Chapter 7: Sales Pitch of the Damned

After the extreme awkwardness, Issei managed to slip through Asuka's room and steal some uniform. Asuka, in her great wisdom, or what's left of it, bought a uniform bigger than her own size, having an unshakable belief that she will grow.

That never happened.

Not to the size that she wants.

Matsuda loves it.

Asuka wants to bash his head with bokken.

Anyway, that's how Raynare got her uniform.

The only problem left is how to get Raynare inside the school, without possibly setting the next underworld war, which now will drag Asuka inside. Half of Issei wanted to just chain Raynare in his bedroom, but then again, his parents will be extremely shocked to know:

A. Issei doesn't really have a girlfriend, like a normal person

B. Instead, Issei somehow have enslaved someone instead, which brings us to point

C. Issei is a mega-super pervert rivalling, no, exceeding even the perverted duo

And even if he counted on his parents… neurotic tendencies (It is obviously heredity, even Asuka has her moments), common sense dictates there is no way in hell any parents will let their son leaving a girl chained in his bedroom. But, unfortunately, he can't leave her alone either. The fallen angel is still very much a threat.

Raynare also told him about her little group. Issei is relieved when Raynare told him that she is pretty much the leader. if Raynare was the boss, then the members should be weaker than her, right? That Gremory girl seems stronger than Raynare. His relief was then shattered when Raynare drop the bomb: a human with great ability will come here in a week, and the fallen angel will use her to gain incredible power. If Asuka cross paths with them and he is not around like last time, she will die. Again.

Issei resolved to eliminate them, before they become too much of a problem later.

Back to the immediate problem, Raynare must be within his field of vision, but he has to attend school. Solution? Get her to his school. No uniform? Asuka's. But she is not in the school's system, and pretty girl like her can't just walk in and out without anybody knowing. So the only possible way is to get the help of our neighbor devil, who also happened to be the master of his sister.

And that is what Issei will do.

If he survives breakfast, that is.

'God, Have mercy on my soul'

"Itadakimasu."

To God in His Heaven. Please bring us your miracle.

Right now, in my home, a homicidal fallen angel is drinking miso.

While my parents think I was engaging in a weird fetish this morning.

Why the hell are you making angels capable of falling anyway? Seems like a defect in the production system.

"These are really good, Okaa-sama" 'Yuuma' perked up beside me.

"Y-yeah, thank you very much" Kaa-chan hesitated a little, her face stained with red.

Jesus, she is the greatest actress, why didn't she apply to work movies or TV series anyway? Oh yes, she is a supernatural being with a tendency to look down on humans.

And here I am, stuffing my face with chicken curry, trying to practice things I've learned from 'the subtle art of not giving a fuck'.I

I failed, repeatedly.

O chicken, you delicious creature, your sacrifice will not be in vain.

While I'm eating, Tou-san just sits in silence, looking at me with his weird expression.

What the hell Oyaji.

Then footsteps can be heard.

Asuka.

God seems to be merciless today.

Asuka wipes her eyes for a second, before she fully opens it. Her eyes widened as she found Raynare sitting besides me.

And me? My mouth is gaping in shock. Seeing her perfectly healthy, albeit a little pale, after last night witnessing her corpse bloody and battered is just so bizarre I can't help it.

Wait

Pale?

Is she sick?

"Asuka-chan? Why are you so late? Have you taken a bath? Come here, let's eat!" Ah how much I want to kiss my fussy mother.

Raynare offered me a sympathetic look. Like hell she is. I will not lower my guard around her, even with our magic bond.

"Yu-Yuuma-chan?!" Asuka, why did you say that.

Now my parents' attention comes back to me in full.

"Asuka-chan? You know Yuuma-san?" Tou-san inquired.

"Yeah, Me, Issei-ni, and Yuuma-chan met four days ago"

"Four days?!" both my parents' eyes widened.

"Issei….." Tou-san hold my shoulder. No. No. No. Don't say what I think you will say, Oyaji, I will never look at you the same again.

"You're… My son!" Is that tears? It freakin looks like a waterfall.

"Issei-kun?" Kaa-chan's voice is laced with concern.

Great, now I become a playboy, my image is forever ruined in her eyes.

"You're no longer a child after all" No, Kaa-chan, don't make that face, that happy concerned face that you always make when I do something stupid. Don't….

"What is happening?"

Bless Asuka and her obliviousness.

Kuoh Academy

Asuka went to the class, right after calling Raynare Onee-chan. Right in front of the students.

Issei wasn't too concerned with that, what concern him is how Asuka seems to lose much of her usual energetic self.

He will talk about this with Rias later.

"Who is she? Is that a new student"

"She looks so beautiful"

"Issei Hyoudou that dog, he went and got himself a new girlfriend despite recently being a hikikomori"

"Look at the Oppai, Where is the justice?!"

'Can't they mind their own business?' Issei tried to ignore the whispering of the people about the lady beside him.

At this rate, he has to contact Rias Gremory soon. Can't have the devils suddenly attacking Raynare, she has a lot of information he needs.

The class already begun, but Issei and Raynare walks to where the smell of the devils is the strongest. They walked through the trees and arrived at the old school building.

'The old school building. How fitting' Issei snorted at that.

Issei wondered about it though, the old school building is surprisingly clean, did they use their devil magic to clean the place?

"Hi, what brought you here, Issei-san?" A blond man, with gray eyes and a mole under the left, greets them. He smells like devils, but also something else, a strange smell he used to associate with Asuka.

"I'm looking for your boss, there is something I want to discuss"

The blond man's gaze turned to his left. For a split second, Issei sees it. His eyes are sharp. There are fire there. Hatred. He is dangerous.

"She is under my wings, for now" Issei moves between them.

"I see. My name is Kiba Yuuto, pleasure to meet you Issei-san, Yuuma-san" Issei and Raynare nodded.

"Buchou is taking a bath right now, she should be ready in a minute" Kiba gestured the pair to follow him inside.

The building is too clean.

Not a single imperfection. Not a slight layer of dust.

Issei and 'Yuuma' followed behind Kiba, analyzing the situation. The escape route, possible ambush, anything. Nothing happened so far.

"So, you skip the class often?" Issei started a small talk. The whole thing is just so bizarre. Here he is, with a fallen angel and a devil. The whole thing was surreal enough yesterday. Even half of him is still convinced he is hallucinating, but then he remembered how he came to be. Seems reality can be stranger than fiction.

"Well, You are a special guest, Issei-san, Buchou wants the whole club to welcome you"

More like: You're dangerous, Rias Gremory wants to be ready whenever you snap.

"She sure knows how to make a man feel special" said Issei dryly.

Good to know that the devils is cautious around him, at least he knows where his position is in their eyes.

"Wait, she knows I'm going to visit?" Issei rise his right eyebrow.

"Yes, although she thought you were going with someone else"

They finally arrived at…..

[Occult Research Club]

'Supernatural beings make a club to research supernaturals. They sure love the irony' Issei sweatdropped.

"Buchou, our guest has arrived, with his friend" Issei didn't miss the venom at the word friend.

'They sure hate each other' Issei looks at 'Yuuma', who put up a brave front. Issei knows better though. She is surrounded by enemies, no allies save for Issei, and calling him an ally is seriously pushing it.

A minute or two later, and they heard her approval.

"Yes, come in"

The door opened and Raynare and Issei felt it. Powers seems to be rolling from the room.

Magic.

Issei glared at Kiba.

"Ah yes, sorry, It is for this room's protection, among other things. Nothing will happen to you or your friend, Issei-san" Rias apologized from her chair.

Issei looks at 'Yuuma Amano', she is doing well in front of beings more powerful than her.

Issei scanned the room. The Room looks normal, although several parts are covered in sigils and circles. Magic, no doubt. Issei also noted that some of the furniture looks too expensive for a club.

Of course, it is not a mere club.

It is a lair of devils.

Sitting on the sofa is someone Issei had seen before, in Asuka's class, she is eating youkan quietly.

'Looks like this devils have eyes everywhere.'

Kiba introduced them to the member.

"This is Hyoudou Issei-san and this is Amano Yuuma-san"

"The energy" The girl only said that, her face doesn't show any emotions. But her eyes told him otherwise. Partly Fear, but mostly curiosity.

"Koneko Toujou, nice to meet you," the girl bows her head. Issei returns the gesture.

"Nice to meet you"

And she is back to eating youkan. A girl of few words, Issei like that.

"And you've met Buchou and Himejima Akeno-senpai"

"Ara-ara, we meet again Hyoudou Issei-san" Akeno welcomed him with a small smile, before her eyes turned to Raynare.

"And you must be a fallen angel" Akeno's face turned sour. Issei realized now, her smell has some similarities to Raynare, though masked by Devil's and… humans?

"Shall we get into the business?" Issei stepped in front of Raynare. Out of them all, Akeno seems to be the one who dislikes her the worst.

"Of course" Akeno huffed and return to her master's side.

"What is it that you want to talk about, Issei-san?" Rias started diplomatically.

"I need your help enrolling her to this school" Issei motioned his hand, telling Raynare to move to besides him.

"And why is that?" Rias rises her teacup, while her eyebrows rise a bit, a little surprised.

"As of now, this girl and I are in a magic pact, she can't harm me and my family in exchange for her protection" Issei lied about the last one to increase the urgency of his wish.

"Also, she promises to provide information for me, and I can't have her running away back to her brethren" Issei said it in front of Raynare, and to her credit, she didn't bat an eye.

"I see, and what's in it for me?" Rias sipped her tea, not looking a bit interested.

"Information, of course, to destroy the fallen angels" Issei's right eyebrow twitched in frustration. He hates being in this room. The scents are overpowering his sense of smell.

"And?" Rias kept pushing, trying to extract every little bit out of the negotiation.

"I've already made my pitch, Rias Gremory, now is your turn to make yours"

"Issei-kun, we devils are already exhausted by the last war, we can't afford open confrontation in the enemy's territory, it will be translated by the upper brass as a declaration of war. This is doubly true for me of the Gremory clan" Rias explained to him the state of supernatural politics and conflict, all while she was playing with a mutated rook given by his brother last night.

"But, I'm willing to bet on that if you, say, become my servant?"

"No" of all things Issei doesn't want to be, it is to become a slave.

"Then I don't see a deal. Yuuto please escort our guest out, " said Rias, crossed-armed.

"Hey, wait a min..." Issei wanted to protest, but he is cut by Raynare.

"A potential servant," Raynare who was silent the whole time finally speaks, surprising those present in the room.

"Potential Servant?" Now Rias stands from her chair, interested in what the fallen angel has to say.

"Yes. A human with powerful sacred gear will come here next week. My former comrades and I planned to steal her power" Not a single tone rises, gone were the timid Yuuma from this morning, replaced by the cold and cruel Raynare.

"If you decide to act, that human will be caught between fallen angels and you devils" Raynare's lips turn into a small smile, the kind of smile that none of the Occult Research Club members don't like one bit "If you are lucky, then I suppose you can play the hero and do what you did to his sister?"

The whole room falls into silence, shocked at what the brazen fallen angel said.

The next thing Issei knows is he just saved said fallen angel from a lightning bolt, courtesy of the Akeno Himejima.

"Ara, ara, looks like this fallen angel's mouth needs to be educated" said the priestess of thunder in usual teasing tone, her trademark smile never leave her face.

Author's Note:

This is supposed to be one part of a chapter, but I'm dissatisfied with the second part so I just release this one while I completely redo the second part.

What Raynare did that starts the canon plot is extremely stupid and even if she survives, Azazel or Shemhazai won't take her under their wing (Pun intended). Do you think I do this trait justice? Or is this too much?

And do you think Akeno's action is OOC? or not?

Better yet, are they all too OOC? outside of Issei of course

Please include your answer about this if you decide to review.

Just found inconsistencies in my writing, I'm so embarrassed.

Aloha, a reader PM'ed me that he found my Title chapter in writing and in the tab are different. It pissed him/her off. Can't I have some fun T_T