Chapter 3
"Strike!"
"Parry!
"Block!"
"Strike!"
Murayama, captain of Kendo club, watched her best friend and vice-captain, Katase, shout instructions to the students.
The Kendo club of Kuoh Academy were filled with hard working woman, determined to prove themselves in the way of the sword, but they also had a reputation for beating up the perverts, mainly the perverted trio, for spying on them. Multiple times the principle warned both groups to stop these actions and after hearing about it happening again this morning Megumi had enough.
Murayama and Issei were both told if this happens one more time, they would be expelled and the kendo club would either be disbanded or placed under new leadership due to Murayama being the one to encourage these beatings on the perverts.
Murayama had said if they wouldn't spy on the club they wouldn't need to beat them, but Megumi wouldn't have any of that saying it wasn't the Kendo clubs responsibility to punish Mr. Hyoudou but hers. So in the end, both brunettes promised to stop, Issei was trying hard not to break his word knowing if he was expelled his parents, particular his mother, would give him hell. As for Murayama, she didn't care what happened to that pervert so long as he stopped spying on the club.
'Megumi-sama would understand how we feel if she was being watched by perverts while dressing.' The Kendo captain muttered with a growl
Quickly glancing at the clock, which read 4:30, she cleared her throat to address her students. "Alright everyone that's enough please gather around!" She commanded. Like soldiers of an army every one of them lowered their shinai and turned to face the captain. "As you're aware this year's championship is coming! Unlike the previous years, the entire team will be participating but like always Asumoto-san will be representing all of Kuoh Academy!"
The Japanese Kendo Tournament was a sport high schools all across Japan take part in with Kuoh joining it seven years ago coming in last every time, until Asumoto came along. The once all girls club had been given its first official boy when he enrolled to Kuoh two years ago and the skills Murayama saw him display had her pick him to represent the team and it had been her best choice as captain, his swordsmanship was nearly unbeatable, nearly.
He won second place for Kuoh last year and promised to win first this time.
"Do you think Gakuen will be their?" Asked one of the girls, a worried look on her face.
"Of course they are!" Answered Katsue with a frown, "Kyoto Gakuen is the number one champion in the whole country! We would have won first place last year if they hadn't taken part."
It was true, the kendo team of Kyoto Gakuen was the best in the whole country, they were also the rival school to Kuoh's kendo club and their team captain, Rika Moritsugu, was the only one to defeat Asumoto in the championship. Murayama had a bitter hatred for Kyoto's best swordswoman and would ensure she wouldn't win this year.
Murayama shared a look with her pink haired friend, both knew Moritsugu wouldn't be easy to beat but they still had to give it their best and pray Asumoto would beat her this time.
"How did Asumoto lose?"
All eyes turns to the questioner who just so happened to be the new girl everyone was talking about, Akeno Hayashi.
After school finished the busty beauty decided to speak with the silver eyed Devil. When she found him he was at the Kendo club, so she sat quietly and watched the club do their activities. During practice, her eyes flickered every few minutes to Asumoto, watching him attacks, parries, and blocks in quick succession while moving back and forth. Even without his Devil powers, the black haired beauty could see Asumoto's swordsmanship was incredible and while he may not be at the level of a master she could see he was the best swordsman in the entire school. Which lead to the question to how someone as skillful as him would come in second place?
"She was faster." The silver eyed male answered with a sigh which caused a collection of gasps to come from the girls, "She managed to land a hit on me mere seconds before I did. Had I been a little faster it have been a draw and a rematch could have happened."
"Don't beat yourself up Asumoto-san, you'll get her this time." Katase reassured with a comforting smile, "I've seen you training in here every day which means you might have a chance at beating Moritsugu."
"But wouldn't Moritsugu also be training?" One girl asked, "A friend I know at Kyoto Gakuen told me she was a protégé, became assistant master at the dojo she trained at when she was only thirteen."
"But Asumoto has been training since he could walk!" Murayama protested, "He even beat me and Katase in a two on one match and turn down the roll of club captain."
"Moritsugu was rumored to have beaten five masters at once."
"Oh my god, you all know she's full of herself. She thinks she's the best because she won the championship five times." Katase snorted with a scowl.
"When you're the undefeated champion for five years straight, arrogance tends to get the better of you." Asumoto replied with a sigh. "All we can do is hope that I win this year."
"If you win second place again that means you still the second best in all of Japan." Murayama said smiling proudly. "Well that's all for now, good job everyone. Will practice again tomorrow."
Glad Rias' Queen was finally available Akeno approached the Devil, she couldn't stop thinking about last night's discovery of Asumoto being a Shinto which was why she wanted to speak to him. Did Rias and the rest of the ORC know about this? They seemed oblivious to it or maybe the red head noble was being respectful by not talking about his past in front of others. However, his actions of checking if he was being followed meant Rias may not know and if so, should she be told about it?
….
No, she would not bring it up, it was his be kept secret, and it would stay secret until he was ready to tell someone.
While her original reason for being here was now discarded she still wanted to get to know the samurai. He didn't seem like a bad guy but something must have happened for him to have bad blood with his master, Rias. Did he treat the other Devil's that way? Her answers would come but not yet. For now, she'd try and be Asumoto's friend.
"Hi Asumoto," She greeted politely with a smile, "That was some incredible swordsmanship you showed during your practice. It's no wonder you're the best in Kuoh Academy."
"You honor me with your compliments, Akeno-chan, I thank you for them." The Devil smiled as he removed the training gear. "However, they are not necessary."
"But they are. I've never seen someone so skilled before…I assume they are to exterminate Strays?" She asked in a lower tone once everyone was gone, her reply was a dirty look from the brunette.
"Must you really bring that up?" He grumbled.
"I'm sorry" She said quickly. "I just wanna get to know you better. Why don't we have some tea at my place then?"
"You know I can't go to church and shrine you don't that? I am a Devil after all. We can have some at my place, it's not far from the school."
After packing up the last of his gear and changing into some casual clothes the human and devil set off to the samurai's house, which he was right about being close, it just so happened to be five blocks down the street from Kuoh Academy. The house was a decent size, it was only a single level with a kitchen, living room, and two bedrooms both having a bathroom of their own and the rent was supplied by the Gremory clan.
"It ain't much but it's comfortable." Asumoto said opening the door and allowing her to enter first before he set off to the kitchen to prep the tea.
Akeno looked around examining the interior of the building. The young Devil was right about it not being much, the walls were white, one picture of the beach on the wall opposite of the TV.
'He could use some redecorating. Huh what's that?' Her scanning of the room halted when she notice some words written above the doorway. "Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home." She read the words slowly.
"That's a haiku by Matsuo Basho." Asumoto said carrying two steaming cups of tea.
"My uncle has some haikus by him. He use to read them to me when I was a child." She paused taking the cup of tea and blowing to cool it. "So, Asumoto, I know you don't want to talk about your Devil powers but I'm curious to know more about you. You're Rias Queen and you clearly use the Knight trait's speed which is why you're so fast."
"I wasn't use my Devil powers during Kendo or spar against Kiba. I train myself every day, as a samurai should. I mustn't let my skills diminish, even in these times of peace. There is always trouble brewing around Kuoh, mainly Strays which I am thankful for, I don't want any trouble with Grigori or Heaven." The Devil replied sipping his tea.
The busty beauty stared at him in shock. He hadn't been using his devil powers at all!? If he was that fast, how fast was he using them?
"But tell me, what's Hayashi's niece doing in Kuoh?"
Realizing she was being asked a question she shook herself out of the shock and replied. "Well I'm not here to cause trouble if that's what you're worried about. You were their when I told Rias why I was here but since you're asking I'll remind you; I'm only here to finish my school at Kuoh and that's all."
"But why here? Did you know Kuoh was under Rias control?"
"I didn't. Nor did my uncle. We thought it was a quiet town in the countryside. Which reminds me, why exactly is Rias here? I expected someone like her to be in the Underworld preparing to be the next heir of the clan since her brother is the current Lucifer."
Asumoto smirked behind his cup of tea, "I assume your uncle told you?"
"Of course. My uncle is a wise man, Asumoto-san and one not to trifle with. You heard the stories and rumors no?"
"Like how he took out three S class Stray Devil's with just a dagger? Or when a group of rouge priest tried to force the Himejima's into Christianity and sent their heads back to the Church?"
"Or when he fought a Fallen Angel and treated his wounds after defeating him? He always told me that story."
"Perhaps it is a means to show compassion toward your enemies after you defeat them."
"Maybe…but not everyone deserves compassion for. Especially murders and traitors."
"Cheers to that." The Devil said sipping his tea again. "Anything else you wish to know?"
"Who taught you to make such excellent tea? This is wonderful." She asked with a smile after sipping her tea again.
"Ha. It's nothing compared to yours. I apologize for not voicing it sooner but you make some excellent tea."
Before Akeno could reply the sound of a cat meowing was heard followed by a black bur rushing into the room and onto Asumoto's lap. "Ara ara. You never told me you had a cat. Here kitty kitty kitty kitty kity kitty~." She put her hand out hoping the feline would come to her.
"Kurohime tends to only let me pet her, though I'm sure she'll warm up to you eventually." Asumoto said petting the cat's head making it purr in joy. "She wasn't bought in a story if you're wondering how I got her. She was a stray cat wandering the streets. I couldn't leave her out there so I took her in and since then she's been nothing but a lazy ass. Sitting on the windowsill, floor, anyone she thinks is comfortable. Ow! Kuro no!" He scolded as the cat dug its claws into his flesh as if knowing about the jabs he made toward her.
"Ara. She doesn't like when you do that."
"She always doesn't like when I threaten to take away her cat nip." He looked at the cat who glared back before retracting her claws and hopping off his lap to find a new place to relax at. Shaking his head in amusement he turned back to the human. "So, you're just here to finish your schooling and that's it? No spreading Shintoism or stuff like that?"
"Nope. We don't spread our faith around the world like Christmas or Muslims do." Akeno replied with a shake of her head. "Thought I must ask, how often do you get Strays?"
"Not a lot surprisingly. Probably cuz there are two noble devil's sharing this territory. The Gremory's allow the Sitri's to be here since Rias is friends with Sona. Heh, of the two I think Sona is doing a better job at blending in with the human world. Changing her name to Souna Shitori is a clever trip to keep her enemies away but changing her appears could also help too. She's also the president of the Student Council."
So it wasn't just Rias Gremory but Sona Sitri as well who attended this school. How would her uncle react to this, would he pull her out of Kuoh and home school her? No, he said he'd let her finish schooling here, but he'd probably check on her more often. Yes he worried about her, but he was still the clan head of the Hayashi's. If he was so worried he could step down and let someone else take the positon.
She'd speak with him about it later. At least trouble didn't happen every day, which she half expected, since this town was run by two devils. "Hmm I wonder if Rias told her brother or Sona about me coming here." She thought aloud before finishing her tea.
"Doubtful. Knowing my master, she tends to not interact with her brother, and Sona will probably be told the next time those two talk." The brunette replied.
"I see. Well it's been fun, Asumoto-san, but I must be off to home. Perhaps next time we meet we can have lunch?"
"Of course, it would be a great chance of pace then spending everyday with the peerage." The Samurai smiled at the offer the beauty gave while escorting her to the door and waving farewell to Akeno before shutting the door.
"Akeno Hayashi huh? You never told me the niece of Iwamatsu was at Kuoh now. Nya."
"You don't need to know everything." Asumoto replied to Kuroka who now was in human form standing at the entryway to the kitchen. "Besides she isn't here to harm us, only to finish her school which I'm thankful for. Thought knowing who her uncle is she wouldn't intentionally cause trouble."
"Well good that makes one less person to worry about hunting for me. Nya. Since that's her plan what will you do?"
"Try to be a friend." Asumoto replied as he strolled into the kitchen to get another cup of tea. "Rias tried to turn her into a Devil."
"Figure she would, those devils can be so damn greedy." Kuroka said with a huff of air. "First she takes my sister and then tried to get the Priestess of Thunder. Either she's greedy for power or stupid to not know whose niece she tried to recruit. I may be a criminal on the run but even I've heard stories of Akeno Hayashi, I remember hearing someone say she's as beautiful as she as deadly. Nya"
"Well I've never seen her in battle yet so I'd have to see if she is as beautiful as she his deadly." The brunette replied taking a seat at the table while stirring his second cup of tea.
Kuroka felt a feral grim make its way upon her face when she heard the Samurai. "Does that mean you're taking a liking to her already? Nya?"
"And what if I have? Even you can't deny she's pretty Kuroka. Plus she's very nice, since you were watching our conversation the whole time."
"I had to make sure my sla-I mean savior was safe. Nya." She sighed in relief that he hadn't heard her joke about calling him her slave. Any mention of him being called that would undoubtedly sent him into a rage since he was, from his point of view, a slave to Rias Gremory. "Also who's gonna feed me cat nip?"
"Awww you do care about me." Asumoto said sarcastically. The relationship between him and Kuroka was a love hate one. While he had a love for cats and truthfully found her attractive, he would never date her. Beauty didn't count for everything. Her playful attitude could fun either be fun or annoying to the Samurai, it all deepened on how he was feeling and powerful as she was with Senjutsu, she may possibly be the laziest person he ever met. Everyday he'd come home to find her laying around in some part of the house either as a cat or human with pits and pieces of trash scattered about.
And she was a wanted criminal, from the points of view of the Underworld at least. Even if her actions were meant to protect her sister, he always told himself he'd never date a criminal.
"Asu-kun."
"Hm?"
"Is Shirone happy?"
"What do you mean?"
"Is Shirone happy with her life as a servant under Rias Gremory?"
"How should I know? You're grumpy cat of a sister rarely show's any emotion. No doubt it was by the traumatizing experience she had as a child, which I'm not blaming you for." He added when the black haired girl glared at him. "But more importantly, since you dug your claws into me early, you ain't getting cat nip tonight."
"NYYYAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"I don't wanna hear it Kurohime. You hurt your master so you must be punished for it." Asumoto replied ignoring the whining Stray Devil while drinking his tea.
She looked down from the window she was at, staring at the trio, more specifically, staring at the brunette in the red t-shirt, Issei Hyoudou, infamously known as one of the pervert trio. To the normal people he was nothing special, just a pervert who wanted nothing better than to see girls naked.
However to her, to Rias Gremory of the Gremory household, he was something more.
"I bet you're giving him quite a view of your breasts."
Rias frowned before turning away from the window to face the man who spoke. "Theirs's no need to say such things, my stubborn Queen."
Asumoto looked up from the book he was reading, the seafoam eyes of his master reflecting off the spectacles he wore. "Actually there is. Your chest is huge and you have no shame of showing them to anyone, specifically to that boy, who I'm inclined to ask why have you taken an interest in?"
"Because he's special."
"Yeah he's special alright. Special at being an idiotic pervert."
"So you think, but I have no doubt that Issei Hyoudou holds a Sacred Gear."
Asumoto's eyes widened briefly at what his master said before laughing. "Seriously? Why would God bestowed upon this pervert a Sacred Gear? What's more, do you even know which one it is?"
"I don't know to either of those questions but I do know that I'm going to make him my new servant."
"As a means to fill in the space you wanted Akeno for and to gain more power."
"Yes." Rias didn't deny her reasons for it, even if she felt annoyance toward the silver eyed Queen. "Whatever Sacred Gear Issei has, I intend to have it belong to me."
"Rias, if I had to choose between Akeno and Issei. I'd take the former, even if she's Iwamatsu's uncle, she has more skill in battle than that pervert you desire to recruit. He won't survive in the supernatural world Rias, trust me, its best you leave him be and search for someone who can fight. But knowing you, you won't stop until you have what you have, which makes ask about how you plan on recruiting him? By letting him die like you do with most your servants or are you go up to him, flash your tits, and offer him to join? He'd definitely take the latter of the two."
Irritation was the emotion the red head was feeling toward her Queen. Why in the name of Maou did she reincarnate this boy if he was going to tell her what to do!? She won't allow him to tell her what she could and couldn't do. She was the master of this peerage, not Asumoto. She chose who she wanted to recruit, not Asumoto. And if she wanted Issei, she would get Issei!
Asumoto glared at Rias behind his book when she went back to observing the pervert. Whatever Sacred Gear that boy held would be useless within his hands. He had never been in a fight and whenever he was in danger he'd run. Did she really think a weak idiot of a pervert could help her peerage? Even if he had one of the 13 Longinus, he'd just be dead weight for them to carry around.
Still it wouldn't hurt to try and find out what Sacred Gear he possessed, and he knew just the girl to do that.
Before speaking to said girl he had a lunch meet up with another girl.
Setting his book down he slipped out of the clubroom and into the cafeteria were he found Akeno waiting for him in an empty corner with a bento box. When she spotted him a smile appeared on her elegant face.
"Hello Asumoto-san."
"Hello Akeno. There's no need for suffix, where friends remember." The Samurai replied cheerfully taking the seat opposite of the ravenette. "I didn't keep you waiting did I?"
"Not at all. Thought now that you're hear people may think we're dating." Akeno giggled taking notice of the many students who stopped and stared at the two.
"Dating Iwamatsu's niece doesn't sound like a bad idea." Asumoto teased with a wink.
"Ara ara Asu-kun, you're quite brave to say that when we've just met a week ago."
"What can I say? You're beauty is quit captivating." His comment caused quite the blush to form on the priestess face, which he grinned at. Charm was the best way to make a girl like you.
"Handsome and charming. You are full of surprises Asu-kun." Moving around the table, she sat herself right next to him her smiling widened as her fingers began tracing circles on his thigh. "What else are you hiding~?"
"Ah ah ah, you didn't say the magic word." He said waving his finger with another wink.
Seeing the Devil play hardball with her, she leaned forward and whispered in his ear, "Pleeease~?" Her question caused quite a shiver to run through the silver eyed boy's body making her giggle. Akeno always found amusement in teasing boys sexually, it was so cute watching them blush and stutter like a shy child. This playfulness of course was a trait also inherited by her fallen angel blood.
Yet this Devil was quite the hard one to crack. Asumoto only smirked, even if his hormone level had risen slightly he wasn't gonna let this girl seduce him that easily. Just then their came a loud growl which sounded like a tiger reading to pounce on its prey making the human giggle again.
"Ara ara someone's hungry."
"Guess we should eat or will get no food to hold us over during class." The devil agreed before taking his food and eating it.
"You know I have to ask, if all the religious factions exist, why do the Shinto and Egyptian gods never interact with their followers of human world?"
"They like to keep to themselves." Asumoto stated simply, "Ra and Amaterasu see no reason to get involved in the conflicts that have ravaged this world. They were asked many times to aid in the Great War but were always turned down."
"You sound as if you've met them before."
"I haven't, but others have. They've told me about the Gods of Egypt and Japan. Ra is kind, fatherly, and slow to anger. While the Shinto gods…hm the ones you pray to. They are said to be very lazy caring not for the troubles of others but themselves and rarely listen to the prayers of their followers. Or so I've been told."
Akeno glanced at the devil, was that how the gods of Shintoism were? Was that they shut out Asumoto's prayers and why they didn't hear her prayers to save her mother? Did Amaterasu not care about her followers!? She was told by her uncle that Amaterasu loved and cared for all Shinto followers. If she was why didn't she save her mother!?
"On another note, Rias said Issei has a Sacred Gear."
Akeno's anger was quickly replaced with surprise at the news. "Issei Hyoudou has a Sacred Gear? How does she know?"
"I don't know. Never asked how she discovered it but what I can't believe is that a weapon create by god for humans to use was gifted to a pervert like him. It just doesn't make sense."
"Well the God from the Bible works in mysterious ways. I don't know what He or the Angels do in Heaven since I'm not a Christian." Akeno shrugged, with the topic of religion being brought up perhaps now would be a good time to ask about what religion he belonged to, even though she knew that already. "Asu-kun, do you follow Christianity or Shintoism?"
There was no answer from the Devil, only a pausing in his motion to eat his next bite. Silence followed as the ravenette waited patiently for Asumoto to reply, hopefully she hadn't upset him with the question.
Asumoto was wondering why she asked him such a question. Was she curious to know what religion he followed, or did she know he was a Shinto follower and trying to know about it in a subtle way? He never told anyone, not even Rias, about his religious devotion to Shintoism. Either she was curious or…
Had she followed him? Did she see him going out to one of his usual prayer attempts and follow him!? He always made sure nobody followed him to where he went so how could he not sensed or see her? Perhaps the answer to his questions was that Akeno was very stealthy.
But if she know knew why hadn't she confronted him early about it? Why wait now to ask?
"Asumoto-kun?"
The brunette looked to Akeno who still was waiting for an answer. What should he do? If he said no would she tell him she followed him? But if he said yes, they could have a friendly talk about Shintoism and ask more questions about each other.
Before he could open his mouth to reply the bell rang notifying lunch was over. At least now he could think about his decision to say yes or no.
"Sorry Akeno, perhaps later I can answer your question." He apologized while tossing the remains of his lunch in the trash.
"If it's something that trouble's you there's no need to talk about, I was just wondering."
"No no it's fine. Next time we talk I'll answer your question. See ya later." And off the Samurai went to his next class.
Akeno waved to him until he was out of sight to release a sigh. The way he reacted to her question told that maybe she had overstepped boundary in questions and possibly spills the beans on learning his secret. If he confronted her about it she would definitely apologize for it. There was just something about that boy that made him seem familiar but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
He was a samurai and Shinto follower named Asumoto, but there was nothing wrong with that. Many people had that name while others had similar sounding, like Katsumoto or Matsumoto, but that name, Asumoto, it sounded so familiar to her, like she heard it somewhere before.
The more questions that came to mind the more she wanted to know about the brunette.
"You want me to do what?" Kuroka asked eyeing her fellow Devil with confusion and curiosity as he paced the room. She had been enjoying the afternoon sun when Asumoto returned home saying he had a job for her which surprised her great.
"I need you to smell a boy's scent for me. His name is Issei Hyoudou, a second year student who attends Kuoh Academy. I'm asking you this because Rias says he possesses a Sacred Gear which I believe you can figure out which one it is since you are capable of doing so with your Senjutsu magic."
Ah, that's why he needed her. To do what he could not; getting conformation on what Sacred Gear this Hyoudou boy possessed. "Naw. Sounds boring and a waste of time. Besides why should I do that?" She asked turning away from Asumoto. "You're not my master and even if you decided to kick me out of the house, you know I could defeat you easily with my Senjutsu."
She waited for Asumoto reply, whatever he was going to say she'd brush it off.
"Ah that's too bad. Then what am I gonna do with the giant bag of cat nip I bought for you?"
Kuroka's ears twitched, did he say giant bag of catnip? He was lying, he had to be. The Nekoshou glared suspiciously at Asumoto which only made the Queen of Rias laugh before heading to the kitchen. Whatever she was going to say was stopped by the sound of a bag being shook. Not a tiny back but a large heavy one.
Her eyes widened when he returned holding a large bag with a kitten on it. Kuroka licked her lips hungrily, not at Asumoto, but the bag he held.
"You sure you won't do this little task for me?" He asked again with a grin knowing he had her.
"Well I guess it wouldn't hurt to help, especially now that Fallen Angels are here."
…
Asumoto's eyes narrowed, did she say Fallen Angels were in Kuoh town? "What did you say?" He asked, hoping she'd explain.
"Fallen Angels are in here. See, I was out checking on Shirone like always when I felt four unknown signatures. Curious, I decided to see what it was and lo and behold, Fallen Angels are whispering amongst themselves. I didn't hear what they were saying but they mention a plan involving a Sacred Gear before leaving."
This wasn't good. Fallen Angels in Kuoh meant trouble was brewing. More importantly did Rias know about this? Did the Fallen Angels know they were trespassing on Gremory soil? And what was this plan involving a Sacred Gear? Did they also know about the Sacred Gear Hyoudou possessed and if so, were they planning to kill or recruit him?
"By your reaction you didn't know about this. I wonder, did Rias Gremory not know about this either, or perhaps she dose and didn't tell you?"
Silver eyes narrowed more at the question Kuroka brought up. Did Rias know and not tell him? He hoped it was former because if it wasn't, Rias was gonna be in trouble. While he didn't get along well with Rias, the two always shared informed before announcing it to the peerage. Maybe Rias didn't know, perhaps the Fallen Angels appeared in town last night.
But what if they already where here and Rias was keeping it a secret?
The more he thought about them the bigger his headache grew making sigh pass through his lips. Rias had some explaining to do, which she better answer honestly to.