People of all stripes crossed the bridge that Issei passed on his way home, but none of them were her. Her assurance that they'd get along rung in Issei's head, as did her promise that they'd meet again tomorrow. Tomorrow had come, and he held up his end.

She hadn't. Didn't she go to university? She must've been busy. They barely got to speak yesterday before she had to leave...

A couple minutes passed. The bridge was empty now except for him – the last man standing. He leaned against the railing and waited, because it'd be easy to spot her, because he couldn't give up. She wanted to meet him here and what if he left before she arrived, wondering why he stood her up.

If only he'd taken her number.

"There you are," she said, joining him at the railing. Relief passed through him in an awesome wave.

Issei smiled. "You're right on time."

"Not true. You had to wait for me."

"It was worth it," he replied, on reflex. When his mind registered what his mouth vomited out, his face lit up like a bonfire. She only laughed, violet eyes twinkling like amethysts.

"I'm flattered."

Issei smiled, all goofy, laced with nerves. "You're welcome. So, uh, how's it going?"

"Pretty swell. How about you?"

"OK. Honestly, I'm feeling a lot better now that you're here."

A smile graced her lips, adorned by red lipstick. "You're quite the charmer, aren't you?"

He just nodded, too tongue-tied to try saying something slick.

During the lull that fell between them, she put her arms on the railing. Her booty was jutting out, inviting him to sneak a peek. This time, she wasn't wearing a skirt, but her tight black pants were a very nice substitute, hugging a nice pair of legs. Her ass wasn't the only attraction: her navy blue shirt emphasized the swell of her breasts and its v-shaped neckline hinted at generous cleavage.

Wait, was he seriously ogling her the first chance he got?

"I hope there isn't a bee on my back."

"There isn't," he said. She glanced at him. Winked. Issei flinched. Caught, red-handed.

"Sorry."

She laughed again, light and airy. "Do you think I'm pretty? It's okay, you can be honest."

"Of course I do," he blurted out.

"In that case, you have nothing to be sorry about."

That should've been a relief, but in spite of her acceptance, Issei couldn't help but frown. How in the world was she this tolerant? Koneko freaked out when she caught him peeking, and Yuko slapped him when he admitted that he'd watched her undress. It wasn't the same, obviously, but it might as well have been, the way his mind went to the gutter at the drop of a hat.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing," he said. Then he shook his head. "I thought you'd be mad."

Her brow furrowed, mouth forming a rather cute 'o'. "Why would I? It's not your fault you have hormones."

"I'm not an animal. I can control myself."

Well, he could try.

"I'm glad to hear that, but you don't have to deprive yourself of the finer things in life." She gazed out at the cars hustling and bustling to their destinations, looking pensive. "Most people live life repressing the instincts they were given because they're terrified of standing out or being rejected."

"Isn't that a good thing?" Issei asked. "Who wants to be rejected?"

"No one sane would. But you can't prevent the inevitable. If someone rejects you for who you are, that's their problem, not yours."

Koneko flashed in his mind's eye, but that mental image was dashed in the face of this woman's hard shift into blunt honesty. It seemed so obvious when she put it that way, but could it really be that simple?

"What if... what if who you are's a terrible person?"

"I don't think you're terrible. Is that how you see yourself?"

"No," he said, with a surprising amount of venom. "It's just, following my instincts made me do bad things."

"Well, you're not the first person who's done something he regrets." She pressed her lips together. "If you want to control yourself so you don't do anything bad, then you should. Just don't go about in pity for yourself."

"I won't." Issei nodded. "I won't." He smiled, more comfortable now. "I guess being in university makes you more mature."

A smirk flashed, then settled into a half-smile. "You could say that. Some of my fellow students are so brainless, it makes me wonder how they got in at all."

"Doing what they're told?"

"I suppose. The nail that sticks out gets hammered down."

"Exactly." Issei glanced at her, feeling himself smile when he saw her smile. "By the way, what are you studying?"

"History. I think it's really interesting how perception influences how history's told."

"Perception's one hell of a drug," he said. She snickered, and it gave him the confidence to keep on going. "I mean, imagine if the people at school saw us talking. They wouldn't believe it for a second!"

Her violet eyes glinted. "Maybe, maybe not, but all they'd see is a couple of friends talking. There's nothing wrong with that, right?"

"I wish. You don't know how they see me."

Issei tried to be nonchalant, but resentment still seeped in, born from bitter fatigue. He suppressed it with a smile, but something told him his friend noticed, judging from the way her bright smile grew strained.

"Do you want to know a secret?"

"What?"

She leaned up and put her lips next to his ear. "Girls love to be complimented. Even the most stuck-up, self-conscious prude will swoon if you call her beautiful or smart, especially when it's coming from a hot guy who knows exactly who he is."

"You mean me?"

"Uh huh."

Her breath smelled like mint, and it tickled his earlobe. She called him hot – sexy, basically – in that sweet voice, and it left him warm and fuzzy, hot under the collar.

"So what you're saying is, if I embrace my instincts, I can get what I want?"

"That's exactly it."

Issei smiled. "In that case, can I get your number?"

"My phone number? You're so forward."

He broke away, blushing. Instead of stammering so hard he jammed his foot in his mouth, he took a moment to breathe, calm the hell down.

"I just meant, we're friends, right? We need a way to keep in touch."

"That is true," she said, chuckling. She held out her hand. "Give me your phone. I promise I won't steal it."

Issei navigated to the contact screen, then handed it over. She was quick with her fingers as she punched in her details, but when he went to take his phone back, she batted his hand away.

"Just a minute."

She set an elbow against the bridge's railing and took a photo, smiling. Then she pouted and took another photo. Struck a pose for her third shot. Someone definitely loved the camera, but he definitely wasn't complaining.

"Here you go," she said, handing him back his phone.

These were some dazzling photos. He sent her a quick message – It's Issei, hope we get to be great friends – and was pleased when it went through. That was when he noticed that she hadn't inserted an actual name, just the words 'Your Friend.'

"Why didn't you write your name?" he asked.

"It's classified," she said, winking. "I don't just hand out my real name to anyone. It could be used against me!"

Issei mulled over the possibility of some secret service coming after a university student for the secrets she held. Maybe she knew the true history of the world. That, or magical beasts and where to find them.

"What should I call you, then? Fujiko Mine?"

She tapped her chin, clearly thinking it over. "How about Ray?"

"Rei, huh? I like it. You know, you kinda look like Sailor Mars."

'Rei' smiled. "I suppose. Whenever I hear that name, I think about that anime about those aliens they call angels."

"You mean Evangelion?"

"That's it. It's such a strange show."

The way her mouth curled made Issei laugh.

"That's an understatement. Speaking of names, mine's Issei."

"It suits you."

"You're right," he said, putting away his phone. People were always calling him honest, and he couldn't lie if his life depended on it. "You're also right about what you said. You're really smart, Rei. And beautiful, too."

Her violet eyes twinkled. "Thank you."

Rei stretched her back and arms. Her shirt rode up, exposing her toned stomach and its smooth skin. One look wouldn't hurt her or screw him over, he just had to keep his hormones under control. That was easier said than done, but thanks to Rei, he knew he didn't have to repress himself to impress a girl he liked.

"You really are quite sweet," Rei said. "I wish I could stay longer."

"You're going now?" Issei asked.

"Unfortunately, yes. I have a long night ahead of me. If you want, I can walk home with you."

Issei shook his head. "Nah, I'll be all right. Stay safe, okay?"

As awesome as his new friend was, he didn't want to introduce her to his parents just to make up excuses for why she wasn't coming back if something went wrong.

"You too. I'll see you around, Issei."

As they went their separate ways, Issei took a moment to see the sun disappear beneath the horizon before he stared at the photos Rei sent him. She was definitely more interesting than he expected. She was also a breath of fresh air, so kind and considerate.

And so freaking hot. As long as he didn't screw this up, this could be the beginning of something beautiful.

A wild, unabashed grin stretched Issei's mouth wide as he entered Kuoh Academy. People stopped and stared. A few whispered to their friends.

"Good morning, Issei," Kiba said.

"Hey, Kiba," Issei replied, in such a jolly mood that he wasn't peeved that Prince Golden Nuts was trying to be friendly.

Today would be a good day and if it wasn't good right now, it would be great by the time school ended. He could feel it in his bones.

"What's gotten into you, dude?" Motohama asked, meeting him at the stairs next to the school building. "I'd say you popped the big one, but hell would freeze over before that happens!"

"What, you mean marriage?" Issei asked.

"No! I meant sex! Popping your cherry!"

Issei chuckled. "I wish."

"Did you get another figurine? Last time you were this happy, you bought that limited edition figurine of Kaben Rider Pinky. Incredible haul, by the way. I'm still in awe."

"Same here. But that isn't it, either."

"Then why are you so smiley? Did you to speak to Rias?"

"Nah." Issei's smile shrunk. "I chickened out."

His 'friend' laughed at his expense, only stopping when Issei glared at him.

"At least she didn't turn you down. So, what's the good news?"

Issei blushed. "I met a girl."

Motohama adjusted his glasses, then inched closer. "Who?"

A quick glance around confirmed that nobody was listening in, but Issei ushered his friend past the entrance doors and into the school proper, stopping next to one of the wide pillars that supported the building.

He fished out his phone and showed off one of the pictures Rei shot for him. It was pretty tasteful: the way her keen stare smouldered and contrasted the playful smile on her face. It charged her expression with an air of mystery.

Just seeing it nearly took his breath away.

"Wow, she's gorgeous," Motohama said. "What school does she go to?"

Issei smiled with reckless abandon. "University."

Motohama's head swivelled from Issei's phone to Issei's face, mouth hanging ajar.

"University?!"

Issei nodded, loving every second of this.

"Want me to call her?"

A screech was his answer, and it didn't end there as Motohama's whole face turned redder than a tomato, vein bulging in his forehead.

"No way, man! I oughta kick your ass!"

"For what? She came up to me!"

"Exactly! Girls this hot don't just come up to guys like us. On top of that, you get to motorboat a literal devil's boobs whenever life kicks you down? That's not normal, Issei!"

His face fell. Did he have to mention her?

"It's not like that. One, she never let me touch her, and two, she dumped me the second she heard about our 'after-school hobby'."

The air-quotes smacked Motohama down to Earth.

"Ouch. That really sucks. Uh, no pun intended."

Issei's nostrils flared. He shook his head, swallowing the pain.

"It's fine. I haven't seen her in a week. She's not interested any more. All I can do is move on."

"That's the way. Don't waste your tears on her, she doesn't deserve you at all."

There was an earnest smile on Motohama's face, and seeing it made Issei smile with gusto.

"Thanks, man. By the way, where's Matsuda at?"

"He's running late, but don't worry, he's coming."

Issei nodded. "That's great. I don't blame him for skipping school yesterday. Dude was pissed off."

Motohama only shrugged. "He'll bounce back, I'm sure of it. Who knows, maybe he found something interesting."

"You think he ran into an oni?"

"In this part of Japan? He ran into a yuki-onna."

Issei glanced at Rei's lush raven hair before closing his phone, falling into an easy back-and-forth about the supernatural creatures Matsuda might have found on his day off. It'd be a victory for his friend, and any victory made a difference, no matter how small.

Failure after failure ate away at the soul like toxic ooze eroding concrete, leaving nothing behind but black tar and broken resolve. The only way to heal was to live, really live. It still hurt to think about Koneko and the way things ended between them, but all it took was two conversations – one short, one long – for the spark to return to Issei's eyes and imbue the world with vibrant colours.

Best of all, Rei wanted to be his friend. After everything he suffered through, that was way more than enough. He spent the whole school day looking forward to seeing Rei again on that bridge, but that didn't mean his head was in the clouds. If he was going to hang out with a university student, daydreaming wasn't an option. Neither was rejecting who he was. He loved women and was honest to a fault.

He'd make the time she spent with him worth her while.

Koneko sucked on a lime popsicle, swirling it around her tongue until the ice began to melt, releasing its fruity liquid into her waiting mouth. It tasted sweet like a regular popsicle, tangy thanks to the infusion of lime. She nibbled on the tip, trying to draw out more flavour.

"What do you think?" Akeno asked, standing on the other side of the table.

She swallowed first, noting the brief aftertaste that hit the back of her tongue. "Needs more flavour."

"Do you really think so? I made all the necessary tweaks."

Koneko held out the popsicle. "Taste it."

Akeno took it from her, giving the popsicle a tentative lick before she slowly inserted it inside her mouth. She immediately groaned like a wailing sow, pulling it out with a wet pop that nobody asked for.

"Disgusting," Koneko muttered. Couldn't go five minutes without acting like a shameless slut.

"What was that?" Akeno asked, tapping the popsicle against her lips.

Did she just say the quiet part out loud?

"Forget about it."

Akeno tilted the popsicle left and right. It was slowly melting from heat and saliva. "I thought you said it needed more flavour."

Koneko sunk into the sofa, pouting. Her palate was refined and precise beyond anyone's measure. It never steered her wrong.

"Let me taste it again."

Once Akeno gave her the popsicle, Koneko blocked out everything else and got to work. She could tell Akeno modified her recipe, and learned from her past mistakes. The profile was balanced from the first impression to the aftertaste, no trait overpowering the other. It also had a distinct flavour.

Yet, for some reason, she wasn't feeling this particular popsicle. She still finished it, though.

"It's good," Koneko said. When it came to food, she could never lie. "And you're not a slut."

Akeno smiled. "Thank you, Koneko."

That smile was the smile of someone who poured their love and passion into their food. Good taste or culinary success wasn't what Akeno sought, it was the satisfaction of knowing that her food filled another person's stomach. Brought them joy.

That was why she was happy to be Akeno's guinea pig.

"Is something bothering you?"

Concern was pouring out of Akeno just like it had with Kiba.

"No," Koneko replied, crossing her arms.

There was nothing wrong with her. Nothing wrong whatsoever.

"OK." Akeno sat down next to her, smoothed out her skirt. "Ready for another sample?"

Koneko stared at the popsicle stick in her hand. There was a cute cat's paw on the tip of the stick.

"Yeah." Koneko sighed.

With a twist of crimson light, a plate of dango appeared in Akeno's waiting hands. Some were dipped in chocolate, others were glazed with strawberry cream. There was a secret in the middle, like squid or wasabi filling. It was still delicious, but something was missing. No, that wasn't it.

There was this emptiness that wouldn't go away, and the only thing that tried to fill the void was a gnawing unease, like the brief bubbling uncertainty that arose the moment before she was struck by the familiar sting of her expectations being crushed.

"The president told me she saw your friend the other day," Akeno said. "She thought he was cute."

Koneko dropped the stick of dango in her hand, sucked in her teeth. "Issei's not my friend."

Akeno smiled, all coy. "Who said anything about Issei?"

She didn't. Damn it.

"Do you want me to talk to him?"

"Don't," Koneko said. "Kiba tried. He couldn't get through his thick skull."

"Are you sure? Rumour has it he hasn't done anything untoward since the incident last Wednesday."

Koneko sneered. "I don't care. He's dead to me."

Her friend's eyes went dark. Ominous. "When someone's dead to you, they stop existing. You know what I'm referring to."

Koneko nodded, once, banishing the storm of emotions before they consumed her. "What's your point?"

Akeno blinked, and became the picture of a popular school girl once again. "I don't think this boy is a monster. At worst, he's perverted, and he's stopped harassing our school mates."

"Of course you're defending him. You two are cut from the same cloth."

She crossed her arms, locking onto the plate of half-finished dango. When she looked up, Akeno was frowning, but if she angry, she was doing a great job hiding it.

"Perhaps we are. Anyone who can get under your skin like this has to be someone special."

Special. Yeah, right. Issei was just your typical degenerate horndog. If he didn't have a Sacred Gear, he'd be a nobody. But he did. She could smell it.

That wasn't why she stuck around, but that was why she kept an eye on him, and she hated to admit it, but she'd slacked off, consumed by how badly Issei screwed her over. Right now, his Sacred Gear was dormant, but it wouldn't be for much longer.

Akeno was right about one thing: as bad as Issei could be, he wasn't evil, and the fact that he was capable of being generous and sincere, or the fact that he had wonderful parents didn't make a lick of difference to the monsters that lurked beyond human perception.

She knew that all too well.

Author's Note: This chapter's dedicated to RoboVolcano4, a fanfiction writer I knew who passed away around 2020. I only learned of his passing recently. May he rest in peace.

For returning readers, I cleaned up the previous chapters and removed Koneko's segment in Chapter 2. The relevant content from that segment, Koneko knowing about Issei's Sacred Gear, was moved to this chapter. Also, apologies for the delay, I'll do my best to update a lot sooner.