I don't own DxD. Ishibumi does.

"How's that leg treating you?" Shin asked. He bit into his sandwich, staring at Issei.

Issei gave him a deadpan expression as he absentmindedly rubbed his leg. "Asia healed it all the way but I still feel some phantom pains from time to time. Never doing that again," Issei said.

"Rescuing Asia or running headlong into a situation?" he said.

"Running headlong. I'll rescue Asia any time of the day. By the way, thanks," Issei said.

"For?" Shin asked.

"Coming with me to rescue Asia and giving Asia a place to work," Issei said.

Shin smiled and punched him in the shoulder. "You're my best friend. I always got your back even when it doesn't seem like it," Shin said.

"You could've said that without punching me in the arm," Issei said, rubbing his arm.

"Issei-san! Shin-san!"

The two looked up and saw Asia walking towards them with a bag in hand. The blonde nun was wearing the girls' uniform. It had been two weeks since the incident at the church. His sister had called him and nearly flew back to Kuoh in a fit of rage. It took him several minutes to calm her down and not turn Kuoh and the surrounding towns into a smoldering crater. His parents and the other Contractors didn't need that on their hands. The amount of paperwork that would've gone into making it look like a meteor impact was far larger than even the Apocalypse Dragon's wingspan. After all, the Vermillion Star of Heaven's trail of destruction was something they had to deal with on a daily basis.

Shin watched as Asia sat down next to Issei and smiled. Rias had pulled several strings and owed the Student Council President several favors just to get Asia enrolled into the school. Due to her… rather odd new nature, her presence was painful to Issei in the first few days. Not emotionally but physically. Her mere presence made Issei weaker so Shin had offered to take her in until she stabilized.

"Are you fitting into our class just fine?" Shin asked, swallowing his melon bread.

"Yes. Everyone here is so kind. I'm just grateful to God for giving me a second chance at life," Asia said, folding her hands in prayer.

God. That word was a sore topic for Shin in more ways than one. Apparently, according to Vivi, Sirzechs had made Rias and her peerage swear an oath of silence before leaving. He unconsciously rubbed his torso where God had inflicted that spine shattering blow.

"Shin?" Issei glanced at him with some worry in his eyes.

"Huh? Oh, I was just thinking. I haven't seen Sophia since she left to go see her Dad," Shin said.

"Come on. You were thinking about Her weren't you?" Issei asked.

Shin's silence was all the answer Issei needed. He was thinking about that monster that everyone referred to as God. While he felt grateful at Asia's revival, that woman was not right. For someone named God and worshipped for being benevolent, Issei could not get the feeling that woman radiated out of his mind. She triggered all of his fight or flight responses.

The bell rang, signalling the end of lunch. The three glanced at each other and got up.

"Shin-san!" Asia ran up to him and tugged his sleeve.

"Yeah?" Shin asked.

"I need your help with something," she whispered. "Can you keep it a secret from Issei?"

"Eh? Um, sure?" Shin said.

Asia smiled and walked back to Issei's side. Issei had a slightly confused look on his face. Shin shrugged and the three made their way back inside.

Shin twirled his pencil between his fingers as he stared at the board with a bored expression on his face. Issei's face had fallen flat on the table. The boy had dozed off a long time ago. Asia sat behind Shin, trying to make sense of what the teacher was saying. She furiously scribbled in her notebook.

"Shin."

"Vivi?" Shin glanced outside the window. His Sponsor's presence made itself known to him but she didn't manifest. Shin felt her gaze on him through the window.

"What is it?" Shin asked.

"I came to check in on you. And to tell you that someone is coming here. It's surprise so I won't tell you who they are," Vivi said.

"Surprise? Did Ran run into the school again? I asked her to keep an eye on Hatch Potch," Shin said.

"Ran is at the Pub. She's getting the place ready for tonight. Also, someone left a job application in our mailbox. I put it on your desk inside the office," Vivi said.

A job application? It was true that they were a bit shorthanded but he didn't remember making any fliers for help. He, Issei, Vivi, Asia, and Ran were enough to handle the Pub for now. Hiring someone new would risk exposing Issei and Asia and he didn't want that.

"She's here." Vivi went silent but her presence still lingered. Shin focused his attention to the front of the class when he heard a knock on the door. The teacher stopped talking and glanced at the door. She obviously hadn't expected the knock based on the confused look on her face. Shin reached out and tapped Issei's shoulder.

Almost immediately, Issei woke up with a start. He glanced over to Shin, who nudged his head to the front. Issei's eyes followed and he saw the teacher talking with someone at the door.

"Eh? A transfer student? This late into the year? But we already had Faulkner-kun's cousin…" the teacher trailed off.

Cousin. That was the cover story Rias had designed for Asia. Shin was a bit amused by it. He and Asia were both of European descent so Rias thought it would make more sense to make them cousins.

"New student? Did someone else enroll too?" Asia asked.

"I don't know," Shin said. He looked around the classroom. Everyone was whispering about the unexpected situation.

"Do you think it's a girl?"

"Maybe it's a guy this time. Someone handsome like Kiba-kun."

"Dude, if it's another girl, it might be someone who hasn't fallen for that damned casanova, Kiba Yuuto. Maybe there's hope for us guys!"

The sound of the door shutting caught everyone's attention as their teacher made her way back to the podium. She pushed her glasses up and sighed.

"Alright, class. We're welcoming a new transfer student. She's from America," their teacher said.

The class erupted into a series of hushed whispers. "Please make her feel welcome. You can come in now."

The door opened and most of the boys immediately lost their bearings. The girls stared in awe. This girl. Her beauty rivaled, if not equaled that of the Four Great Ladies. Her long silver hair moved elegantly behind her. Her long legs and shapely rear swayed seductively with each step. Her massive bust bounced slightly before she came to a stop. However, what snapped them all out of their trance were her eyes. Her imperious violet gaze captivated the class and glued them to their chairs.

But for Issei and Shin, this girl was familiar to them. The only thing that was different was her uniform. Issei glanced over to Shin, who merely sighed.

"Please, introduce yourself," the teacher said.

"Ahem, I am-"

"YOU!" Issei got up and pointed at her. "SOPHIA!"

Sophia glanced over to Issei, taken aback by his sudden outburst.

The rest of the class whispered.

How does Hyoudou know her?

Is the School Pervert blackmailing her?

Sophia gave Issei a deadpan expression. "Sit down, Jailbait. Let me introduce myself. Don't just shout my name."

Issei sat down, feeling a bit embarrassed at his shouting. The teacher gave Issei a fierce glare, causing him to shrink in his chair.

"Ahem, as he clearly said. I am Sophia Asterope. I am a transfer student from America," Sophia said, performing a slight curtsy.

"99-62-90!" Motohama exclaimed. He regretted it mere seconds later when a pencil forcefully stabbed itself into his desk. He lost several shades of color before passing out.

Sophia smiled and retracted her arm.

"D- Does anyone have any questions for Asterope-san?" the teacher stuttered, shocked by her sudden action.

A girl raised her hand.

"Yes?"

"How do you know Hyoudou?" the girl asked.

"Jailbait? I met him when I was looking for a place to stay. Next." Sophia looked around the classroom until a boy raised his hand. "Yes?"

"Are you single?" he asked.

Sophia looked at him with a blank expression. "Yesn't."

Her answer confused the class but no one dared question it lest they end up like Motohama.

"Any more questions?" the teacher asked. No one uttered a word. The teacher nodded and turned to Sophia. "Asterope-san, let's see. You can take that seat by…" she looked around and spotted an empty seat behind Issei. "That seat behind Hyoudou-kun."

Sophia nodded and began to walk to her chair. She felt everyone's eyes on her. She was used to being stared at. In the Grigori, she always received mixed expressions. Some were of admiration while others were of suspicion. She was the daughter of the First Fallen Angel after all. Her relation to Lucifer would always mean that she was going to be watched.

Sophia pulled the chair out and sat down. She glanced over at Asia, who sat next to her, and waved. Asia waved back timidly. Her eyes drifted over to Shin, who gave her a thumbs-up and then to Issei, who smiled at her.

"Anyway, class. Where were we… Ah yes, the cultural effects of the Edo Period on Modern Day Japan was-"

"Psst."

Sophia looked over to Shin.

"Let's talk after class," Shin said.

Sophia nodded.

"Akeno, are you mad at me?" Rias asked, glancing at her friend. The two were carrying a stack of papers to Sona's office. The act of filling out all these papers had given Rias a migraine but it was necessary in managing their territory. They were mere guests in Japan and filing an incident report was something they needed to do. The problem Rias had with it was that Sona wanted a report with enough pages to be classified as a scientific journal.

"No, Rias-sama, I'm perfectly fine," Akeno said. Rias flinched when she heard Akeno's tone. It was the tone she used when she was trying to hide her anger.

"Akeno, I had no choice but to let her in. My brother requested… no, ordered me to enroll her in the school to promote diplomatic relations with the Grigori," Rias said.

"I know… it's just… where she said she was staying. It's bothering me," Akeno said.

"Shin-kun's place? Why not just go over there and make sure nothing happens?" Rias asked. She knocked on the student council room.

"What about you? We're supposed to meet with Grayfia-sama to sort out the details of your engagement," Akeno said.

Rias sighed as she handed off the papers to one of Sona's peerage members.

"I'll have Sona handle this with me. You go and keep an eye on our guest," Rias said.

"What's this about me going with you?"

The two turned to see a girl with black hair standing in front of them. Sona Sitri was extremely beautiful in appearance. She had a slender body, unlike Rias's curvy, seductive one. While she didn't have the entire male population staring at her chest every minute of the day, she did have them looking at her legs and rear. What she lacked in the chest department she made up for in her piercing violet eyes met Rias's and instantly discerned the situation. She crossed her arms, emphasizing her smaller bust.

"Don't you usually do this with Akeno?" Sona asked.

"Akeno has some errands to run today. I'm afraid I need someone else. Yuuto and Koneko aren't up for something like this so I have no choice but to ask you," Rias said, placing a hand on her hip.

"How many favors do you owe me now?" Sona asked.

"Two," Rias said, turning around.

"Not three?" Sona asked.

"The one with Sophia doesn't count because my brother ordered us to enroll her into the school. I'm sure your sister had her hands tied if what my brother said is true. Someone in a higher political standing was the one who made him do it." And with those cryptic words, Rias and Akeno left the student council room while Sona pondered the meaning of Rias's final statement.

Shin waited outside the gate for the others with Asia. Issei had gone to the bathroom and Sophia was busy gathering the necessary remaining supplies from the Student Council.

"What did you need help with?" Shin asked, remembering that Asia had asked him for help with something.

"Oh!" Asia looked down. There was a red hue on her cheeks as she gripped the hem of her skirt. "I- I was w- wondering if you could teach me how to c- cook so I can make Issei-san's bento from now on…" Her blush was in full bloom and Shin swore if anymore blood went to her head, she would've had an aneurysm.

"That's it? Sure. Since we're still living together, I can teach you how to make bento," Shin said.

Asia turned to face him with a delighted look on her face. Shin chuckled and raised his hand, giving her a pat on the head. The smaller girl smiled. Shin removed his hand and the two continued waiting in silence.

"Sorry for the wait! Sophia caught me on the way out of the bathroom," Issei said. He winced when Sophia elbowed his side.

"Oi, I don't know my way around the school yet," she said.

"Ready?" Shin asked.

"Yeah, let's head home," Issei said.

"Or to Hatch Potch. We're working tonight, remember? Or do you not want your paycheck?" Shin said as the group began walking.

"I was kidding! Don't dock my pay man! The new eroge is coming out and I'm heading to Akihabara with Motohama and Matsuda to go buy it!" Issei said.

"A great way to spend your money, Jailbait," Sophia said.

"Oi! This one is in VR and Motohama has a VR headset so we can…"

"Simulate losing your virginity?" Shin asked.

"Hey man, I wouldn't be a virgin if I had a girlfriend," Issei said.

"You have Rias," Shin said.

"B- Buchou and I aren't like that," Issei said, sputtering at his words.

Shin and Sophia threw their heads back in raucous laughter. Issei turned red at their poking while Asia pouted at the mention of Rias.

Of course, Issei-san would fall for someone as beautiful and confident as Rias…, she thought.

"Asia, you okay?" Issei asked.

"H- Heh? I'm fine. I'm just thinking about today's lesson," Asia said.

"Our Asia-chan is growing up," Shin said.

"Anyway, Shin, you said you wanted to talk?" Sophia asked.

"When we get back to the pub, there's something we need to show you," he said.

After several minutes of Sophia poking fun at Issei and Issei biting back, the group arrived outside the ever cozy pub owned by the Faulkners. Shin opened the door to see Vivi behind the bar counter. Ran was setting the tables for the dinner service.

"Master, Issei-sama, Sophia-sama, Asia-sama, welcome home," Ran said, bowing her head slightly.

"Ran, you know you don't have to call add -sama at the end of my name," Issei said.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Issei-sama. This must really annoy you, right, Issei-sama?" Ran continued.

Issei sighed, knowing she wasn't going to stop. Their relationship hadn't changed in the slightest. Ran and Issei were still as close as they were when Ran was in dog form.

"You four can take a seat wherever. We're just about finished cleaning up," Vivi said. "Oh and Shin, here." She threw an envelope at him.

Shin caught it and looked down. "A job application?" he read. His mind flashed back to when Vivi had said that someone applied for a position. Walking over to the others, he sat down and opened the envelope.

"What's that?" Issei asked, petting Ran. Ran had shifted into her dog form once more and was sitting on Issei's lap.

"A job application from one… Sophia Asterope," Shin said, looking up at the silver-haired girl.

"Y- Yeah, I figured if I was going to stay with you, I might as well work here at your family business," Sophia said, looking a bit embarrassed at having her resume read by her friend.

"Well, you have no job experience," Shin said, reading over the paper. "And… really, tracking people? You put that on your job application?"

"Hey! That's useful… I think. Also, I need to get job experience in order to put job experience," Sophia replied.

"I never said I wasn't going to hire you. Better you than some random stranger. Besides, that'll work out with what I'm about to ask you," Shin said, folding her resume and job application.

"What is it?" Sophia asked.

"Asia, stand up and show her," Shin said.

The girl looked between him and Issei. Issei nodded for her to proceed. She nodded in return and got up from her chair. A bright white aura appeared around Asia as a pair of white feathery wings appeared on her back. A halo appeared on her head. However, this halo was different from what one might expect of an angel. The halo had small cracks in it. From these cracks emanated a harsh, pulsating white light that hurt to look at. In addition, said light was able to hide the fact that there were cracks in the halo.

"Wait… what?" Sophia's eyes grew wide. She got up and walked around Asia, lightly touching her wings to make sure they were real. "When did this happen?" she asked.

"After Lucifer-sama brought you and Shin back, Asia woke up and there was this flash of light that burned all of us. Her wings came out momentarily," Issei said.

"So… She really did turn her into an Angel," Sophia said, looking at the halo closely. Her eyes narrowed when she saw the cracks faintly through the light.

"Well, when that woman talked to me, she said she was going to resurrect her as a Heavenly Being," Issei said.

"Yup, an angel through and through," Sophia said, running her finger along Asia's primary feathers. The girl let out a slight mewl that was far lewder than anyone had expected. Sophia immediately retracted her hand and Asia stood there with an extremely embarrassed look on her face.

"Does Rias know?" Sophia asked, dusting her hands.

"Yes, I think that's part of the reason she let you in so easily," Issei said.

"Welp, you can leave it to me." Sophia crossed her arms triumphantly and nodded to herself.

"I feel like if I leave something to you without knowing what it is, I'll regret it in a few days," Shin said, placing his head on his hand.

"Simple, I'll whip her into shape," Sophia said.

"W- Whip me into shape?" Asia asked.

"Well, duh, I'll be handling your training as an Angel," Sophia said. Her two pairs of black feathered wings erupted from her back. "See these? I can help."

"Wait, but why does Asia need training?" Issei asked.

"Because she's part of this world and in order to survive, she needs to know how to defend herself. This is actually for her own good," Shin said, sighing.

Asia looked down at the ground. "I- If this can help I- Issei, then I'll do it!"

"Asia!" Issei sniffed. He ran over and hugged her tightly. "Oh Asia! We'll get through this together!" Issei said.

"I- Issei-san!" Her face was beginning to turn red from the contact. Her heightened emotions triggered her divine powers and a small burst of light knocked Issei away from her.

"Worth it," Issei said, sitting on the floor with slight burns on his body.

"I- Issei!" she ran over and knelt next to him, using Twilight Healing to heal his wounds.

"Right, thanks for picking that up. I wouldn't have known what I would do if you left me to train an Angel by myself while also having to train a Longinus User," Shin said.

Issei glanced over at Shin at the mention of it. Shortly after Shin had woken up, Rias had told Issei the truth of his reincarnation. Of why he was a pawn. It was simply because none of Rias's other pieces were strong enough to bring him back. And it was all due to his Sacred Gear.

A Longinus. According to Shin, the Longinus were super-weapons created by the God of the Bible. There were a total of thirteen in existence and many people in the Supernatural World referred to them as the Supreme Sacred Gears. And Issei's own Sacred Gear was known as the [Boosted Gear]. An insanely powerful weapon that doubled the user's power every ten seconds. The power to kill a God as Vivi had said.

"Longinus huh?" Sophia glanced over at him. "My Sponsor told me something interesting about Sacred Gears that I'll bring up later. Anyway, don't we have to get ready for the shift?"

"Yeah, Vivi! Can you help Sophia pick a uniform?" Shin said.

"What? Why me?" Vivi protested.

"Because, I have to call Onee and tell her about this," Shin said.

"Right," Vivi said.

As the group was about to separate to perform their own duties, the door opened, catching their attention.

"Akeno-senpai?" Shin said in slight surprise. "We don't open for another two hours."

"I know. That's not why I'm here," Akeno said. Her eyes drifted over to Sophia, who had a confused look on her face. She steeled herself. She didn't know why she was acting this way but to her, the fact that this girl was near Shin was threatening and she didn't like it. Perhaps it was because she and Shin were beginning to become close friends. And so, with resolve hardening her heart, Akeno reached into her breast pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

She walked over to Shin and held out the envelope as if she were a school girl confessing her love to her senior.

"PLEASE HIRE ME!"

Everyone stared at her with a slightly shocked expression. It wasn't until ten seconds passed that the shock fully settled in.

"EHHHH!?"

"Good work, Akane."

Akane wiped the blood off her face as she pulled her sword out of the back of a rogue priest. Blood stained her black coat. She flipped her hair, which was now in twin tails. Her red eyes scanned her surroundings. Nothing but a land filled with tree stumps. Every tree had been felled by her blade much like her opponents. Akane sighed as she made her way to the massive pile of corpses and sat atop it.

A fiery wisp manifested itself in front of her in the form of a bird. The bird flew over and sat atop her head. It was a white bird whose feathers ended in red at the small tuft on its head.

"Lady Jingwei, you're using my head as a perch again," Akane said.

"Tis comfortable," Jingwei said.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She reached inside and unlocked it.

"A text from Issei?" Akane said. "And from mom? Let's read Mom's first."

Her eyes read the words on the screen. "So, it looks like they might need security detail down in Lilith for a wedding? It's… a commission from the Phenex Clan? Oof, don't want to get involved in that mess. Let's see Issei-chan's text."

She happily clicked on her text chain with Issei. Her eyes widened when she saw a picture of Issei, that girl they told her about named Asia, a silver-haired girl, her brother, and Akeno.

"Wait… WHAT!?"

A pillar of fire illuminated the land.

[]

Jingwei

The Auspicious Flaming Bird of Shenzou.

She is the Sponsor of Akane Faulkner.

Legends in China of Jingwei vary. Some say she is a Princess who vows to fill the seas. Others are more outlandish.

Yet both tales speak some modicum of the truth of her. Her rivalry with the Sea and the other tale. The other tale speaks of a woman.

A woman named Jingwei. They say her hair is as rich as the oak from which she perches with irises that burn with eternal light and a body wreathed in flames.

Yet her Contractor would say otherwise.

Well, welcome to Arc 2 of Azure! The Phenex Arc! Woo! Some things I'll do.

Riser. Riser will be a bit different in this fic but rest assured, Riser will be an asshole. A noble asshole but an asshole nonetheless. In addition, there are a few changes that will be happening to Riser and Rias's rating game. You've all noticed how Asia is an Angel now so Rias is down a piece in this game which means training will be a lot harder and so will the fight. Maybe.

And Akane's brief appearance at the end.

Well anyway, that's it for now! Please leave a review! It really helps! And with that, I bid thee adieu.