Versace, Versace, Versace

by Barakozu1488

Fraudmaxxing, delusional, far too obsessed with his appearance, and a total rizzmaster semi fuckboy. Hyoudou Issei has a serious spending problem for overpriced, luxury designer goods, and obviously has a traumatic past. This is a semi-shitpost, semi serious story / Action, comedy, lil bit of angst, and 99% shitposting. Enjoy.

2. Chapter 2

Wahgwan gs, chapter 2, electric boogaloo.

Even more schizophrenic Hyoudou Issei Bateman posting for you all. Enjoy.

Unfortunately, my lawyer, aka Mr Stevo, who none of you know is secretly the ghostwriter for every single story I've written, has told me that I gotta put mandatory warnings because some of my readers are sensitive little boys and girls (yes i have female readers, i found this out the hard way and it was traumatising to say the least).

Trigger warning: Rape jokes, violence threats, etc. LOL!

More trigger warnings: reminders that most of you are too broke to afford versace and gucci like Hyoudou Issei, get your bread up

Nah im joking tho enjoy and i love you all

So, the truth is, I wanted to write a much bigger chapter, but I realized that might come out to 30-50k words. I'll just do the rest in the next chapter. Let me know if you'd all prefer longer chapters that take longer to come out, or if I should just stick to 10-15k word chapters more frequently

"If it's italics, assume this is Hyoudou, or someone else's internal thoughts."

"[My Ddraiga is speaking out loud]"

[My Ddraiga is speaking to Issei's mind]

"Issei has now speaking and synchronised with Ddraig's voice."

---

"So, let me get this straight." The redhead stated in a calm, collected manner, much to Issei's surprise, as he raised an eyebrow in confusion. "You, the school's resident antisocial fuckboy, is secretly the current Red Dragon Emperor. Somehow, a fallen angel managed to seduce you into taking her on a date, she revealed her true intentions in trying to assassinate you…"

"Yep, that's about right." He nodded back with an exhausted grin, in contrast to his playful, carefree voice, flashing her a playful wink, and stuck his tongue out. "That's just another day for me!"

"...Then you grope her, and somehow attain Balance Breaker, get high off said balance breaker, and proclaim yourself the next incarnation of Buddha?" Rias continued, pinching the brow of her nose in a mix of disappointment and awe.

To say Hyoudou Issei was famous would've been an understatement. Even before his debut, the teenager was proclaimed to be the 'Bane of Women'. A seemingly innocent boy with an unnatural, depraved amount of raw, animalistic lust, often being scolded, cursed out, or even beaten for his never-ending antics revolving around peeping or ogling the female student body of Kuoh. His love for breasts was famed throughout school, which was what confused Rias.

Both her, and her queen had arguably the biggest busts in the school, yet Issei had never made a single attempt to ogle them, letalone stare at her. She could only ever recall a single time where the two made eye contact, and Rias could not sense a single trace of lust, or anything close to it behind those eyes. Rather than that, all she could sense was a sad, broken man, hiding behind a mask.

And this new Issei, despite his makeover, his personality change and sense of theatrics, was no different at his core. Rather than that, his mental state seemed worse than ever. The Gremory heiress had spent her childhood educated amongst Devil nobility, creatures who had evolved for eons around subterfuge, manipulation, and the ability to read human's emotions and exploit them. Rias had full confidence in her ability to understand, and empathise with others, especially so considering her peerage's history. The girl had a habit of sheltering broken people.

When she saw Issei, at first, she saw was an incredibly handsome man. Every inch of his body, every feature, it was as if they were purposefully sculpted to appeal to the base, feminine desire. From his lean, well-defined, and handsome features. His face was the perfect mix of masculinity, and soft features. His bright, baby-blue eyes while clearly contacts, were enough to melt the hearts of even the iciest of people. The long, dyed-blonde hair added a 'wild' flair to his image.

Even his body was purposefully crafted to appeal to women. While Issei was stronger than most Humans, for a man who called himself the Sekiryuutei, his strength seemed lacking, as if he'd purposefully neglected it. His proportions, the well-defined, lithe layers of muscle seemed diligently crafted around looking aesthetic, instead of training for raw strength. His sense of fashion, and a need to be flashy, and even his scent, adjourned with top-class designer fragrances, every little bit of the man that was Hyoudou Issei seemed fake, like a mask.

In essence, Rias's analysis concluded one thing - Hyoudou Issei was still the broken teenager he once was, yet now, he was one with an intense insecurity, and a need to show off. The heiress felt a pang of fear run down her spine, knowing that at any point, if she accidentally irritated this boy, it'd be akin to waking a sleeping Dragon.

"And you, are secretly the daughter and heir to one of the most prominent clans of Devil society." Issei hummed back, interrupting Rias's train of thoughts, continuing his sing-song, smooth, honey-like voice, mixed with raspy undertones. "Yet, you and the rest of your peerage are masquerading as Human students in Kuoh, using your club as a front."

"Exactly! You catch on quick, Hyoudou!" She nodded back to him with an easy-going smile. She could've sworn she caught him blushing for but a single second, as his eyes deeply gazed into her own with a piercing, cold stare, unnerving her. "Erm, are you alright? You seem to be staring at me."

The redhead couldn't tell whether Issei was trying to intimidate her, or seduce her. His sharp stare intensified with every passing second, yet his easy-going smile contrasted with those eyes, Rias finding herself begin to grow lost in his eyes, before glancing away with a long sigh. She had to remind herself that this man was no different to any other man attempting to vy for her affection and attention, solely to break away from that look.

"Hyoudou, are you seriously hitting me with that lightskin stare?" She muttered back, tilting her head away from him with a faint giggle, as Issei hummed back with a chuckle.

"Ah, my bad." He retorted, pursing his lips, as the teenager stood up with a sigh. "It's something I do unintentionally."

Issei was terrified for his life. First Raynare tearing what little heart he had left out, and then the most beautiful girl in his school pouncing on him had sent the boy's body into an anxiety-driven wreck. He was thankful for the training he'd had in hiding his expressions from enemies, but even this was beginning to break, as he held a hand behind his back in an attempt to hide how desperately his fist was clenching and shaking.

He'd heard of the Gremory family - Anyone in the supernatural world knew of them. He'd always assumed that Rias carrying the name was purely a coincidence, or if anything, he was far too absorbed in himself to have even paid attention. Yet, now that she was in front of him, staring at him, he was panicking.

Her beauty was one thing, she was, without a doubt, one of the most attractive women he'd ever come across. Even the scent of her cherry perfume swept through his nose, and her big, blue eyes struck his heart harder than any of Raynare's light spears possibly could. Her body too, was like something his younger self could've only dreamed of.

Her voice too, was soft, caring, and motherly, and to a boy who lacked any core figures in his life, he found himself growing far too comfortable with her so easily. It irritated him, he had no idea how to possibly overcome this. Seducing her, or even attempting to, would be a no-no. The girl had grown up in the underworld, and had probably come across far more eligible men than him, yet she remained single. There was no chance Issei's techniques would be able to curry him favour, even if he didn't want to.

Alongside the fact that this girl's older brother was notorious in the supernatural world for his power, Issei shivered. At any point, were he unlucky, he could find his world destroyed in a single second. The legends of Sirzechs Lucifer Gremory, the Devil who overthrow Satan himself, could make even the strongest Hero wet his pants in fear. To think the man's younger sister lay across him made Issei shiver. He was strong, but the difference between the Red Dragon, and the Devil himself, was like that of the Heavens and Hell - Issei needed to be cordial, and polite, without charming her.

"It's fine, you've been through a lot today, so I understand." Rias interrupted his own train of thoughts with a friendly smile, standing up to her full height. She was still clad in her school uniform, as she raised a hand toward him. "But you've summoned me, so I suppose I still have to make a contract with you, don't I?"

"A contra- Oh shit, yeah, I forgot about that." Issei replied in panic. He summoned her on accident, by wishing for a harem. Rias had to have known this as she was summoned, which made him quiver in horror. "Uh, about that request I said by summoning you…"

"Oh, that?" Rias burst out into laughter, as Issei felt his heart pang in response. "Don't worry about it! It was probably out of context, I don't mind it. If anything, that's probably the most innocent request I've heard. You'd be surprised what some Humans say."

"I can imagine. So, I might as well get this done…" He nodded back with a sigh of relief, aiming to end their interaction as soon as possible. "Here's my request - Don't tell anyone that I'm the Sekiryuutei, and I'll give you whatever you want."

Rias's eyes widened at his request, and how simple it was. With a nod, she smiled eagerly. He began to panic internally, questioning what little sanity he had left. How could a girl like this sway his heart so easily, where no girl prior had? How could all his defences, every single step of looksmaxxing fall apart from Rias. Had he finally met his match? All the days, and months of researching, of ensuring his image was perfect, had little-to-no effect on this girl, it was as if she saw past him. Rias treated him more like a business partner than anything else.

It began to break his superficial confidence bit-by-bit, leaving his mind in a mix of depression, rage, and hope. Despite his shattering ego, he felt comfortable, and trusting of the Devil. It'd be hilarious to him, if it weren't so pathetic.

"Stupid fucking bitch." He thought to himself, though the insult seemed more aimed at himself rather than Rias.

[Leave the girl alone, she seems kind to you, partner. And believe me, I am the last Dragon alive to trust when it comes to such matters!] Ddraig scolded him in return, much to Issei's confusion.

"No way your scaly ass likes her too, LOL!" He muttered back mockingly.

[What? She has red hair, so she's a trustworthy person.] Ddraig proudly declared, as Issei laughter began to buzz through the back of his mind, much to the heavenly Dragon's dismay. [Why are you laughing, partner? I'm being honest!]

"Bro, she's not doing it for you. That's her natural hair colour, LOL!"

[WHAT DO YOU MEAN, PARTNER? THIS DEVIL IS CLEARLY PAYING HOMAGE TO ME. ALL TRACES OF THE COLOUR RED REFLECT BACK UPON I, THE GREAT HEAVENLY DRAGON. I AM FIRE, I AM DEATH, I AM DARKNESS, I AM Y DDRAIG GOCH, THE WELSH DRA- STOP FUCKING LAUGHING AT ME, I'M SERIOUS!] Ddraig roared back in pride, before scowling at Issei. If he didn't know better, it was as if the Dragon was sobbing in defeat.

"You're serious?" Issei chortled back, repeating the Dragon's last words back to him. "Yeah, seriously gay, LOL!"

[BRATTY HATCHLING!] The dragon cursed back at him with a vile snarl. [HOW DARE YOU CURSE THE HEAVENLY DRAGON! CORRECTION IS NEEDED! TONIGHT, I SHALL BURN YOUR VERSACE CLOTHING!]

"WAIT, WAIT, PLEASE, DDRAIG, I'M SORRY!" Issei cried back in forgiveness, knowing all too well how often Ddraig had followed up on his threats, visualising an image of him kneeling at the Dragon's claws, much to Ddraig's pleasure, as the Dragon's face shifted into a smirk.

[You know what to say then, partner. Beg me for my forgiveness.] Ddraig chuckled back.

"Please, forgive me, O' mighty Ddraig-sama, for you are the Dragon of Dragons, the superior one, the greatest Heavenly beast that roams the skies. Forgive this foolish boy for his vile crimes!" Issei pleaded in forgiveness with a tired sigh.

[Very well then, I shall forgive you this once. Do not trifle with me again, boy. Or else, I shall, as the dark men of Tiktok say, make you do the 'Thug Shaker'.] The dragon responded threateningly, as the teenager cringed back at the threat.

"Ddraig, you do realize that's not a threat, it refers to gay sex, right?" He explained, earning the Dragon's howl of disapproval.

[WAIT, THAT WASN'T A HUMILIATION RITUAL?]

"No dude, that's a gay porno."

[So why do so many Humans enjoy this? Are you all homosexual?]

"No. People just find the idea of muscular black men doing effeminate things funny."

[...Why?]

"Is my name Mr. KnowYourMeme, my Ddraiga?"

[Ddraiga please! Yo ass knows more about memes than anyone else. I still recall when you were a young brat, on an ego trip when you were promoted to moderator status on the Discord!]

"Ddraig, shut up."

"Earth to Hyoudou! Stop ignoring me!" Rias interrupted his thoughts, as Issei broke out of his mindscape and glanced back at the redhead apologetically. "Are you okay?"

"Ah, sorry. The Dragon in me was saying something." He explained, as Rias glanced at the red, scaled gauntlet on his right arm with intrigue, the teenager gesturing it toward her. "Wanna talk to him?"

"Really?" She asked back with excitement, as Issei nodded, only for Rias to shake her head. "Okay, thank you, but before we do that, I have a requirement."

"Hit me with it." Issei shrugged back.

"For your payment for that term you mentioned earlier…" She muttered back with a sigh, twiddling her thumbs together. "Would you come to the Occult Research Club tomorrow, I want you to meet my peerage, that's my requirement."

"Why though?"

"Just because!" She said back sharply, earning Issei's laughter. The teenager began to grasp her intentions, before nodding with a hum.

"Ah, you want to convince me to be a Devil, right?" He raised an eyebrow at Rias, as the heiress nodded with a slow sigh. "Yeah, I'll probably say no, but why not?"

"I'm glad we could come to an agreement." Rias smiled back at him, before pointing toward his gauntlet, her voice now taking on a more childish, innocent wandering glance at it. "Show me it! I wanna see the Dragon, please?"

Nodding back, Issei found her change from the Devilish, business-like attitude, to the curious, child-like innocence attractive. Her femininity was far too strong for a man like him, unable to say no. He knew that showing off this much might not bode well for him in the future, but he shrugged and carried onward, wanting to try and make her shower him with compliments, solely for his own ego.

Letting Rias run her soft hands across his gauntlet, he steeled his face, trying not to blush at the sudden touch, as the girl brushed her lithe, delicate fingers against the Boosted Gear's green gem, only for it to suddenly glow, Rias jumping back in surprise.

"[And who is this foul Devil, who dares to touch the Great Red Dragon Emperor! How dare you! I shall burn your entire clan down, child.]" Ddraig's voice rumbled from his hand, as Rias recoiled back with cat-like reflexes, staring down at him with fear, as Issei shook his head with laughter.

"Oh my god, I'm sorry! Please forgive me, great Dragon!" Rias screamed back, as the Dragon and his host began to laugh wildly at her response.

"Relax, he's harmless. He's just messing around with you, right, Ddraig?" Issei responded softly, walking toward the redhead, as his eyes darted over Ddraig with irritation.

"Do not fuck this up for me, Ddraig."

[Or what?]

"Whenever I come across the White Dragon, I'll tell Albion you were looking at gay porn."

[You are the most vile, depraved, and disgusting host I've ever come across… Except for the previous guy. But fine, I'll play nice.]

"Good dragon."

"[Indeed, I was merely jesting, young Devil. It is a pleasure to meet you.]" Ddraig hummed out to Rias in a cool, collected manner. "[You have earned my respect for being able to deal with my current host. He is quite a handful. It is impressive that you managed to even maintain a conversation with him.]"

"Ddraig, what the fuck?" He roared back at the Dragon, as Rias giggled at the pair's bickering, much to his hidden delight.

"Thank you, Red Dragon Emperor. Your words are kind." She bowed before his gauntlet, before looking at Issei with a soft expression. "Your host is… Different, to all the previous ones, if rumours are to be believed. He's eccentric, but he seems nice, upon first impressions."

"[Indeed. Do not let his appearance fool you! Be wary, he may come across as a delinquent, or some depraved playboy, as many have mentioned.]" Ddraig replied forebodingly. "[But this partner's pure of heart, and body! In fact, he is a total virgi- OI. STOP PUNCHING ME! I'M TRYING TO MAKE YOU LOOK GOOD HERE! HYOUDOU ISSEI, I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!]

In an instant, Issei began to repeatedly slam his fist into the gauntlet, over, and over again, in an attempt to silence Ddraig, till the Dragon began to whimper in pain, and finally remained quiet, as only grunts and muffles of sadness escaped the gear's gem.

"Sorry about that, he's… Pretty weird." He replied with an innocent chuckle, in an attempt to diffuse the situation.

"Don't worry about it. Sacred Gears, and their users are fairly… Quirky, to say the least." Rias replied sympathetically, rolling her eyes at Ddraig's whimpers. "Though, I never expected the Welsh Dragon himself to have such a… Strange personality. It's clear he's attached to you."

"Him? No way, Ddraig curses me everyday. He cries all the time about how he wishes he wasn't born into such a terrible person." Issei replied softly, yet truthfully. "We have a strange relationship, some days we're arguing like siblings, other days he's treating me like he's my crazy uncle."

"That means he likes you a lot, you know? Did you know most sacred gear hosts, the heavenly dragons included, almost never speak to their hosts?" Rias muttered back in surprise, taking another glance at Issei. Something about him had to have been different, to be able to be on such equal terms as a Heavenly Dragon. "In fact, it's an amazing feat that you're this close to the Dragon. They're prideful creatures, so to have him treat you like that, you must have done something to earn his respect."

Issei's eyes widened in surprise, as he looked at the boosted gear with a newfound expression - He couldn't tell whether it was love, or intrigue, but as faint memories of his past interactions with the Dragon appeared, it made him smile, before gently caressing the gem.

"Thank you, Rias. That means a lot. I've never really thought about it that way." He hummed back at Rias, before turning his eyes toward the gauntlet. "I love you too, Ddraig. You're my best buddy!"

"[Eh? What are you talking about? I only talk to you because you're the weakest partner I've ever had!] Ddraig replied in an embarrassed stutter, yet his voice was softer than it'd been in a long time. "[To me, you're just an insignificant Human, like all the rest. There's no way I could ever be attached, or develop a bond to you, hatchling! You're just another host. It's not like my partners ever spoke to me at all! In fact, I was never lonely! Stupid, dummy, pathetic Human… I hate you!"

"... Ddraig?" Issei muttered back in a mix of confusion. "... Are you a tsundere?"

"..." Rias remained silent, far too bewildered by the Dragon's sudden outburst to say anything, though it took all her composure to hide her laughter.

"[Okay, fine!] Ddraig sighed back in confession "[I only ever talk to you because you're totally helpless, and it would be a shame on my great honour, and reputation for you to die, partner. My life would be boring, and I expect great things from you. Don't get it twisted, I totally don't see you as my little brother! As if a Dragon like me could possibly bond with a Human… Pathetic. I'm going to sleep now!]

"Wow."

"This has been…" Rias murmured back. "The strangest thing I've seen in a long time… What is it with supernatural beings and their obscene behaviour? Onii-sama is no different."

"What was that?" Issei muttered back, as Rias shook her head.

"Nothing! Forget I said anything!" She blushed back in embarrassment, before shaking her head and turning toward him. "Anyway, I'm done here on the contract side. So, just go to school tomorrow, and I'll have someone pick you up to show you the clubroom, okay?"

"Sure thing. I'll be heading home now, bye." Issei nodded back, before turning away and going home, as he glanced down at his dark, leather shoes, only now realising the damage that had been done to it, as well as his clothes. "FUCK MAN! MY VERSACE SHOES!"

"Oh, and Hyoudou!" Rias called out to him a final time, as Issei glanced back at her with a grunt. "This may sound a little strange, but compared to what people in school say about you, you're actually not a bad person. You're a good person!"

"Thank you." He muttered back with a silent whisper, feeling his heart twitch for but a single second, before his face resumed it's usual, carefree demeanour. "But, for all we know, I could've been putting on a fake smile for you. I could be a serial killer, I could be a murderer, and with my reputation as the Red Dragon Emperor, I could be like all the rest - I could go berserk and murder you! I'm crazy, remember!"

"No you're not." Rias giggled back at his quips. She'd began to grasp somewhat of his personality, and felt at ease around him. Whether due to his charm, or if she'd actually managed to scope out what Hyoudou Issei truly was, Rias didn't know, but she wanted to take a chance on him. "You're different, yes. Being different isn't a bad thing."

"In my case, it might be, you know?"

"You put a lot of work into your appearance, you took a girl out on a date, wanting to take a chance on love. You even showed me your Sacred Gear, something you're clearly strongly bonded to." The redhead replied in soft, caring voice, Issei's eyes remaining unfazed as ever. "I'm not going to tell you what's right or wrong, that's your life to live, but what I want to get across is that, no matter what others say about you, and your reputation in school, you're kind. At least, to me."

"That means a lot, coming from the red-haired princess." He flashed a wink back at her, and at least for a second, he had the pleasure of finally seeing the girl flushed, as she regained her composure.

"Gotcha." He hummed to himself in pride.

"I understand why you call yourself the Blood Dragon now, it has to do with Ddraig, doesn't it?" Rias remarked. "Don't you think it's a little edgy, though?"

"It goes hard as fuck, for real." He grunted back.

"But why not just Red Dragon? Or even crimson? Why specifically blood?" She questioned his strange choice of names, blinking and fluttering her eyelashes.

Before he could reply, Issei turned away, waving his hand out in farewell, as his voice shifted toward a raspy, husky tone, while the boosted gear dematerialized on his arm, as if he were processing his next reply, Issei stopped in his tracks, and turned around to face her a final time, with a grin.

"There's already a red haired princess in Kuoh Academy, and she's far too beautiful for me to steal her thunder with the name 'Red Dragon.'" He explained, as his words reached the girl, who's blue eyes widened at his compliments. "Sure, beauty's one thing, but I always assumed she was kind too, and now I've seen it first hand. Blood dragon fits me better, because I like being the dark, brooding, edgy kind of guy. It would ache my heart to call myself the Red dragon, because then people would compare me to you."

"... You really thought about that, Hyoudou?" She muttered back in awe. For all she knew, the Devil had never expected the 'Blood Dragon' to have been self-aware about his behaviour. "But that wouldn't matter, it's just a nickname!"

"To them, sure." He nodded in approval. "A rose is only as beautiful as the place it sprouts from, Senpai. To me, you're someone I've admired - You have the looks, the status, and the personality. You work hard, and have people you care about. It seems superficial, but so am I. These miniscule things, those tiny details? Those are things I care about. Japanese culture is about status, looks, and appearance. To carry 'red' in my title would be putting me on the same level as you. I could never tarnish your reputation."

"But you had friends too. You have people that care about you." Rias muttered back. She didn't even know why she found herself so swept away by this conversation, one that didn't even seem to matter, yet its sentimental value to Issei began to grasp in her mind too. As if he'd laid his heart out to her, in an artistic sense.

"Me? I'm a lone wolf. I'm the dark, brooding guy in the back of the classroom. All this designer on my body? All my 'drip-drip', that's me making myself stand out." Issei spat back. "I hate people. I have no friends. I have no goals, no ambitions, nothing. I do everything I do, because I have nothing else to do."

"... Why are you telling me this, and where is this coming from?" She sighed back.

"I just had a terrible date, and you were the first person in my way. I'm trauma-dumping on you, LOL!" He laughed out loud, with a wild chuckle, before turning back to her. "But on the serious side, it's mostly because I want to warn you that I'm not a good person, Senpai. I'll see you tomorrow."

As he walked away, he left the redhead on her own for a few moments, processing every single word, every action, and every gesture he'd made, as the girl was flurried with a barrage of numerous emotions. She was unsure how to feel about the man that was Hyoudou Issei, before taking a long, calculated sigh, and glancing up toward Kuoh's starry, night sky.

"Rias, you are not going to fix him." She muttered to herself as a reminder. "I will not fix him, I will leave him alone, I will let him mind his own business…"

She remained silent, as another barrage of thoughts assaulted her mind. Images of his face, his words, and his voice echoed throughout her mind. She wondered how such a wild, idiotic man could have this much sway on her mind from their first meeting, before cooling herself down.

"By Satan, he's like a puppy." Rias spoke to herself in realisation. "Fine, just this once, I'll get to know him."

---

"Siri, play Something in the way by Nirvana." Issei grunted as he woke up to the sensation of sunlight shimmering through the baroque curtains in his bedroom, as he yawned and stretched his arms out like a cat. "The slowed and reverb version, with the Batman twenty-twenty-two movie's opening dialogue."

The teenager forced himself out of bed, eyes still half-shut, his messy hair draped over his eyes, hiding his face like the protagonist of a Japanese smut book. His body was strangely exhausted, presumably from the previous night's horror show of a date. Despite his delinquent behaviours, Issei had always ensured to maintain a punctual record of attendance, alongside his immaculate grades, solely as a reason to stand out, and to get leniency on disciplinary action for any actions he often finds himself in.

"Monday, the streets of Kuoh are filled with Salarymen, students, and parents, even with the blazing sun." He muttered to himself, as he forced himself on his back, beginning to rush his way through a vast set of intense abdominal crunches, ignoring his soreness and exhaustion, even as his muscles ached. "Hidden beneath, is the element, waiting to strike like snakes… But I'm there too."

As he finished his crunches, the sweat-ridden teenager forced his way into his immaculate bathroom, having spared not a single expense on it's decoration. Black, marble tiles were cool to the touch, and the walls too, were engrossed in dark marble with gold brushing each part. Issei had purposefully chosen this, as well as his bedroom's dark, brooding, and gothic aesthetic to match his mood.

The four, vantablack walls of his room were to remind him of his life, and to force himself to always remain the edgy, dark and brooding teenager he thought himself, and any character development, any growth, all this was steered in that direction. Even in spite of his cheery personality, that too, was a wall to scare others, to keep them from prying into the dark, macabre mind that was Hyoudou Issei.

Or at least, that's what he told himself, as he stared at his reflection once again in the glass shower pane, ignoring the ice-cold sensations from his shower spraying onto his body.

"Six months of night have turned me into a nocturnal animal. I must choose my targets wisely, it's a big town - I can't be everywhere, but they don't know where I am." He murmured to himself, as he spotted weary, dark shadows around his eyes, accumulated from nights of poor sleep, often plagued by nightmares.

The nightmares never stopped, he'd just gotten used to them. Eventually, hiding them with make-up became his daily routine. It hurt him to resort to such feminine tactics of concealing his skin, and hiding his poor habits with foundation, but it was all to keep his facade up, and the ends had always justified the means when it came to Issei's appearance.

"They think I'm hiding in the shadows," He sighed back to himself, with longing. "But I am the shado-"

[YOU ARE NOT THE SHADOWS, YOU WILL NEVER BE BATMAN. YOU HAVE NO MONEY, NO STRENGTH, NO INTELLIGENCE, AND CERTAINLY NOT THE TRAGIC BACK- Okay, you do have the tragic backstory, but the point is, you will never be him. You're too goofy to be Batman, partner.] Came Ddraig's daily, thunderous voice, reprimanding and reminding the angsty teenager of his place in life.

"For once, I agree with you." He muttered silently, stifling the wince of pain at the mention of his late parents.

As Issei had finished his shower, he began his usual skincare routine, alongside brushing his long, accumulated hair. Today, he'd decided to gel and slick back his shoulder length, beach-blonde hair into a bun, and utilize foundation to hide his make-up. Admiring his reflection in the mirror, he'd come to a conclusion on which outfit to use today, and what aesthetic to cultivate.

[Forgive me for my outburst, partner. It was not my intention to bring up those memories.] Ddraig had finally spoken in a soft, apologetic voice, only for Issei to brush a hand away, unfazed.

"I know what you meant, Ddraig. I'm not mad at you." He hummed back, as the young man began to brush through his wardrobe, before pulling out a rather unique variant of Kuoh Academy's uniform from his closet. "I just miss them, a lot."

[I never knew mine.] Ddraig hummed back empathising. [When I was old enough, I attempted to speak to them, my father tried to eat me, in the belief that my flesh would make him grow stronger. I've always been alone, until I met the White One.]

"You make it seem like you and Albion were marri-" Issei coyly muttered back, only to wince as Ddraig's voice cut back in.

[WE ARE NOT GAY! WE WERE SIMPLY RIVALS, AND BROTHERS EVEN! THIS IS SIMPLY THE WAY DRAGONS ARE! YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND PARTNER, YOU HAVE NO FRIENDS!] Ddraig roared back at him defensively.

"But what about the time you saw each other's di-"

[FOR THE LAST TIME, THAT WAS NOT WITH LUSTFUL GAZE. Albion and I were simply determining which of us were more likely to pleasure our partners. For it is a Dragon's hoard, his strength, and his size that determine his success in siring offspring. Our spears were both at an equal length, as well as our hoards. As a result, we resorted to fighting in order to determine our strength!] Ddraig explained defensively, earning howls of laughter from Issei.

"You killed God, and the Devil over a literal dick measuring contest? LOL, talk about an insecurity complex!" Came the blonde-haired teenager's roaring laughter, as the Dragon continued to bicker on.

[NO, THAT WAS THE FIRST FIGHT! The fight you speak of was for a different reason, a far more noble and honourable reason!]

"What could possibly have caused the two strongest Dragons in existence to fight to the death, Ddraig?"

[It was mating season, and we found the same Dragoness enticing. Hence, we fought to determine who would be worthy of courting her.] The dragon calmly replied, only for Issei to raise an eyebrow.

"So you fought over a girl?"

[...]

"..."

[I understand it may seem fickle to a Human like you, but to a Dragon, mating is every-]

"Ddraiga PLEASE! Yo ass got killed over pussy! LOL!"

[WRONG! I never had the chance to court her anyway! She said that both Albion and I were far too unstable, and chaotic for one as noble as her… Stupid fucking bitch.]

"Ddraig, what did you just say?"

[Stupid fucking bitch?]

"Stop. When you use my phrases, it feels wrong. It's like hearing my baby brother repeat curse words at me."

[Ddraiga, please! Between us, you're the little brother… Also, what in Great Red's name is your outfit, partner?]

"Like it? I call this Banchou-core." Issei grinned eagerly, as he stared at his reflection through his full-length mirror.

If the previous school day's outfit was called eccentric, his current clothing could be considered outrageous. Gone were the fine cut, slim-fit and tailored uniforms that accentuated his body. Instead, Hyoudou Issei had decided to wear his usual white shirt, alongside a blazer that was far too long to truly be called a blazer. Instead, it ran down to his mid-thigh, like an overcoat, etched with the logo of another obscure, French designer. His trousers too, were matched, with a wide-legged, seemingly baggy, yet purposefully cropped appearance, cropped just above his ankles.

[You look like one of those delinquents in the mangas you made me read! This is hilarious! Are you planning on robbing someone, partner?] Ddraig roared out in laughter, as Issei himself joined in, yet continued to admire himself.

His outfit was indeed outrageous, yet still managed to retain some aesthetic purposes. His plan was simple - He was forced to meet Rias Gremory today, alongside her peerage, under the intention of convincing him to join her peerage. Rather than give in, Issei had hoped to live up to his reputation, and appearance, by dressing as most obnoxious, least self-aware caricature of a Japanese delinquent as he possibly could.

Even his watch screamed 'degenerate', embossed with the 'Gucci' logo, and a pair of dark loafers with the golden face of Medusa at the bridge. The letters of the 'Versace' logo littered all across the toe. The choice of bag today too, was a duffle bag with the same pattern as his shoes.

"It's all to get her to leave me alone, Ddraig." Issei explained, his eyebrow twitching in anger from yesterday's events. "After she pulled that final stunt of trying to convince me I'm not a bad person, I want to prove her wrong. I need to remind her that I am not the soft, innocent boy she thinks I am. She needs to know that I am the spirit of vengeance, I am darkness itself! I am the Blood Dragon of Kuoh!"

[You more like the Bad Dragon of Kuoh, with how butthurt you get. LOL!] Ddraig chuckled back, as Issei smacked his right arm, earning Ddraig's roar of pain.

"I should've never told you about that site." He snarled back in anger.

[Partner, it's clear that even after my death, Humanity worships me! Clearly, why else would your kind manufacture phallic toys in the shape of my once proud spear! It is proof that once again, Dragons are the ruling caste of this world!] The Dragon boastfully declared, continuing to ramble on.

"Ddraig, you do realize how disgusting that sounds, right?" He replied, much to Ddraig's dissatisfaction. "Besides, the same people that use those, also use ones in the shape of a horse."

[THESE HUMANS DARE TO COMPARE MY GREAT SPEAR TO A MERE BEAST'S? HOW DARE THEY! THAT IS FOUL!] Ddraig cried back in fury, much to Issei's surprise. Never in his days, had the young sekiryuutei seen the Dragon this angry since… Ever. [I AM THE HEAVENLY DRAGON, I AM THE RULER OF THE SKIES! I AM THE ONE WHO USURPED YAHWEH'S POSITION, AND RULED THE HEAVENS, IF FOR A MOMENT! I AM NOT SOME MERE SEX TOY, FOR A WOMAN'S WHIMSICAL PLEASURE! PARTNER, WHO ARE THESE DEPRAVED DALITS WHO USE ME? SHOW ME THEM NOW, I SHALL SUMMON LIGHTNING SO POWERFUL, SO DEMONIC, THAT EVEN INDRA HIMSELF WOULD COWER BENEATH MY RAGE!]

"Ddraig, you ever remember those furries I told you about?"

[... The ones that dress up as animals use the replicas of my spear to satisfy themselves?] Ddraig questioned back, as his voice dropped to a low, demonic whisper. [And throughout this entire time, you never considered using Juggernaut Overdrive to slaughter them?]

"I thought you said never to use tha-"

[HYOUDOU ISSEI! MY PARTNER, WIELDER OF THE BOOSTED GEAR! I SAY MANY THINGS, BUT HOW COULD YOU CALL YOURSELF MY PARTNER, IF YOU DO NOT DEFEND MY HONOUR! SLAUGHTER THESE PEOPLE NOW! IMMEDIATELY, PULL THEIR PANTS DOWN AND BURN OFF THEIR CROTCHES! END THEIR BLOODLINES!]

"I am tired, Ddraig. I don't care enough about this shit to continue. I need to go to school."

[PARTNER! PLEASE!]

"Yo, Siri, play Versace by Migos." Issei replied to his phone, rolling his eyes at Ddraig's ranting, as the sound of loud, bass-boosted rap music began to dull the Dragon's rants.

[HOW DO WE RAPE AND KILL THE-]

"Versace, Versace, Versace, Medusa head on me like I'm Illuminati!~" Interrupted the teenager, engrossing himself in his music, as he began to walk off to school.

[I SHALL GIVE YOU THE WORLD'S VERSACE IF YOU LISTEN TO ME!]

"Ddraig, I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm a millionaire. I can already afford it."

[I thought you said they were fake, though.]

"But those Dragon dildos aren't. LOL!"

[Ah, Ddraiga, don't hate me cuz I'm beautiful, my Ddraiga. Maybe if you got rid of that Yeeyee ass haircut, you'd get some females to mate with you! Perhaps even, Rias Gremory might offer herself to you, if she ever stops engrossing herself in her peerage, Draigaaaa~]

"I'm including you in my suicide note."

---

The walk to school was strange. Usually, Issei would come across a vast amount of students on his way, yet it seemed emptier than ever. He began to worry that today was a national holiday, yet he saw the usual Salaryman on their commute, which eased his fears. Yet, something still seemed strange, not a single student was to be seen on their way to Kuoh academy.

What was stranger, were the looks he'd received from strangers. Normally, he'd get looks of adoration, the occasional woman eyeing him up like a piece of meat. Being objectified was common for Issei, and occasionally, he did get cat-called, and compliments, but he often shrugged it aside and carried forward.

Yet, not a single woman had complimented him, only giving him dirty scowls, which made him smirk - His plan had worked, his appearance was far too outrageous save for the local Gyarus, who'd always greet him, much to his dismay. His gold, cross-shaped earrings swayed with each step he took, and the golden 'Gucci' chain he wore was displayed proudly atop his neck, swaying just above his shirt's open collar. His uniform was just asking to make sure he got sent home for the day, allowing him to break out of Rias's contract, or so he'd hoped.

But something strange occurred. As Issei reached the tall, intimidating gates of Kuoh Academy, not a single student was to be seen, yet he could make out a vast crowd of students on either side of the pathway leading into the main building, something that'd taken him by surprise. He couldn't sense any malice, or strange energy, so he'd simply assumed it was an event or rolecall he missed, and would worry about later.

What mattered now was getting to class. Venturing onward, Issei took once glance at the school's gym teacher, who'd glanced at him once, then looked again, this time with an expression of fear, and admiration. Issei's eyes were still hidden by his dark, versace sunglasses, and his strong, rose oud perfume wafted through the air, strong enough to make anyone near him overwhelmed. As exotic of a fragrance it was, Issei had purposefully sprayed a little too much, to waft away anyone trying to get close to him.

"Welcome back, Hyoudou-Banchou!" Came the sudden cry from his gym teacher, who'd instantly deferred to bowing toward in Issei's direction, much to the young delinquent's shock, who simply stared back with confusion.

"Uh… Miyaki-Sensei, come again?" Issei recalled, looking at his teacher with a puzzled expression.

"..." His teacher stared back at him with a blank expression, as the two took a minute to process the exchange, before his teacher finally broke composure and began to laugh. "Ah, I see now, you don't know, do you?"

"Know what, Sensei?" Issei replied in a mix of confusion.

In spite of his behaviour, and obscene, eccentric choice in clothing, and theatrics, Issei had always shown respect toward his teachers that treated him well. His combination of punctual attendance, polite attitude towards teachers, and his grades had led him to be labelled as a 'misunderstood genius' amidst the Kuoh faculty. Instead of reprimanding him for his actions, they'd often sympathize, and take his side. The months of bribery through chocolates, snacks, and occasional alcohol had let the young Dragon worm his way into their hearts, solely for the purpose of giving him more, and more freedom across the school. It was one of the reasons why Sona Shitori despised him so.

"I'm messing with you, Hyoudou!" His teacher roared back in laughter, before inching closer, dropping his voice to a whisper. "Listen, I'm going to warn you. There's a group of students out there, waiting for you. It seems that your fight last week caused a lot of commotion, so I want you to be careful!"

"For real?" Issei noted in concern, as his teacher nodded in approval. "Oh shit."

"Nothing the 'Blood Dragon' can't handle, though! I saw the fight last week. I had to say, I'm thoroughly impressed. As a teacher, I have to reprimand you, but as a fellow man, I'm proud!" Miyaki roared back in laughter. "Personally? I'd make you the captain of any club you'd decided to join, but I know you're not interested in that! Too busy with the ladies, huh?"

"This guy is like the Human version of Ddraig."

"Sensei, I told you! I don't have any girls, I strictly avoid them." Issei reassured him, placing his hands up in defence, much to his teacher's chagrin. "I want to focus on school!"

"Yeah, yeah, that's what they all say. Enjoy your youth, be proud of it, Hyoudou! Why, at your age, I wish I had more women! Now I'm married, and I'm a sad old man! Looking at you makes me proud!" Miyaki continued bolstering and uplifting the teenager, before glancing up and down at his attire, and chuckling again. "... Even if your outfit is ridiculous. You sure you didn't hear about the rumours?"

"I chose this outfit to get a girl to leave me alone, Sensei. I have zero clue what you're talking about." Issei returned, as his teacher began to bridge his nose in disbelief.

"Whatever, do your thing. Man, I wish I had the money to wear all the designer you do. You a Yakuza or something?" He replied, as Issei's sudden, nervous reaction was all he needed to confirm it. "I'm kidding! Just don't come to school with missing limbs, or tattoos, and I won't care. Just don't waste your life away."

"You're awfully intrusive into your student's lives, sensei." Issei remarked back with a sigh.

"Only the ones I like! Believe me, unlike them, I can talk to you man-to-man, Hyoudou! Students like you are what makes this job worth the effort!" Miyaki cheerfully continued, his never-ending barrage of inescapable conversation pinning the teenager down. "But anyway, I'll continue. Those kids are dressed up like delinquents, presumably to pay homage to you."

"I'm going to assume you're fucking with me, and go to class. See ya, Sensei." Issei replied with a tired sigh, as he walked past his teacher with a wave.

"Don't say I didn't warn you."

As Issei walked past the gates, his unbuttoned blazer flowing back against the wind, his jaw dropped at the sight held before him. Miyaki's words were an understatement. As his sharp eyes glanced through the faces of the boys at the entrance of Kuoh academy, he recalled each, and every single one of them lined up, side-by-side, upon each end of the pathway to the building. Sakura petals flowed through the wind, like a scene from an Anime, before they all took note of him, and the sudden stomping of shoes onto the ground, and the cumulative bow of every one of the fourty young men in Issei's direction occurred.

"Ddraig, you're seeing this too right?" He retorted to his dragon, awestruck by the sight laid before him.

[I'm thinking it's real.]

"More like it's over."

"WELCOME BACK, HYOUDOU-BANCHOU!" Came the roaring voice of all fourty boys synchronised in unison, calling out to their new, proclaimed leader.

"We are not making it out the hood with this one, my Ddraiga." Issei muttered to himself, his face cringing in sheer embarrassment.

[Ayo, we making it outta Kuoh with this one! Fire emoji! Free Donald Trump!]

---

"Don't talk to me, you fucking nig-" Issei grunted back, slamming a fist atop his desk, his eyes glaring at the bald student lerched atop his desk. "Wait, I'm not black, I can't say that."

The usual day of class went on as usual. Issei had always remained a studious, quiet, and easy-going student. He'd do his assigned work, listen attentively, and ensure no distractions were in his way. The intimidating appearance he'd maintained, and the cold, icy stare he'd give anyone glancing his way were enough to keep the coos and mentions of his name out of people's mouths, save for the occasional fujoshi, who'd hum in delight over her erotic fantasies of the young dragon emperor with another member of the student body.

For some reason, it almost always happened to be Kiba Yuuto, the school's 'handsome prince'. While Issei had never known the man personally, he once despised him for his looks, and the fact that the boy was always surrounded by a woman at any given point. In a sense, Issei admired him, and Yuuto had been an inspiration towards Issei's own regiment of improving his looks. Yet now, the dragon emperor had considered the blonde, pretty boy beneath him. Where Issei once despised him, he barely registered him as anything but a mere insect. The young man was certain that if he wished to, he could have nearly any girl at the school crawling beneath his feet, if he so desired, yet that did not appeal to him.

Ironically, in his quest to improve his looks, his materialistic, vain personality had grown so unhinged, that Issei had begun to despise how most women saw him. He found their attraction to his appearance alone depraved, considering his past reputation with women. The fact that the man who was known as the most dangerous pervert, and often labelled as a sexual predator in Kuoh, was now considered one of the most attractive, eligible men, solely because of a change in looks made his fist twitch in anger. It made no sense to him, how easily his perceived looks and status could influence others so quickly. Even the men of Kuoh, who'd previously avoid him, and refuse to be his friend, would attempt to converse with him, solely based on his looks and the image he conveyed. It was disgusting how easily they'd forget who he once was for their own convenience. It made Issei hateful, and spiteful against the student body, against people, and against the world. He'd never truly show just how deep, and ingrained his raw wrath went, however.

After all, the young man carried a weapon within his soul that was equivalent to a ticking time bomb. At any point, if his emotions grew far too strong, he'd lose control, and fall under a curse powerful enough to rival an atomic bomb. Issei always worried of the forbidden Juggernaut Overdrive curse. The voices of the Boosted Gear spoke to him often, mostly at night, when he was truly alone in his thoughts, and while he'd gotten used to them, he knew that at any point, all it took was one single day to turn the nicest man into the darkest, most vile avatar of destruction the world had seen.

"Issei, please! I need money!" Matsuda continued begging him, much to his disgust. The teenager withheld his fist, attempting to resist the urge to cave in his former friend's face into his desk, yet he retained it.

"Punish him. Abuse him, kill him. Make an example of him." Came a voice buzzing from his right arm, into his mind. Not Ddraig's, but one of his predecessors.

"WHIP YOUR DICK OUT BRO, TRUST ME BRO!"

"TEAR HIS SPINE OUT AND USE IT LIKE A WHIP! TRUST ME, BRO!" Another guttural, harsh voice churtled out, much to Issei's dismay.

Even if he entertained his past life's wishes, he knew that it'd be a slippery slope. Once Issei started giving in, he'd never stop until they had their way, until his mind was their plaything, and he too, would lose his life to the curse. Though, often times, Issei did toy with the idea of giving in, losing his life and finally ending what little of a life he had, it was only for the sake of Ddraig that he kept on going.

"One hundred percent interest per day. After the seventh day, I'll go to your parents house and collect the money if it's not there. You understand?" Issei explained his conditions with a long sigh, as he produced a vast, over-filled wallet, stamped with the Versace logo. "How much you want?"

"Thank you, thank you, Issei! I owe you big, buddy… How's ten-thousand yen sound?" Matsuda coyly smiled at him, as the delinquent nodded, handing a wad of bills in his fist, before shooing him away. "I'll have the money by you tomorrow!"

"It'll be twenty-thousand tomorrow, Matsuda. Then fourty-thousand the next day, and if you forget again, it'll be eighty-thousand. I don't think borrowing this much is worth it, but so be it." He sighed, eager to finally have a former friend rush away from him.

Leaning back in his chair, Issei continued to roll his eyes and stare at the ceiling, letting his mind wander in thought. His classes were easy, and his school life was unique, yet mostly peaceful. He couldn't complain too much, it was far better than what it used to be, with the constant abuse, bullying. The only thing that truly changed were his so-called friends, who revealed their true colours the moment he showed his desire for change and growth.

"It's better to be alone, than in bad company." He muttered to himself, as another shadow cast over his table, as Issei gleaned over the next student ready to bother him. "Yo, what do you want?"

"Can I… Talk to you, Issei?" Came the shrill voice of a brown-haired girl, her glasses covering her eyes. Behind the seemingly innocent expression, lurked a perverse nature even he avoided. "In private?"

"Sure." He shrugged back, standing up to his full height, as the girl lead him outside the corridor, with the rest of the classroom going silent, as the teenager noted how far he towered over the petite pervert.

As the two walked out into the corridor, Issei yawned to himself, disinterested in whatever scheme Aika Kiryuu had roped him in this time. The girl had always been the top female pervert, almost once like a rival to him, before his metamorphosis. Now, she too, had gone from a bolstering confidence around him, to being a quiet, withdrawn girl. He didn't truly care for the girl, nor consider her a friend, yet he could never truly grasp why she was so interested in him.

"This better not be a confession." Issei snarled back at Kiryuu, who shivered at his voice.

"What happened to you?" Kiryu muttered out in silence, as his cold eyes remained as steeled as ever, unfazed by those words. "You used to be sweet, and fun to annoy. Now, you're this wannabe gangster, why?"

He'd heard them far too many times to even pay them a second of his time.

"Is this all you came out to say?" Issei yawned back, as he turned around to walk away, only to be met by Kiryuu's hand grabbing his shoulder aggressively. He glanced back at her with cold, raw hatred, as she squeaked back and pulled away. "Clearly, you want to tell me something else. Spit it out, this is seriously boring me."

"Why are you like this, Issei! I… I… I lov-" Kiryuu roared back in a cry, only to be silenced by his hand on her shoulder, tightening his grip just enough so that the girl would remain silent. He inched his head closer, and closer toward her own, before whispering softly.

"Do not say that to me. You do not feel this way, your feelings for me are not real. You are a girl in highschool." He reprimanded her in a soft, yet cruel voice. "I do not feel the same way, I do not care about you in that way. If you want me to be honest, I don't like you, nor do I hate you. You're nothing to me, Aika Kiryuu. If anything, you were a pest, like a mosquito, constantly buzzing in my ears for attention, to suck my blood."

In an instant, the girl was brought to silent tears. The feelings she had for him were crushed into nothingness, weeping away quietly, as Issei took a step back, and began to lean over against the corridor wall, awaiting for her to eventually calm down.

"I know that's a lie." Kiryuu finally mustered out with confidence, as he cocked his head toward her with surprise. "You've been keeping this facade up. Other people might think you're genuine, but I know the truth! Ever since that day, I know, Issei, your parents!"

The mention of his parents sent his fist against the wall, accidentally cracking a small part of the wall, as the loud bang caused Kiryuu to squeal once again in complete fear, silencing her. Taking a step toward her, his face was red with bloodlust. He couldn't fathom where, and how she possibly knew anything, and the fact she had the gall to mention this to him sent his mind into overdrive.

"Kill her. It'd be so easy! Just snap her neck!"

"Yo Issei, where's the rape button on this sacred gear?"

"PULL HER PANTS DOWN AND MAKE HER PEE HERSELF, LOL!"

"Uooo! Bratty Kiryuu mention parents… Rape correction needed!"

"I'm naked with my kids, I have sex in front of my kids!"

"Yo, ignore the guy before me, but for real man, kill her."

"Instantly, whip your dick out, bruv."

The insanity of his predecessors voices coursed through his mind, perhaps due to the obscenity of their recommendations, he managed to cool off for but a single moment and regain his bearings, as Issei took a long sigh, and smiled back. Though, his grin was far too forced, and looked haunting to Kiryuu, like a face out of a Junji Ito manga. Leaning down to meet her at eye-level, Issei finally spoke.

"Kiryu-chan, I don't know who told you what, and I honestly don't care, but… Never mention my parents again, okay? I don't want to talk about it. I'm sorry I said those mean things, but I don't like you back. So leave me alone, never speak to me again, and find another man." He cheerfully replied in a harsh, hushed whisper, as the girl sobbed again, and nodded eagerly.

"But there's no one else like you!" She shouted back, making Issei wince. "You're the one!"

"I know. That's why you should avoid me, I'm a bad person." He reassured her, only for the girl to shake her head again.

"No you're not! You're still a nice, sweet guy!"

"I'm the darkest demon in this fucked up world. I'm like the Joker meets Thomas Shelby. I'm the peaky fookin' blinder, Kiryu." Issei retorted, before forcing out a maniacal, comical villain-like laugh, and began to walk away. "All it takes is one bad day to turn the nicest guy into the darkest evilmaxxer, and everyday for me is a bad day."

"I can fix him." She muttered to herself as Issei walked away, only to be met with his sudden, evil smile, as his jaw widened up to an unhinged level.

"Fix your musty ass body odour first, you smelly femcel."

"I love you!"

"You're a fucking ugly bitch. I want to stab you to death, then play with your blood."

---

Issei sighed to himself, leaning back in his chair as per usual. His desk was a collected mess of designer stationery, even a black-and-gold, versace scarf covered the hard wood, for ease of comfort and writing. It was part of his act to stand out, alongside the fact that despite how flashy it looked, the tablecloth was oddly comfortable to rest his elbows on.

The young teenager found his mind wandering, as he waited for Rias to come pick him up from his classroom. Issei didn't have the slightest fear, nor care in the world about what was to come, in fact, he quite looked forward to finding ways to psychologically torture her peerage to the point of rejecting him.

[Do you truly wish to be alone, partner?] Ddraig interrupted, as the red dragon often did, second-guessing his partner for his own concern. [Would it not be wise to make a good impression, and ensure that they may be allies for later uses?]

"I don't need people, Ddraig. I've always been a loner. No one's ever understood me." He explained, as Ddraig remained silent. Of all people, and all beings in the world, the only creature that possibly could fathom his existence, and his mind, would be his partner, the one who was there beside him all along. "Getting to know them will lead to them backstabbing me, or using me for their own benefit, like anyone else."

[What if they have good intentions, by some miracle?]

"They're Devils, Ddraig."

[Humour me, just go along with the question. Pretend that these Devils are good people, and genuinely wish to build a bond with you, what would you do?]

"If that were the case…" Issei sighed to himself, as he rolled his eyes in irritation. Having to play one of Ddraig's mindgames came as part of being his host, and the Dragon often subjected his partners to the most obscure, abstract questions around. "I would still distance myself from them."

[Why? I fail to see why you would reject the thought of building friends again. It would do well for your mind.]

"They'll die by my hand, or others, Ddraig. Just like everyone else. Besides, I'm too psychotic to make friends, they'll eventually learn my real nature, I might slip up one day, and they cut me off. Boom! I have to deal with the pain of losing friends, and being alone again." Issei began to explain his rationale, as the Dragon hummed back, remaining silent, and empathising with his viewpoint. "Besides, I'm the strongest in Kuoh. I don't need anyone else."

[I can't believe that I would ever utter these words, but partner, you are far too Draconic in nature. Stop behaving like this.]

"Rich, coming from you. Ddraig, you never had any friends. You've lived alone your entire life, the closest thing you had to a friend was your rival, and that ended with you two dying! I myself, am your soul, your very being, so why is it wrong for me to live like a Dragon?" He retaliated with a snarky comment, yet the Dragon remained cool as ever, refusing to budge on the issue.

[Because you are a Human, and even if you weren't, I would still warn you the same.] Ddraig groaned, akin to a parent lecturing his child. In spite of the Dragon's eccentric, and downright childish behaviour, he too had moments where his wisdom would shine. [I have lived a long life as a Dragon, and seen the world through the lens of a Human. My outlook on things have changed, especially through you. I believe that you should begin to make friends, to trust others, and to overcome your past.]

"My past, my anger, my vengeance, all of this is what makes us strong. Those raw, powerful feelings are what fuels the Boosted Gear. Without it, we're nothing." He replied defensively, refusing to budge. The mention of the past had always sent Issei's mind was always his sensitive point, and sent him into a grumpy mood, at best. "Are you telling me to abandon this?"

[Vengeance is good, partner. Anger is good, but yours has permeated every inch of your soul. You are not happy, you live for few things, and you will decay alone at this rate, like every other tragic host.] The dragon replied slowly. [But when you get your vengeance, what then? You'll be empty, of void. Your negative emotions give you strength, because of your sense of justice, but when this passes, what then? You die to the Juggernaut Overdrive? What sort of life is that!]

"Dying in battle is honourable, and noble."

[What is it with young ones and their obsession to die in battle, having earned nothing of their own! You have no wife, no children, no achievements. Your strength is my strength, and that is all!] Ddraig scowled back at him, earning a flinch from Issei. His words struck directly at his mind, yet the teenager remained silent, unable to come up with a reply. [I died in battle, and it led to me being trapped in here! You will have the same fate! You want strength? Find it through happiness, build a life where you can live for more than yourself!]

"My darker emotions have kept us alive thusfar, the power we'd lose for that would be far too much. I'd die anyway, to the hand of the white one, or someone else."

[The emotions one's feel when they have a need to protect others is far greater than any sense of vengeance, or justice, partner. It's a lifelong strength. There are Dragons who were born weaker than I, yet were able to surpass me for a single moment.] Ddraig muttered back. [Do you know why? It was their sense of duty, of love, and their urge to protect their mates, their children, and their territory, that drove them to a level of strength even vengeance could not carry. Look at the state of your body, the desire in your heart - I gave you this! Such a waste. Contemplate this, Hyoudou Issei. One day, you will have to face a choice.]

"I feel nothing. I do not enjoy living, I live, because of you, and to right the wrongs I've done. Other than that, I would happily end my suffering at any given moment."

[Then you are selfish, and a bigger fool than I took you for. Even the past you, who's obsession with sex, and breasts was far more noble, and honourable than the current you. At least that Hyoudou Issei had purpose, drive, and the ability to go forward!] Ddraig roared back in fury, Issei's mind slowly becoming a warzone between him, and the beast itself. [And do not lie to me! Even if we joke about it, they are simply jokes! You are not a cold, unwavering psychopath! You weep everytime someone dies! You live with eternal guilt. The state of your body, your behaviour, your need to spend frivolous amounts of money on flashy items! All of this is how you cope, to hide your true self from the world, so that you may live a lifestyle of hedonism that lets you hide from the past!]

"Fuck you. I'm done talking."

[One day, you will understand my words, partner. You'll have a choice. I trust you to make the right one, the one that will lead us to new heights. One that will lead you to break the generational curse. This is the hope I have placed in you, this is what I believe. Do not disappoint me, Hyoudou Issei!] The dragon ended, with a threat and a promise, before coughing awkwardly. [Oh, and the phone you gave me has run out of data. Can you buy me some more?]

"Why didn't you just use the wifi?"

[I forgot.]

"Fine."

"Is Hyoudou Issei here?" Came the soft-spoken voice at the entrance of the classroom, followed by the whispers of his fellow classmates, glancing up, Issei sighed to himself.

Yuuto Kiba. The handsome, blonde prince of Kuoh. Perfect grades, perfect, youthful, yet feminine looks, and a personality that could only be likened to royalty. The young man carried himself with grace, and seemed perfect, the dream for any woman in Kuoh Academy. Yet, he was too perfect. To Issei, finding out he was a Devil did not surprise him, he expected at least one fatal flaw in the prince, but this one was disappointing.

"Yeah, I'm here." Issei replied, standing up from his desk and walking toward the blonde man, who began to stare up and down at him, a little too much for his comfort.

"Oh my god, do you think they're dating?" Came the voice of a girl whispering to her friend about the two men.

"I think Hyoudou's a dom…"

"No way, Hyoudou acts tough, but he's totally a sub!"

"I want him to sub to me…"

"Shut up!" Issei glanced back at them with daggers in his eyes, instantly silencing the group of girls who seemed oblivious to his presence. "I hate it when girls talk about men like that, I am not gay!"

"Fine…" The girls collectively sighed, glancing away, before returning to whispers. "... He kind of reminds me of a Dad."

"More like a Daddy."

"Hyoudou is totes DILF material."

"I want him to be my Daddy."

"I know Gremory Senpai sent you." Issei muttered to the wide-eyed prince, who continued to stare at his chest, much to Issei's irritation. "Shall we go?"

"Yes, of course." Kiba nodded back with a smile, regaining his composure, as the young man began to lead the way out of the school building. "Say, Hyoudou, may I ask you a strange question?"

"Go for it." Issei shrugged back.

"...What perfume are you using? It's quite nice." Kiba smiled back at him with a compliment. "It's quite zesty, I'd love to get one for myself too."

To say Issei was uncomfortable would be an understatement. The teenager had always assumed that Yuuto Kiba, like most men in Kuoh academy, was heterosexual. He never cared enough to bother guessing people's sexual orientation, it didn't affect him enough to consider it. Yet, the way Kiba had glanced at Issei, and this sudden compliment caught the teenager off-guard. Even if Issei's behaviour was flamboyant, Kiba's was downright effeminate. It unnerved the young man, who began to clench his fist in fear, yet he remained calm, and opted to humour the Devil.

"Jean Paul Gaultiere Ultra male." He answered the question with a grin. "It's called the sexy playboy party fragrance, I've had girls tell me they hate me, because I smell so good."

"I… I don't know what to say to that." Kiba chuckled back awkwardly, yet somehow managed to regain his composure. "Did it cost you much?"

"Not that much." He shrugged back, beginning to grow invested in the conversation. It'd been too long since a man had shown interest in Issei's fashion sense, and he took it as a compliment. "Like… Eleven grand?"

"That's a good price! I shall buy one for myself then." Kiba exclaimed back with a nod, as the two began to walk through the courtyard of Kuoh, the sun blazing in the distance. "Say, Hyoudou… I've always noticed your fashion sense, and I've admired you for your bold choices."

"Why thank you, I don't get complimented often by men for it. It's a nice change of pace." Issei nodded back with a smile, beginning to feel a warm, soft feeling flow into his body.

"Wait, shit. He likes my style and perfume? It's fucking over." His eyes widened in realization. The plan he had was already falling apart.

"I can assume so! I have the same issue. I often have girls compliment me, but sometimes, it's nice to have another man compliment me." Kiba sighed back, his eyes fluttering girlishly. "This may be bold of me to assume, but you don't have any male friends here either, do you?"

"I don't have any friends at all, Yuuto." Issei chuckled back, as Kiba joined in. "It's intentional, though."

"Intentional? That's… A strange way of doing things." Kiba remarked, as he brushed a hand through the back of his short, blonde hair. "I've always tried to befriend other men, but they seem to distance themselves from me, I'm not sure why."

"Are you serious, or just pretending to be dense?" He coughed back, only for the blonde prince to glance back at him with surprise. "Wait, you seriously don't know?"

"I honestly have no idea what you're talking about." The blonde remarked with an innocent smile, as Issei glanced at him with awe.

"This guy is a fucking Himbo."

"Yuuto, the men of Kuoh dislike you because you're handsome." Issei exclaimed, as a faint blush of embarrassment found it's way onto Kiba's pale cheeks. "That's why. They envy you, and are jealous."

"... Are you serious?" Kiba muttered back in a hushed, pained whisper, as Issei raised an eyebrow of surprise. "Fuck these guys."

The instant the young prince swore, it was like the prince had changed personalities entirely. Gone was the soft-spoken, well-dressed prince, and in his place, was Kiba's true personality, his repressed, childhood self. While initially, Issei had been sceptical and wary of the flamboyant teenager, he now began to see Kiba in a new light. He too, was similar to Issei in certain ways, which made the taller delinquent chuckle back.

"Don't worry too much about it. These guys will get jealous over anything. Japanese people at their core are very xenophobic, and easily threatened. It's insecurity." Issei smiled back, reassuringly. "You're fine. I get the same deal for the way I look."

"These fucking disgusting, trashy people don't understand anything!" Kiba roared out in anger, as Issei's eyes twitched in surprise. "Cazzo!"

Gone was Kiba's upper-class, Keigo dialect of Japanese, and in its place was a thick, stereotypical Italian accent, regurgitating a mix of broken Japanese, and Italian curses. If it weren't so shocking, Issei would've burst out into laughter, as he attempted to keep his composure and placed a hand on Kiba's shoulder reassuringly.

"Yuuto, trust me, these people don't get it." Issei hummed back in a soft, low voice. "At least with me, my appearance is a choice. You get it for the way you are. I think you're a good person, you clearly take care of yourself, and you don't use your reputation with women to take advantage of them."

"Issei!" Kiba exclaimed, the sudden use of his first name taking him by shock - Japanese culture was always strict on formalities, and one would only ever address students, colleagues, and so on by their surname. To call Issei by his first name was the same as saying the two were close friends. "You really are a good guy! I thought this whole time, the President was going to bring in some Yakuza into the peerage! You truly are a good man, perdonami!"

How long had it been since someone had addressed the boy by his first name, that wasn't a girl trying to get in his pants? Even their personalities, their shifts between languages and speaking formally, and then cursing at the world were far too similar. This whole time, Issei had seen Kiba as nothing more than an idiotic, careless prince, one he envied. Yet, now, his eyes widened with a smile. For the first time in a long time, he'd found hope, the hope of having a friend, someone that could truly understand him. He only wished that Kiba Yuuto too, would be able to bare the brunt of his worst traits, and still be able to be his friend.

"I was wrong about you, Yuuto." Issei muttered back in silence, as Kiba's eyes widened at his sudden confession. "I thought you were just some handsome guy who had life easy. We're similar in a sense…"

"Issei, my brother! I was wrong about you too! I thought you were a vain, delusional, fuckboy, who would abuse women and only cared about his own appearance!" Kiba cried back, yet every word pierced Issei's heart, more, and more.

"They're all true, though." He chuckled back, as Kiba suddenly wrapped his arms around the young man's torso with a surprisingly tight grip.

"No! You never have any girls, you are just like me, for real! You are handsome like Ryan Gosling, but you do not speak to any women!" The youthful prince exclaimed, before realizing the intimacy of his actions, and breaking away with an awkward cough, his voice returning to his usual Keigo accent. "Please, do not tell the president that I said all this."

"... Of course… She doesn't like it when you speak Italian?" Issei questioned back with surprise, as Kiba shook his head.

"She paid a lot of money for me to make sure my accent, my education, and so on were perfectly Japanese. Even my true name isn't Yuuto Kiba, but I took this all on for her." Kiba confessed with a sigh. "I owe her everything. If I were to ever revert back to that, it would disgrace her."

"Gremory Senpai's a good woman, it seems like." Issei nodded back.

"She is the best. I would kill for her." The prince sighed back, as the two finally approached the entrance to Occult Research Club.

The old, victorian-esque building sat at the back of Kuoh Academy. Whoever designed this had done it with a purpose, ensuring the building was far away from the others, and lay discreetly away. Almost as if they were hiding something, or someone. Glancing up at the window, Issei spotted familiar strands of crimson-red hair flowing, before smirking to himself.

He was finally in the enemy's castle.

"Guess we're here, huh?" Issei muttered back with a long sigh.

"You don't look too enthusiastic over it." Kiba noted, as he shrugged back.

"I'm just tired, Yuuto."

"Tired of what exactly?"

"Tired of women."

---

As Issei walked into the clubroom, he took a nervous gulp, as his eyes quickly scanned the room for any potential traps, threats, or any possible threats. The Red Dragon Emperor was walking into what was essentially a den of evil, for all he knew. Even with Kiba's friendly, reassuring face, he was wary. Candelabras and strange, western statues sat atop old, finely-crafted wooden desks, mahogany tables, and Ottoman sofas. Within the middle of the room, sat a golden, glass table, with two emerald sofas between it, and at the end, a table and chair that seemed more fitting in the office of a politician, than a club room.

The first face he saw, was a sight he was far too familiar with, much to his dismay - Toujou Koneko. The pale, white-haired first-year, that looked more child than teenager. The young girl sat on the sofa, sheepishly nibbling away on an assortment of chocolates and other snacks, before her eyes darted towards him like a cat, glancing at him for a second, before they popped open, like that of a cat meeting a new person.

Watching Koneko sniff the air momentarily, she looked toward Kiba, who stood by his right side, before snacking again, and finally spoke.

"Yuuto, why have you brought the delinquent Dragon into the clubroom?" Koneko muttered in his direction with a quiet, yet sharp tone, which struck a chord in Issei's chest.

"Ah, I should've introduced you first!" Kiba noted, before gesturing between the other two. "This is Toujou Koneko, one of the members of the Occult Research Club, and Koneko, this is Hyoudou Issei, though, I'm sure you've already heard of him."

"We all have." Koneko replied in a blunt, uninterested manner, before turning back to her snacks.

"...She's like a cat." Issei whispered under his breath, watching the young girl laze across the sofa, and as he continued to observe her, the girl acted more, and more like a cat than he'd initially expected.

"Nothing escapes you, huh?" Kiba chuckled back, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. "She's usually more interested in her food than people, so don't take it too hard."

Food - He knew that far too well. The teenager didn't come in here unprepared, rather than that, there was a reason why his satchel was far heavier than it usually was. Issei was well-versed in formal etiquette, and the correct behaviours on how one should conduct themselves when visiting as a guest. This too, was no different - Rather than that, he was a commoner, visiting the lair of a noblesse, and a duke no less! His conversation yesterday with Rias had told him enough about the girl's heritage, and the upbringing she had, enough to know that bringing gifts with him was just another step towards ensuring his safety, and not making an enemy out of what may be the most dangerous group in Kuoh!

"It's funny you mention that! I actually bought some gifts, consider it my thank you for inviting me over." He forced a fake, polite smile, before rummaging through his satchel, taking a step toward the table. In an instant, Koneko had turned her face toward him, eyes glaring threateningly, but Issei refused to budge, instead, he watched how the girl's eyes lit up at the assortment of gourmet chocolates, and biscuits he'd laid package after package upon the table, sliding one towards the girl with a wink. "I feel like you might enjoy this one the most."

"... Hyoudou, come here." Koneko muttered back, as Issei took a step toward her, while the girl practically pounced onto him, burying her face in his chest, and taking long sniffs, much to his displeasure, till she eventually stopped, and then ran a hand against his jaw, patting him gently. "You're my friend now."

"... What just happened?" He whispered to himself in complete shock, taken aback by the girl's sudden behaviour, as he watched her resume eating, but flashed him a careful smile.

"I've never seen her take to someone so easily!" Came the blonde boy's started sigh, followed by a quiet chuckle. "I guess that means you're a good person. Koneko tends to be very careful around people."

"Good person? Not even close." Issei shrugged back with a chuckle, as his ears picked up the sound of flowing water nearby, as if a shower were running.

"Hyoudou is a good man, he just pretends he isn't. He smells like sadness and anger." Koneko whispered back, Issei clicking his tongue, before withholding a snarky response and carrying on. "See, Yuuto? He's a tsundere."

"Koneko, let's not be rude to our guest, okay?" Kiba nervously replied, attempting to calm the young girl down, but Issei brushed it off, owing her outspoken nature to being a young girl.

"There's a shower here, ain't there?" Issei noted back, as he took a step toward the source of flowing water, only to spot a bathroom in the distance, alongside a curtain, and his jaw nearly dropped.

"That's a W Ohio Gyatt fo' real… Okay shawty, I see you, I see you." He hummed to himself with a perverse, crude smile.

The silhouette of Rias's body in the shower was certainly a sight to behold. He had to admit, he had never come across a girl with such a well-endowed body like hers, alongside her exotic, flowing red hair. It was as if the girl was the poster for European beauty standards. Just looking at her, and eyeing her up made him feel like a terrible man, yet it reminded him of the innocent, care-free boy that he once was, which made him smile, before turning away.

"Well, it's no wonder why Yuuto's so loyal to her, I know I'd be too."

[Partner, you're just down bad. If she told you to bark for her, you would howl like a wolf.] Ddraig chuckled back.

"Makima has got nothing on Rias, my Ddraiga. You seen the Gyatt on this gyaldem? It's got a man speaking patois up in here!"

[Let mi tell yuh sup'm rude bowy! mi kno she's a bare sexy gyal an all, but yuh haffi focus pan everything else round yuh! There''s anotha gyal staring at yuh right now, yuh bumbaclat!] Ddraig suddenly swore at him, somehow managing to fluently curse the delinquent out in perfect Jamaican, much to Issei's confusion, and amusement.

"Ddraig, when the hell did you learn that? You got my head sounding like a Shabba Ranks song right now!" He replied, having to physically clamp down his tongue to avoid bursting into laughter and scaring the devils around him.

[Wan time Mi previous host did ah rasta mon. 'Im did wan wid di jah an di earth 'Im nuh taak eni language jus patwa Suh fah ah waail dem did call mi di green dragon ah herb ya kno mi boy?] The dragon continued to blast his mind with the aggressive, guttural tone of surprisingly accurate patois, as Issei struggled to keep a cool face.

"Mi know yu ah crazy yute an alla Mi Ddraiga Buh yu gat tuh tap wid di patwa Eh gwine mek mi a stakki." Issei replied back, as Ddraig's accent had broken from the Dragon's constant laughter.

[How the hell did YOU learn Patois?]

"Which one of us gets harassed by the past hosts' voices? Eventually, you start picking up on some of their accents."

[Whatever… Oh, don't look now, but there's a very fine specimen of Human checking you out, partner. It is as you say… A total 'Mommydom' type of girlfriend… Perhaps even, much like your choice in pornography, she may even have a peni-]

"Stop talking about futanaris, Ddraig. I'm not into it."

"Oh my, oh my!" Came the soft, mature, and sultry voice of a girl standing outside the shower room, as Issei looked up in a mix of disbelief, horror, and nervousness.

Himejima Akeno stood before him, in the flesh, speaking to him. If Rias was the definition of European Beauty, Akeno was the incarnation of the ideal Japanese woman. She stood tall for a woman, but not too tall, long, black, flowing hair tied up into a ponytail. Wide, sultry hips that she swayed with every step. Breasts large enough to dwarf his head, and long legs with the perfect amount of curves to it. Even her uniform too, was tailored perfectly to her proportions.

Her voice too, was a different matter. Japan had numerous different archetypes for women, ranging from men who were into younger, innocent girls, to far more mature, older women. In Between these, sat the 'Onee-san' variety. The idea of an older sister, who had a mature, caring, yet seductive vibe to her. Akeno's voice alone was like that of a succubus, soft like honey, and charming. Her deep, purple eyes felt like they gazed into Issei's soul, having to steel himself tightly just so he wouldn't buckle beneath her aura.

Even the sound of her shoes stepping against the wooden floor felt more, and more intimidating, akin to a deer being cornered by a giant, Siberian Tiger - And he was but a simple, young buck paralyzed in fear.

For a man who'd lacked any female figures in his life, and even more so, any romantic female attention, a woman like this was practically designed to strike at Issei. For his entire outfit, his looks, his aesthetic and persona, was based around being able to win the attention and hearts of inexperienced women, ones who wouldn't be able to look past his appearance and realise that behind his cold face, lurked a pure, innocent heart. It was always Issei, who had to be forward with others to obtain his goals, as most people were far too intimidated by his looks, or too shy to be straight-up with him - Himejima Akeno was not one of these women.

"You must be the man visiting today, aren't you?" Akeno chimed to him in a low, seductive tone, nearly causing Issei to flinch in response, as she took a slow bow in his direction. "I'm pleased to meet you, I'm the club's vice-president, Himejima Akeno."

"And I'm Hyoudou Isse-" He greeted her back, remaining stoic, only for Akeno to raise a hand and stop him.

"I know who you are, mister 'Blood Dragon'." She giggled back, continuing to stare at him like a predator with those big, violet eyes, making him uneasy, before whispering into his ear, with one hand seductively placed against his chest. "Or should I say, 'The Honoured One'?"

"How… How the hell did you know about that?" He whimpered back with a shudder, only for Akeno to let out a husky moan into his ear, and continue to caress him.

His eyes glanced at Kiba, who'd coincidentally glanced away, leaving him to his fate, alongside Koneko, who was too engrossed in the snacks he'd bought. Issei began to panic - Was this initiation? And how was this woman so seductive, that he felt his knees buckle at her touch? It was as if every part about her was designed to be seductive and captivate men. Then his eyes widened in a sudden realization.

Akeno Himejima was his natural enemy. In the ecosystem of pick-up artist techniques, his looks, his charisma, all of it was meaningless when it came to a dominant, aggressive yet gentle woman like her. He'd only ever heard about this type on the internet, assuming they were rumours - The gentle, yet dominant 'Onee-san' that preys on young, aspiring men. They take on young men who aren't experienced, and captivate them.

He truly was a lamb to this lion, and he had no way of avoiding it, other than to attempt to rizz her back.

"I am the Dragon of Kuoh! I cannot let myself be outrizzed here!" His voice roared back in his mind "I just need to hit her with that lightskin rizz!"

"What's the matter, Hyoudou? Cat got your tongue?" She giggled playfully, before taking a sudden whiff of his perfume. "And Jean Paul Gaultiere? What an interesting scent. Even this uniform of yours… I see now, did you come here to show off to me? Did you want be flashy? Oh my, how cute!"

"I…" Issei muffled back, attempting to hide a stutter, before clearing his throat discreetly, and turning his head toward her. Squinting his sharp eyes, he glanced deeply into Akeno's own - The look she gave back was terrifying, but he carried on, he needed to use this technique to defeat her. "Do you like Dragons, miss Himejima?"

[No… It can't possibly be!] Ddraig roared back in awe. Even when pushed to the brink, somehow, his host had managed to counter this temptress's technique! [You're using the lightskin stare!]

"Is this going to lead to a lewd joke of sorts, Hyoudou? I've heard this one before." Akeno retorted, playfully rolling her eyes, yet continuing her vicious assault on his body. His muscles tensed up, and shivered, hoping she hadn't noticed, yet the onee-san was fully aware of every second. "You're nervous too… Don't be, I just wanted to greet you, and welcome you."

"Is this how you welcome all your guests?" He sighed back, darting a step away, much to the older woman's dismay.

"Just the cute ones." She giggled back, Issei nodding back with a coy smile.

"Fuck! That's the line I use! It's not working, man!"

[Of course not, partner. She's rizzing you up, it seems! It's over, finally. I've been awaiting the day my partner stopped being such an incel, and finally became a man. I knew this would happen!]

"Fuck you mean Incel, Ddraig? I'm loved by women!"

[You avoid them! You've avoided them so much, that these women can sense your lonely, depressed aura and their maternal instincts take over! If you won't come to them, they'll just seduce you and coax you into their lives! It's over, partner, you're done for!] Ddraig roared back in laughter at the thought of Issei's potential future.

"Me? I'm immune to seduction techniques. This is just… A minor setback, I'll overcome it, I always do."

[Don't lie to yourself, I can hear your heart bursting! If you're not careful, you might just fall in love, LOL! Then you'll say shit like 'Oh no, Ddraig, it's not a date, we're just meeting up!', then it'll be 'Oh partner, she's just moving in so rent's cheaper, we're not dating!'. Then, you'll tell me 'Oh partner, it doesn't count, she came on to me first!'. Two years later, you'll say shit like 'Partner! Thank you for supporting me, I would've never been able to get married without your help', and you'll name your kids after me! That is my plan, Hyoudou Issei, I will be the godfather of your children, and then, I shall have an army of little brats worshipping me!] Ddraig laughed maniacally, only for Issei to cringe back in raw embarrassment.

"You need to go outside. Oh wait, you can't. LOL!"

[FUCK YOU! GIVE ME MORE MANGA INTO THE BOOSTED GEAR!]

"Seems to me like you've been reading too much Romcom stuff though."

[It's not my fault! It's just so intriguing… It reminds me of the romance I never had…]

"... You're fucking with me, aren't you?" Issei chuckled back at Akeno, who finally broke her seductive persona, and joined in giggling with him, as she gestured to him to sit on the couch.

"I'd say it was half, and half." She muttered back, as Issei laid on the couch, glancing across him, to see Kiba smiling, and Koneko perched next to him. "But I did mean it."

"Mean what, exactly?"

"That I think you're cute." Akeno chimed in, leaning forward over the table, her breasts swaying up against his face, much to his dismay. Suddenly, Issei felt her soft arms wrap around his head, gently patting him, while ruffling his long, blonde hair. "It's not often I get a strong, handsome man who takes care of himself to come in here. A girl's gotta take the opportunity when she sees it. You understand, don't you?"

"I honestly don't." He muffled back, his face flushed red in embarrassment.

He'd never been this close to a girl's body before, especially on the submissive end like this. The way she caressed his hair, and cuddled him shamelessly was breaking his mind, so much so that not even the voices in the boosted gear could've been heard. Instead, he felt a mix of bliss, and anxiety. On one hand, her soft embrace was welcoming, yet on the other, he knew it was wrong, at any point it could go badly, and he needed to escape for his own sake.

"Say, did you know the girls in Kuoh all have arguments over who the most attractive boy in school is?" Akeno continued to whisper, as she brushed her fingertips against his hair, gently patting him soothingly, his breath growing softer, and far more relaxed. "It's been Yuuto and you, you know? Do you want to know the one I chose?"

"... I don't have a choice, do I?"

"Of course you don't, but since you've been such a good boy, I'll tell you." She continued, her hands shifting down toward his face, stroking his jawline, and her lips barely centimeters away from his ear. Her voice dropped to a low, hushed whisper, like an ASMR video. "It's you, without a doubt. I never expected you to ever come my way, but now? I'll pamper you. Make sure you join our peerage, okay? I'll make you very, very happy."

"I… Uh…"

"Akeno, what are you doing with our guest?" Rias's stern, irritated voice interrupted the two, as the dark-haired seductress's face turned into a coy smirk, her hands still wrapped around him, as she turned to face her mistress.

"Oh, president! I thought you'd take a little longer in the shower, so I took the liberty of entertaining our guest." The dark-haired girl flashed an innocent smile, to mask her true intentions. "I assumed you wouldn't mind."

"When I said entertain him, I meant serve snacks and tea. Not… Whatever this is." Rias sighed to herself, looking at Issei with sympathy.

He uttered a silent prayer, thanking the familiar redhead. Her hair was still wet, judging by the towel slung around her shoulders, meaning she clearly overheard the two, much to his embarrassment, and came to his rescue. His eyes beamed at the heiress, admiring her beauty - It was overwhelming for a pure, innocent mind like his, to be accosted by one beauty, and have the other smile at him with a care in her eyes that felt like it pierced his very soul.

"Fine, fine." Akeno stood up with another giggle, and took one final look at Issei, mouthing her final words. "I'll come see you later, dear."

As the vice-president walked away, Rias walked over to him with an apologetic, sheepish smile, greeting him with a nod, as he looked back, and gestured toward the assortment of snacks he'd left on the table.

"You shouldn't have! Thank you - Both for coming, and for those. We always need more, especially with Koneko." She smiled back, before taking note of his flushed expression, and heavy, embarrassed breathing. "I must apologise for Akeno's behaviour. I know she likes to tease men, but that was out of character, even for her…"

"Don't worry too much about it." He waved her concern away, shrugging back, and flashing her his usual, care-free smile to ease the girl's concerns off. "I'm glad I came. You have a lovely clubroom, I can tell you put a lot of work into it."

"Why thank you!" She exclaimed in return, her face beaming with happiness over his compliment. "I really wanted a specific style for this room, so it did take time. Akeno and I spent a while planning and moving things, but I'm happy with it. It makes me happy knowing someone like you appreciates it, especially with your taste!"

"My taste?" He recalled her words, gesturing for a further explanation.

"I mean, you have an interesting, unique fashion taste, Hyoudou. So for someone of your calibre to compliment me on mine, it means a lot." The redhead explained, giving him a toothy grin.

The pangs, and beating of his heart grew faster, and faster, while not life-threatening, it made his stomach grow light too, almost flutteringly so. In all his months of speaking to others, getting asked out, and cat-calling, Issei hadn't felt a single thing - In fact, he'd assumed his mind, and heart had simply become ice-cold, as a result of life's unfair hand dealt toward him, that he'd just gotten tougher as part of a coping mechanism. The teenager had no adult figures in life he could truly confide in, neither friends. Anything, and everything he did, was run through by a Dragon, who's knowledge varied heavily. The delinquent had simply grown to accept whatever changes that had happened were a mix of puberty, the alterations on his body, or simply his mental state, never questioning whether they were normal or not. It wasn't as if there was a doctor alive who could diagnose him properly.

So when his chest began to ache, and his usually cold, sharp mind grew softer, and more free, and his eyes lost in Akeno's violet ones, or Rias's blue orbs, he assumed the worst, thinking he was under a spell, or worse.

"Ddraig?" Issei called out to the dragon in concern.

[What's up, Partner?]

"Is it normal to feel this way when you're talking to girls? I've never had this happen to me before. Is there some kind of spell on me?"

[No, and no. You're just… Partner, you're starved for affection, you have issues. You know this, of course your body's going to react like that and latch on to the first person you've ever met.] Ddraig explained calmly, unsurprised by his sudden questioning.

"What the hell am I gonna do, then? I can't keep going on like this! It's giving me anxiety, and unnerving me!"

[By Great Red, you are overreacting, it's like you- Oh wait, you haven't.] Ddraig groaned, before pausing himself, reassessing his words to fit Issei's situation. In spite of the Dragon's prideful, brutish personality, the years had taught him the art of speaking, and how to effectively communicate, and empathise with his hosts, though he'd hardly used it on anyone other than Issei, due to his platonic affection for the young boy. [Look, it's not that big of a deal, Issei. Just go with the flow, and enjoy yourself. If things seem dangerous, you fight. They seem fairly innocent. To a Dragon like me, this just seems like hatchlings being hatchlings.]

"You just want me to get groomed by Akeno, don't you?"

[Of course I do! I want to laugh at you while you get broken by that succubus. LOL!]

"Oh, such a shame, I was going to get a custom versace plushie commissioned in the shape of your true form. Now, I'll have to cancel it." He teased threateningly, as the Dragon roared in panic.

[No, no, no. Wait, partner, wait, come on! We can talk about this… Issei? Don't ignore me! ISSEI? ISSEIIII!]

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Thanks for reading. This chapter's been a whole load of nothing. It's all exposition. I promise good things, and more comedy/action/romance for the next stuff. As Doctor Umar says, I have plans that I cannot share with you now, because the haters will sabotage me.

PLEASE LEAVE REVIEWS IM DESPERATE I ONLY WRITE IF I GET REVIEWS I BEG YOU BRO THAT'S MY DOPAMINE RELEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLASE TASKETEEE