[Re:Zero Subaru's Phone (Ep. 19 OST)]
"…"
It's an alarm clock, which wakes you up, with any custom sound to your liking, but it doesn't have a function to wake up its owner from his bed. That owner fell to the floor and has just seen a nightmare.
That's me.
It's the worst way to wake up.
I had that awful dream again.
Lately, I've been having that same dream. That Yuuma killed me in the dream.
But since I'm here alive, it has to be a dream.
"Wake up! Aki!"
Mom's voice comes from the stairs. Just like every morning.
"I'm already awake!"
After giving a reply like that, I pick myself up from the floor.
…
My day is off to a bad start again. I feel so down…
I put on my uniform while making a deep sigh.
"I'm going to school now."
I leave the house with tired yawn.
During the walk to school, I can't help but close my eyes due to the sunlight. Good grief, it's so bothersome.
Lately, I've been starting to feel weak under the sun.
I can't stand the feeling of the sunlight piercing through my skin.
Anyways, the morning sunshine is the worst. I feel sleepy all morning.
Since I haven't been able to wake up lately, my mom has been coming to wake me up every day.
On the other hand, I become more active at night. There is something inside my body that rises up and makes my tension go high.
I became so slothful.
I completely became a night owl
It's so weird.
Something is wrong. I often stay up late, but it's a miracle if I'm able to even stay awake till 1 o'clock.
But now, I can easily stay awake till 3 or 4 o'clock. I've been going to sleep after the sun rises lately, and that has been my daily routine.
I'm not addicted to league of legends nor am I addicted to anime.
I feel like I'm not myself anymore.
My brain trembles.
Is my brain trying not to sleep so I don't have to see that dream where my girlfriend kills me?
…
Well, that can't be it. It's natural for the body to feel the need to sleep.
The feeling I have at night, it's something completely different from before.
I feel like my body is pumped, and I have a feeling something mysterious is rising from the depth of my body.
So I went out at night to test it. The walking pace of my feet increased, and my heart shook with joy when I blended in with the darkness of the night.
I dashed out at night on a whim and to my surprise it gave me incredible speed.
If I join the track team, I can easily become the main runner. Also, I don't run out of stamina. I have so much stamina that I can do a full marathon as if I'm just jogging.
When I tried sprinting during the day, it was so horrible that I thought my stamina at night was a dream. No, it's an average speed for a high school student, but there's a huge difference when comparing my night-self and my day-self.
I become weird at night.
It might sound like a phrase coming from a weird person saying it like this, but the feeling I have at night of being unleashed and the excitement I have is changing me into a different person.
The sunlight is stronger than it used to be…
Unlike at night, I become totally weak during the day.
No matter how much I think about it, something is definitely wrong with my body.
I can't help but think that my body changed ever since that day I went on a date with Yuuma.
A private school called Kuou Academy.
That's my school.
It's a co-Ed school right now, but since it was a girl's school until a couple of years ago, there are more girls than boys.
As the grade goes down, the number of boys increases, but there are still more girls than boys overall.
I'm a 2nd year high school student and the ratio of girls and boys in my class are 7 to 3. For 3rd year students it's 8 to 2.
Even now, the girls have a much stronger authority than boys, and the majority of the students in the Student Council are girls, and the Student President is also a girl.
It's a school where boys can't stand tall, but I still joined this school.
It's a simple story.
This place is near me. That alone is great!
The reason why I was able to pass the entrance exam for this school, which is said to be really hard, is due to my intelligence.
What did you think I'm? Stupid?
Since this school has more girls, I thought I could get a girlfriend.
But now thinking about it. I was naïve for thinking I can make a girlfriend at this school where the majority of students are girls.
Only one group of good-looking guys is popular and girls don't even notice me. To be more precise, they ignore me like I'm not popular enough.
Well, that's who I'm, and I can't change easily.
I can't reach my objective of getting popular, because I simply don't interact a lot with people.
I realized that this will be hard, and I know it.
But, at this rate my objective will end in a dream!
Wait is that already a dream?
What was wrong with it? The era I was born in? The law? Or is there something wrong with me?
I don't want to even think about it!
Those are the things that go through my mind every day.
I arrive at my classroom while making a big sigh, and sit down on my chair.
"Hey, man. How are you feeling today? You look like you went through a lot of pain."
This guy with olive brown hair who spoke to me is my friend, Makoto. He is a swimmer, but he is rather weak-hearted and can get scared easily.
He is in the swimming club outside of school, and he is the captain. He is a nice and considerate guy, who is always concerned about his friends' welfare. Due to his caring personality, he is often seen with a gentle smile on his face.
His friends call him Mako.
"The wind sure was strong this morning. It was sure nice."
The guy with the glasses is also my friend, Maes. He has an excessive love for his family. He has scruffy beard, even if he still young. He is cheerful, trustworthy, serious, and intelligent. He is even considered wise for his age.
Everybody just calls him Maes. These are my friends.
Seriously, just leave me alone I'm tired.
"I got some nice stuff".
Makoto opens his bag, and tips out the things inside his bag without any hesitation.
There are now refreshments on my desk.
"Give us some too!"
Said the girls far away from us.
Well, of course she will react like that. After all, something like this is happening in the morning.
What I hear next from the girls are comments like "Please" and "Share".
"Please be quiet! They are our refreshments! You should look away and keep away! Or else, I will tell the teacher!"
That was a bit harsh, Mako.
Not long ago, I would have said, "Wow, where did you get all these from!" with sparkling eyes. But since I've been in a terrible state every morning lately, I'm not in the mood.
Makoto sighs while looking at my dull face.
"Hey, why do you have a face like that when there are so many refreshments right in front of you?"
"You haven't been in the mood lately. Weird. It's definitely weird. You aren't the same as before."
Maes also says that while poking his glasses.
"I wanted to say, "Wow! Where did you get these from?" But I've been lacking energy lately."
"Do you have some kind of illness? No, it can't be. There is no way that you would fall sick. You were pretty healthy."
Maes makes a comment about me.
Then Makoto makes a gesture with his hand as if he realized something.
"Oh, is it that? Is it the side effect of that hallucination about the imaginary girlfriend you have? Yuuma, was it?"
"…Do you guys seriously not remember Yuuma…?"
Both of them look at me with sympathetic eyes at my question.
"Like we said before, we seriously don't know her. You should really get a doctor to check you. Right, Maes?"
"Yes, I'm going to repeat this again but we weren't introduced to a girl called Yuuma."
They always act like this every time I ask them about Yuuma.
I thought they were just teasing me.
But after talking to them seriously, I found out that wasn't the case.
I definitely remember introducing Yuuma to them. They said things like "Dude you got a girlfriend, congratulations man!" and "Man, I'm happy for you!" and kept on making comments.
I remember I said, "You guys should get a girlfriend as well".
I remember that time very clearly.
But they don't remember it. No, what they don't even remember is Yuuma.
It's as if Amano Yuuma never existed.
It's as if the time I spent with Yuuma never happened. Like these two said, it feels like it was just my imagination.
Like these two proved, there is no record of Yuuma's mobile number or mail address in my mobile phone.
Was it deleted from the memory? Did someone delete it? That can't be! There's no way I would delete it, so who did?
I called the number that I memorized in my head, but that phone number wasn't currently in use.
So does that mean she doesn't exist? Was it all my imagination? Something crazy like that isn't possible…
I want to deny it but apart from my memory, there is no evidence to prove that she existed.
If I think about it, I don't know her home address. She was a student from another school. I found the school where they wore the same uniform as her. So I asked the students from that school about Yuuma.
But there wasn't a student fitting her description. She wasn't there.
So who was my girlfriend?
Who was I dating?
So the dream I've been having is just a fantasy that I made up?
Was I talking to Makoto and Maes about my dream as if it was all reality?
What am I?
I clearly remember her face you know?
…There's something wrong about all of this…
Like the strange strength I get at night. Something is definitely wrong.
But what is it?
While I'm thinking about the past incidents, Makoto rests his hand on my shoulder.
"Well, we are in the middle of our youth so something weird stuff like that can happen to us. Okay then, you guys come over to my place after school. Let's watch anime together."
"That's an excellent idea. Mako, you should definitely invite Aki as well."
"Of course I'm going to invite him, Maes. We are all high school boys after all. If we don't do anything together, it would be disrespectful to our parents who gave birth to us."
The two of them smirk.
…No matter how you look at them, they are just my friends. And sadly, I am there friend too…
Well, never mind. I also live for these kinds of things.
"Okay then! Today, we won't hold back! We'll get some fizzy drinks and chips while watching anime!"
I say because I can't be bothered to think.
"Oh! Yes, that's it! That's definitely the Aki we know!"
"That's the spirit. We need to enjoy our youth even more."
Makoto and Maes are getting all excited.
I will leave the incident about Yuuma on hold.
I need to take a break sometimes as well! Today I will forget about that incident and get hooked into anime like how a boy in our age does!
It happened after we made the plan for the afternoon.
There was a crimson color that caught my attention.
A brilliant crimson color—
The schoolyard can be seen from the classroom window. I have my eyes glued towards a certain girl.
The girl with crimson red hair is our school idol whose beauty is beyond a normal human. Her slim proportions aren't the shape of a Japanese girl.
Of course, She isn't Japanese after all. I heard people say that she is from Northern Europe.
It seems like she is attending a Japanese high school due to her father's work.
Anyone will get their heart taken by her after witnessing her beauty.
Rias Gremory.
She is a 3rd year student of this school. So that makes her my senior.
When I realize it, everyone including me is looking at her as well, both boys and girls. Makoto and Maes are also looking at her.
This happens every morning. Everyone looks at her when she walks past them. Some people stop walking. Others stop talking. Everyone turns around to look at her.
The wind gently blows her crimson hair while every student in this school watches her.
Her long crimson hair which comes down to her hips makes her surrounding look like it's colored in crimson as well when the wind blows her hair.
Her beautiful skin, which is white as snow, is remarkable.
Beautiful.
That's the only word to describe her in one word. That's the only word you need to describe her.
I was also fascinated by her beauty and noble atmosphere.
I'm so fascinated by her that I always stop what I'm doing every time I see her.
But lately, the way I see her has changed.
She is definitely beautiful. But she is too beautiful.
I start to feel a little bit scared of her beauty and fear her from the bottom of my heart.
I don't know why I start to feel like this. But I've started to feel like this ever since Yuuma's disappearance.
Then, her eyes move. Her clear blue eyes grasps hold of me.
—!
I feel as if she is grabbing my heart.
What is this feeling? It's that feeling you get when someone who is more superior to you is standing in front of you…
She narrows her blue eyes and it seems like she is smiling.
Is she looking at me?
It can't be. I don't have any connection to her.
Then, I suddenly remember something from the dream I had.
At the end of the dream, there was a person with crimson hair who spoke to me.
A gentle person who seems to be cold...
While I'm comparing her with the person from my dream, she is already out of my sight.
"This is seriously good!"
I'm sitting next to Makoto who is watching anime with me.
After leaving school, we started watching anime with high spirits. We were all happy and excited when we started watching anime straight after school, but as we watched more anime, we started to get bored instead, because the question of "Don't we have something else to do?" came into our discussions. I felt like I should do something else after we discussed it seriously.
But, we still continued watching anime.
Thirty minutes ago, Maes said this with a low voice, "…I was walking when I saw a man pointing a gun at me… That was my first time getting robbed…" so even I was about to cry after hearing that.
I wonder what three boys who are all glum while watching anime look like?
Obviously, the answer is three unpopular guys.
Damn it. I feel like hating this world after thinking that there are guys of my age who are more popular than me.
While thinking about it, the anime ends and it is already dark outside.
When I look at my watch, it's already 10 o'clock. I already told my parents that I'm at Makoto's place, but they will worry about me if I stay here any longer and I will also be late for school tomorrow.
"I'll be leaving now".
After I said that, all of us stood up and got ready to pack up.
"Bye."
After we split up with Makoto at the entrance, Maes and I headed towards home.
"It's a beautiful night. Since it's a good night, it's normal to feel like watching anime."
Maes said that while looking at the sky with a big sigh.
He looks really down.
Well by tomorrow, both Makoto and Maes will return to their usual selves.
"I will see you tomorrow at school."
"Yes, have a good night."
I split up with Maes on my way home, but he doesn't seem energetic when he's waving his hand to me.
I will probably send him a text message afterwards to cheer him up.
A few minutes pass by after splitting up with Maes.
I'm walking towards home, but the energy flowing within my body is rising.
I feel like I'm overflowing with power at night again.
Like I thought, there is definitely something wrong with my body.
This isn't a normal phenomenon. My eyesight improves along with my other five senses.
My eyes and ears became especially good. I can even hear conversations from other people's houses and see the street even though it's night.
This is really weird since I can even see clearly at places where there are no streetlights!
It feels like this strength is getting stronger day by day.
That's because the chills I'm feeling all over my body right now is the real deal!
I can feel someone is watching me for a while now. And the chills I'm feeling.
I can feel a mysterious atmosphere ahead of me.
My body is shaking insanely. The shaking gets stronger.
It's a man. There is a man wearing a suit, glaring at me. He is glaring at me with fierce eyes.
It feels like my body will freeze just by looking into his eyes.
I can definitely feel hostility from him.
This is definitely killing intent!
The man walks closer, silently. He's walking towards me! So he is after me!
This is bad! I'm in a pinch right now.
Why my body hasn't stopped shaking?
Good grief, I feel like I have a really bad luck lately.
"This is rare. To meet someone like you in a place like this."
What is he talking about?
So, he is dangerous, and crazy after all.
Is he going to stab me with a knife?
Good thing that I know how to defend myself, and dodge attacks.
But, I'm not much of a fighter.
I know! I still have my strength which powers up during night! That's it! I can use it to get away from here!
Walking backwards, I put some distance between us.
The guy starts to walk towards me.
"Trying to run away? Who is your Master? It must be a person with a very low rank or with a weird hobby to choose this place as a territory. So, who is your Master?"
What Master? What is he even saying?
How I'm even supposed to answer his question?
STEP!
I turn around and sprint to the place I came from at full speed.
I'm so fast that Kirito would be ashamed if he saw me. It's weird that my speed increases at night.
I just continue to run while going through different streets at night.
I keep on running and go into unfamiliar streets.
I haven't lost my breath yet. I can keep on running. If that's the case, then I'm going to run until he can't catch up to me!
After around 15 minutes, I come into an open area.
—It's a park.
I sprinted towards the water fountain.
I stopped near the water fountain while inhaling some air.
I look around the park under the street lamp. Something feels mysterious about this place.
—I know this place.
…I remember this park…
That's right. This is the last place I visited on my date with Yuuma!
Huh? What a coincidence.
I was so caught up on getting away that I didn't even realize that I came here.
CHILLS
I feel chills on my back.
I know that there is someone behind me.
I turn around slowly, and a black feather drops in front of me.
It looks like a feather of a crow.
"Did you think I'd let you escape? That's why lowly beings are a pain to handle."
The person who appeared in front of me is a man wearing a suit and he has black wings growing out of his back.
It's the suspicious guy from before.
His wings are similar that of an angel.
His wings look real, and I doubt that it is cosplay.
"Tell me the name of your Master. It's a hindrance to get bothered by your kind. For that, we will— Wait, are you a "Stray"? If you have no Master, then that will explain the worried expression on your face."
The suspicious guy is mumbling to himself. Don't make up stuff on your own!
The situation is serious, but I suddenly remember the incident I had in my dream.
The dream about that date... At the very end of that dream, Yuuma killed me exactly in front of this water fountain.
Yes, by the Yuuma who had black wings growing out of her back.
And there is a guy with black wings in front of me.
My dream is becoming real. But, this time it's different, because there is a guy in front of me.
No, that's not important! What's important is the situation I'm currently in!
If this is going according to that dream, then the next thing that will happen to me is—
"Hmph. I don't feel any presence of your Master nor your comrades. I don't see anything that is trying to hide its presence either. And there's no magic-circle appearing here. According to the current situation, you are a "Stray". So it won't be a problem if I kill you."
After he said this, he raises his hand.
No matter how you look at it, his hand is directed towards me!
I can hear a noise. I know this phenomenon.
Something that looks like light starts to gather in his hand. It's just like in my dream.
The light then shapes itself into a spear.
I knew it!
I was pierced in my stomach by that spear in my dream, and I went through hell!
—I'm going to get killed!
By the time I realize it, it has already pierced my stomach.
Then something comes out from my mouth.
Gough.
Lots of blood comes out of my mouth, followed by intense pain.
It hurts. It hurts so much!
I fall down on my knees, on the spot. I can feel my insides getting burnt.
The pain spreads throughout my body, and it hurts so much that I can't stand it.
The pain that I felt doesn't even start to describe this pain!
I try to pull out the spear with my hand, but the pain spreads to my hand as soon as I touch it. It's hot. It's extremely hot. There are burn marks on the places that touched the spear.
"Guu…aaaah…"
I start to whine. It hurts. It hurts so much!
Since my hand is in this state, is the spear burning my insides?
When I thought like that, the pain increased. So this is how it feels like to get your inside burnt?
My tears aren't stopping due to the intense pain.
Step, step...Then there is the sound of footsteps coming towards me.
I look up, and the mysterious man makes another spear in his hand.
"It must hurt. Light is poisonous to beings like you. Getting hit by it will result in fatal damage. I thought this weakened spear would be enough to kill you, but your body is tougher than I thought. So, I will hit you with it again. But this time, I will put a bit more strength into it. Now you are done for."
He is going to finish me off! I'll be killed if that thing hits me again!
As I'm thinking, I start to look back on the dream I had.
Crimson…
The brilliant crimson color will come and save me!
No, there is no way she will help me. That was just a dream.
If this is a dream, then please help me. Even if it's a dream, I don't want to be in this situation!
HYU
When I thought I heard the sound of the wind, an explosion materializes in front of me.
When I look up, there is smoke coming from the palm of that man's hand. There is blood spilling out of his hand.
"Don't you dare touch him!"
A woman walks past me.
Crimson hair. I can tell who it is, even just by her back.
It's that person I saw in my dream—
I wasn't able to see her face in that dream. But now I'm certain that she was the person from my dream.
"…Crimson hair… You must be a woman from the House of Gremory…"
The man glares at the woman with crimson hair with eyes full of hatred.
"My name is Rias Gremory. How are you doing, Fallen Angel-san? If you are trying to hurt this boy, then I won't hold back. "
Rias Gremory.
Yes, she is the senior student at my school. The beauty with crimson hair...
"…Fufu. Well, well. So this boy belongs to you. So this town is also part of your territory then. Well then. For today, I will apologize. But I advise you not to let your servant loose. People like me might slay him while having a walk."
"Thanks for the advice. This town is under my surveillance. So if you get in my way, then I won't hold back."
"I will say the same to you, heiress of the House of Gremory. My name is Donaseek. I hope we won't meet again."
The man spreads his black wings, and his body starts to float. He then flies up into the sky.
The man glares at Rias and me once, and then disappears into the sky.
So it's safe now…?
I feel a bit relieved, but my eyes get blurry and it feels like my consciousness is disappearing. My eyes blur.
This is bad. This is really bad!
"Ara, are you about to faint? This is certainly a fatal wound. It can't be helped. Hey, where is your house—"
Rias speaks to me while I fall down, but I can't hear what she is saying.
Then, my consciousness cuts off.
[Undertale OST - Megalovania]
When I woke up, it was morning.
What is the meaning of this?
Did I have a bad dream again?
That has to be a dream. But it looks too real.
Now I'm here, sleeping in my bed.
I was woken up by the alarm clock with a different custom sound. Looks like I was dreaming after all.
This time, it wasn't Yuuma, but a guy who was chasing after me. But they both had black wings.
I shook my head.
Pull yourself together, me. Why do I keep on seeing those kinds of dreams?
If I remember correctly, I went to school yesterday as usual and it was normal as usual. After school I went to Makoto's house and had an anime marathon with him and Maes.
Then I returned home. On my way home, a weird person with wings attacked me—
Then I realized the unusual state I was in.
—I'm naked.
I didn't have anything on me.
Why don't I have my underwear on?
I'm fully naked!
I don't remember it. I don't remember coming home. Am I losing my memory? No, I don't think so.
I also don't have a habit of sleeping naked either.
"…Unnn"
—!
I heard a sweet voice.
Then I carefully looked beside me.
"…Suu~suu."
There is a crimson haired girl sleeping beside me.
And she's naked… Her snow-like white skin is too bright for my eyes.
Her skin looks very smooth and it's very bad for my eyes.
…
No matter how you look at her, it's Rias, Our school's Idol. Her crimson hair scattered over the pillow looks extremely beautiful.
Rias Gremory.
…
Huh? What?
I should calm myself, and close my eyes.
…
I open my eyes, and she is still there!
What happened here?
…
I can't calm down!
Why am I sleeping with Rias?
I'm so confused!
Did I do something?
I don't remember! I don't remember one bit!
I have to remember why I'm in this situation!
It's impossible! I can't remember!
I have to remember! I have to try to remember what happened!
What did I do?
…
My head is about to explode because my head is getting confused, but I get cornered in the next moment.
"Aki! Wake-up! It's already time for school!"
"Okaa-san, is Aki still in his room?"
"Otou-san, his shoes are in the entrance so he came home. Good Grief! Staying at a friend's house so late! On top of that, being late for school! That, I won't forgive!"
The conversation between my parents on the first floor can even be heard up here.
Then it was followed by footsteps coming up the stairs. The footsteps carried the sound of anger. It's different from her usual footsteps.
Moms on her way!
Wait! Hold on a sec!
If she sees this situation, then it will be really bad!
"Can you wait? I'm already awake."
"Good Grief! I won't forgive you any more! We need to have a little talk about this!"
Mom's pissed!
She's coming! Mom is coming to my room!
There is no way I let her see the situation I am in!
"Unn… Is it morning?"
—!
Rias is wiping her eyes beside me!
She woke up! She woke up!
GATCHA!
The door bursts open. At the same time Rias also lifts her upper body up.
My eyes and mom's eyes meet each other. She looks mad. She looks very mad!
"Good morning."
Rias greets my mom with a smile.
Mum's eyes moves from me to Rias.
Then, mum's face froze. She moves her eyes to me again.
I avoid eye contact.
"GET READY QUICKLY!"
While using a machine like voice, she closes the door slowly.
After a moment, I heard the loud noise of her feet heading down the stairs.
"Boohoo! Otou-san!"
"What's wrong Okaa-san? You look like you just saw a ghost? What was Aki doing?"
"Sex! Aki did~! With a foreigner~!"
"Okaa-san! Okaa-san, what happened?"
"International~! Aki did!"
"Okaa-san! Okaa-san! Calm down! Okaa-san!"
I can only cover my face with both my hands.
It's easy to imagine what's going on downstairs.
How can this happen to me? There's definitely going to be a family discussion after this!
What kind of excuse can I use to explain the current situation I am in?
"Your family is quite lively in the morning."
Rias got up from my bed and went to pick up her uniform from my desk.
A naked Rias... The naked body of a beautiful girl...
…Umm, you know I can see a lot of things…
Her small hips... Her long white legs... Her thighs. Her nicely shaped butt...
And her oppai, which are quite enormous…
I can even see her nipples clearly!
Why aren't you hiding them? Why aren't you showing any sign of hiding them?
It is my first time seeing a fully naked girl!
Rias's body has a perfect shape and curves. It looks like one of those nude body paintings or statues shown at the museum.
I know that she is beautiful, but staring at her is making me feel bad.
I can't become a pervert, so I looked away.
"Senpai!"
I can't help but say it.
"What is it?"
"Please cover yourself!"
I said it while still looking away from her.
"I thought you wanted to see it, so I didn't cover my body."
Rias says that daringly while putting on her uniform.
Is she an exhibitionist or some kind of nudist?
Does she even have a bit of shame?
I'm so shocked by how she easily said that!
But I'm still confused for what's going on here.
"Is your stomach all right?"
Rias asks me.
Stomach?
I touch my stomach while watching Rias get dressed.
"You were stabbed yesterday."
—!
With that statement, I was fully alert.
…That's right, a guy stabbed me with wings at the park yesterday.
A spear that looked like it was made up of light stabbed me.
But there aren't any marks left on my stomach. I was sure there was a hole here… It's not a kind of wound that will heal in a day. There was so much blood coming out of it.
The question I should ask myself is this a dream or not a dream.
"By the way, the incident from yesterday wasn't a dream."
…Rias says it as if she read my mind.
"I know that I was wounded…"
"I healed it. It was critical, but thanks to your tough body, it was healable with my power in a night. I shared some of my demonic powers with you by embracing you while we were naked. I was able to do it because we are from the same clan."
What is she even saying?
Huh? Hugged each other while naked?
…
What?
Wait, does that mean!
"It's all right, because I'm still a virgin."
She says it as if she read my mind again.
Ah, is that so. I was surely relieved by now.
"Don't make such a weird face. This world is surrounded by more mysterious things than you can imagine."
Rias approaches me while in her underwear. She starts to pat my cheek with her slim fingers.
I get embarrassed. It can't be helped since a beauty like her is doing it.
"I am Rias Gremory. I am a Devil."
A Devil?
Doesn't that mean that the ones who nearly killed me are fallen angels?
I'm not really sure what to think right now…
"And I am your Master. Nice to meet you, Akita Akio-kun... Can I call you Aki?"
She said with a smile that looks really devilish.
"Itadakimasu."
I'm right now in my home with a beauty drinking miso-soup next to me.
"These are very delicious, Okaa-sama."
"Yes. Thank you very much."
Both my parents who are sitting across from me have weird expressions on their faces.
How am I able to fix this weird atmosphere?
It's my first time eating breakfast in this weird atmosphere, and I'm not sure what to do in this situation.
"Aki, it's the meal that Okaa-sama made. Eat it."
Rias says it with elegance. She's acting like an older sister.
"Yes!"
I replied quickly and started to throw the food into my mouth.
"Don't eat it in such a vulgar way. Eat slowly so you can taste the food. This is the precious food that Okaa-sama made for us."
Rias wipes my mouth with her handkerchief.
What is this? What kind of situation am I in?
"Aki…"
Dad spoke to me with a trembling voice.
You look quite nervous Dad. So am I.
"Where did this young woman come from?"
After hearing that, Rias put her chopstick down and bows her head.
"…Oh my, I apologize for not introducing myself… I brought shame to the House of Gremory. Please allow me to introduce myself. Okaa-sama and Otou-sama, my name is Rias Gremory. I attend the same Academy as Akita Akio-kun. It's a pleasure to meet you all."
Rias smiles. Dad responds with a weird face.
"Is that so? That's amazing. Hahaha! Are you from a foreign country? Your Japanese is very good."
"Yes. Due to my father's work, I have been living in Japan for a long time."
Oh. Looks like dad is convinced.
But it seems like mom, who is sitting beside him isn't.
"Is Rias-san correct?"
"Yes, Okaa-sama."
"What kind of relationship do you have with Aki?"
—!
That's a good question; it can answer the whole situation from earlier.
Mom is curious for her answer, but Rias just continues to smile.
"We are just a senior and a junior who are quite close to each other, Okaa-sama."
"That's a lie!"
Mom rejects the answer immediately.
Of course she would. That excuse won't work, Rias. Since she saw that situation, that excuse won't work!
"Because! On the bed!"
"Aki said he has nightmares, so I was just sleeping with him."
"Just sleeping together! Both of you were naked!"
"Nowadays, people sleep naked when they sleep together, Okaa-sama."
That's a big lie. You are amazing, Rias.
But mom becomes quiet at her words.
"Is that so? So people sleep together naked lately."
Okaa-sama! Is that all right? You are okay with that!
Then I realize that mum's eyes look weird. They look empty, as if she was possessed by something.
After that Rias whispers in my ear.
"…I'm sorry. It looked like it would become troublesome, so I used my power."
Power?
Then I remember what she said earlier.
—I am a Devil.
Huh? So this is the power of the devils.
Rias resumes eating her breakfast. When I checked, dad also had hollow eyes. Did she use her power on him as well…?
A Devil.
What is going on?
The morning walk to school...
I'm walking towards school, but I'm having a hard time because of the way other students are looking at me.
That can't be helped.
Next to me is our school's idol, Rias.
And I am walking like her servant because I am carrying her bag.
"Why is someone like him…?"
"Why is someone unpopular like him next to Rias-oneesama…"
I can hear the screams of both boys and girls from every direction.
There are some students who fainted because of the shock.
Is it that bad? Is it that bad for me to walk besides Rias?
We walk through the school gate, and I split with Rias at the entrance.
"I will send someone to get you. Let's meet again later."
She says that while smiling.
Send someone? What does she mean?
I'm not quite sure, but I walked towards the classroom.
When I open the door, everyone stares at me.
Well, that's normal, since I was with Rias.
BANG!
Someone hit my head from behind. When I turned around, Makoto is standing there. Maes is beside Makoto as well.
"Give us an explanation!"
Makoto shouts. I guess he is freaking out.
"Until yesterday, we were the "Unpopular Alliance" comrades!"
"Aki, first of all explain it to us. What happened after we split?"
Unlike Makoto who is freaking out, Maes is acting all calm while fixing his glasses, although his eyes are really sharp. Both of you calm down...
But I said with confidence.
"Guys, I guess I'm getting popular."
With that one sentence, both of them tremble in fear.
After school...
"Hi. How are you doing?"
I look at the male student, who came to see me, through half-lidded eyes.
The guy in front of me is our school's number 1 best looking prince, Kiba Yuuto.
He captured the hearts of the girls in our school with this smile of his. By the way, he's in the same year as me. Though he's from a different class.
You can hear girls screaming with joy from the classroom and the corridor. Please be quiet. It's so damn noisy in here.
"So what business do you have here?"
I reply to him in a tired tone voice, but Kiba responds without breaking his smile.
"I came here by the order of Rias Gremory-senpai."
—!
With that one statement, I immediately understand why he is here.
I see, so he's the person Rias told me she would send.
"…Ok, so what do you want me to do?"
"I want you to follow me."
NO!
This time it's the girls' screams.
"Wait! Is Akita going to walk besides Kiba-kun?"
"Don't become gay, Kiba-kun!"
"I won't agree with the Kiba-kun×Akita pair!"
"No, maybe its Akita×Kiba-kun pair!"
They are saying some weird things.
Please just be quiet!
"Ah, all right."
I agreed to follow him.
I will say this beforehand. I dislike popular guys.
I followed Kiba, who is already walking ahead of me.
"Hey, Aki!"
Makoto shouts my name.
"Don't worry, Mako. I'm not going to have a fight."
That's right. You don't have to worry about me, Mako.
"Please come back quickly."
Makoto says it out loud.
I nod then I look out the window.
I followed Kiba, and the place we end up at is the back of the school building.
In this place, which is surrounded by trees, there is a building called the old school building.
Apparently it was used a long time ago, and there is no sign of people here. It's so creepy that it is listed in one of "the seven wonders of school".
The building looks very old and is made from wood, but there aren't any broken windows and it's hard to tell if there are any broken parts from its appearance.
It's old, but it isn't that bad.
"Buchou is here."
Kiba says.
Buchou?
Is he talking about Rias? Huh? Buchou?
Did Rias belong to a particular club? Does this mean he is part of that club as well?
It's getting even more mysterious. Oh well, as long as I follow this guy, I will be able to meet with Rias.
We entered the two story high building, and went up the stairs. We went further into the building.
Even the corridor looks clean. It seems like even the rooms that aren't used don't have a single speck dust in them.
When you think about old buildings, you expect it to be full of insects, spider webs, and dust. But I haven't seen any yet.
So they must be cleaning this building quite often.
While I was thinking about these kinds of things, we seem to have reached our destination. Kiba stops in front of a particular classroom.
The sign on the door that read shocked me—
[Occult Research Club]
The Occult Research Club...?
Just reading that name makes me wonder. I'm not saying that the club sounds weird.
But thinking that Rias is a member of the Occult Research Club is not shocking at all.
"Buchou, I have brought him."
Kiba waits for the approval through the wooden door. Then Rias replies.
"Yes, come in."
Looks like Rias is inside here.
Kiba opens the door and I'm shocked when I follow him into the room.
There are weird signs and words in every area of the classroom.
The floor. The walls and the ceiling... They are all covered with weird signs.
And the one, which stands out the most, is the circle drawn at the center of the room.
It looks like a magic-circle that takes up most of the space in this room.
I can feel something creepy and weird from it.
There are also a couple of sofas and desks in the room.
Hmm? There is someone sitting on one of the sofas. It's a little girl…
I know her. I know that girl!
That's the girl from 1st year, Toujou Koneko!
She's from 1st year, but she looks like an elementary student because of her childish face and small body!
She's quite popular amongst a certain groups of guys. She's popular amongst the girls as well and is treated as a mascot for being cute.
She is eating youkan quietly. She always has a sleepy expression.
If I remember correctly, she is said to be "very" emotionless.
She realizes we entered, and our eyes meet.
"This is Akita Akio-kun."
Next Kiba introduces her to me. Toujou Koneko bows her head.
"Ah, nice to meet you."
I also bow my head. After the greetings, she continues to eat her youkan.
Hmm. It's just like the rumor says. Maybe she is a girl who doesn't talk much.
SHA-
This is the sound of water flowing coming from the back of the room. Is it the sound of a shower?
Then I realize there is a shower curtain at the back of the room. There was also a shadow on the curtain.
It's the shadow of a girl. There is a girl taking a shower.
Huh? A shower!
This classroom comes with a shower!
KYU
Then there is the sound of the shower stopping.
"Buchou, take this."
Huh? There is someone else besides her?
I hear a girl's voice that doesn't belong to Rias.
"Thank you, Akeno."
Looks like Rias is changing behind the curtain.
I don't even know how to react to this situation…
I guess I should just wait, and see what will happen.
"…You reaction is different from what I expected…"
Someone mutters. When I look in the direction of the voice, it's Toujou Koneko.
I look at her, but the little first year student is just eating youkan.
…Is that so. So I didn't meet your expectations. I'm sorry then.
JYA-
Then the curtain opens. The one standing there is Rias in her uniform.
Her hair is wet. She looks at me, and then smiles.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't take a shower last night because I stayed the night at your place, so I took a shower now."
Ah, is that so?
But what's bugging me is that there is a shower in this room.
Then I look behind Rias.
There is someone behind her…
I see a girl with black-hair in a ponytail. I haven't seen a person with a ponytail in my school before. But, I know her.
That pretty face, which is always smiling! The person with a Japanese atmosphere! The one who is called Yamato Nadeshiko even though she is a student, and also one of our school idols, Himejima Akeno.
The person who, along with Rias, is said to be one of the "Two Great Onee-samas"!
The person who is idolized by both male and female students!
"Ara ara. Hello, my name is Himejima Akeno. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
She introduces herself politely with a smile. Her voice sounds fascinating.
"Nice to meet to! My name is Akita Akio!"
I greeted her.
After Rias confirms that we finished introducing each other, she starts talking.
"Looks like everyone is here. Akita Akio-kun. No, let me call you Aki."
"Yes."
"We, the Occult Research Club, welcome you."
"Sure."
"As a Devil."
—!
Mom and Dad, Looks like I'm in for something big...
"Here's your tea."
"Ah, thank you."
I'm sitting on a sofa, and Akeno has made tea for me.
I drink it quickly.
"It tastes good."
"Ara ara. Thank you very much."
Akeno starts laughing very happily by saying "Ufufu".
Kiba, Koneko, Rias and I are sitting on the sofas surrounding the table.
"Akeno, you sit over here as well."
"Yes, Buchou."
Akeno sits next to Rias.
Then everyone looks at me.
…What is it…?
Then Rias speaks.
"I will get to the point right away. We are all Devils."
You definitely did get to the point right away.
"Your expression says that you don't believe what I am saying. Well, that can't be helped. You did see the man with black wings last night, didn't you?"
She's right.
If that wasn't a dream, then I did really see that.
"That's a Fallen Angel. They are former Angels who served God, but they are beings that have fallen to hell because they had evil intentions. They are also the enemy of us Devils."
I knew that they were fallen angels, because there is no angel that will harm people.
But Looks like we are entering a fantasy genre.
"We, the Devils, have been at war with the Fallen Angels since ancient times. We have been fighting over the possession of the Underworld, which is also known as Hell in the human world. The Underworld is split into two areas, one for Devils and one for Fallen Angels. The Devils form pacts with humans and receive their sacrifices and increase their strength. The Fallen Angels on the other hand control humans to eliminate Devils. At this point the Angels come in to destroy these two races on God's orders, which creates the three forces. This has been going on since ancient times."
"Senpai. That kind of story is hard to take in by a normal student like myself. Is this what members of Occult Research Club do?"
This conservation could be their club activity.
"Occult Research Club is just a camouflage. It's my hobby. It's actually a gathering place for us Devils."
Is this a part of their club activity?
"—Amano Yuuma"
Hearing that name, I open my eyes in shock.
Where did she hear that name?
"That day, you were on a date with Amano Yuuma, right?"
"…If you are joking around, then can you please stop now? I don't want to talk about this here."
There is anger in my voice.
That's because that topic is like a taboo to me now.
When I talked about it before, no one believed me, and no one remembered her.
Everyone said it must have been a dream. That it was my hallucination. Nobody believed me, and no one remembered her existence.
I don't know where she heard the story from, but I won't accept it if she says that it is all occult. Instead, I will be mad.
"She existed. For certain."
Rias says that clearly.
"Well, it looks like she tried to erase all of the evidence around you."
Rias clicks her finger, and Akeno takes out a photo.
I am speechless after seeing who is in that photo.
"This is her, right? Amano Yuuma."
Yes, the person on the photo is my girlfriend who I wasn't able to find anywhere.
I had taken a picture of her with my mobile phone, but it had disappeared.
The photo is a clear picture of her, and there are black wings growing from her back.
"This is a Fallen Angel. She's the same kind as the one that attacked you last night."
…A Fallen Angel...? Well that explains a lot.
Rias continues.
"This Fallen Angel came in contact with you to accomplish a certain goal. After she accomplished it, she got rid of any record and evidence regarding her."
"A certain goal?"
"Yes. To kill you."
—!
What is going on?
"Why did she have to kill me?"
"Calm down, Aki. It couldn't be helped… No, you were just unlucky. There are possessors who weren't killed…"
"What do you mean, unlucky!"
Is she saying that I was just unlucky to be killed by Yuuma that day?
Huh…?
Killed? But I'm still alive? I'm still here like before.
"That day, you went on a date with her and then went to the park, where you were killed with Spear of Light."
"But I'm still alive! More than that, why was I targeted?"
Yes. There aren't any reasons for me to be targeted by her.
Why do I have to be targeted by the Fallen Angels?
"The reason why she approached you is so she could check if there is a dangerous thing inside you. She must have received a weak response from it. That's why she took her time checking you. Then she confirmed it. That you were a human who possessed a Sacred Gear —-"
Sacred Gear—.
I was familiar with that term.
—Sorry. You were a threat to us, so we decided to get rid of you early. If you want to hold a grudge, then hate the God who put the Sacred Gear inside you.
That's what Yuuma said at that time.
So there's a Sacred Gear inside my body…?
Kiba then speaks.
"Sacred Gear is an irregular power that is bestowed to certain humans. For example, most of the people whose names are recorded in history are said to be possessors of a Sacred Gear. They used the power of their Sacred Gear to record their name in history."
"Presently, there are people who possess Sacred Gears within their bodies. You know those people who play an important role worldwide? Most of those people possess a Sacred Gear."
Akeno continues after Kiba.
Rias then continues to explain.
"Most of the Sacred Gears have functions that are only usable in the human society. But there are exceptional Sacred Gears that are a threat to us, the Devils, and Fallen Angels. Aki, raise your hand."
Why do I have to raise my hand?
"Do it quickly."
Rias urges me to do it.
So I raise my left arm.
"Close your eyes and imagine the strongest thing that comes to mind."
"The strongest thing? Saitama from One Punch Man!"
"Then imagine it, and imagine that person in a particular pose where he looks the strongest."
"…"
I imagined Saitama when he doing his Serious Punch.
Is this all right?
"Lower your arm slowly and stand up."
I get up from the sofa and lower my arm.
"Now mimic the pose of that person. You have to imagine it strongly, okay? You cannot hold back."
…
There are people around me, and I have to copy Saitama doing a Serious Punch at this age!
I'm too embarrassed to do it!
Just because I'm closing my eyes doesn't mean that no one will laugh at me!
"Hurry and do it."
Rias urges me again.
Are you serious? Do I seriously have to do it?
…
Then look! It is Akita Akio's first and last time doing a Serious Punch!
"Serious Punch!"
I said it while I threw my most powerful punch in the air. This is how you do it.
"Now, open your eyes. In this place which is filled with demonic power, the Sacred Gear will be able to appear more easily."
I open my eyes just like Rias tells me to.
FLASH!
My left arm glowed.
Huh? What?
What is this? What happened to me?
Can I pull off a Serious Punch now?
The light starts to take form and covers my left arm.
After the light disappears, my left arm is covered in a red gauntlet.
It's equipped with a flashy looking object. It looks like a very fine and realistic Cosplay item.
The part that covers the back of my hand has a gem-like object embedded in it.
Actually, it looks more like a jewel instead of a just a gem.
"What is this?"
I shouted. I'm really shocked.
Obviously! What is this? I thought I did a Serious Punch, but instead I got an item on my arm that looks like something Henshin Heroes use!
What is this?
"That's a Sacred Gear. And it belongs to you. Once it appears, you can use it anywhere and anytime as you will."
—!
This red gauntlet is a Sacred Gear?
…
I still can't believe it…
"The Fallen Angel, Amano Yuuma, saw your Sacred Gear as a threat and therefore killed you."
…So the thing about Yuuma and the Sacred Gear was all real.
Then the part where she killed me was real too...
So how am I alive?
"You called me when you were on the verge of death. I was summoned through this paper."
Rias pulls out a single leaflet.
I know that leaflet.
When I was waiting for Yuuma at the meeting spot, one of the people giving out leaflets gave me one.
It's a leaflet with a weird magic circle and a catchphrase that reads, "We will grant your wish!"
If I look carefully, the magic circle on the leaflet is the same as the big magic circle on the floor.
"This is one of the leaflets we give out. This magic circle is used to summon us Devils. These days there aren't many people who would draw this circle to summon us. So we give these leaflets to people who look like they would summon Devils. This magic-circle is safe and easy to use. That day, one of our familiars was disguised as a human and was handing them out in the business district. You got it at that time, Aki. After the Fallen Angel attacked you, you called me while you were on the verge of death. You wished so hard that it summoned me. Usually my servants like Akeno and the others would be the ones to be summoned."
That time I was impaled by the Spear of Light…so I wished really hard.
When my hand was covered in blood, the thing that came to mind was crimson.
I strongly wished for the girl with crimson hair, Rias Gremory.
So then, the person with red hair that appeared at the end of that dream—no, the one that appeared at the end of that incident really was Rias.
"When I was summoned and saw you, I knew right away that you were a Sacred Gear possessor and that you were attacked by a Fallen Angel. But there was a problem. Aki, you were on the brink of death. Not just Devils, but humans also die if impaled by a Fallen Angels spear of light. Aki, you were in that kind of condition. So I decided to save your life."
Save my life?
So Rias was the one who helped me?
So that's why I'm alive.
"Although, as a Devil. Aki, you were reborn as a Devil of mine, Rias Gremory's servant. As my servant Devil."
PA!
At that moment, wings sprout from the backs of everyone around me.
They're different from the black wings of Fallen Angels; their wings are like bat wings.
PA!
And with that I also feel some kind of sensation on my back.
Looking over my shoulder, I see the same black wings protruding from my back.
…Are you serious?
I'm a Devil? Did I quit being a human?
"Let's introduce everyone anew. Yuuto."
Kiba smiles at me after Rias calls his name.
"My name is Kiba Yuuto. As you already know, I'm a second year like you, Akita Akio-kun. Umm, I'm a Devil too. Nice to meet you."
"...First year…Toujou Koneko…Pleased to make your acquaintance…I'm a Devil too."
Toujou Koneko bows her head.
"My name is Himejima Akeno, and I'm in third year. I'm also the vice-president of this Occult Research Club. Nice to meet you, even though I'm like this, I'm also a Devil. Ufufu."
Akeno bows her head very politely.
Lastly, it's Rias.
She waves her crimson hair and says it very directly.
"And I'm their master as well as being a Devil from the House of Gremory, Rias Gremory. My house holds the rank of a Duke. Let's get along from now on, Aki."
Looks like I'm in a really unthinkable situation.