Okay, next one. Man, I was really on that LDE grind for a little bit. What can I say, I have a lot of inspiration for this story. Out of all my stories, I'm most motivated to update this one. I'm heavily invested in it. Too bad I'm writing a book that's taking all of my free time.

Anyway, wanted to go ahead and address some non-criticisms here that I saw. Usually, I only respond privately to these sorts of things, unless: It's something that can influence others into wrongly thinking the same thingor 3 or more people have said it. In this case, it's both. Which means that it might be something a few readers think about this story, which would be okay, if it wasn't for the fact that it's just 'incorrect' or 'wrong'.

So basically, the non-criticism is: ["This story got worse because Issei is now a crazy, unlikable asshole."] Now, some of you might be asking what makes this not a criticism, and that would be this:

First, duh, no shit. Of course Issei is a crazy, unlikable asshole. Have you forgotten what he's been through? All of the development of his character up to this point is a logical progression through circumstance. Issei suffers and grows darker because of it. You're not supposed to necessarily like that (though you can). You're just supposed to understand it, and/or, be sympathetic towards it. Don't act like he got worse out of nowhere, lol.

The intrigue with Issei's character is whether he can change from this point he has reached, which is the worst he has ever been. He's nuts, he takes no more shit, he's almost blindly prejudice against the supernatural, and he has almost nothing left to lose.

That's precisely why Asia has become a pillar to him. So that maybe he can change his ways and return to how he was when Marie was around? You know, Marie, the one person who was helping him change as a person when he was also a little psycho in the past? (I mean, come on guys, I thought I made this whole parallel super obvious. I expected more from some of you.)

And also, to imply that Issei somehow has changed in an "unnatural" way because of how dickish he is now, that's just wrong. Before Kuoh, Issei wasn't interacting with the supernatural world as much as he is now. Now, he literally speaks to the Devils associated with his parents' deaths DAILY. Of course he seems more dark and terrible because now that's what's being presented. He was always unstable and dickish, he just had Marie around to regulate him. And after he lost her, whoops, looks like he's even more unhinged now because obviously he has nothing more to lose. But guess what, now there's Asia. So what does that mean for his character? (Plus, again, Issei was not talking to Devils and Fallen-Angels everyday when he was younger, so you just didn't get to see his asshole side all the time like now.)

But yeah, the balance between Issei's good side and bad side seems skewed now because of the circumstances, but really only if you ignore his treatment of other humans (seriously, did y'all just intentionally forget how polite he is to normal students and people or?). There's more bad of him than good being seen lately because he has way more chances to show it, thanks to all of these supernatural bastards, AND Marie is dead. But now, Asia is here. So maybe, that changes? That's the interesting part. But I guess that just went over a couple of your guys' heads. No big deal, because you'll still get what you want anyway. My only advice is just be a little more patient and attentive next time.

Honestly tho, the fact that I got this non-criticism thrown at me on the EXACT two chapters that Issei's character starts developing again is just pure irony lol. Oh well, most of you guys got the point, so it's nothing big. No hard feelings. I'm fine with everybody having their opinions, I just wanted to make sure that nobody else got influenced by arguments that were literally wrong, lol. Opinions are fine, but opinions that are formed through blatantly incorrect interpretations aren't constructive, and I don't want some impressionable people being fooled into thinking that it is.

Remember, it's okay not to like anything, but if you're gonna dislike it because of a reason that is illogical, then don't expect people to take it seriously. No offense.

Anyway, this chapter's gonna have a bit of a time skip coming up. Remember, this part of the story takes place some time before canon does, I said that in the chapter that Issei returned home. Because in canon, Issei becomes a Devil somewhere around a month or two into his second year. But in this story, I decided to have him return to Kuoh right around where school starts, meaning that this part has been taking place around a month and a half before canon. But, now, we will be quickly catching up. So, this is kind of like a catch up chapter. The timeskip doesn't happen until like midway through the chapter though.

You'll see.


SCENE

….

….

"Iseeeeee~! Breakfast is ready! It's your favorite!"

A boy came running down from the stairs of his home. He bolted into the kitchen with a wide smile, subsequently being greeted by his parents, and an abundance of his favorite foods.

" "Happy birthday, Ise!" "

"Yaaay! Oppai!"

The two smiling parents turned into stone as their son quickly hopped into his seat and began eating his breakfast. Mrs. Hyoudou turned to her husband with anger.

"What did I say?! I told you that wicked old man was teaching him bad things!"

"W-Well, how was I supposed to know? It looked innocent enough, I couldn't see the photos he was showing him in the distance!"

—"Can I go to the arcade today?"

"Yes, Ise, we can do whatever you want today. Let me and your mum talk for a moment."

"There's a reason all of the other mothers around the park would avoid letting their children spend time with him! Oh no, our child is going to become a good-for-nothing adult! We're never having grandchildren, the Hyoudou house is doomed!"

"D-Don't say that, Kaa-san! I'm sure he'll be able to find a good girl! So long as we play our cards right and don't allow him to build some sort of notorious reputation, he can fool some nice girl into getting married with him! And then maybe we'll have a nice grandchild to take care of! A beautiful baby grandson!"

"Granddaughter."

"Eh?"

—"Can I go to the park to see Oji-san today?"

" "Absolutely not!" "

It was a house filled with sunshine.

….

….

….

….

"...Kaa-chan?"

The boy called out for his mother in a confused voice, covered in darkness.

….But she did not respond.

After all….

He was speaking to nothing but a severed hand sitting on the ground.

SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECH!


"HAAA..!"

Issei woke up in a cold sweat, gasping for air.

He had a night terror, as usual.

The only problem was that this night terror, was not the usual one.

"...Haah."

He sat up with an exasperated sigh, having become accustomed to the event.

But not the dream itself. He knew that the dream held a greater subconscious meaning for him. It was symbolic of something.

—Issei lowered his head in a somber manner.

The symbolism was clear to him…. It was a reminder…. A reminder that the anniversary of a certain event was soon approaching…

His birthday was coming up in a couple of months. So it wasn't too bizarre that he would have a dream regarding his birthday. More importantly to him, Maki's birthday was coming up in only a couple weeks. Perhaps his mind mixed those two events up in the timeline?

….But that wasn't it…. That wasn't what the dream was about….. It wasn't at all about birthdays…. Rather, it was a reminder to the event that preceded both his and Maki's birthday.

The event that was upcoming in only a few days.

The event that changed his entire life.

One of the only few days in his life that mattered.

That was….

Knock, knock.

"Ise-san, are you awake?"

A knocking was heard on the door, and Asia's voice came from behind it. Usually, Issei would answer her very casually, acknowledging that he was awake. But, for some reason, this time, Asia received no answer.

"Um… I'm coming in."

Asia entered the dark room, surprised to see that Issei was indeed awake. His figure was visibly sitting up, thanks to the slit of light peeking through his curtains. It was unusual for him to ignore her calls.

"Ise-san? Is something the matter?"

Unsure of herself, Asia inquired Issei worriedly.

But he did not answer. Instead, his head remained cast downward, almost as if to avoid eye contact with Asia.

The room was left in an unbearably uncomfortable silence.

"...Um, Ise-san..?"

Asia creeped towards Issei in what seemed like a cautious manner, slowly bringing her hand up to place on his shoulder.

But only a moment before she made contact with him, Issei spoke.

"Asia.."

"Eh?! —A-Ah, yes?…"

His voice came out in a deep, low tone.

"..For the next few days, you will be attending school and club alone. I won't be accompanying you."

"Eh?"

Asia didn't understand Issei's declaration at first, so she questioned it.

"Alone?... Ise-san is not going to school right now?"

"..Yes, that's right… You'll be going alone for now. I won't be with you for the following days."

Considering that Issei was such an attentive and punctual student, it was surprising for him to be saying these things. His attitude left Asia feeling perplexed.

"..I don't understand. Why is Ise-san skipping school now? Has something happened?"

Issei remained quiet for a moment before answering.

"….No. It's nothing. You don't need to worry yourself with it. Just do as I say."

[Do as I say], he said. It was rare for Issei to burden Asia with anything akin to orders or commands. Issei would always allow Asia to freely make her own decisions, even to his dismay. Whatever she did, it was always up to her. Yet, now, it seemed different. It was a mandatory request.

"U-Um…. Well, if Ise-san is staying home… T-Then, I should also.."

Before Asia could finish her suggestion, Issei interrupted her.

"No… You will go to school. You won't be absent from it because of me. You have plans with friends to go out this week, don't you? You should be making sure to go to school and reconvene with those people."

"But… If Ise-san is…"

"Asia…."

Issei finally lifted his head up to Asia, with a kind, half-smile present on his face.

"—I won't have you missing out on a happy life on my account, Asia."

But Asia's expression became sad at his words.

"B-But, why..?"

Issei quickly lost his smile, but he lowered his head again to avoid displaying that.

"...Because a very important day is going to be approaching soon."

"...An important day? W-What important day is that?"

Issei was silent for the rest of that interaction. And unbeknownst to Asia, there was a dark expression on his face.

...The day of his parents' deaths.


Part 1

In another room of the home, Asia's room, Raynare was sitting on a futon she had slept in, on the floor. Her eyes were dead like a fish's, her expression was devoid of emotion, and her face had little color in it.

In every way, she appeared to be dead inside.

"—Raynare."

But in the moment a familiar voice came from beyond the doorway, a fragment of life was struck in her eyes. Perhaps it was fear.

As suspected, the one who entered was Issei, essentially the person who had become her 'owner', as she was nothing more than but a 'dog on a leash'.

Raynare, seemingly no longer having any regard for something like personal dignity, did not hesitate to prostrate herself before him, presenting him the most respectful version of a bow. The dogeza.

"...Yes, Sekiryuutei-sama.."

"Lift your head."

Raynare removed her forehead from the floor, but she did not raise her head to meet Issei's gaze, only continuing to look downwards.

"Raynare. From today, until the end of the week, you will follow and observe Asia on her way to and from school."

"..!"

Raynare was internally shocked by his request, but she did not question it, nor did she express her confusion.

"When Asia arrives at school, you will observe her from afar, by whatever means possible. You will simply observe. You will not interfere with her school life or otherwise. You are only meant to keep a watchful eye on her. Should any suspicious figures appear around her, remove them, or her, from the immediate area. If they are humans bothering her, just escort them away from her presence. If they are another sort of being, like a stray, get rid of it some other way. I don't care if you kill it. But if it's too much, then just retreat, or buy Asia time to escape. So long as Asia makes it home safely, by any means necessary. If something happens to her, or you ever happen to return without her, I will kill you without hesitation. Understood?"

Unlike all of the other times Issei would speak down to Raynare, he was now speaking with an absence of hostility. There was no anger or threatening tone. It was simply clear cut, no nonsense instead. Though it wasn't necessarily uncharacteristic of him, it seemed very odd that he wasn't threatening her more fervently, especially when it came to Asia.

Moreover, when Raynare took a glance up with her eyes at him…

—His eyes were almost just as dead as her own.

But she lowered her eyes just as quickly as she raised them, hoping to avoid eye contact before he ever noticed.

And so, Raynare nodded her head, easily accepting Issei's demands.

"...Yes, Sekiryuutei-sama."

"..Good. You may leave when Asia does."

"...Understood."

With that confirmation, Issei made his way to leave the room.

But for some reason, Raynare felt so compelled by her curiosity to question Issei in one regard.

"...If I may, Sekiryuutei-sama?"

She spoke out in a small voice, as not to possibly agitate him. Issei stopped in his tracks and responded promptly.

"...What is it?"

"...What exactly will you be doing?"

Issei was silent for a moment. Raynare instinctively lowered her head until her forehead pressed against the floor, as a precautionary measure.

Soon enough, Issei answered her question in an almost somber tone.

"..Nothing…. Only…visiting."

"..?"

Before Raynare could confirm to herself what she had heard, Issei was already gone from the room.


"Um… I will be going then.."

Asia gave her goodbye to Issei at the door after opening it. Issei, who stood a bit behind her, simply responded with a wave.

"Yeah, have a safe trip."

And even Asia could tell that there was a "deadness" in his eyes.

But, not being able to do anything about it, she regretfully turned to walk away.

"Yes.."

After shutting the door behind her, Asia walked off to school, leaving Issei alone in the house.

Issei stood still and silently near the doorway.

Alone, in a dark house, devoid of light.

A few seconds pass, and finally, his head lowers, and his expression becomes like one of a child's sorrow.

—In the outside world filled with light, Asia continued her walk to the academy. It was the first time she'd walked alone to school. She had always been accompanied by Issei up to this point. It was obvious that they would walk to school together, since they live under the same roof.

More than that, she accompanied Issei wherever he went anyway. Even to the store and other places, they would always go together, since Issei refused to let Asia be alone. Not that Asia minded that, actually, she preferred it that way. She felt most comfortable and safe when she was with Issei. Practically ever since she even came to this town, Issei has been with her. At this point, the amount of time she spent out of his presence in Japan, has already been surpassed by the amount of time she spends accompanied by him.

This time was the exception.

Now she was alone. And it was for reasons she didn't fully understand, if at all. So, to say that she was feeling slightly worried, or lonely, was a bit of an understatement.

Yet despite feeling lonely, and realizing that no one else was around her, she somehow didn't feel 'alone'...

"Eh?"

Asia halted in her step when she felt like there were a pair of eyes on her from somewhere. She couldn't shake this feeling. Was it paranoia? Or maybe she was just uneasy because Issei wasn't around?

She called out while looking in random directions.

"...Um… Is someone there?..."

To her surprise, someone really did appear from out of nowhere. A figure emerged from behind a corner not too far behind Asia. It was Raynare.

"...I'm surprised you knew I was there… You're more perceptive than you look, Asia-san.. It must be because you're a Sacred Gear possessor.."

"Raynare-san! Why are you following me?.."

"I was ordered to."

Asia understood the situation clearly when Raynare said that.

Despite that, Asia, unexpectedly, smiled at the realization.

"I see. As I thought, Ise-san is still worried about me after all."

Raynare found herself with a curious interest to Asia's reaction.

'So rather than feel uneasy about being spied on, she is just happy that someone has her in mind… A purely innocent reaction… As I thought, I'm not fit to be around this type of person..'

"Raynare-san?"

Asia interrupted Raynare's train of thought with a call.

"What is it, Asia-san?"

"Well, um…"

Asia requested it while twiddling her fingers.

"..Would you mind following me on foot? I would feel more comfortable if you walked with me instead… If you want.."

Raynare was then reminded of Issei's words to her.

("You will not interfere with her school life or otherwise. You are only meant to keep a watchful eye on her.")

Raynare lowered her head, with her dead fish like eyes becoming even dimmer than before.

'…I wonder if he would kill me for doing something like that?... Actually, does it even matter anymore?..'

Despite all of her fear of mortality from the previous nights, she didn't feel so petrified at the idea of it now, for some reason.

'...Why am I even considering it?... I'm not the type who would risk my life just to make somebody feel comfortable… Who cares if she feels better that way…? Well, then again, it's not like she'll tattle about that to the Sekiryuutei, will she?… So what does it even matter?… But still, I was never the type to just...'

And yet, against her rational mind's viewpoint, she was unexpectedly being paid visit to by what she felt was an unnecessary memory.

("Bathing her would only allow her a sense of dignity, which I don't care for.")

("B-But, Raynare-san is a girl just like me, so she should be able to be clean too, Ise-san..! Otherwise, it's just too cruel!")

Raynare's gaze remained on the floor, and she clicked her tongue, whispering something under her breath.

"...What a stupid memory…"

"Eh? Raynare-san?"

Asia's call went unanswered, and the two were left in a long silence.

…..

It wasn't broken until Raynare's body suddenly began transforming in front of Asia.

"Uwa..!"

Asia was caught off guard by the sudden transformation. Raynare, who was now wearing the uniform of an academy that didn't exist, said it with an emotionless face.

"..Very well. Let's go, Asia-san."

And only piquing Raynare's curiosity even further, Asia's expression brightened up significantly.

"Okay..!"

With that, Raynare followed Asia to Kuoh as if she was just another random student. Despite Asia's suggestions, Raynare still remained a few steps behind Asia, instead of directly beside her.

There weren't many students that they encountered or saw on the way to the academy. It was quite unpopulated in the suburbs. Or at least, it appeared that way, perhaps because of the path the two took.

The only students they did encounter along the way ended up greeting Asia very casually. Most of them being girls, but there were a few boys too. More boys than usual, it seems. Perhaps it was due to the fact that there wasn't an intimidating giant next to Asia today.

Once Raynare and Asia reached the academy gates, there were plenty of students strolling in, as per usual. Raynare, who recognized that she couldn't blend in as a student, halted at the front gate, prompting Asia to stop as well.

"Raynare-san? What's wrong?"

"..It's as clear as day that I don't belong here, Asia-san. My job was only to watch you from a distance anyway… That's why I will be separating here."

Raynare turned to leave before being stopped by Asia's voice.

"W-Wait, but..!"

Raynare turned her head back, prompting the usually shy Asia to avert her gaze.

"...That's right.. Raynare-san does not attend here…. I suppose there's nothing that can be done.."

Raynare couldn't help but find it interesting, the fact that Asia was sad about Raynare being unable to accompany her. Despite the fact that she was planning to murder her only a week ago… Truly, in her eyes, this girl was an anomaly.

"Well, at the very least, Raynare-san will be waiting for me outside after school.. Right?"

Raynare remained silent for a moment, only quietly analyzing Asia's expression before answering.

"...Yes. That is my 'assignment' after all."

Asia's downtrodden expression quickly turned into one of happiness instead.

"I see! I'm glad. I-In that case, I will see you after school, Raynare-san..!"

Raynare turned her gaze away from Asia, facing forward again.

"...Yeah."

Asia walked away after acknowledging that, finally separating from Raynare, leaving her to think on her own. Raynare ignored the comments of the passing students wondering who the "random beauty" was, only thinking to herself.

She glanced at the passing female students entering the school grounds.

'...I suppose it would be simple to replicate those uniforms… Infiltrating would probably be a breeze too…'

Before her unwarranted thoughts could tread any further, Raynare shook her head.

'...No, what am I, stupid?.. I have no reason to do that… I'm only supposed to observe from a distance… Wouldn't being so close just be disobeying? And why would I care to do that anyway?... Besides, those Devils are in there anyway.. They'd probably kill me if they saw me..'

Raynare happened to overhear a conversation as she thought to herself.

"Whoa, who's that bishoujo?"

"Don't know, but she doesn't go here."

"Should I talk to her?"

"No way, you'd think she'd talk to a guy like you? Besides, if she's not a student here, then we'll never get to see her again anyway so what's the point? More importantly, check it out! Asia-chan is all alone today!"

"Whoa, no way! Every day she's always being accompanied by that big dude! Yo, we should take this chance to go talk to her! She might be a babe, but she's way nicer than any other bimbo in this school! She'll definitely give us a chance if we—!"

—The boys conversation was cut off when they both felt chills run up their spines.

"W-What the hell, I just got the chills.."

"Y-Yeah, same here.."

They instinctively turned back, only to see Raynare looking over her shoulder at them with a deadly glare.

"W-What the hell..? Why's she glaring at us like that?"

"..I don't know, man… Let's just go to class.."

"…Y-Yeah."

After a short while, all of Kuoh academy's students seemingly entered the school, leaving Raynare standing outside of the gates by herself.

"Hmph… Well, who cares.."

Without anyone noticing, Raynare transformed herself and discreetly made her way around the academy to gain a vantage point on Asia's location in her classroom. And after acquiring a spot, she fulfilled her duty of secretly observing Asia for the rest of the day.


Part 2

Day 1

Hyoudou Issei. 10 years ago, he lost his family to a terrible tragedy. A tragedy that changed his life forever. Everyday, he is haunted. Haunted by nightmares, thoughts, and ideas of what he could've done to possibly save them that day. And whenever he is confronted by those possibilities, he is even more so haunted by 'those' words.

Those accursed words which his mind constantly played on repeat, in the most brutal of times, reminding him of his weakness. His uselessness. Reminding him of his failure, even as an almost full grown man.

([You are merely but a boy. There is nothing you can do.])

Perhaps the amount of time in which he spends on a day to day basis, thinking about how he could've saved his parents, has decreased in the past few years. But even so, there is never a day in which he doesn't think of them. There is never a day when he "forgets" that his parents are gone. Not even a moment. Even in the happiest of moments.

On the contrary, it is when he is happiest that he remembers them most. Because he can only recognize his happiness as a selfish happiness that only he can indulge in, and his parents can never experience alongside of him.

They cannot laugh with him at people's jokes. They cannot cry with him in moments of sorrow. They cannot cheer with him in moments of triumph. They cannot express their frustrations with him in moments of irritation.

They cannot spend time with their only son.

They cannot do anything anymore.

And it's all because he couldn't save them.

The fault lies on no one else but him.

….Well, him, and…

[Ah, this place is..]

"Yeah…"

Issei responded out loud to Ddraig, considering that no one was around to hear it. The place that he had walked to was familiar. A spot he used to spend most of his time in, playing as a child. This place was..

"It's the park.."

[Mm, I do have vague interpretations of this place within my conscious. They must be fragments of your own memories.]

"You can see my memories?"

[Not exactly. Rather than seeing, I can observe them in retrospect, but only vaguely. Like experiencing a memory within a dream. Perhaps because it was close to the time of my awakening.]

"I see… Can you remember anything specific?"

[Not much. I would say that the most peculiar thing I recall experiencing was a feeling. An extension of your feelings. You were feeling paranoid. You were afraid of something. I was stirred in my slumber as a result of it being something supernatural, and powerful. I remember my subconscious response being to communicate the suggestion of fleeing from a threat. Though I suppose that felt instinctive to you.]

For some reason, Issei laughed.

"Haha. So that 'feeling', all those years ago, that was you, huh?.. No wonder I kept feeling like I was fighting with another part of myself before you awoke. I actually was."

[Hoh? Was there a moment when you disregarded one of these 'vague suggestions' of mine?]

"Yeah… Before I went into Haruka's house, that little girl that I saved… I felt like something inside me was telling me to turn away and run. 'Don't go inside'... But, I also felt like the reason I was being told that, was because inside was dangerous. And that made me think, 'what if there's somebody inside who is in danger? Would it be okay to just walk away then?'... And as it turned out, just like I thought, little Haruka was in there… And so was the Nightwalker… If I had left her in there, she probably wouldn't be here today… And maybe her family wouldn't either, since I made the Nightwalker chase me, and led it away from them… In the end, as a result of my actions, I was able to…"save" her family. I was able to prevent their deaths.."

Issei went silent, before promptly walking over to a swing set and sitting on one of the swings. His body hardly fit in it.

"...Except.."

Issei's memory of his first encounter with the Nightwalker replayed in his head. Most specifically, that one moment…

—The moment the Nightwalker stepped into the kitchen, with a woman's severed head in its leathery claws.

"...The only one I wasn't able to save… Haruka's mother… Only she died to that beast… And that was something that I couldn't prevent…"

[You make it sound as if it's your own fault, partner.]

To Ddraig's comment, Issei did not respond.

The silence of the world was only broken by the subtle sounds of metal creaking.

Rrr..

The swing creaked as Issei swung slightly, back and forth, in silence.

In his mind, the only sound he heard was the sound of the memories playing in his head.

("More, Otou-san! Push me higher!")

And before his very eyes, his legs shrank, and his body became so much smaller.

("H-Hold on, Ise.. Tou-san's arms are getting tired..")

("No fair! Yesterday, Okaa-san was pushing me higher for way longer than you!")

("E-Eh? Seriously?!... Alriiight then! Get ready, Ise! Tou-san is gonna push you with all his might!")

("Yaaay!")

….

….

And surely enough, the swing came to a stop.

After all, there was no one pushing it.

….

Just as quietly as he arrived, Issei disappeared from the playground, leaving the swing completely still and empty.


Day 2

It was another day that Issei wouldn't be attending school. His second day of mourning. And, as much as it bothered her, Asia could do nothing but accept it.

"I'll be heading off then, Ise-san."

Asia announced it right before she exited the house. This time, Issei did not walk her out. She merely received an answer from beyond the hall, where she could not see him.

"...Yeah."

And that was all he said.

"...Okay."

With that, the dejected Asia walked out of the house and shut the door behind her. She didn't happen to notice Raynare, who was standing beside the doorway, already waiting for her outside.

Raynare was already dressed in her disguise. It seemed like she was prepared to leave with Asia this time.

But, for some reason, Raynare remained leaned up against the wall without calling out to Asia. She just stared at Asia's back silently.

...And without being able to realize it, she couldn't take her eyes off of Asia's slumped shoulders. Her shoulders, which expressed just how lonely the girl felt.

….

"...Asia."

"Eh?"

Asia turned while subtly wiping a tear away from one of her eyes. When she turned, she caught sight of Raynare, wearing her academy's uniform.

"..Ah, Raynare-san!... Eh? That thing your wearing is.."

Without Asia realizing her swift change, Raynare disguised herself in the Kuoh academy's uniform instead of the fake.

"...It's the uniform of your school. Pretty convincing, isn't it?"

"B-But, why are you wearing that? I thought that you couldn't go into the academy..?"

Raynare responded with an unbothered attitude.

"Well, I think it should be fine. As long as I'm just walking you to and from class, and hiding in a tree afterwards, there shouldn't be any problems. After all, I don't actually 'attend' there, so I can't enter class with you. But as long as I get out before then, it should alright… I think."

Raynare explained as simply as she could. Though, her mind was preoccupied with conflicted thoughts.

'...What am I even doing?... Is this me trying to cheer her up?... Why the hell would I even be stupid enough to care..?'

While Raynare was thinking to herself, Asia wiped away another subtle tear.

"…Thank you, Raynare-san.."

Asia's words interrupted Raynare's thoughts, bringing her back down to reality. Only for Raynare to find that Asia was smiling brightly at her.

"I feel much better now..!"

Raynare's response to Asia was silence, but the response to herself was..

'..Well, whatever..'

"...Let's go, Asia."

"Yes!"

The two set off for the academy, as they would expect would become the usual. Once they made it there, the students of Kuoh did not hesitate to gossip about the person who appeared to be a new transfer student.

"Whoa, a new transfer student?! I didn't hear about it! Not to mention, she's a freaking hottie! First, Asia-chan, then this babe?!" —"Two transfer students in one month, hell yes!"

"Hey, isn't that the hot girl from yesterday?" — " Oh yeah, it is! Who would've thought she was gonna transfer here. No wonder she was scoping out the place!"

"What a pretty girl! Do you think she'll be our friend like Asia?"

While Raynare's appearance was starting a commotion, there was a certain group of individuals that happened to catch notice of her and Asia. Most specifically, two individuals.

"Eh, what's wrong, Raynare-san?"

Asia stopped walking when she noticed that Raynare had halted in her tracks. Raynare had an 'unfriendly' expression on her face, perfectly capturing how quickly she went on guard. When Asia followed the direction of Raynare's gaze in front of her, she caught sight of the two individuals ahead of them as well.

Rias Gremory and Akeno Himejima.

"...R-Rias-san.."

The two Devils approached Asia and Raynare with "friendly" smiles.

"Good morning, Asia."

"..G-Good morning.."

After briefly greeting Asia, Rias turned her full attention to Raynare, while maintaining her paper smile.

"Hello, you must be new here. I hadn't received word that a transfer student was coming. Are you a friend of Asia's?"

Raynare did not answer Rias's question, she merely kept her cold gaze locked onto the Devil.

"..Well, any friend of Asia is a friend of ours. Speaking of which, Asia, we also have also have club in the mornings, remember? This morning's club is about to start… Would your friend like to join us?"

"..N-No, well, Raynare-san is.."

"Oh please, Asia. I insist."

If any bystanders were more spiritually aware than the average student, then they would certainly feel the tension between the two duos rise.

Raynare glanced at her surroundings, quickly realizing that the Devil group's other two members were also not too far away. Both of which were staring at Raynare as well.

Feeling threatened by the situation, but not so threatened that she was necessarily afraid for herself, Raynare spared no hesitation in heightening the tension for both sides.

"...If you cause us trouble, the Sekiryuutei might kill you."

[—?!]

The Devils, and even Asia, were shocked by Raynare's nonchalant declaration. She had said it loud enough that any nearby student could hear it.

"What's 'Sekiryuutei', a video game character?" — " Isn't it a food? Like spicy food?"

Rias ignored the student's curious comments while maintaining her composure. She was severely caught off guard by Raynare's words, causing her to sweat a bit.

"I'm…not sure what you mean, Raynare-san. But, since you're new here, and you are Asia's friend, I would simply like to speak with you. Maybe I can also show you around the school persona—"

"—I'm only taking her to class. That's it. After that, you won't have to worry about me. I'm only here to observe her. If you still have a problem with that.."

Raynare's expression became dark.

"..I'll make sure the Sekiryuutei knows you are causing us trouble.."

Another bead of sweat ran down Rias's cheek. Why Raynare, of all people, suddenly showed up to the academy with no explanation, and was then threatening the Devils with action from the Sekiryuutei, was unknown to them. Rias could only wonder to herself in confusion about it.

'..Has she now been forgiven by the Sekiryuutei? Impossible. He wouldn't forgive someone like her… Then why is so callously tossing his name around? Why is she here with Asia in the first place? Most of all, where is Ise..?'

Raynare wasted no time in grabbing ahold of Asia's hand and walking away with her.

"..Let's go, Asia."

"E-Eh? O-Okay.."

The two passed the Devils with only Asia glancing back at them, and Raynare looking straight ahead.

"..What should we do, Rias? Should we stop them?"

"...No. We need to know why she's here in the first place. Ise has been absent since yesterday. I was sure that he was going to kill those Fallen-Angels, if not worse… We have to contact him."

—After encountering the Devils, Raynare promptly led Asia to her class. She left as quickly as they arrived, as to avoid being questioned by random students or teachers.

And just like the day before, Raynare sat in a shady tree beside the classroom window, silently observing Asia from a distance. She did nothing, but watch, and quietly think to herself.

'…What am I doing?... Why did I say something so risky to those Devils?... Why would I act like I have enough authority to call upon the Sekiryuutei's wrath?... I keep doing and saying such stupid things… I keep doing things that aren't worth it… And for what, for that girl?…. That girl, who I was trying to kill only a week ago?... Have I gone crazy? Has the fear of the Sekiryuutei driven me mad?… Or am I really just that stupid now? Has my brain turned to mush..? It just doesn't make sense. What I'm doing doesn't make sense anymore… I keep doing all of these senseless things, and yet, for what?... For what?..'

While thinking about all of this, Raynare's gaze remained glued to Asia's face.

It seemed as if Asia was a student who tried her best and studied dutifully, appreciating all of the academic experiences she has never had before… Yet, she did not seem invested. She did not look intrigued or curious. Rather than that, her expression looked…distant. Not out of disinterest, but out of something involuntary. Something beyond her control, affecting her mood. Something that made her expression look all too familiar to Raynare.

An expression that is best perceived through ones eyes. An expression that Raynare refuses to believe she shared at any one point in time.

—Loneliness.

…..

Gradually, Raynare's gaze seemed to meet the ground far beneath her.

"…I really am stupid.."


Inside of his home, Issei sat silently on the sofa. Not saying a word, not opening a curtain. Doing nothing, but staring at a framed photo in his hands.

A photo with a baby version of himself, and his two parents holding onto him lovingly.

...Ring!..

The sound of Issei's phone. It must be someone calling. On the slight chance that it was Asia, he considered answering it. But when he picked up the phone, an unknown number appeared on the screen.

A random number. But he knew well enough who it was. He recognized it. Even if it wasn't a contact, he recognized the number itself, unfortunately.

The Devil's number.

….

….

…He placed the phone back on the coffee table, facing downwards.


Day 3

The morning of the third day. The next day would be it, the day that Issei's parents passed.

Standing at the exit of the household were Asia and Raynare, both dressed and ready to depart.

"...Um, I'm leaving, Ise-san!"

Asia announced it, hoping that Issei would hear it from somewhere beyond the hallway. But this time, the answer she received was…

….

Nothing.

"..."

Having received somehow even less of an answer than the day previous, Asia also became twice as morose.

"..Let's go, Asia."

"...Yes."

The door shut, and Issei was left alone in the house again, with no sound to accompany the air inside.

[Yesterday, you visited that place called the "arcade", was it? Where will you visit today, partner?]

Issei paused before answering.

"…Today, I will visit the second place in which their presence resides the most."

[That is?]

Issei answered that question by arriving at 'that place' instead.


[Ah, so this is it, eh? I do recall you visiting this place before. Once when you were visiting that person you call your grandmother, and another when you were accompanied by 'that woman'. To believe that it had been so close to your real home, yet you never returned it. Not until recently, of course.]

"...This place is technically still in Kuoh, but it's on the outskirts. It's not far by any means, but it's not so close that I could easily walk. Of course, now that I can fly, it's not even a thought I need to be concerned with… And, you're right. My grandma does live out here… Though, I don't know if I could bring myself to see her again…"

The place in which Ddraig and Issei were currently at was, unsurprisingly, a memorial site.

A memorial site dedicated to all of the victims in Kuoh, those unfortunate souls who succumbed to the "worst natural disaster" in the town's history.

The memorial itself is a statue esque creation. A statue of a collapsed house, with a group of people standing before it, holding hands together. A statue that represents the tragedy of the situation, with the message that all of Kuoh's citizens would stand united in the face of it. And below that statue is a large plaque that holds all of the 100 plus names of the victims.

Even though it may not have been a representation of the reality of that day, its sentimental value was no less in Issei's eyes. And definitely no less in the eyes of Kuoh's inhabitants.

The reason it's built on the outskirts of Kuoh is so that, should there be any tourists who visit Kuoh, they will be aware of the tragedy that took place before entering, and may also properly pay their respects.

[But why not visit their graves directly? Why come here instead? Did you not visit their graves before?]

To that, Issei remained silent. It's true that he did visit his parents graves with Marie and his family before, but… If he is to visit it alone, he would see no point in it. To him, and to him alone, there was no difference between their graves and this memorial site. Why?

Well, the answer should've been obvious.

At the gravesite, there would have been nothing of his parents to visit. Those coffins are practically empty.

At the very least, here, he can pay respects to every victim.

"...May you rest in peace.."

Issei knelt down and paid his respects in the most humble manner he could. He remained in that position for minutes without moving.

It wasn't until he heard the voice of another person that his respectful silence was broken.

"Oh… Somebody's here.."

Issei's attention was caught by the sound of a voice. He stood and turned to see a young, black haired man not too far from his age.

"Hello."

"...Hello."

The young man stepped up beside Issei while scratching his cheek awkwardly.

"Sorry... I wasn't expecting anyone else to be here.."

"...No, it's alright."

Issei stood in silence while the other man paid his respects quietly. After that, the two merely stood there, saying nothing for a while.

The young man spoke first.

"...So you're paying respects to somebody too, huh?"

Issei nodded his head grimly.

"...Yeah, my parents.."

"Both..?!"

The young man was shocked. Again, Issei nodded his head with a sad expression.

"I'm so sorry…"

The young man placed his hands together and paid his respects.

"May they rest in peace.."

"...Thank you."

"No problem."

After that short exchange, it became silent again.

Issei then asked the young man, out of consideration of him.

"...You're also here for a family member?"

The young man nodded his head and pointed towards a name on the plaque. The surname was "Okamura". By logical deduction, this young man's name must have also been Okamura.

"...Okamura."

"Yeah, he was.."

The young man, Okamura, paused before answering.

"...He was my little brother."

"..!"

This shocked Issei, though he didn't express it. This person didn't seem much older than him. So if he lost someone ten years ago, how young could that person have been?

"... A younger brother?"

"...Yeah, he was.."

Again, there seemed to be a sharp hitch in his breath. Unexpectedly, Okamura turned to Issei with a tragic smile.

"He was only two years old. I was ten when it happened, haha."

[—?!]

—The revelation sent chills down Issei's spine.

...Two…

A two year old child. Practically a baby, hardly even a toddler…

And that baby died on that day, likely, by the hands of a filthy monster.

….

Issei only reached the conclusion that Okamura was only twenty years old by now. He was right, he wasn't much older than Issei.

After Okamura revealed that information, Issei took a long pause before speaking again.

"...I'm so sorry."

"...Thanks.."

There was nothing Issei could say. He couldn't think of anything. He was only reminded that he was not the only one to suffer the consequences of that day.

Out of a subtle sense of worry for the young man, Issei inquired him about his family.

"...You don't have anyone to pay respects with..?"

"Huh? Oh, no, that's not it.. I do. I have cousins, an aunt, and…"

Okamura hesitated for a moment.

"...And I also have a father, but…"

He turned his head away while saying it.

"...I hate him."

Okamura's attitude piqued Issei's interest. He hates his father? There may be certain circumstances that Issei isn't aware of in regards to that, but… With the way that Okamura was acting, it seemed as if his hatred for his father and the tragedy of his brothers loss, were somehow related.

That's why, Issei questioned him about it further.

"...Why do you hate your father?"

To that question, Okamura remained silent.

"..."

But his body began to shiver, ever so slightly, and Issei could make out the subtle sound of the man's fists clenching tightly.

"...Because.. It's his fault…"

And even though his head was lowered, it was easy to view his eyes, which were burning with hate.

"...It's that bastard's fault..! It's his fault that my brother died..!"

[—?!]

He was blaming his father.

"...His fault? What do you.."

"That guy..! That bastard..! When my brother's room collapsed..! While my brother was dying..! He didn't do anything! That bastard, he just did nothing but stand there! I pushed and yelled at him as much as I could, and that son of a bitch just stood there, doing nothing! —It's his fault! Because of him, my little brother died for nothing!"

Although Issei was shocked to hear all of this, he was still capable of making his own deductions based on the details given to him.

"...Okamura… Your father didn't move because..he was in shock."

"..Shock?"

Despite saying this, Issei's words did not have an impact that he could've hoped for. Instead, Okamura turned his tear ridden, hateful eyes towards Issei.

"...You wanna attribute that to shock..? What sort of coward doesn't move when his child needs help..?! Even I, who was just a child, was able to move and yell at him to help..! But with that little body and mind, there was nothing I could do! I was useless! But still, I moved!— And he didn't?! Even though he was our father?! Even though he promised us, after mom left us, that he would take care of us both, he still wasn't able to move?! DON'T FUCK WITH ME! WHAT KIND OF COWARD JUST LETS HIS SON DIE IN FRONT OF HIM?! AM I SUPPOSED TO FORGIVE HIM FOR THAT?! BULLSHIT! I WAS—! I AM—!"

Okamura's body shook violently, but his screams died down. His voice started out in a low tone again once he resumed speaking.

"...Hey, did you know?... My dad, he actually tried killing himself a week ago.."

"..?!"

"Hehe… That's the reason I'm here today… I usually would come with my aunt and cousins here tomorrow, who I live with.. We come here when everyone else is here paying their respects too…. But this time, I came early, so that I could be alone… Because, I knew…"

Okamura lifted his head slightly, only to reveal that he was shedding a profuse amount of tears, with an unstable expression on his face.

"...I knew that I would have gotten like this!— Because when I found out that my dad tried to take his life, I..!"

He placed a hand over his face.

"..When I found out, I got so scared! I got so scared that I threw up!— Even though I'm supposed to hate that bastard..! Even though it's supposed to be his fault..! For some reason, I got so scared when I found out! Like if I was scared of being left alone! It was so pathetic, it makes me sick to my stomach! And yet..! Even though I know all of that..! I still..!"

Issei was left so dumbfounded that it was difficult for him to think of words to say.

"...But, it's not his fault... He was in shock…"

"YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW THAT?!— You think I haven't been told that?! You think I don't realize the truth?! I know all of that already! But..! What else do you expect me to do?! What the hell am I supposed to do?! Who the hell am I supposed to blame?! Lady luck?! Nature?! God?!— It makes me sick to my stomach because I know the truth already! BUT..! Even though I understand it, I can't stand it! I can't stop myself from hating him! And now, now that he's tried taking his own life, I don't know what I'm supposed to feel! I..! I..! "

Okamura then fell to his knees and held his head in his hands, as if slowly curling up into a ball.

"I end up hating him, only because it lets me live normally!— Because, in my heart, I know it! I know that the one who I'll end up hating the most, is ME! AND THAT MAN, EVEN THOUGH HE ALSO KNOWS THE TRUTH, HE JUST LETS ME HATE HIM, AND BURDENS ALL THE BLAME, UNTIL HE CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE! BUT IN THE END..! IN THE END, I KNOW THAT, IN MY HEART, THE ONE WHO I HATE MOST FOR BEING UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING— THE ONE THAT I HATE FOR BEING SO USELESS— IS NO ONE BUT MYSELF!"

….

….

….

….

Issei was left totally, and utterly, speechless.

This man— For reasons unknown even to himself, Issei understood him better than anyone. So much so, that he unknowingly shed a tear from his right eye.

'...Ddraig..'

While Okamura wept to himself, Issei turned away from him, and communicated to Ddraig in his mind.

[What is it, partner?]

'...Do you remember that ability that I wanted to develop, a few years back?.. The one about illusions and reality?.. The one about "truth"...'

[Ah, yes. I do recall. That was an idea you gave up on, correct? Why do ask?]

'...I've changed my mind.. As I thought, I have found a use for it after all..'

[You want to try it?.. I have to warn you, partner. Creating abilities like that on the spot is extremely difficult, sometimes dangerous. Although I have always believed in your potential, and your ability has increased dramatically since those years, it still takes an immense level of willpower in order to accomplish such things. And it is more likely that phenomenon like those can occur naturally, while experiencing powerful emotions.]

'...If that's the case, Ddraig, then there could be no better time than this, for me to create such a thing.'

[Very well. I understand. I trust you on this. If your will is for it to be done, then so be it. It only relies on you.]

SHIIIIIINN!

—Because of his position, Okamura could not see the bright, green light that Issei's body emitted. Or perhaps he was distraught that he couldn't notice, because it was a light so bright that it seemed impossible to hide, even for Issei.

This ability that Ddraig and Issei spoke of, it was nothing more than a hypothetical that Issei suggested to Ddraig when he was much younger. It was an ability that theoretically would have allowed him to 'read a person's mind'.— No, it was much more complex than that. Rather than reading their mind, he would read their 'heart'.

By that, it is an ability that would not only allow Issei to peruse through the memories of a person's mind, but also know the 'reality' of which they inhabit. An ability that can dispel 'illusion' and allow them to perceive 'truth'.

In other words, it was an ability that he planned to create in order to dispel the false truth that the Devils planted in the memories of Kuoh's citizens.

But… He realized that, in the end, it would not have changed anything. All that revealing the truth to them would have done was expose the existence of the supernatural. But what good would that do? What difference would any of it make? It would bring back those that they lost, nor would it bring them any peace. In fact, if it somehow brought anything to fruition, it would only be conflict, and hatred… That's why, Issei scrapped the idea, and never returned to it.

Not until today.

SHIIN!...

[It is done, partner. You were able to do it perfectly. As expected of my host, I suppose… So then, will you show him the truth?]

'...No. He doesn't need the memories. Because he already knows the "truth".. The truth that it wasn't his father's fault..'

After confirming the status of his ability, Issei walked up to the Okamura and knelt down beside him. The young man's cries were now reduced to a quiet weeping.

Issei merely placed his left arm on Okamura's back, unbeknownst to the man, that Issei's arm was encased in a red gauntlet.

'..Let's do it, Ddraig.'

["Real Genjitsu"]

….

….

Once the ability was activated, the memory that Issei was able to perceive was…

…..

A man holding his child, beside a doorway. He looked like he was hiding from something. His face had a horrified expression, and there were tears falling out of his eyes. His hands were tightly wrapped around his child's mouth and eyes, as if to prevent him from watching something and crying out. Underneath the man's palms, his child was releasing muffled screams and tears, suggesting that the child already knew what was happening.

Through the doorway, there was a child's room. The room had a hole leading to the outside, as if the wall had been burst through by something.

It was. And what burst through it was none other than a beast. A beast that almost resembled a deformed lion, standing in the middle of the room. There was blood coming out of the beast from somewhere, it's face.

That's right. Now the image became clear.

A manticore.

And in the mouth of the Manticore, the beast held something bloody.

The pieces of a baby's torn up body, dangling from its mouth, dripping blood all over the floor. It was the very same Manticore Issei watched a group of Devils kill not long after.

….

….

….

….

….

—In the reality of the outside world, Issei placed a hand over his mouth. Whether it was to prevent himself from vomiting, or screaming, even he didn't know. But now, there were tears freely falling from his widely opened eyes.

….Soon enough, he forced himself to regain his composure. This wasn't about him, after all.

"Okamura.."

Issei subtly wiped away his tears before Okamura could look at him.

"..Go see your father."

"..?!"

"Trust me when I say this.. This grudge that you're holding, it's not worth it.. Even you know that, I'm sure… But trust me when I say that it's NOT worth it.. Life is.. Life is too short. You won't have your father forever. I think you've realized that by now. You've been forced to realize it. That's why, you have to cast aside your hate. Your hate for your father, and for yourself. You already know the truth well enough. Now, it's time to confront it."

Okamura turned away, his eyes now having become red due to crying.

"...But how am I supposed to face something like this..? A reality as harsh as this… How am I gonna deal with it?"

"..With your father."

Okamura turned back to Issei again.

"There is no one else in this world who understands what you went through better than your own father. He experienced the very same pain alongside of you. You know that too. That's why you should be bearing this pain with hi, not against him. You both went through it together. No, you should be going through it together. Because you both understand it. And you're family… It's not worth throwing away a life with your father just because you are afraid of facing reality. You must face it. But you must face it together."

"...B-But.. How can I do that..? How do I know...that, when I see my father, he will accept that?... After I've gone on hating him for so long, burdening him with all of the blame… How do I know he will accept me..?"

To that question, Issei placed a hand on Okamura's shoulder and smiled.

"Because your father loves you."

And with that, Okamura only wept harder then ever before.


On a bench, not far from the memorial site, Issei and Okamura were sitting and talking.

"You know, Hyoudou-san, someone like you should be a therapist."

"Just Issei is alright. Also, ha. I would suck at being a therapist. I usually just tell people to suck it up or deal with it."

"You can call me Takeru then. Also, you say that, but you really helped me with my problem. You practically single handedly solved an emotional crisis I've been dealing with for the better half of a decade."

"Why didn't you just see a therapist yourself?"

"I dunno. Maybe I knew what my problem was but I didn't want to face it, just like you said. But since it was someone like you, who went through the same thing, I was able to see the light, even though it didn't work all those other times previously with my family."

"I see. Well, I only helped you because I like you. So how would that do for a therapist?"

"Hahaha, you're right, that's probably terrible for a therapist to say. If you only help people you like or relate to, you might not get any business."

There was a comfortable silence left between the two for a while. Until Issei broke it.

"...Hey, Takeru.. If you already knew the truth in your heart, then why do something like hate yourself? You know you were a child, right? None of what happened was due to your actions. How can you blame or hate a child for simply being there? There was nothing you could do. So, it seems irrational that you would do something like hate yourself over it. Even more irrational than hating your dad."

When Issei asked that, Takeru sighed and shrugged his shoulders.

"Haa, who knows, man. Doing something like that… Even though it's weird, isn't it kind of expected? I mean, doing something irrational like that, isn't that kinda one of those things that makes us human?"

Upon hearing his response, Issei directed his gaze to the empty sky above.

"...I guess you're right."

The Final Day

Day 4.

Today was the day. The fateful day. The day of the "Kuoh disaster".

—The day of Issei's parents' deaths.

On this day, attending school in Kuoh is actually optional. There are also many stores and other establishments that tend to close down for the day.

Today, Kuoh grieves in solidarity.

Asia was made aware of this by other students at Kuoh academy, who claimed they would not be attending out of respect for family members.

Although there are many students who still attend school as usual, it is taken as a sort of unspoken agreement that teachers will not assign students with any big tests or assignments on that day, as to not affect the absentees. In fact, teachers will usually just have most periods set as a study period. There are even teachers who take the day off themselves.

And for those who do take a day off of work or school, you would likely find them gathered together at the memorial site, on the outskirts of Kuoh.

All of this aside, considering that Asia wasn't one of the people directly affected by the Kuoh disaster, she felt that it would be disrespectful if she were to take advantage of the situation and skip school.

Despite this feeling, she also knew that perhaps the best thing to do would be to stay home. After all, there is one person who was affected by this disaster that she knows very well. And it's the person she cares about most.

That's why, even though she was already dressed for school, Asia hesitated to exit her bedroom.

"...Ise-san.."

—Downstairs, Issei was already sitting at his kitchen table, alone, and silent. He was doing nothing but staring at a picture frame of his parents he held in his hands. He heard soft steps coming from the staircase, but they were ever so slightly heavier than Asia's own.

Those steps belonged to..

"...Sekiryuutei-sama."

The person who ended up standing behind his chair by a few feet was none other than Raynare. And for reasons unknown to him, she was calling out to him.

"..."

Issei peered over his shoulder to observe the now silent Raynare.

Her expression was as emotionless as always. A dead, empty gaze, similar to those Issei has had in the past. So similar, in fact, that there was one detail only someone like him could notice.

—Though her expression was devoid of emotion, the look in her eyes was inexplicable. Rather than appearing as if they were empty, they merely felt like they were too complex to read.

And even in Raynare's mind, her thoughts were emblematic of that, through her confusion.

'...What am I doing..?'

While Issei was staring back at her silently, she made a decision which even she could not comprehend. And so, she didn't try to.

'...Who cares anymore….'

To Issei's surprise, Raynare knelt down in front of him..

'...I'll just stop thinking about it, and do whatever I feel like doing...'

And prostrated herself in dogeza form, as if to beg him for something.

"...If you don't allow Asia-san to stay home today, then at least send her off with kind words."

—But the air was left in silence at her words.

….

….

Raynare stared at the floor in front of her eyes without saying a word.

Somehow, she did not fear any specific outcome. She almost felt like she no longer even feared death itself.

—Or at least, not when it concerned Asia, she noticed.

'...Honestly… What have I become?...'

Before Raynare received any type of answer, Asia's steps could be heard coming down the stairs. Seeing that her attempt brought no results, Raynare simply stood back up without saying anything.

Asia then arrived downstairs, fully dressed, and with her school bag in hand.

"...Um, good morning.."

"..Good morning, Asia-san."

Raynare returned Asia's greeting, but Issei only remained silent in his seat, not even turning back towards the two of them.

Asia's hands clung tightly to the strap of her school bag as she spoke.

"...I-Ise-san… If you don't mind..I would like to stay home today…. Today, of all days, I wouldn't like for Ise-san to be alone…"

….

She said it with a deep consideration, and hesitation. But there was no response. Issei was still dead silent.

And this could only leave her to assume - that his mind has not been changed.

"...M.."

Asia pushed up her bottom lip in a sad gesture, and stopped herself from saying anything. She was already prepared to hold back any tears that could possibly meet her eyes.

"...Let's go, Asia."

Raynare simply led Asia towards the hallway as she should have, only taking one glance back at Issei before entering it.

"...Asia."

But from beyond the hallway, they heard Issei's voice.

"...You can stay home today."

In one moment, Asia's face switched from melancholy, to happiness. She ran from behind the hallway and into view of the room they had left again. There were a few tears falling out of her eyes.

"Okay, Ise-san..!"

Raynare, who was left standing in her place in the hallway, stared curiously at Asia.

'...'

Her mind was empty, and her face was blank, but there were feelings running inside of her that she couldn't explain.

"Um, t-then, since I'm staying here, is there anything that you need, Ise-san? Can I get you something?"

Asia asked Issei while approaching him, but his answer was as concise as before.

"...No. Just leave me be."

Asia's happiness diminished just a bit after hearing that, but she tried her best not to display it.

"..O-Okay… Then, may I sit with you?"

To her other question, Issei returned to silence, leaving Asia in dead air.

"...I-Ise-san..?"

"...Asia."

Issei said it without looking at her.

"Y-Yes, what is it, Ise-san?"

"...There is something that you can get me."

"Eh? R-Really? Okay.. What is it?"

He paused before giving an answer.

"...Strawberry milk."

"Eh?... Strawberry milk?"

Asia suddenly remembered it.

"Ah, that's right..! The one we bought from the convenience store, isn't it? Did you run out? Hehe, Ise-san likes that milk, doesn't he?"

"...No."

"Eh?"

Asia was left confused, as Issei refrained from saying anything beyond that.

"...B-But, Ise-san wants me to get some from the store… Right?"

"...Yeah."

After confirming that, Asia nodded her head.

"Okay… Then, I will go get it… Um, I'll be back.."

"...Have a safe trip."

Thanks to that, Asia regained her smile.

"...Yes, I will!"

Asia then proceeded back to the hallway that Raynare was now standing outside of and invited her casually.

"Let's go, Raynare-san..!"

Raynare glanced at Issei before following Asia down the hallway. Just as she was about to step forward, she was stopped for only a brief moment.

"...Raynare."

She turned her eyes to Issei again.

"...Why did you ask me to do that?"

It was obvious that he was speaking in reference to her request about Asia. But even so, Raynare shrugged, as if she didn't even have a solid answer herself.

"..I guess I don't like being indebted to someone."

"...Liar. Someone like you… Scum like you doesn't care about repaying debts…."

"...Maybe I don't.."

"...Then why?"

Raynare paused and pondered the same question.

"...Why indeed…"

Issei finally glanced back again for a moment. Raynare's expression was as hollow as usual, but her eyes were still somehow unreadable to Issei.

"Raynare-san?"

When Asia called out to her, Raynare promptly followed Asia to the door and out of the house.

—Issei was finally left alone again, in a house with no light.

"..."

After a minute of silence and stillness, Issei placed the photo of his parents down on the table and stood up. Step by step, he walked himself over to the only room he needed himself to be in for the day.

—That was the dark and empty playroom, filled with nothing except the shrine. The shrine which held photos of his parents, and their family name above the stand.

"..."

Without saying anything, Issei slowly brought himself down to his knees. And in that position, he remained, to spend his time mourning and remembering his beloved mother and father.

He remembered all of the times they hugged and kissed him. He remembered all of the times they played with him. He remembered all of the times they made him breakfast. He remembered everything.

All of the times they tended to his little wounds. All of the times they scolded him. All of the times they watched over him. All of the times they encouraged him. All of the times they protected him. All of the times they comforted him. All of the times they spoiled him.

Everything.

His only wish - was that they could do any one of those things, just one more time. If he could only speak with them once more. If he could only see them once more. If he could only know that they're there, somewhere.

Perhaps, he could be at peace, if only just a little bit.

.

.

.

.

.

"...My little Ise…"

….

….

Issei slowly lifted his head up to look at the shrine before him. But there was someone standing in front of it, blocking his view. He recognized this figure.

Of course, it was one he could never forget.

"...Kaa-san.."

It was his mother.

"Ise… My baby boy… You've finally come home.."

Issei's mother looked as if she was about shed tears of joy at the sight of him. But unlike her, Issei's expression was one of misery.

Because he already knew the truth. He didn't need his newfound power to distinguish for him whether this was reality or not. It was just like all of those other times before.

She was just a hallucination. She wasn't real.

"I've missed you so much, Ise… Your father and I have wanted to see you for so long.."

Issei's head hung sadly.

—Despite knowing the truth already, he still couldn't help himself…

"...I've missed you too, Kaa-san."

"...You've gotten so big, Ise… You look nothing like you used to… You look so sad.."

"...Yeah."

"Who made you sad?"

"..."

"Who left you alone?"

"..."

"Who made you feel alone?"

"...Me."

Issei answered all of her questions at once, with his head down in sadness.

"...It was me… I did it.."

"Did what?"

"...Everything… It was all my fault."

"...No, honey… It wasn't your fault… You were only a child, there was nothing you could do."

—There it was. That accursed phrase again. Just like that, it was confirmed to him that this interaction, was nothing but a mental illusion. An affliction of the mind. His brain was just torturing him, again.

"...You're wrong… The fault is mine, and mine alone….. No. The fault is mine, and…."

"...The Devils?"

His eyes, full of sadness, and now hatred, narrowed.

"...Yes."

"Are they the reason why you are sad?"

"...Yes."

"Are they the reason why you are alone?"

"...Yes."

"Are they the reason why you feel alone?"

"...Yes."

"...Are they the reason that we're gone?"

"...Yes."

"...That's odd.. I don't remember being killed by a Devil."

The fact that Issei was almost surprised by her words made him feel idiotic. He scoffed to himself.

"...Of course you don't… You're just in my head."

"..What a horrible thing to say to your mother…calling her a fake. After I've waited so long to see you…"

Issei let out an exasperated sigh. It sounded as if he was annoyed, but on the inside, he only felt hollow. He was simply tired of everything. Thats why, he was already preparing himself to get up.

"...Did we ever raise you to blame someone for something that wasn't their fault?"

Issei froze in place. His head came up a bit to look at his fictional mother. His melancholic expression had shifted to an 'unfriendly' one.

"...What?"

"Faulting someone for something that wasn't their intention… Is that something we taught you?"

"...Oy… I don't care if you're a figment of my imagination, or a subconscious part of me, or whatever…you don't talk down on the teachings of my parents.."

"That's right. We only taught you the best, so we certainly didn't teach you that. So then, where did you learn it from?"

Issei's fists clenched themselves ever so slightly.

"We didn't teach you to blame others for mistakes that aren't theirs, did we?"

"...You.."

Issei's teeth grinded against each other in anger.

"...If it wasn't for the Devils, Kaa-san would still be alive..!"

"...Maybe… But what if I died just a year later from disease, and your father didn't think it was that serious, so he told me not to go to the doctor until it was too late?... Would you blame him for that?"

"Hah..?! What horseshit are you talking about..?! If the Devils never existed, Kaa-san and Tou-san would still be here..!"

"You don't know that, Ise."

Issei's eyes narrowed even further.

"...What the hell are you trying to get at?"

"Ise… Life is unpredictable… Even the most unexpected events can occur without warning… How was anyone supposed to know that would happen..?"

"..Are you trying to say that was some freak accident..?!"

"No… I'm just trying to tell you not to blame people for things they didn't mean to happen."

"..'People'..?! Don't bullshit me! They're filthy Devils, and if they didn't exist, my parents wouldn't be dead!"

"Tell me, Ise… That day, was there a moment in which you witnessed a Devil killing a person?"

Issei hesitated to answer his hallucinatory mother's question, but that only caused him to become angrier.

"..That damned religious zealot killed plenty of kids from what I remember!"

"The stray?... Don't fool yourself, Ise. We both know there's no comparison to be made there. I'm talking about on that day specifically."

"Tch..! Who cares if they didn't kill anybody?! They were still responsible for it!"

"How do you know that?"

"Because they were there!"

"So were you."

For some reason, Issei flinched when he heard that retort.

Logically, it should've been an easy argument to counter. There were many other people in Kuoh, after all. But oddly enough, even if just for a split second, Issei found it difficult to refute.

—It was like, subconsciously, he considered himself, even as a child, to be of the same nature as Devils. He considered himself inhuman.

"..So what?! At least I didn't kill anyone!"

"..You didn't save anyone either."

Issei's voice became lower, but his eye began twitching more and more as the exchange went on.

"...I saved Haruka."

"Yes, and that trio of Devils also saved Okamura and his father from the Manticore. Your point?"

"Tch..! They still let his baby brother die!"

"—And you let Haruka's mother die, didn't you? I'm asking you, what's the difference between you and the Devils? From what I understand, you were practically in the exact same situations. So what makes you different from them?"

"...I knew you were a fake… My real mother would never compare me to the likes of those fucking Devil scum!"

"Perhaps I am real, perhaps not… But does that make what I said any less true?"

To that, Issei's body recoiled harshly.

"Do you understand, Ise? Can't you see that your logic is so deeply flawed? If the Devils are killers, then that also makes you a killer. If the Devils are at fault, then you are just as much at fault. But that doesn't make sense. It's irrational."

"...I-If those Devils are so good, then why did they let you die?! Huh?! Why didn't they save you?! Why, out of all people, did they not save only you two?!"

"We were not the only ones who weren't saved, Ise. You know that."

"Exactly! So if they're so fucking good, then why did they let all of those people die, huh?!"

"..Again with this. The same argument can be made for you. If you're so good, then why did you allow so many people to die as well? Despite being the Sekiryuutei?"

"I'm not good! I'm a fucking murderous psycho with no fear of death, and I've killed plenty of people who didn't deserve it!"

"...Then that would make you no better than the Devils themselves.."

At that point, Issei's enraged expression twisted into a deranged smile, and he slammed his palm on the ground beneath him.

SLAM!

"EXACTLY! I'M JUST A DISGUSTING KILLER FILLED WITH NOTHING BUT HATRED AND SELFISHNESS! I'VE KILLED PLENTY OF PEOPLE, HUMAN BEINGS THAT DIDN'T DESERVE IT! I'M JUST THE SAME, IF NOT WORSE THAN THOSE FILTHY, WORTHLESS FUCKING DEVILS!"

Following his delusional howl, there was nothing in the air except silence.

…..

…..

"...Is that why you hate yourself, Ise?.."

—Gradually, Issei's crazy smile faded away, and his face was covered in darkness.

"..."

After lasting a full minute within the soundless world, Issei's voice came out in a growl again. And the fingers he pressed up against the ground, curled into a fist, peeling parts of the floor with his nails along the way.

"...If there were no Devils in this world, that day never would have happened.."

Issei's false mother lowered her brows in disappointment.

"Ise... Have you been ignoring all of my words up till now?"

And in response, Issei snapped again.

"Then what the hell should I be doing?! What do you expect me to be doing?! Am I just supposed to pretend it didn't happen and go on living a happy life?! HUH?!"

"..You already know the answers to these questions… If you didn't, then you wouldn't have been able to give that same advice to Okamura, would you?.. Hating someone who doesn't deserve it, you were the same..."

Issei's teeth grinded ever harder, and his fists clenched tightly enough to gradually change the color of his hands.

"...Those three Devils… They mentioned it… They mentioned that the magic used to transport the monsters to Kuoh was demonic!"

"Ah.. Are you referring to that trio of Devils you overheard during the catastrophe again? Yes, they did indeed mention that… And yet, those Devils were trying to save others… Did you also conveniently forget the part of the conversation where they mentioned another group of Devils conspiring against them?"

"Talking about some stupid shit… Garbage like 'internal spats' and 'civil strifes'… But in the end, it was about the Devils..! Devils, Devils, Devils… In the end, it still falls on the Devils..!"

"So the sins of one group of Devils falls on all of the Devil race?... Did we teach you to have such an immature mentality?"

At that point, Issei spat out in rage.

"STOP FUCKING AROUND! You keep saying shit like that, but despite all of that, there's only one truth that I know! There's one reality that you can't deny! —One Devil or all of them, NONE OF IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THERE WERE NO DEVILS IN THE FIRST PLACE!"

Issei's vision of his mother went silent momentarily.

"...Perhaps you're right about that. That's not something anyone can deny."

Issei's rage subsided for a moment, almost feeling satisfied with her response instead. But..

"If that is indeed the reality of a certain scenario…. Then you must start living in your own reality, Ise."

(—?!)

Once again, his anger began to build.

"You must stop running from reality, Ise. Live in your own reality. 'If the Devils never existed then we wouldn't have died', that may certainly be a possibility. But in the end, it is just a possibility, not your reality. The reality of the world that you live in is that Devils exist, and we are no longer in this world. Your reality is not the one in which Devils are nonexistent. That's why, you must face your own reality. And that reality is that 'not all Devils are at fault for the Kuoh disaster'. There is more to that tragedy than you know. So for you to so easily label it as a fault of all Devils is ignorance… We did not teach you to hate so blindly… We didn't teach you to hate at all.."

And once again, his anger exploded.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU EXPECT ME TO DO THEN?! Do you just expect me to forgive and forget?! Do you expect me to forget the fact that it all ties back to Devils in the end?! Do I just ignore all of that and live in happiness?! HUH?!"

"No… I am simply telling you, as I have told you before, that you are blaming the wrong people. At the very least, you are blaming too many of them."

"THEN WHO THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO BLAME?! WHO THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO BE DIRECTING THIS HATE TOWARDS?! IF I CAN'T FORGIVE OR FORGET IT, THEN WHERE IS IT SUPPOSED TO GO?! WHERE DO I SEND IT?! WHAT DO I LOOK AT?! WHAT DO I TARGET?! WHAT DO I KILL?! TELL ME, YOU FUCKING APPARITION!— WHO IS IT?! WHO ELSE IN THE WORLD IS IT?!— WHO AM I SUPPOSED TO HATE?!"

There was a pause before there was an answer… Issei's visage of his mother lowered her head, as if overwhelmed by emotion. When she finally lifted her head again, there were tears falling out of her eyes.

"...'Who are you supposed to blame'… 'Who are you supposed to hate'... My sweet baby boy…. Who turned you into this?... Who filled you with such despair…. Who made you suffer so… Who…...Who taught you hate?..."

….

….

—Despite everything that could have been said, one could easily assume that Issei's answer was as clear as day. In a voice filled with absolute contempt, he would give an obvious answer. One could assume that the blame would, as always, infallibly fall to the Devil. The children of the Devil, and the Devil himself.

...But, somehow, whilst tightly gripping on the cross hanging from his neck, and wearing a tortured smile, Hyoudou Issei's answer— was somehow the exact opposite.

And yet, it was not a shocking one.

"...GOD…."

.

.

.

.

.

.

—Just as quietly as she first appeared, Issei's mother disappeared without him even noticing. He held his head down silently, and once again, he was left alone.

….

Or so he believed.

….

….

Liar.

And with one apparition gone, another came to its place. Another one, which he distinctly remembered the voice of. He knew it well enough that it was unnecessary to look back up. After all, that voice belonged to him.

《We both know your real answer to that question.》

—In front of Issei, it was none other than his child self. Dressed in the very same exact clothing that he wore on that tragic day, and holding an object that was covered by a silky white cloth in his hands. And with an expression of contempt, and eyes that were as hollow and black as an abyss.

《...You lied… Your answer is much simpler than that…. It's way more obvious too. You even said it once before… So then why'd you lie?》

Unlike the encounter with his mother, this time, Issei did not respond. For everything he heard from himself, he could only accept as truth.

《...God, Devils, Fallen-Angels, Sekiryuutei.. It's all nothing in the end. It doesn't matter. None of it matters. Because we both know your real answer to all of those questions.》

"..."

《...No matter how much you try to run from reality, I will bring you back down to it. Because I am the 'you' that faces it. I am the reality that you deny. And I will always come back to remind you of my existence, and of the truth. The truth that we both know.》

Unbeknownst to Issei, the white cloth which contained an unknown object, gradually became dyed red, and started bleeding.

《..."Who is to blame for everything"… "Who made you suffer", "who made you feel alone", we know the answer to all the questions. It's all the same in the end. "Who is at fault for it all"... "Who taught you hate"…. We know it already.》

The bloody cloth moved on its own, acting as if blown by some imaginary wind. And underneath the cloth, the object that was contained in it was..

《...And above all else, where does your hate go... "Who do you hate most in this world"... It's not God. And it's not the Devil, or his children. No. The answer to that, it's the same as the answer to all the other questions, isn't it?》

—Underneath the cloth - was the severed hand of a woman, with a wedding ring on its finger.

《—WHO TAUGHT YOU HATE— WHO DO YOU HATE MOST— IN THE END, THE ANSWER IS THE SAME FOR BOTH— THAT BEING THAT YOU HATE MOST— THAT BEING THAT "WE" HATE MOST IN THIS WORLD— IS RIGHT HERE IN FRONT OF YOU.

When Issei lifted his head to see him, his child self had already disappeared. There was no one there to see. There was nothing to see.

Nothing else but his own reflection, trapped inside of the photos of his deceased parents.

….

….

….

….

"...Ise-san?"

A short time later, Asia had returned from the store with Raynare. Of course, only Asia stepped into the play room to speak with Issei. Raynare didn't even dare walk down the hallway.

"...Ise-san… I'm back.. I have the milk.."

Issei's expression was empty and his body was slouched forward. At this point, he was drained of all emotion. There was nothing more significant that he could feel for the day.

"...Um, d-do you want me to serve you some?"

Instead of replying to Asia's question verbally, Issei merely lifted a hand and pointed towards his parents shrine.

"...Oh! I see…"

Asia respectfully walked towards the shrine, retrieved the strawberry milk from her shopping bag, and carefully placed it on the shrine. Then, she returned to Issei's side and knelt down.

"...Offerings are a form of paying respect in Japan, right? Now I understand.. Um, then.."

Asia placed her hands together and said it softly.

"...May you rest in peace."

Issei only glanced at her, not saying anything.

"...But is there a reason why it is strawberry milk? Is it because it is Ise-san's favorite?"

"...It was…"

Issei's voice finally came out, causing Asia to look over at him. His face was devoid of emotion, but his voice held a soft tone.

"...It was my mother's favorite.."

"...I see."

Then, Asia smiled beautifully at Issei.

"I also think it is very tasty..!"

—Issei wondered why, why was it that such a smile could fill his heart with such warmth after having it beaten down so severely? There was something inexplicable about it.

But a part of him assumed that it was, perhaps, because of that resemblance. That resemblance to another lovely church girl who lightened up his heart, so long ago.

Nevertheless, with such a beautiful smile before his eyes, Issei could only reciprocate.

"...Yeah, me too."

And while looking at his own reflection in his parents shrine, Issei asked of her.

"...Asia… For their sake, can I hear your prayer?"

"Yes, Ise-san."

And though it was a prayer to a god he claimed to hate, Issei listened peacefully. And while looking down at the cross on his chest, he believed in his heart, that it was not god, but someone else entirely - who he hoped was watching over him.


Later that day, whilst cooking dinner, Issei answered the phone call of the people who were blowing up his phone.

"Hello."

[Hi, Nii-Nii..]

"Hey, Maki."

[Me, Kaa-chan, and Tou-chan have been trying to call you.]

"Yeah, I know.."

[..Are you okay? How have you been?]

"I'm okay… I'm better now that you've called."

[Okay, that's good to hear… Did you sleep well last night?]

"Yeah."

[Did you eat well today?]

"Yes, Maki."

[What about school? Did you skip or did you go? It's okay either way, I just wanna know.]

"I skipped, Maki, but I'm fine. Geez, you're starting to sound like Baa-san."

[Hey, don't call me an old lady! I'm young! My boobs just came in too!]

"I didn't call ya an "old lady" (Baa-san), I said that you're startin' to sound like "Auntie" (Baa-san). Technically, that means that you're the one who just called her an old lady."

[..Say what?! No, I didn't mean that! Ah, wait, Kaa-chan! Ouch!]

"Hahaha, is everyone else there?"

[...Yeah, Kaa-chan and Tou-chan are here… Ow..]

"Heh, well, tell them I said hi."

[Okay, but they can hear you anyway. That's why Kaa-chan smacked me..]

"I see."

[...We miss you, Nii-Nii.]

"..Yeah, I miss you guys too."

[Narutobi and Tsubomi-chan miss you too.]

"Yeah, I can tell. Tsubomi never stops texting me, heh."

[We'll try our best to visit you when we can, Nii-Nii.. When it's your birthday, I'll definitely try to go and see you! Even if I have to walk all the way over there by myself!]

"Haha, ya don't have to go that far. Actually, I would rather ya didn't. Besides, it's no big deal. I feel satisfied just hearing your voices."

[...We love you, Nii-Nii.]

"I love you guys too."

[..I love you more.]

"I love you most."

[...Please take care of yourself, Nii-Nii.]

"Yeah, don't worry, I wi—"

"Ise-san, the table is set for dinner."

Issei flinched at the sudden voice. He turned to Asia and gave her a thumbs up, acknowledging her statement. Asia, realizing that he was on the phone, respectfully walked away. But the damage was already done.

[...Nii-Nii, who was that?]

"Ah.. That was just my friend. She's a foreign girl I met not too long ago."

[...A foreigner..?]

"Yeah, that's right. She's Italian. She wasn't very good at Japanese when I met her, so I was the only one able to understand her for a while. That's why we made quick friends. But she's picking it up as she goes along—]

[—Is she cute?]

"Huh?"

[...Is she - cute?]

"..Um, why would you ask such a thin—"

[—Tell me, now. Otherwise, I demand a picture.]

"..What's with you? I mean, yeah, Asia's beautiful, but I'm not sure why that matters.."

[Listen here, Nii-Nii…. Very recently, you started asking Tou-chan for more money to support yourself over in Kuoh… It's more money than we expected, but we didn't question it because we love you… But ya know, with that much money it seems like you were supporting another mouth to feed, and that's on top of what we already provide you with, which is enough to feed TWO mouths….]

"...If the money is a problem, you don't have to worry… I can just get a part-time or something—"

[Don't play dumb, you already know money is no object! Tou-chan has been a high level financier for years, he has plenty of money saved up, that's not the point! The point is that you're acting like you need this money no matter what, enough to even get a part-time job! And all that tells us is that you're trying to support more than just yourself!— GASP! Don't tell me…. YOU'VE GOTTEN MARRIED?!]

"What?!"

A drop of oil jumped out of the food Issei was cooking, causing him to burn himself.

"Ow!"

"Are you alright, Ise-san..?!"

"I'm fine, Asia, just stay over there with Raynare!"

[ASIA?! RAYNARE?! Those are names, ain't they?! And TWO OF 'EM?! OH MA GOD, DID YA HAVE A CHILD WITH HER?!]

"What?! No, of course not, what the hell!? I literally haven't even been here for nine months yet!"

[SO SHE'S JUST PREGNANT?!]

"No!"

[BUT YUR' STILL MARRIED?!]

"NO, you idiot! We're just friends!"

[ON A FIRST NAME BASIS?! MA FIRM ASS!]

"Oy, Maki, what did I tell ya about watchin' your language!?"

[WHAT DID I TELL YA ABOUT WATCHING YUR' CROTCH?! OF COURSE GURLS' WERE GONNA TO BE HUNTIN' YA JUST LIKE I SAID! WHY DIDN'T YA LISTEN?!]

"Maki, calm down, your accent is showin'!"

[SO IS YURS'! WHICH MEANS YUR' NERVOUS! SO IT'S TRUE, AIN'T IT?!]

"Maki, I swear, I'm gonna hang up!"

[I DON'T APPROVE 'UH THIS, YA HEAR ME! I DON'T APPROVE 'UH YUR' ILLEGITIMATE LOVE CHILD! I DON'T APPROVE 'UH YUR PHONY MARRIAGE, WHICH BY THE WAY, IS ILLEGAL! AND I DON'T APPROVE 'UH YUR' GIRL! SHE AIN'T ALLOWED TO BE YUR' WIFE, NII-NII PROMISED HE'D MARRY ME FIRST, NOT SOME ITALIAN BIMBO!]

"I'm hanging up now. I'll call you on your birthday."

[I DON'T APPROVE! NONE OF IT! NON—]

Beep!

And with that, Issei hung up and finished cooking up dinner. Once dinner was ready, he brought it over to the dinner table and served it.

"Who was that, Ise-san?"

"...Haah… Don't worry about it…"

After serving all three of them, Issei sat down beside Asia and began eating.

But Asia noticed Raynare pick her food up on a tray and start walking towards the stairs.

—This is now a common occurrence.

It's because of Issei dictating that one of the 'rules of the house' is that: [Raynare is not allowed to eat at the table with them.]

Therefore, her place to eat would be in Asia's room, alone. Of course, this has never stopped Asia from joining Raynare in her room to eat with her, but it still bothered her, even now.

That's why, Asia turned to Issei and requested earnestly.

"Ise-san… May Raynare eat here at the table today?"

Issei did not immediately answer her question. Instead, Issei just continued eating silently.

Asia frowned and stood up from her seat, walking over to Raynare, and planning to head to their room to eat, as had now become the usual.

..But before Asia could reach her, Issei stopped Asia with his voice.

"Asia.."

Issei said it without looking away from his meal.

"...Only today, she can sit."

And at a moment's notice, Asia's face was beaming again.

"Thank you, Ise-san..! Come on, Raynare-san!"

Asia took Raynare by the hand and led her back to the dinner table. They sat beside each other, with Raynare sitting on the opposite side of Asia, as to avoid being close to Issei.

In her happiness, Asia wouldn't stop talking to Raynare in an excited manner. Raynare tried her best to listen, but she couldn't help taking a curious glance at Issei.

And unintentionally, she had met eyes with him. She looked away as quickly as when she first glanced.

Issei, however, kept his gaze locked onto Raynare. What could be running through his mind, no one knew.

But as he continued eating his food, one thing became clear to him...

Though he doesn't understand why, he knows that it is true. Issei and Raynare share one common interest. He realized this when Raynare fell to her knees before him.

—That is, they both want to make the person sitting in between them happy. Perhaps it may not seem like it, but they must know this. Because it is impossible to ignore the fact that they have both presented examples of their ideals.

That ideal being: that, perhaps if it is for 'this girl', then they might be willing to do more than what they expected of themselves. Even perhaps enough to put aside their own differences…

Only time can tell if this is true.

But at the very least, they are similar in one way. In fact, there is one aspect of their personalities which is almost exactly the same, even if they would never admit it.

And that is, no matter how much they may dislike, or possibly hate each other… There will always be one person - that they both hate, above all else. Someone they cannot escape.

And that person— is in the reflection of every glass they face.


Two Months Later…


One morning, in the downstairs section of the Hyoudou household.

"...Like I thought, wearing the real thing is uncomfortable.. I should have just transformed."

The one who said that to herself while looking in a mirror, was the dewinged Fallen-Angel, Raynare. Dressed in the Kuoh academy official uniform.

"Too bad. Deal with it. I'm not gonna let you being uncomfortable get in the way of the fact that, 'cuz of you, I had to ask that shitty "shitori" Devil for a 'favor'..."

And from behind Raynare, the Sekiryuutei, Hyoudou Issei, appeared out of nowhere and nonchalantly responded to her complaint.

"..Yeah…..Thanks, by the way."

Though she didn't look directly at him, Raynare thanked Issei through the reflection of the mirror.

Issei simply scoffed and looked away from the Fallen-Angel.

"...Don't. I didn't do it for you. I did it for—"

"I know….. Same here.."

The two said nothing to each other beyond that point.

...As they stood in silence, a third person came down from the stairs.

"Ise-san..! Raynare-san!"

It was Asia Argento, and she was smiling as ever brightly as the morning sun.

"I'm ready to go!"

Issei displayed a rare smile upon seeing her, a smile that was usually reserved for her.

"Alright then. Let's head out."

The three proceeded to make their way out of the house, with Issei being the last one. He paused for a moment before shutting the door, looking back into the house.

There was a small smirk on his face.

'...Kaa-san, Tou-san… I'm off..'

...And though there wasn't much light in the house, for a moment, he couldn't help but think to himself...

—Perhaps this house…wasn't as dark and lonely as it seemed.


Pop, pop, pop!

[Welcome~!]

When Issei, Asia, and Raynare arrived on campus, there was one building in which they were immediately set on going to. Not necessarily because they wanted to, but more because Asia did. And because of the fact that it was apparently one of the requirements behind 'the deal' that Issei made with the Devil(s).

That is, the old school building, the place where the Occult Research Club resides.

That very same group is the one that just greeted the trio with the popping of streamers and a room filled with snacks like cake.

Issei let out a heavy sigh and placed a palm against his face.

"Haaah… This is so stupid…"

Of course, it was a welcoming party for Raynare, who was attending her first day at school (which she didn't need) and attending the club (which she also didn't need). But, it wasn't for her, so there wasn't much room to complain.

While Issei was already tired of the event, and Asia was fawning over it, Raynare simply felt perplexed at the situation. She was expecting less of a welcome.

Rias stepped in front of the trio, and gave a speech with Raynare in mind specifically.

"Welcome, to the Occult Research Club. We will be interacting with each other much more often from now on, so let's try to get along, shall we? We may have been enemies in the past, but I would hope to assume that things have changed now. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to see why exactly Ise allowed you to stick around, let alone live in his home. But since he did, I have to assume things are different now. And if Asia is as willing to call you a friend as she claims she is, then I can't see a reason why we shouldn't try to coexist either. —I hope we can put our differences aside and live on peacefully with each other."

Rias then extended her hand over to Raynare in an open manner. And though she was no longer smiling when she said it, her eyes held no animosity in them. Instead, they held a soft glimmer.

"What about you, Raynare?"

Raynare glanced down towards Rias's extended hand and said nothing. Then, she turned her gaze towards Asia beside her.

Asia merely looked up at Raynare with a similar glimmer to Rias's. At that moment, Raynare realized what it was. It was hope.

Raynare sighed deeply.

"...Yeah."

But she took Rias's hand into her own and shook it.

"..Me too."

Rias smiled and nodded her head.

Raynare took a glance back at Asia, who was beaming with happiness. Noticing that, Raynare was satisfied. Why it satisfied her to do such things for Asia's sake, she stopped questioning that a long time ago. Now, she only does what she feels like doing, even if she doesn't understand it.

"Now that that's settled, let's celebrate, shall we?"

—After the formalities, the little celebration began. The members of the Occult Research Club ate and conversed amongst each other. Time passed with the group not having much regard for school, as they were excused beforehand.

Amongst the group who were conversing was everyone from the club, aside from Issei, and Koneko Toujou, who was eating silently on the couch opposite of him.

Issei, meanwhile, was doing nothing but sitting on one of the sofas with his head back, and just staring at the ceiling.

"Do you mind if I sit, Ise?"

While Issei was thinking empty thoughts, Rias came over and sat down beside him.

"..What do you want, you ruined my concentration."

"You mean your daydreaming? I've known you long enough to discern whether your thoughts are of consequence or not. I can clearly tell you're not thinking anything serious."

"Shut up, shitty Devil. You haven't known me for long at all."

"You haven't called me "shitty Devil" in quite a bit. But at this point, I'm starting to consider it more like a pet name than anything."

"Except most rational thinking people don't usually want to kill their pets, Gremory."

"Ah, but you're not a "rational thinking person", are you, Ise? In fact, you're quite unstable."

Rias said it with a mischievous smile. At this point, it seemed as if she had become accustomed enough to Issei's presence that she would occasionally joke like this, without fear. Something like this, however, only caused to click his tongue in annoyance.

"Tch, whatever."

Issei turned his head away from Rias, but she continued speaking to him regardless.

"..Say, Ise… You never told me what happened. Why was it that you allowed Raynare to remain here in Kuoh, let alone your house?"

Issei was silent for a moment before answering. His gaze was caught over on Asia and Raynare, who were conversing with each other.

"...It was for Asia.."

"..Yes, that much I could put together… But I'm more trying to reference her personality. I didn't really know about her before you…"got your hands on her", but from what I could tell based on her plans with Asia… She seemed quite malicious. At the very least, she was selfish, since she was planning to extract Asia's Sacred Gear from her body, which would have killed her. So she certainly wasn't a "nice" Fallen-Angel. But from every time Asia would come to club and mention her, she claimed that she was "thoughtful"... And when we met her on that day that she accompanied Asia to school… She wasn't very confrontational. She did threaten to 'report' us to you, but she also said that she wasn't looking for trouble. She 'just wanted to watch over Asia harmlessly'... After that day, I was confused on what had happened and wondered why things seemed entirely different from what I had assumed… I may not have known her before you "clipped her wings", but I had reasonable doubt to assume that she would be more of an "emotional" person than that.. When I met her, it was like speaking to a dead person. And now, she just seems like a calm and collected individual with a generally level-headed mentality… I may not have known her, but she certainly could not have been such a reasonable person before..? Otherwise, solving the problem with her group would have taken less than a day…. So would you mind telling me, Ise, why exactly is Raynare like this now? And if you don't mind me asking, why were you willing to forgive her?"

Issei remained silent while watching Raynare speak to Asia. Raynare didn't smile much. In that way, she and Issei were similar. No, they were similar in more ways than one. A few ways that Issei, at some point, had to acknowledge. They were even similar in exactly what thing made them display those rare smiles.

And of course, that thing was the person that Raynare was speaking to right now. Which, is what he assumes is allowing Raynare to smirk ever so subtly as she currently speaks.

"Haah.."

Issei gave sigh, but it was a lighter one than his usual.

"...We have a common interest."

Issei stated it very simply without taking his eyes off the two girls. Rias merely thought to herself.

'...He didn't deny forgiving her..?'

"...So does that mean you no longer hold any hatred towards her?"

Issei shrugged at Rias's question.

"...Who knows… Can't say I like her, don't really have a reason to… But…"

"..But what?"

"...We both have something we hate more than anything, and each other, so what does hating one another even do?..."

"..Something you both hate more?... Ah, Devils, is it?"

Rias said that with a sort of disappointed understanding, but Issei..

"...No."

"..Eh?"

Issei did not respond after that. But Rias still smiled.

"...I see. Well, at least you've become much more of a reasonable character recently. After all, if we're all stuck with each other, what point does hating each other do?"

"Gremory.."

Before Rias could continue any further, Issei asked her a question in a low tone, without facing her.

"...That day, ten years ago… Tell me, what happened… Why did that day happen..?"

Rias's attitude shifted into a more somber one, and she held her gaze downward.

"...That day was….. To this day, we still aren't very sure about the specifics. Any of the more detailed information is restricted to only the most high level Devils. I'm ashamed to admit that I don't full access to such information. I don't even know who did it… However, what I do know is that it was an attack.. Not necessarily on Kuoh itself, but rather my family… I was there that day with my father, he was showing me around his terrority, which was to become mine one day… And though I didn't get to see much before we were evacuated, I could see some of the destruction in the distance… The White Whale and other beasts wreaking havoc… And I remember vaguely overhearing another Devil speaking with my father about it… That he was the target for the attack… It was...mortifying…. Well, I suppose I can't compare it to what you went throu—"

"—Rias."

Issei interrupted Rias before she could finish. It was one of the first times he had referred to her by her first name alone.

"...Right now, you just said… That your father was the target?"

"Eh? A-Ah, yes, that's right…"

"It...wasn't you?.."

"Well.. From what they could gather, no, he was the target… At first, it was believed that I was actually the target, because of the circumstances… But apparently, not all of the clues fit that theory.. After all, if it was an ideological attack against the Maou, with me as the target, then why would human Sacred Gear users be with them?... I don't know anything beyond that, but… Something had to have been going on that we didn't know.. Or that I don't know… I'm sorry, Ise, that's all I have… Though, you may not understand everything I'm saying..."

Issei did not reply or acknowledge Rias's apology. In fact, he didn't move, and his breathing seemed to halt.

"...Ise?"

In Issei's mind, there were only two phrases that were repeating in his head, and nothing else.

("..Hey, Takeru. You know you were a child, right? None of what happened was due to your actions.. How can you blame or hate a child for simply being there?")

..And..

("Ise, my baby boy... You are blaming the wrong people..")

...

...

—Though Rias couldn't see much of Issei's expression from her angle, she at least noticed one detail.

..Issei's eyes were stretched wide open.

"...Ise, are you alr.."

"—Rias."

Issei faced his body away from Rias fully and leaned forward a bit, as if in a gesture of shame.

"...In the past, I told you that I hated you for..everything…"

Issei muttered it so quietly that it was just like a whisper.

"...I'm...sorry….."

There was an immediate silence between the two.

"...What?"

—In the end, Rias never confirmed what Issei had said to her that day.

.

.

.

Not a single one of the Occult Research Club members were able to notice that day, that there was a moment - when they were being watched.


Unknown

In an undisclosed location.

"Hooh… It looks like Rias acquired a new bundle of servants… How cute… Perhaps I should make my debut to them soon?"


End

Alright, fellas, there it is! The "slowly but surely" character developments continue! Some subtle, some obvious. Not full developments though. No one is finished developing, especially Issei and Raynare, who were the main focus of the chapter. It was quite obvious what the parallel between them was, I literally spelled it out.

Anyway, I'll try my best to get updates out, but you know, I am working on a real novel now so my time is pretty booked. It most certainly shouldn't take five months holy shit, I don't know why I didn't realize that. Also, it should definitely be easier to write for this story now that plot and action are about to be coming into play. A LOT easier. So I'll try my best in that regard.

Honestly, I was worried about the chapter being too short when I first outlined it, but then it ended up being pretty long, thank god. That should be a good amount to fill your hungers. Don't worry, I'll be trying to satiate your appetites so that you don't starve. Also, I just realized, a lot of chapters start out with Issei having nightmares lol. I mean, he really does have them every night, so it's kind of unavoidable to a certain extent, poor bastard. Okamura was just my take on the unwarranted blame and irrational guilt that trauma can often cause. He was also a clear parallel to Issei, further signifying how different trauma can still have extremely similar effects on different people.

So yeah, lotta heavy shit happened and I didn't give you a warning. Cuz fuck it, lol. But now, we get into the next arc. The arc of the immortal bird. I wonder what you guys think is going to happen. Not sure, but I KNOW you wanna see some shit go down. Leave your guesses in the comment below! (lol)

Also, you'll learn more about Issei's new ability as the story goes on. It's basically my replacement for Palingual.

Tell me what you guys felt about the develops around Issei and Raynare. Where do you expect Issei's psyche to go, down or up? Do you think Issei and Raynare will ever become "friends"? Do you think Issei's actually forgiven Raynare? Will Issei ever become "friends" with the ORC? What will come of the man who does not die? And how powerful is Issei right now? (You won't know for sure, but you'll get an idea. Just sit back and watch).

Read, Rate, Review go crazy!

Stay frosty.