Chapter 2
"I'm off then!"
I yawn as I leave the house.
It was 3 days after my near death experience with that girl who I dubbed as the she-devil.
I thought I was really done for that time, but imagine my surprise when I found myself in my bed, still alive. At first I thought it was all a dream, but when I checked my body, I had a circle-shaped scar on my stomach. It was then that I found out that it was not a dream at all, and I was nearly killed.
But, who just rescued me? I doubt it was just anyone who could defeat the she-devil…
Though, I kind of noticed that after that incident, my body suddenly got weaker in the sun. It was really weird as I felt that the sunlight is piercing my skin and I really can't stand that feeling.
On the other hand, I become more active at night. There is something within my body that rises up and makes my tension go high.
Usually, I could only stay up until 11pm and I consider it a miracle if I could stay up until 1. But now, I could easily stay up until 3 – 4am. I neither play any online games nor watches a lot of night shows so it's really weird that I could stay up like that.
Another thing I noticed is that I become stronger at night. My walking pace increased, and my heart flutters with joy when I whenever I went to the dark corners of the street.
I dashed out on a whim and I found out that I ran in incredible speeds. Easily put, if I joined the track team, I will become the ace runner. That's how fast I can go in the night. I ran further along the way and to my surprise, I didn't ran out of stamina where usually my stamina is usually depleted by that time.
I tried doing the same thing during the day, and to my dismay, I failed epically. My running speed is normal and I ran out of stamina at my expected time. There really is a huge-difference with my day and night-selves.
I become weird at night.
Is this some sort of a coping mechanism?! Is this the effect my body has gone through when I was nearly dying?! Did I really don't want to sleep that much? Did I really don't want to dream about voices or the time I was nearly-killed?!
Ughhhh… Like I thought, I become weak during the day.
No matter how much I thought about it, there is something going on in my body, and I intend to find it out.
With having these thoughts at my head, I ventured on to my school.
Classes come and go, and before I knew it, the classes just ended and it's time for club activities. Fortunately, I am a member of the 'Going Home' Club and as such, do not need to stay at school for so long. I needed the rest anyway.
"Yo, what's up Ise?"
"You do not seem well. I thought that you have moved on from Amano-san."
My two friends suddenly crept up behind me. I debated to myself on whether or not I should tell them what is happening on my body or not when Matsuda suddenly rests his hand on my shoulder.
"Well, whatever is happening to you these days, there is nothing that a good porn can't fix."
"That's an excellent idea, Matsuda-kun. You guys come over to my place later. We will watch my secret collection together."
Matsuda suddenly frowned as he glared at Motohama.
"Could we please not watch your secret collection? I doubt I'll be aroused by your little sister fetish."
Motohama looked at Matsuda incredulously.
"What did you say?! Little sisters are the absolute best! You only say that because you don't have a little sister who takes care of you, feeds you, prepares your bath, and loves you just the way you are! Little sisters are the best, and you won't need anything else!"
"Argh! It's true that I don't have a little sister, but I am targeting a much broader audience that you siscons won't understand! Girls with big breasts are for mature gentlemen with good taste! Little sisters with flat breasts are just stupid and immature!"
"Now, that's a statement I will fully reject Matsuda-kun. How you like those cow-like udders, I don't understand, but I still respect your decision. But slandering little sisters like that, that's just unforgivable. Little sisters are full of love and affection for you and every action they take is really cute! Ahh... I just wanted to be surrounded by their cuteness everyday... and Maika-chan's chest is still growing! What will happen to you if you happen to have a little sister with big breasts, Matsuda-kun?! Are you still against the little sisters?!"
"You have a good point there, Motohama-kun. But that's just a hypothetical scenario. After all, little sister archetypes all have small breasts! Even if my range of acceptance could extend to that of little sisters, I will still be on the side of big-breasted onee-san! After all, she could fulfill more of my fetishes, either it's her tits or her attitude. Maybe even a combination of both! Little sister archetypes that you like just doesn't fulfill more of my fetishes, in short, they come up short!"
"What a stupid statement you have come up there Matsuda-kun. You ran out of phrases of comparison, I always knew you're not brilliant. But not choosing little sisters? That's just plain stupid."
"You take that back!"
The idiots in front of me were arguing about something stupid that it makes me want to roll. Normally, I would say 'Okay then, today we won't hold back! We'll get some drinks and chips while watching porno DVDs!' but I was not having a good day, not since I was nearly killed 3 days ago…
"Let's ask Ise on what he thinks."
"It's no use talking with Ise, Matsuda-kun. Remember, he's the manifestation of all sexual desires in the world. He's an unforgiving person who will target both little sisters and onee-samas, without regards to taste. He's a sexual beast."
Oy! That was uncalled for! Besides I love breasts! I definitely will go to the onee-san's side!
Is what I wanted to say, but saying it out loud will hurt my chances with girls and more importantly sex, if that got out. I'm not stupid enough to blurt it out loud.
"Ha! You hear that?! Ise is definitely on my side! Your little sister fetish can go rot in hell!"
...
...
It took me a moment before realizing what Matsuda said.
"I said it out loud, didn't I?"
Great, I can see the girls around us scurrying further away from us. My chances of getting a girl just got down lower. Maybe in the negatives now. Stupid me.
As Matsuda and Motohama continued to argue, a flash of crimson color suddenly got my attention.
A brilliant, beautiful crimson color-
From where we are, the school garden could be seen fully. It was then that I saw her again.
The beautiful girl with long, brilliant crimson hair. Her beauty is said to be out of this world. Her slim proportions weren't the shape of a Japanese girl. One of two great ladies of Kuoh Academy. Despite being a second year, she's already the president of the Occult Research Club.
Rias Gremory.
I've heard that she was here because of her father's work, and that she came from Northern Europe.
When I took notice of my surroundings, Matsuda, Motohama and everyone else were looking at her.
It happens all the time when she passes by. Others stopped walking, others stopped talking, and others stopped what they are doing just to get a glimpse of her.
It was unreal, and yet appropriate.
Beautiful. That's the only word that could describe her.
Ever since I laid my eyes on her, I was fascinated by her beauty, aura and noble ways. So fascinated in fact, that I get excited every time I see her.
But the way I see her suddenly changed.
I noticed that it started the day after I nearly got killed. I started to feel a little scared every time I see her, feeling something like fear from the bottom of my heart.
Just what is this feeling?
As I was contemplating these thoughts, her clear blue eyes suddenly moved and landed on me.
-!
I suddenly got stiff, and suddenly got the urge to bow before her. Like a servant bowing before his master, like a knight bowing before his king. It's the feeling you get when someone more superior to you is standing in front of you.
Is- Is she looking at me?!
But how could that be?! I do not have any connection to her, not that I do not want to, but-
I suddenly remembered something from the many dreams I have regarding the nearly killing of me.
I always see a long, crimson color at the end of it.
Could that be related to her? Could she be the one that have saved me?
It can't be…
As I tried to make sense of what I just thought, she is already gone.\
"Did I lose them?" I said to nobody in particular as I wiped the sweat off my forehead with my handkerchief. Even though I have this weird condition during night time, evading that many people all at once is still hard work, especially if it involves a notorious gang that has spread its influence throughout the city.
"There he is!" A deep, masculine voice reaches out to my ears. Just hearing that voice sends shivers down my spine. A few seconds later, 15-20 guys were already behind me.
"Wooooiiii! Come back here, you master runner!"
"Like hell!" I countered as I ran for my dear life.
Shit! Why did this happen?! It all started with me ordering a hotdog sandwich on the store near the school since I was feeling down. It was then that I noticed a middle school girl being surrounded by 3 guys. When I saw that, I approached the guys that were clearly harassing the girl like the good guy that I am. I was suddenly on the middle of telling them off, when a bunch of guys, like 8 -9 dudes suddenly got out of the restroom. And they looked pissed.
"I always thought only girls would go the bathroom together, not a bunch of dudes!"
"Are you calling us gay?! We're not gay dammit!"
"How can you still follow me?! You were supposed to drop out a long time ago!"
"We ain't givin' up so easily, master runner!"
"Don't call me master runner! I didn't get to eat my sandwich because of you guys! Uoooohhhh!"
"Ain't our fault if you dine and dash, you master runner!"
"It's not dine and dash if I already paid for it! It sucks! It really sucks dammit!" I wailed to the heavens as I continued to run for my dear life.
The chase continued for a half an hour throughout the city until the guys that were chasing me didn't follow me anymore.
"Haa… haaa…." I rested for a few minutes to catch my breath and start to make my home. I looked at my phone and saw that the time was now 9:36 pm. I looked around me and I saw a church which was nearby, meaning I'm in a good distance away from home.
Looks like I have to face my parent's wrath on my way home. Such misfortune.
I sighed as I tried to think of something that could pass me from being sermoned when I get home.
"Oh… if it isn't a Devil-kun! Welcome to our humble church~"
Maybe I could say I studied at Motohama's house? Hmmm… maybe not. My parents know that all we do in Motohama's house is watch porn. Same goes for Matsuda's home even.
"Ara? Is this devil-kun ignoring me?"
So… a group project then? Yeah, it could be good. But what kind of project? And where did I stay? Maybe I could say I just stayed over at a new friend's house. Yeah that would be nice if they buy it.
"Don't ignore me, you shitty devil!"
"G-Gah!" I barely manage to say as the wind on my stomach vanished as a sharp punch suddenly connected to my abdomen. I clutched my stomach as I was floored down to the ground. Just what happened?!
"Ara, its better this way, isn't it? Got your attention now?" I raised my head a little and I saw a young, handsome priest who is smirking as he wiggled his right hand in amusement.
"So, once again." He coughed a little as he cleared his voice. "Welcome to our humble church, you shitty devil-kun~"
D-Devil?! Just what is this priest saying?!
"I can see that you're confused." The priests nods in amusement as he walks around me. "That's alright. That's alright. Living with humans can cause you a crisis identity, eh?"
"I don't understand what are you saying, you damned priest!"
"Ararararara, could it be that you're new?! Oh, this is rich!" He cackled loudly as he reached out something from his back pocket. "Let me tell you something, you shitty devil-kun. You see, I'm not just a priest. I'm an exorcist. So I know a devil when I see one. Aaaaaaaannnnnddd, you are certainly one, devil-kun~"
So, what he is saying is true?! I'm a devil?! If that is the case, how?! When?! Where?! Why?! How did I lose my humanity?! I don't remember! I can't remember! Is this why I really feel weird at night?! Shit!
"You reeeaaaaalllyyyyy didn't know anything!" He laughed without restraint now. "So, just look at it this way. I'm an exorcist." He pointed at himself. "And you're a devil-kun." He pointed at me. "And my job as an exorcist is kill devils. Simple, isn't it?"
Every word he said has sank in deeper in me. So, he's an exorcist? His job is to kill devils… so if he says that he kills devils and I'm a supposed devil…
"You're going to kill me."
"Exactamundo!" He clapped as he pulled out a freaking lightsaber from his pocket. "You know, I'll give you full points if this were a quiz, but I'm not that feeling generous, nor I am a teacher. But hey, it's the thought that counts, right?!"
I need to get out of here right now! This psycho priest is going to kill me!
"Like hell I'm going to let you kill me that easily!"
"Oh, trying to fight back?" He sneered as he pulled ANOTHER lightsaber. "I like it better that way. The hunt is much better if the prey thinks he has a chance, right?! I'll even give you a 10-second head start! Aren't I a good priest? So run, devil-kun! Hyahahahahahahahahaha!"
Kuh, this insane priest. Though, he has a point. I'd better start running now if I have a chance to survive!
I sped out of the place with my full speed, going away as far as possible away from that priest. So I ran and ran without thinking, trying to escape the madman that I'm sure that is looking for me right now.
Minutes had passed and I found myself in the park where I confessed to Amano-san. Did I get here by accident, by luck or by instinct?
"So here you are, devil-kun!" A familiar voice echoes throughout the park as I felt my heart slumped down. I immediately turned around and saw the psycho priest as he waves his lightswords around. This is bad! How did he even manage to follow me here? Is he even human?!
"Tut,tut,tut. You're really slooooooooooooooooow devil-kun~" He gloated. "You aren't a knight for sure. Maybe you're a rook? Or a bishop?"
This is really bad! His killer instinct swept through me as I took a step back unconsciously. My hands are shaking and my mind suddenly went blank as fear rose in me. Will I die here? The same thoughts that I once felt when facing the she-devil once again came rushing through me.
Kuh…! Is this fate playing on me?! Am I fated to die that day, and its doing everything it can to correct it?!
"But you don't look special at all~" He cackled as he slowly approached me. "Ah, could it be that you're a pawn?! Heeeheeeeheeeeheeee. It's only fitting for someone as worthless as you to become a pawn!"
His killing intent became more intense as he took another step towards me. I, on the other hand, froze in my place. Dammit…! Why couldn't I do anything?! It's the same as before! Am I powerless before these guys?! Will I let myself become a toy to be played at their whims?!
"I won't accept it!"
He suddenly became bewildered all of a sudden.
"What are you shouting now, you shitty devil-kun?"
"I won't become your plaything!" I've had it! I've had enough! I won't become someone else's toy anymore! "If I'm going to die anyway, I'll go down fighting!"
"So you had some fighting spirit in you, devil-kun! Very well then!"
He then suddenly vanished in front of me.
"What?! Where is he- Guha!"
Blood came out of my mouth that was followed by intense pain.
It burns! It really burns! My stomach is on fire! Just what happened?! I looked down and saw a lightsword piercing through it. I raised my head a little higher and saw the psycho priest grinning madly.
Dammit…! Did he move so fast that I couldn't follow it?
I fell down on my knees in intense pain.
"Guuu…. Kuuuuuhhhhh…."
I couldn't even speak due to the intense pain and the feeling of being burnt from the inside. It hurts! It so much that I could pass out any minute now!
Sounds of footsteps were closing on me. I looked up and saw the psycho priest as he raised a lightsword, intending to plunge it unto me.
"You can't move can yoooouuuuuuuuu?! Light is poisonous for beings like you! So, devil-kun, I'm going to kill you now. Is it okay? Of course it is! I'm an exorcist after all, hyahahahahaha!"
Is he going to finish me off?! No, I can't die here! Not like this… Not like this!
As the sword slowly descends, something came over me. It is a feeling of something new, yet familiar. It was overriding my instincts, like it was controlling me. Just what is this?! Is this the feeling when someone is about to die?! I didn't feel anything like this before!
Raise your right hand…
I could hear its voice from deep inside me…
Raise your right hand…
I just… have to raise it right?!
I slowly raised my right hand, and to the psycho priest's surprise, I managed to grab into the blade his sword.
Kuh…! It's hot! It's extremely hot! There are now burn marks on my hand where I touched the blade of the light sword.
Will it. Will it to disappear.
Will it to disappear… What should I make disappear?
Think, make it disappear.
It was then that I understood.
"DISAPPEAR! BLADE OF LIGHT!" I shouted in desperation as I clenched my right hand. The psycho priest looked shocked for a moment, before it returned to its usual sneer.
"Shut up, you shitty devil-kun! Now die- Hawa?!"
He suddenly stopped as he looked at me in bewilderment. I could actually understand how he suddenly acted like that.
It was because the blade of his sword has just disappeared.
To be more accurate, it was like his blade has just been erased.
"W-What just happened?! Did you do it, you shitty devil-kun?" He sneered at me as he pulled out another one of those light swords. "I have a lot of spares, devil-kun, Kukuku…"
He raised his new sword. Now that I know what to do, I tried to erase the blade in my stomach, but the blade melted into my body and the pain is increased to the point I couldn't move a single part of my body.
"Kukuku… Light is poison to your kind, I said that before didn't I? It looks like it has taken effect, and you can't move your body because of the light circulating in your system!"
Kuh…! If I got hit by another one of those, I'm going to die for sure!
"Soooo…. How does you Japanese say it again? Sayonara? Yeah, it is. So Sayonara, devil-kun!" And with that he went in for the kill.
However, it didn't reach me.
HYUN!
The wind blew past me, and an explosion materialized on the priest's hand. Due to it, he dropped the sword as he screamed in pain.
"GUHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! W-What is this?! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!"
"Don't you dare touch him." A woman then walks past by me.
Crimson hair. Like the one in my dreams. Could it be?
"Kuhuhuhu… Crimson hair, a trademark of the house of Gremory… so you're the devil-ojouchan who rules this place." The priest sneered at the woman with the crimson hair.
"How do you do, Mr. Former Exorcist. My name is Rias Gremory. If you touch even one speck of this boy, I will not hold back, even if you are a human."
So it's Rias Gremory. The second year senpai in our school. What is she doing here? Is she the one who had saved me?
"Isn't this a great opportunity for me?! If I kill one of the nobility of the devil world, then surely my position in the Grigori will be higher?"
"I seriously doubt that. Not will Azazel in charge."
"Kukuku… I'm not talking about Azazel you dumb bitch!"
"Hooohhh… so pray tell, who are you talking about?"
"Not your business devil-ojouchan." He then quickly put away his swords. "As much as it hurts me, I am in no position to play with you guys any longer." He then looked at me. "I looked forward to playing with you again, devil-kun~" He then turned towards Gremory-senpai. "My name is Freed Selzan. Remember my name…"
As soon as he said that, a gust of wind blew around him for a second, and he was gone.
So is it safe now…?
Did I survive once more?
I felt a bit relieved, but my eyes got blurry and my consciousness started to fade away. This is bad, isn't it?
With the last ounce of my strength, I looked at the girl with the long crimson hair, Rias Gremory.
"Ara, are you about to faint? It can't be helped then."
It was those exact words I heard before I was claimed by the darkness once more.