, his aura and body appear to be completely human. On the other hand, several Strays from all factions that have appeared in her territory tend to suddenly, and quite violently perish. And somehow Issei is always in the general vicinity on some odd errand or other. Whenever she would have Koneko try to subtly confront him about anything supernatural related his answer is always the same.
"I honestly have no idea what you're talking about... Are you sure being in that Cult club is a good idea?"
It was quite endearing, and yet also incredibly infuriating that he won't admit it. But as he doesn't cause any other trouble, other than the occasional, albeit gruesome, mess, so Sona and she tend to let him do as he pleases. Everything about him seems to SCREAM mystery, all the while hiding a small undertone of danger behind that innocent smile of his.
For his part, the boy had maintained the utmost of courtesies towards both peerages, even going so far as to offer to help Sona with her student council paperwork from time to time. Though Rias was sure that it was merely a front to get on Sona's good side so she would lay off of him. And he had even helped Koneko out on one of her contracts. She giggled softly into her hand as she remembered how flustered the white haired girl was when she came back.
Apparently one of her normal contractors had lost his cat and was in a very frantic state searching for it. She used a few magic spells to locate the cat, but when her and her contractor had arrived (he insisted on coming as well) his cat was sitting injured on a branch fairly high up the tree. Koneko was originally just going to fly up to grab the cat, but the moment her wings popped out the cat freaked out and got scared. After her contractor begged her repeatedly to not frighten the cat in case it hurt it hurt itself any more than it already was. Koneko was apparently stumped on how to get the cat down gently since her specialty was breaking things.
Then Koneko's savior arrived. Issei had apparently noticed the cat in the tree and had walked over to get it out when he ran into Koneko and her contractor. He ended up climbing the tree and saved the cat and seemingly unknowingly helping Koneko complete her contract. And when Koneko got back? She couldn't help but giggle at the memory.
_Flashback_
It was another boring night at the ORC for Koneko. Kiba and Akeno were both still out doing contracts. Usually she would be out too, but Koneko only had one contract come in tonight. It was only to help her eldest contractor with moving furniture around in her house, so that took less than an hour. Since then everything had been quiet.
As the petite girl reached into her bag to pull out another sweet she sighed softly. She didn't have very many left. She glanced up at Rias Gremory, the King of her peerage. The redhead girl was busy with her work that was sprawled messily over her desk. Tomes that are older than most humans have been alive were scattered around her desk, with the oldest three open in front of the teenager.
A small frown took over the white haired girl's normally stoic expression. Rias has been working herself to death for the past year. Ever since Sona had been able to break off her arrangement last year Rias has been spending nearly every waking moment pouring over the Ancient bylaws of the devils, searching for something, ANYTHING, to help her get out of her marriage arrangement with Raiser Phenex. Especially the last 3 months.
Suddenly Rias looked up as a small magic circle appeared above her desk and a small brown piece of paper floated down, which she grabbed out of the air. She pushed her glasses up to the top of her head and looked the paper over, before glancing up at her Rook.
"Sorry Koneko-chan," she sighed and levitated the summoning slip over to the white haired girl. "It looks like you've got another contract tonight."
The small Rook caught the summoning slip and read it over as well before nodding. She stood up and closed her eyes, concentrating. In just a few short seconds a large red magic circle appeared under her and she disappeared in a swirl of crimson light. Rias looked left and right sneakily, and upon confirming the absence of her whole peerage she sighed and let herself collapse on her desk exhausted.
"Why does everything have to be so damn difficult?" she groaned.
_2 Hours Later_
A Flash of crimson light startled Rias awake. She hastily wiped the drool off her desk and sat up, shuffling paperwork as she dropped her glasses back to her nose. She may be tired but she didn't want to worry her precious peerage members. She pretended to busy herself as she let the aura of her Rook wash over her. She let out a small smile and started to address Koneko as she materialized into the room.
"So Koneko-chan, how did your contract go?" she asked lightly, and slowly looked up at the white hair girl, only to stiffen as her eyes widened in shock.
"…Baka Hentai Senpai… The nerve of him… I am not… I AM NOT…" she trailed off as she registered Rias's question. "…How did it go…?" The short girl muttered through clenched teeth? She slowly looked up at her King, eyes wide in anger and her face blood red in rage.
"Koneko?!" Rias jumped from her seat and hurried to her precious servant and began looking her all over checking for injury. "Did something happen? Were you attacked? Did he try to do strange things to you?" Rias asked concerned and panicked.
"…Yes." The short Rook muttered in indignation. But her eyes widened as she felt Rias's aura grow violent and begin to roll off of her in waves. The air became hot and oppressive as Rias's eyes flickered from blue-green to a crimson color. The furniture around her began moving back from the sheer pressure her aura emitted.
"When I find that monster I'm going to make sure there's not a trace of him left for touching my cute and adorable servant. I will hunt his whole family and destroy them until nothing remains except ash, and then I'll-"
Rias's burst of power had snapped her out of her state of mind enough to try and defuse the angry King.
"…Buchou wait…" Koneko's voice made Rias pause in her tirade and stopped her from teleporting to her contractor and inevitably killing the poor innocent man. Rias tilted her head to the side inquisitively and waited for Koneko to continue.
"…He didn't do anything strange… well he didn't at least…" Koneko started fidgeting and swaying unsteadily on her feet, with her face growing redder and redder with every word. "…I mean HE didn't really do anything strange either… I mean he did… but it wasn't bad… I t-think… I-I mean… UGGGGGHHHHH" The petite girl all but threw herself onto the couch, burying her face into the pillow and started banging her fists into the cushion, which unintentionally began making the whole building shake.
"Koneko!" Rias gasped, recoiling in shock, wonder, surprise, and fear at the smaller girl's outburst. Her oppressive aura disappeared instantly. Never in all their time together had Rias EVER seen Koneko have an outburst. She had always been this stoic girl who wouldn't let her emotions show to her or anyone at all. And now? She's suddenly throwing a fit on the couch, and the worst part is that Rias can't tell whether its anger… or something more.
"Koneko-chan, talk to me. Tell me what happened." Rias tried to soothe the girl as she sat down beside her and gently stroked her back trying to get the Nekoshou to calm down enough to talk to her. She needed to find out what had caused this reaction from the normally stoic girl so she can decide whether to destroy it… or thank it.
"…e et I ed gan…" came the muffled response of Koneko whose face was buried deep into the pillow in embarrassment.
Rias sweat dropped at the muffled response. "Huh? I couldn't hear you Koneko-chan."
Koneko groaned and wiggled some more before turning over hand hiding her eyes under her hands… though this did NOT hide her burning crimson cheeks.
"…Het pet my head again…" she mumbled out, blushing harder.
And that was when Rias realized something. Koneko wasn't mad, or at least not nearly as mad as what she had thought. She was… embarrassed. Rias covered her mouth to keep herself from giggling. And for Rias, that was quite hard. She was so proud of her cute little servant. She was finally beginning to open up a bit… and from what it sounded like, it had something to do with a HE. A boy.
"Ahem." Rias coughed into her hand to help clear the laugh from her throat. She was very happy but she didn't want Koneko to clam up if she started teasing her. "Ok… So he pet your head? Is that a bad thing?"
"YES!" retorted Koneko quickly. Almost too quickly.
"Oh and why's that? Aww! Did Koneko-chan enjoy it? Is that what's wrong?" Rias gently teased. She just couldn't help herself. She knew that there really must be something else bot-
"…yes…"
"That what I thought. I figured some- wait WHAT?!" Rias exclaimed, shocked at the sudden turn of events. Koneko actually liked it?! THAT'S what's bothering her?! Rias was speechless for the first time in a long while. Koneko? Of all people? Being this affected by some boy? 'He must be really something to get under my cute Rook's stoic personality,' she thought to herself as a small mischievous grin slowly.
Koneko noticed the grin slowly form on Rias's face and groaned audibly. 'I really don't need this right now…' she whined to herself. She could only sweat drop from the increasingly more obnoxious face her king was making. 'Please… please just don't…'
"fu fu fu… SOOO Ko~ne~ko-chan! Who's this Boy that's got you all flustered like this? Is he cute? Is he tall? Is he strong? Is he hefty? Is it someone I know?" Rias asked her rook with the little sparkles in her eyes growing larger with every question as she inched her face closer to Koneko with every word.
*Groan* "…Buchooouuu! Please don't tease me… I don't know why I'm feeling like this…" the whitehaired girl lamented in frustration.
It was just the shorter girl's luck that a bright crimson light flashed into existence in the room and materialized into one Himejima Akeno. *GRROOOOAAN* The absolute LAST person the Rook wanted to see right now. 'Why? Why of all people did she have to show up right now?!' Koneko whined to herself.
"Ara Ara… Is Koneko-chan alright? She looks quite feverish with that red face?" Akeno inquired with a thoughtful look on her face. "Should I make some tea for you Koneko-chan?"
Koneko ignored her and tried to turn away, but not before she caught the evil glint in Rias's eyes. 'Please no… not THAT look!'
"It seems our dear little Koneko-chan here has found herself smitten by a boy…" Rias told Akeno in a sing song voice. Koneko was obviously less then pleased with that assumption from the ORC President.
"Ara? Oh really Koneko-chan? Who is this mystery boy?" the dark hair girl asked with little hearts growing in her own eyes as she got just as close to the embarrassed girl as Rias had. Rias's smirk grew larger and winked at Akeno playfully. Then she put on a mock thoughtful look and crossed her arms under her breasts and began tapping her index finger on her chin as she looked up in thought.
"Hmmm, could it be Koneko? That you fell for the boy you've been stalking recently?" she asked innocently, her lips upturned into a huge mischievous grin.
Koneko's face turned blood red and she leapt to her feet. "N-N-N-NO! I'm N-N-NOT S-STALKING HIM! Y-YOU HAD ME FOLLOW HIM B-BUCHOU!"
"Ara Ara? You didn't deny falling for him Koneko-chan! So does that mean it's true?! OH, how adorable! Rias, our little Koneko-chan is all grown up now!"
"Fu fu fu, it would seem so Akeno… Say Koneko-chan, you should bring him to the club so he can meet your "Family"." Rias teased the poor white-haired girl, putting air quotes around the word 'Family' to taunt her further.
It was at this point that Koneko had enough, "I… YOU… IM NOT…! UGGHH! I DON'T HAVE TO TAKE THIS FROM yOu TwWoO…!" she cried out as tears of embarrassment started pouring out of her eyes and she ran literally through the door, not bothering to open it in her haste to get away from her King and Queen.
Rias and Akeno both stared slack-jawed slowly turned and stared wide-eyed at each other in amazement and shock.
…
..
.
.
..
…
"PFFFTHAAHAHAHAHA!" They both erupted into laughter. They couldn't help it. It was just that rare of sight to see stoic little Koneko so worked up over something, much less a boy of all things. They both choked back their laughter, but it was really difficult. Rias struggled to find her way back to her chair at her desk and took deep breaths to calm down. Akeno recovered a bit quicker however, and she began to make some tea for the both of them.
"fu fu fu… Do you think she'll hate us tomorrow Akeno?" Rias asked giggling.
"I think things will be fine… I don't think she'll hate us. Shell be mad for a while though… But it's our duty as Sempai to tease our cute Kouhai." Akeno replied thoughtfully.
"Is that so? I was just so surprised at her reaction… This boy must be very special in that case." Rias thought out loud as she began poking at one of the chess pieces on the chessboard in front of her.
"Very special in deed." Was the Queen's only reply as she set the cup of tea in front of Rias.
_Flashback End_
Rias's smile slowly faded from the memory as she realized something that made her breath hitch and her eyes go wide.
Issei was staring back at her seemingly in… annoyance? His heterochromatic eyes seemed to pierce into her very soul, and from the distance he shouldn't really even be able to make out who she was. And that's not even taking into account the widespread Concealment Charm that had been placed on the building. A chill went down her spine and the feeling froze her in place. Their gazes held each other captive momentarily before Issei broke it off muttering something that she was sure was her name, despite not hearing the actual word. He walked towards the building and waved her off as he entered the school.
She whirled away from her desk panicking slightly, and began pacing back and forth in front of her desk, her thoughts pouring out of her mouth without realizing.
"He saw me watching him, there's no way that's possible. The Concealment charm should obscure the vision of anyone who tries to look in here from the outside. It should be impossible, especially for a human without any enhancements He was across the Garden but he still saw me… He made eye contact and said my name."
Rias sat back down in her chair and leaned back while pushing her finger tips together as she thought about everything she knew about the boy. Things just didn't add up.
She needed answers, and she wanted them NOW. She lifted her hand up to her ear and a blood red magic circle appeared next to her ear and smiled.
"Hello Sona."
'Rias? Why are you contacting me at this time? You know I have my duties as the Student Council President to take care of.' came the irritated response of Sona.
"I need to talk to you about one of your students, Issei Hyoudou? I saw him do a few very peculiar things just now."
'Hyoudou-san? What did he do?'
"I've had Koneko tailing him since he got here. At first it was just the weird disappearances of strays since he showed up. But now…? He was able to see through the concealment charm on the Old School Building and looked directly into my eyes from across the garden like I was standing in front of him. He HAS to be related to the supernatural in some way. Nothing else seems to add up about him."
'Oh? Are you scouting him out for a potential place in your peerage?' The tone of the girl grew a bit scathing. 'However, I hope you don't intend to try to seduce him, something like that in your situation wouldn't end well for either of you… especially him.'
Rias's eyes glowed red and her aura began to leak at her presumption. "Sona you know very well that that is NOT how I run things. I'm merely contacting you to inform you that I am viewing him as a prospect…" she trailed off, taking a deep breath to calm down as she absentmindedly picked up her spare rook piece and examined it.
'…Rias? You do know I was joking right? I know you would never do something like that' Sona asked, a hint of confusion in her voice.
"…o-oh…" Rias's voice faltered, "I-I just never knew you could make a joke…" Rias replied embarrassed.
'S-seriously Rias? H-How uptight do you really thing I am…?' Sona asked dejectedly.
"And just when was the last time you told a joke, Miss High and Mighty? Hmm?" Rias snapped back.
'I-I'm going to just ignore that.' Came the SCP's retort. It was silent for a few moments before she spoke again. 'Rias… seriously though. Is everything ok? You've seemed distracted lately.'
The crimson haired girl shook her head to clear it, 'Wow I've been doing that a lot lately.' She cleared her throat and nodded saying, "Yes, I'm fine. You know I'm just preoccupied with the whole Raiser situation." She forced her frown into a smirk with a mischievous glint taking over her eyes as she examined her Rook piece, "Out of curiosity what does your Treasurer think of the boy. I heard they've been getting QUITE close recently."
The groan on the other end followed by the snapping sound of the connection being cut off told her all she needed to know about what the blunette thought of the boy.
Her smile grew wider as she set her rook back on the board next to the opposing king, a large bird on fire with a crown on its head. Maybe this was a blessing, the answer to her prayers.
A hissing sound made it known next to her head. Another Communication Circle? And it's from Koneko?
"Hello Koneko-chan…" Rias answered the Comms Circle slowly. "Is everything ok?"
"…No it's not Buchou…"
"Oh? What do you mean? Does it have something to do with Issei Hyoudou?"
"…Y-yes… a few minutes ago I think… I think he used Senjutsu…"
Rias's whole expression morphed into shock and slight fear. "S-Senjutsu?! Are you sure?"
"…Y-yes Buchou… I-I'm almost p-positive." Koneko replied slightly shaken up.
Rias's eyes hardened. 'If she's right he may be extremely dangerous. I can't let him roam freely anymore knowing this. She decided that it was time to deal with him once and for all.' "Alright Koneko. Tell me everything."
Koneko quickly gave Rias the abridged version of everything that had just happened during lunch. Specifically talking about how he had nearly lulled her to sleep by slightly altering the flow of her energy using the Sage Art. Rias took all of the information in and was silent for several moments.
"…Buchou…?" Koneko asked uncertainly, unsure if Rias was even still there.
Rias said nothing at first, and instead opened a second Comms Circle.
"Kiba."
The lack of an honorific from Rias startled the third person who joined the conversation. He knew immediately that if Rias was using her serious voice then things were not good.
"Yes Buchou, I'm here."
"Good. I want you and Koneko to retrieve Issei Hyoudou and bring him to the club room after class. Use whatever means you need to, but try not to let things escalate. We don't know what level of power he has, so it would be best to not have our first interaction as Devils to Human come off as antagonistic."
"Understood."
"… Got It…"
Rias cut the link and collapsed at her desk burying her face in her arms. Things only seemed to get harder and harder for her every day. She groaned out in frustration.
"Just who are you Issei Hyoudou?"
_Line Break_
*BRING*
Issei stifled a yawn as he slowly sat up at his desk, blinking the sleep away from his somewhat bloodshot eyes. A groan escaped his lips as he slowly stretched his arms above his head and pushed his legs as far out in front of him as he could to help alleviate some of the sleepiness from his system. As he blinked the tiredness from his eyes, he began to look around at his surroundings and noticed a few things that sent alarm bells ringing in his mind.
All of the students had quickly gathered their belongings and had begun to file out of the room quickly without socializing with each other. For teenagers as talkative as his classmates were it definitely was odd. But the truly alarming thing is that Koneko was staring at him unblinkingly with determination in her amber eyes. Their eyes met and locked, neither backing down from their intense stare. Issei tensed unconsciously and the hair on the back of his neck began to stand on end. Something was definitely wrong.
His suspicions were confirmed as a third person entered the room, but he didn't spare the newcomer a glance. He refused to back down from Koneko's unspoken challenge. Their contest began to heat up and the atmosphere of the room became oppressive under the intensity of their wills. Their contest continued for several moments before the newcomer broke the silence, and their silent battle.
"Ahem…"
At the sound the male had made, Koneko straightened and rolled her eyes as she stood up.
"…Hmmph."
A small smirk made its way to Issei's face in victory, and at her defeat he finally turned to look at the newcomer. He let his eyes travel up and down the tall male for a moment. The male was quite tall, almost rivaling Issei for tallest in their year. He had blonde hair which was cut in a very fashionable style and definitely well kept. His uniform included the entirety of the male uniform, complete with even the blazer that no one else in their year ever wore outside the winter months. The whole ensemble did not have a single wrinkle tarnishing his look. His light blue eyes and thin lips showed a cheerful expression that was far too friendly. He also had an air of superiority that he seemed to try and pretend didn't exist, just like someone Issei knew from a LONG time ago.
"Hello there, I am Kiba Yuuto. I'm sure you have already met Koneko Toujou. May I call you Issei-san?" The blonde asked as he flashed a sickeningly dazzling smile that would no doubt cause the average teen girl to faint with little hearts in her eyes.
Issei decided right then and there that he did not particularly care for this pretty boy.
"Don't you think that's a bit too familiar for someone you just met?" Issei retorted annoyed at the blondes very presence.
"Hyoudou-kun then."
"Oi, I think you have a misunderstanding here."
"Now then, Koneko-Chan and I both belong to the Occult Research club. Our President has taken quite the interest in you since you arrived, and she would greatly appreciate the opportunity to speak with you." The blonde continued, undeterred at Issei's obvious annoyance at the way he decided to address him.
Issei turned to Koneko with an eyebrow raised.
"Is 'Pretty Boy' over there always like that? Or is this just a special occasion?"
Koneko just shrugged dismissively, "… More or less."
*Sigh*
Issei turned back to the blonde. "I'm guessing that the reason why everyone left in a hurry was your doing?"
Kiba just smiled brighter. "Nothing escapes your notice, huh Hyoudou-kun?"
Issei rolled his eyes and grit his teeth to keep himself from decking the insufferable blonde. Pretty boys like him just always rubbed him the wrong way. He stood up from his desk and began to gather his things and began to question the blonde without sparing him another glance.
"So who is this club President of yours?" Issei asked, trying to garner more information than what he had more or less already suspected.
"Well, the President of our club is Gremory Rias."
*Pause*
"Oh? That red-headed foreigner?"
"… Well I suppose that you're not wrong." Kiba answered slowly after a momentary hesitation.
"And I suppose she asked you to ensure that I arrive at the Occult Research Club by any means necessary?" Issei asked, stressing the last few words in an unspoken challenge.
Issei's question caused the two devils to stiffen uncomfortably. A heavy silence permeated the room, broken only by the sound of Issei tossing items into his bag. He stood up, tossing his bag over his shoulder and gripping the strap tightly. He glanced at Koneko who stood stock still with a frown on her face, hesitation and uncertainty evident in her eyes. He noticed the pair of fingerless cat gloves on her hands that weren't on her hands during class. Issei slowly turned towards Kiba with narrowed eyes. The blonde's cheerful expression hadn't changed, but his stance had slightly changed and his smile no longer showed in his eyes. Now his left hand was gripping at his belt. Right where a sword would typically hang.
"So basically if I declined her invitation you would take me there by force?" Issei asked his voice light, completely opposing the oppressive atmosphere that began to fill the room.
"Well, Buchou didn't exactly forbid us from using force, but she did request we try to be as civil as possible." Kiba answered politely.
"Hmm, Is that… soo?" Issei replied softly with the last word being stressed with a slight growl.
A swirl of energy surrounded Kiba's hand, naked to the untrained eye, but not to Issei. He slowly looked up and locked eyes with the blonde. Harsh heterochromatic eyes narrowed as they bore into tense blue. Issei's eyes flashed violet momentarily and Kiba flinched back, his entire body breaking out into a sweat. Koneko also noticed the flash and tensed as well.
Issei's whole body tensed and the sound of joints popping could be heard loudly in the silence. His whole presence felt like it was swelling up and encompassing both of the devils. Kiba could only stare frozen and wide eyed into Issei's mismatching orbs. His heart beat loud in his own ears.
Ba-Dum
Issei stance lowered slightly and tensed in a battle-like stance.
BA-dum
Kiba snapped out of his shock and narrowed his eyes, an object began forming in his left hand.
BA-DUM
The pendant at Issei's neck began to glow red and his form began to shimmer as the pendant began to struggle to conceal his raging Aura.
BA-DUM BA-DUM
Just as the hilt formed in Kiba's hand and he began to unsheathe it, Issei smirked and his foot dug slightly into the floor, his whole body tensing to rush the blonde. However, before his body could fully commit he was stopped by the feeling of flesh against his palm.
*CLASP*
"E -eh?!"
Issei let out a startled gasp as he was whipped around away from Kiba and began to be dragged out of the room. His eyes widened as he looked down and realized that Koneko had closed the distance between them and had grabbed his left hand with her now ungloved right one. His whole face instantly began burning hot.
"O-Oi! Oi! W-white Cat… W-w-what're you doing?!" Issei stammered out his question. He didn't even try to resist the small girl as she drug him out of the classroom and into the hallway, leaving a stunned Kiba staring after them slack jawed and wide eyed.
Issei couldn't see at the time but Koneko was desperately trying to hide the bright crimson blush that she was currently sporting. It took Issei a few moments to come to his senses, but when he did he sped up a bit to walk side by side Koneko. Koneko refused to look at him however. He awkwardly looked at their joined hands and put his right hand behind his head and laughed awkwardly.
"H-hey… Uhm you can let go now. Ill follow you to the ORC without running." Issei managed to say, unable to look at the shorter girl and scratching his cheek awkwardly as he tried to convince her to stop holding his hand.
She tilted her head slightly for a moment as if she were in thought then shook her head.
"… You could be lying. Just deal with it till we get there." She said and consciously adjusted her hand in his to get a better grip.
Unfortunately (or fortunately) for Issei, she had now interlocked their fingers. His face heated up even more and couldn't help himself for being embarrassed. This was NOT how he had envisioned this whole thing playing out. He had been preparing for a fight sure. Granted he wasn't expecting someone as insufferable as that pretty boy, but was expecting a fight nonetheless. Being dragged off by the hand by a cute girl? Nothing could have prepared him for that, much less for it to be who it was that damn near kidnapped him for the ORC.
But things were better than he could have ever imagined. A small grin formed on his lips. Although completely unexpected, that's not to say he isn't enjoying it. It's definitely a nice feeling. His face heated up a bit more as his grin grew a bit wider as he let himself enjoy the moment.
"…What're you grinning so hard for you Perv?" Koneko deadpanned at him with a light tinge of pink still evident on her cheeks.
Issei just looked down at their hands and then back up at her. "Do I really need to dignify that with a response White Cat?"
"…D-DON'T G-GET ANY W-WEIRD IDEAS! T-this I-is just because I h-have to!" She stammered out, her face reddening with every word. "…it's only to make sure you don't run away…" she finished in a quiet voice, glancing from side to side and fidgeting as she spoke, seemingly trying to convince herself more than him.
'Now's my way out! Don't mess this UP!' Issei thought to himself triumphantly.
He pulled her to a stop in front of a set of double doors. She 'eep'd' slightly at the sudden stop before he gingerly pushed her against the oak doors. His right hand he rested against the door above her head, while he kept holding her other hand firmly. She stared up into his eyes and became mesmerized at how softly he was looking down at her. A small smile spread across his lips. A genuine smile. The first she had seen him show since she met him.
"White Cat-chan… I would never run away from you…" He whispered softly do her, a small line of pink tinging his cheeks as he said those words to her. As she stared into his eyes she couldn't detect any falseness in his statement. Butterflies went crazy in her stomach and she could feel her cheeks flaming up badly. She looked away and squeezed his hand a bit tighter unconsciously.
"…W-what're you d-doing saying s-s-something like t-that now…?" she muttered cutely. She had never felt anything like this before. No one had ever said anything like that in that way to her before either. Her thoughts were broken when she felt his hand slip from her own. She went to glance down at his hand, but was caught off guard when she felt his hand gently cup her cheek. She stiffened in shock at the touch, but didn't recoil. It wasn't unpleasant to her... it was just… she couldn't explain it.
She felt him gently turn her head back so she was looking at him. He tilted his head slightly and smiled at her again. The sight made her heart beat faster and she felt like she couldn't breathe.
"I'm just being honest with you… if that's what you're asking…" Issei whispered to her, his voice becoming a bit huskier than he had intended. There was just something about her that made him lose control like this continuously.
She blushed harder and gently leaned into his hand, glancing away in embarrassment. Her cheeks blushing brighter as he continued.
"White Cat-chan is very important to me… whether she knows it or not…" he trailed off, his cheeks glowing brighter as well. She looked back up into his eyes and couldn't look away. She was mesmerized by them. But suddenly she realized that his eyes were slowly getting larger.
Or were they getting closer?
'W-W-WHY IS H-HE C-CLOSING THEM SLOWLY?!' she internally panicked.
She felt his hand shift slight and could almost feel him petting the top of her head, but his hand hadn't landed yet. Was he going to kiss her? A major internal struggle raged within her between accepting the situation, or to push him away. In the end even she was surprised when she slowly leaned forward and began closing her eyes as well.
'I CANT BELIEVE IM DOING THIS! WHAT IF I MESS IT UP?!' her panicking grew worse, but her resolve didn't waiver. Despite how embarrassing the situation was. She couldn't deny that it was a situation that she was actually happy about.
Meanwhile, Issei was having his own internal struggle. When he realized she wasn't planning on pushing him away he completely froze. His hand was just lightly grazing the top of her head and their faces were unbearably close. He glanced, wide eyed down at her lips and gulped. 'They look so soft… I really want to…' He began to sweat slightly and tried to clear his head of those thoughts. He needed to get out of the situation he was in and deal with it another time when he was more prepared.
But now? With her so close? It was like his brain had stopped functioning properly. Butterflies raged in his chest as he fought with the moral conundrum he was currently in. A war between what he wants and what he needs to do.
He could just close the ever shrinking distance between them and take the easy, yet arguably more pleasurable path. Regardless of how extremely dangerous this option was, he couldn't help but truly want it.
On the other hand…?
His hand finally came to a rest on the top of her head and he gently stroked her hair. It was so silky and so soft. He couldn't help but let his fingers tangle slightly in her hair and enjoy the feeling. He finally came to a decision with a gulp as he let his hand trail down towards the back of her head.
But before he could go any further he felt his whole body lose its equilibrium.
"Eh?"
His surprised gasp and subsequent tumble to the floor behind Koneko snapped her out of her mesmerized state. Her eyes flew open and looked down to see Issei half in the hallway and half inside the room behind the double door. He groaned on the floor and had one eye shut in pain from his sudden fall. The person responsible for his fall let out a small giggle, letting herself be noticed by the pair.
"Ara Ara Koneko-chan… I know Buchou said by any means necessary, but I never thought that you would seduce him to get him here!" the tall dark haired Akeno Himejima remarked teasingly. Her hand was still on the door knob, so it was obvious to Koneko that Issei had fallen when she had opened the door.
"…N-N-NO! It wasn't like that…!"
A huge blush covered her face when she realized how close the two of them had come to k-k-ki-. Koneko shook her head like crazy and grabbed her hair trying to clear her head of the embarrassing interaction. She almost face palmed at how stupid she was for letting that happen here in front of the ORC instead of somewhere else! Her embarrassment was only compounded by the Queen's next teasing remark.
"If you'd like Koneko-chan… I can close the door again and you two can take a few more minutes to finish what you were doing…" she winked at the shorter girl and giggled again at the cute face Koneko was making. Literal steam began to pour from the poor girl's ears as the past few minutes overrode her ability to put the thoughts out of her head.
The way he had pushed her against the wall… The feeling of him staring down at her so caringly with those eyes… The feeling of his hand against her cheek… The feeling of his hand stroking her head again… His breath against her lips… his… Wait… His hand stroking her head?
Koneko slowly turned her head, an ominous creaking sound being heard. Issei froze on his place on the floor as the killing intent washed over him. He slowly looked up at Koneko and began to sweat heavily from the dark miasma that was rolling off of her. Her eyes were hidden behind her bangs, leaving a shadow across the top of her face that only added to the terror running down Issei's spine.
"…Heeeey peeeerv…" She grit out between her teeth. She slowly lifted her head revealing wide, unblinking eyes that caused Issei to gulp in fear. "…You weren't going to use that trick of yours to escape again were you…?" She asked as she began to advance on the downed boy. "…C'mon… Answer me…" Issei began sliding backwards and sputtering out, trying to form a coherent answer in the face of the terrifying image in front of him.
"W-w-what? N-no way! I w-w-wouldn't do that White Cat-chan!"
"…Oh? Now why don't I believe you…?"
"H-hey now… W-we can t-talk this out y-you know! HELP!" Issei screamed like a girl and leapt in the opposite direction of the raging devil. However, he ended up just slamming his head into the large wooden desk that was just behind him. Stars danced in the corners of his vision as he groaned and tried to blink the pain away.
Once his vision cleared slightly he looked up into the eyes of an Angel that had come to save him. With long crimson hair and beautiful Blue-green eyes, her beauty would've taken his breath away if the situation were any different than what it was. Instead he could only groan in pain and whimper out.
"…Are you here to save me from the wrath of "The Yandere White Cat?"
"Fu fu fu…" The girl giggled stood up. "You're cute. I can see why shed be so smitten with yo-" She quickly covered her mouth behind her hand as if she had revealed something she wasn't supposed to. "In most situations I wouldn't mind saving you… But you've done something unforgivable Issei-kun… You've played with the heart of a maiden you know?" she gestured to the still obviously pissed off Koneko and sighed, walking around to the other side of her desk to sit down.
"Doing such a thing…? Well you'll need to take responsibility for your actions Issei-kun…" She waved her hand in Koneko's direction with a sad smile. The Rook perked up slightly and began cracking her knuckles as she approached the White haired boy.
"Some savior you are…" Issei bemoaned.
Koneko grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and began dragging him back out of the room. Issei tried to struggle away, but it was futile. The short girl just had too much damn strength. So he resigned himself to his fate and just let off a pitiful whine as he was dragged through the door.
"wwwhhhhhhyyyyyyyyyyyy?!"
And the door slammed shut behind the two, cutting off his plea and the subsequent sound of fist hitting flesh.
Chapter End
A/N: Hey guys! This chapter broke 10,500 words! Which makes this the longest chapter I've EVER WRITTEN! This chapter took a bit long to come out because I've been trying to flesh some of the ways I want the characters to interact out. I want to explore some different takes on some of the character's personalities, while trying to keep them in character. I was thinking of making a Yandere Koneko and a dere dere Kiba to make things awkward and to spice things up, but decided against it… well mostly. (That face Koneko makes in the end? I got the inspiration from the pink haired Demon Lord from Reincarnated as a Slime when Gabiru calls her short… you know… if you were curious what she looked like with that kind of face.)
So on another note, I'm sure some people are going to comment on how some people use honorifics and some don't. This was intentional. I feel like the "Language ability" that devils get would translate spoken language into the natural language of the listener. For example, Rias isn't Japanese. I'm sure Japanese isn't her native language. Because of that when people say her name she hears it as Rias, even if they say Rias-sempai or whatever honorific they use. As it's natural for them to say it she would normally just hear her normal name. However, if someone is INTENTIONALLY using an honorific for emphasis then she would hear it as such. And vice versa, if she were to intended for the –chan to be applied to someone's name, they would hear it as such even if they also aren't Japanese.
Another example is when she's teasing Koneko and continuously uses the –chan in a teasing manner, versus when she got serious and dropped the honorifics to speak as a master to a servant. It makes sense to me in my weird brain, but if it doesn't make sense to anyone else I'll think about changing it.
On an actually pertinent note, the next chapter will be much shorter and will revolve mainly around three different characters. It's mainly to provide some back story of the first few days of class for Issei. I was thinking about adding it to the beginning of this chapter but it doesn't really flow very well like that so I decided against it. Especially because all three sections are told from the first person view of the characters. The first person will be Koneko and it will explain a bit more in depth of some of their interactions and how things led to this point. The other two however will remain a mystery. :P
Last thing is that I'm going to try to have the next chapter out within the next two weeks, but that will depend on how work goes and if I can get the chapter to flow the way I need it to so it'll work properly. Blow up my inbox up every day if you guys want to help keep me motivated and on task with the writing! Peace!