~ Three of Me, Tree and We ~
It was a Saturday morning when Aika opened the doors of the library to find Issei sleeping on the bed, table, and a low bookshelf at the same time. That was because there were three of him.
The three maids stood beside the three Isseis, waiting for them to wake up. "Greetings Lady Aika. Would you like an explanation of the current situation?" Haku asked with a small bow.
Aika waved and nodded.
"Milord had a week-long orgy with the maids day in and day out. These are the results of his hard work," Kurenai gestured towards the three sleeping bodies.
"Three of him?" Aika raised her eyebrow.
"Kurenai, I thought I told you to address me as 'Issei-sama'?" the Issei on the bed woke up and stretched.
"Sorry, Issei-sama."
Issei waved her apologies off. "Good morning Ai-chan," he grinned with a hint of nervousness. "Sorry for… ..shutting you guys out. How's M and M?"
Aika stared at him. "They're both good. A bit worried about you but good. Himejima-senpai seems to have told them everything."
"That's good," Issei paused, "And you?"
"I have adjusted to having a devil's body and doing devil contracts. It's still hard to wake up in the morning sometimes and my brother is worried. Himejima-senpai is teaching me the basics of magic," Aika drew a glowing symbol to demonstrate, "And I'm thinking of getting my own apartment away from my brother." Aika waved the symbol away, "Now, how are you?"
Issei looked away. "Learning. I found a special magic that lets me split," Issei gestured to his sleeping clones. "It's a specialty of the Seir."
"They're your clones?"
"Sort of," Issei said. "It's more complicated. It's like we are all the original but all clones. Like… multiple saved copies of the same document but in different folders. We are all 'Issei' but also a different Issei," Issei grimaced. "It's hard to explain."
"I see," Aika said with a tone that indicated she didn't understand at all. Aika looked back at Issei. "Are you okay?"
"I'm okay."
"Physically?"
"Yes."
"Emotionally?"
"..yes."
"Mentally?"
"Yes," Issei sat on a nearby stool.
Aika raised an eyebrow. "You don't look fine to me." Issei's eyes had bags under them. His hair was rather disheveled. He smelled bad. And his cheekbones were starting to show under his skin.
"Look, I'm just tired. I haven't had a good sleep in a week and I've used all my magic power. Give me a few hours or days to recover," Issei said and moved from the stool to the bed. He lay on the bed facing the ceiling. "How are you?"
"I felt a little pissed that you just suddenly disappeared after just introducing me to the supernatural AND taking my virginity. Take some responsibility at least for your actions. Locking out your friends is also not a good way to treat them especially when they're concerned about you," Aika crossed her arms in front of her after adjusting her glasses to glare at Issei. "I'll forgive you right now if you give me a good reason or I'm slapping you then forgiving you."
"Sorry. I just felt so confused last week. I didn't know what to do. I just felt so… weak and uncertain. Now I'm repeating myself," Issei sighed. "Can you tell Matsuda and Motohama that I'll be seeing them later?"
"Sure. Continue your reason or do you want me to slap you?"
Issei thought. The room fell into silence. Hell's morning sun's rays entered through the window as five people kept their silence and another two snored away.
"I don't have a good reason. I'm so-"
SLAP!
Aika struck her childhood friend across the face. A red hand imprint was left on Issei's face while tears appeared in Aika's eyes. "Don't give me that crap! You don't have a good reason for blocking us out? We're your best friends! You don't just suddenly slam the door then slowly open up without a good, intelligent reason! Oh, you could do that for a day or two but not for a whole damned week without telling us what you're going to do! If Falstein hadn't told us that you were fine, we would've thought you've thrown yourself off a bridge! Don't you know how worried we'll be when you disappear? Think Issei, think! What would you feel if something traumatic happened to Matsuda or Motohama, huh? How will you feel? That's what we felt the whole week when you were gone! We were scared that we couldn't help you and you will turn yourself into this psychotic asshole that kills random people! So please-" Aika's voice cracked. "Please don't shut us out when you need help," Aika wiped her eyes.
"Ai-chan…"
"I'm going out for now. Going to tell Matsuda and Motohama that you'll be seeing them. See you," Aika nearly ran out of the room. The maids closed the doors as Aika left, leaving them and the three Isseis.
Issei sighed and sat on the bed. "Bastards. I know you're awake," Issei said after a moment's silence.
"Operation failed. We'll get him next time," the Issei on the bookshelf awoke and spoke while shifting position so that he stared at the ceiling.
"She's right, you know? You shouldn't have shut them out," the Issei on the table crossed his legs. "You guys should feel bad for what you did and apologize to her, Matsuda, Motohama, and probably Rias."
"Yes we should do that," the Issei on the bed said before realizing, "Hey! We're the same person!"
"Yeah, fuck you Issei. Don't just shift all the blame on one… Issei, yeah," the Issei on the shelf mumbled.
"We gotta give each other names so we won't get confused. After that, we'll sort the mess we created," the Issei on the bed said, exasperation evident in his voice.
"Good idea! You could be bed Issei! I'll be table Issei, and he will be shelf Issei," Table-Issei said.
"Fuck you Table-Issei."
"Shut up!"
"That's a terrible idea," Bed-Issei said. "Let's just jan-ken-pon to see who gets what name. If we do a claiming of names, we'll pick the same name:"
" " "Rou or Ryuu," " " all three nodded.
"Just to be clear, the first winner will get to pick their name first and the loser will have to go to school and apologize to the Rias-sempai, M , and Aika," Bed-Issei said.
"Fine by me," Table-Issei said as they all stood around.
They did five rounds of rock-paper-scissors. They tied every single round.
"That confirms it. We all have the same brain," Issei said.
"The book did say that we have to stay away from each other for two weeks at most for the minor changes to become major," Issei nodded.
"Which Issei are you again?"
"Yes."
"This is soooo confusing."
"Let's spin a bottle then," Issei ignored his counterparts. "A bottle can't point to all of us," he said then turned to Kurenai, "A bottle please." She summoned a bottle and gave it to Issei. All Isseis sat around the bottle. Issei spun the bottle.
"Aha! I'm now the oldest Issei!" Issei said and did a victory dance. "I'll take 'Rou' written as 'Dragon' and 'Imperial'「龍」. I am Hyoudou Rou 「兵藤 龍」. Call me Rou-nii," Rou posed dramatically.
The remaining Isseis groaned. They spun the bottle once again.
"Hah! I'm not the youngest," Issei laughed. "Guess you're the youngest then? Heh, hello there younger brother," he waved at the now dubbed youngest who had a rain cloud over his head.
"..."
"I'll be taking Shin then, also written as 'the Dragon's sign' 「辰」," Shin said. "I am, Hyoudou Shin「兵藤 辰」."
Issei browsed his phone for any more dragon characters. "I'll take Mizuchi then I guess. Written as 'young dragon' 「蛟」," he sighed.
" "Sounds like a girl's name." "
"Shut up! I know! I'm changing it!" Issei said and searched up for more kanji. "Hey, Rou, how do you write your name?"
"I write it as erect「立」, moon「月」, and lid「亠」. It can be read as 'tatsu,' " Rou wrote the kanji on a paper.
"And Shin?"
"Sign of the Dragon, the fifth Chinese sign in the zodiac," he wrote his name on the paper beside Rou's name.
The last Issei grinned and stood. "I'll be taking 'Ise' then. Could be read as 'dragon' or 'imperial' and is also pronounced 'tatsu,' 「竜」 " Ise said with a bright smile.
" "Fine, just take Mizuchi." "
"The fact that both of you are in perfect sync pisses me off," Ise said. He huffed and sat back down, "It's perfect you know. I mean, that's our nickname already," he shrugged. "Rias-sempai already calls us that. M , Sou-chan, and Ai-chan have been calling us that too since we were kids."
"Which is why" "you have to be named" " " 'Mizuchi.' " "
"We will only get confused if we all get together then someone says 'Hey, Ise' then we'll all answer 'Yes?' " Rou added.
"That is why both of you will have to stay here and train your hardest," Ise said.
"And let you live your daily high school life free of responsibilities while we work our butts off? Not a chance," Shin said. "We're going back to the human world after two months."
"The book said it takes two weeks for no weird time magic to happen and another two months to clearly see the difference between to split objects. We are still going to think the same and move the same for two and a half months," Rou said.
"I'm starting to hate myself. Or should I say, myselves?" Ise mumbled. "Fine, I'll take Mizuchi."
" "Sure. But it sounds pretty gay man." "
"Shut up! I knew you would say that!" Mizuchi growled at Shin and Rou who did a high-five. "The problem is if you come to the human world, will you still look like me?"
"That's the question," Rou said.
"The air here might have some side effects and we will have growth spurts or something like that," Shin shrugged.
"We could also use the 'They are my long lost twin brothers' excuse," Mizuchi added. "If you guys don't get any growth spurts."
" "Yeah…" "
"Why am I the only one not in sync?"
"Because you are now playing the straight man."
"Your name isn't straight though. It sounds pretty—"
"I know I know! Sheesh. That's why I wanted Ise," Mizuchi groaned. His stomach grumbled with him, Rou's and Shin's too. "Let's have breakfast."
" "Agreed." "
"I wonder if the chef could make us some cheesecake?" Rou said.
"He probably could. I will be disappointed if the chef doesn't know how to make a good one," Mizuchi added.
"Well… he did make a good cheesecake when we first arrived."
"He did?" Mizuchi looked up at the ceiling. "Damn. That felt like such a long time ago."
Rou sighed. "Yeah, it does. Doesn't it?"
"Haku, please tell the chef to make a heavy breakfast for three, with coffee as a beverage, two spoons of sugar, and some cheesecake," Shin said. "We'll be down in thirty minutes. Oh and tell him not to rush. Come back as soon as you can too."
"Yes, Shin-sama," Haku bowed and exited the bedroom.
"Kurenai, get ready the baths. And Hitsui, prepare some casual clothes for three," Shin ordered.
" "Yes, Shin-sama," " they said, then disappeared to serve their masters.
" "Wow. You're bossy." "
"Now I know how Mizuchi feels," Shin sighed while Mizuchi laughed.
"Shall we also split the maids in-between us?" Rou wondered.
"If they want I guess," Shin said.
"Yeah, I would not want to split them if they don't want to. They'll just stay with me I guess."
"Nope." "Not gonna happen." Shin and Rou shook their heads.
"Oh come on. You guys have a whole army of maids to yourselves, at least let me have three of them."
"He does have a point," Shin said.
Rou groaned. "Fine, they'll stay with you."
"Yes!" Mizuchi did a fist pump. "Now let's go eat!"
Falstein had teleported Issei and his three maids to Issei's apartment after he ate breakfast and took a bath. He texted M to meet him at the park where they played when they were kids.
"I hate those guys," Issei grumbled as he paced around the park and cursed Issei and Issei… ..Rou and Shin.
"Yo, Ise," Matsuda waved at him as he and Motohama approached him. Issei waved back.
"You called us?" Motohama said once they closed the distance.
"Yeah, just called you here to say," Issei bowed. "I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused."
"Whoa whoa whoa! Slow down Ise!" Matsuda rubbed his bald head.
"Everything is cool my dude. We understand," Motohama said as he nudged Matsuda away. "Akeno-senpai told us everything and how it was supposed to be a secret. It's cool man," Motohama placed his hands in his pocket. "We don't blame you for keeping this from us, right Matsuda?"
"Yep," Matsuda did a thumbs up and grinned.
"See? No need to worry," Motohama patted Issei on the back.
"You guys…" Issei sniffed as he wiped away his crocodile tears.
"We're your bros after all," Matsuda thumped his chest. "We're never gonna spread bad rumors of you even if you leave us."
"What he said. No matter what happens, we're here for you."
"That's a huge relief," Issei sighed in relief and his shoulders sagged.
"Hey, isn't this our sketch when we were kids? It's still here huh," Motohama suddenly said, pointing to a set of roughly embedded kanji in a tree.
"Yeah. This is the tree that we played on as kids," Matsuda walked to the tree that Motohama was looking at. "Man, I remember those days. Rin-kun was still with us back then and Sou-chan wasn't very strict. Souna's older sister would also play with us from time to time, remember?" he said as he traced the engravings on the tree, just barely visible.
"Those were the days when Matsuda was still the fastest among us," Issei said.
"I still am you know," Matsuda smirked.
"He still is," Motohama agreed.
"Ohhhh, but I am faster now," Issei said and he whipped out his tail before pulling it back.
"Just because you're a devil now doesn't mean that you're faster than the track and field champion."
"Try me. Wanna bet?"
"You're on. Three free meals!" Matsuda started stretching and Issei followed suit.
"I'll be the referee," Motohama said and stood in the shade of the tree.
"Okay, we'll race to that tree, then to that pole, then back here, to Motohama."
"Fine with me," Matsuda got into a running position. Issei jogged in place.
"Ready?" Motohama called. Both boys nodded. "Set. Go!"
Matsuda and Issei dashed, kicking up a cloud of dirt. They sprinted as fast as they could under the hot sun. Sweat dripped down their heads once they touched the indicated tree. Issei touched the tree before Matsuda did. Both turned and ran towards the pole without stopping, Issei still in the lead. Once they reached the pole, Matsuda accelerated till he was running a good meter ahead of Issei. They turned around again, back towards Motohama who held his hands sideways for them to touch. Matsuda won.
"Taste the feet (defeat)!" Matsuda roared as he did a victory pose. Issei arrived at the finish line, his breath heavy from the exertion.
"You," a breath, "cheated," another breath.
"I didn't," Matsuda smirked. "Ask Motohama if you want."
"He cheated right?" Issei turned to Motohama, "Motohama?"
"I saw no foul play."
"Gaaaaaa," Issei gave up and collapsed backwards on the grass. "I give up. You win three meals from me."
"Not the cheap ramen either, alright? I want to be treated to a fancy restaurant where we could see girls dancing and the appetizer costs ten thousand yen," Matsuda said and lay on the grass too. "You have enough money to buy the whole restaurant if you wanted."
"Sure. Want to come too, Motohama?"
"Of course," Motohama raised his glasses.
"You gotta buy your own food though," Issei laughed. Matsuda laughed with him while Motohama just smirked in amusement. They stayed there, basking in the silence and the shade.
"Hey, Ise."
"Nn?"
"Will your new life separate you from us?"
"No. Or at least, I hope not," Issei sighed. "Things are pretty chaotic right now. I don't know what to do sometimes. My servants treat me with so much respect that I-I… I don't know what to feel. It feels like I did not earn their respect at all. Also, Rias Gremory-senpai is a devil? I'm still processing that. What should I do now? What am I now? Who am I now?"
"Bruh. That's some pretty deep existential crisis there," Motohama said. "You gotta figure that out yourself though. But to us," he punched Issei's shoulder. "You're still Issei. The idiotic, stupid, friendly guy who likes boobs and girls."
"I know," Issei sighed as he stretched on the grass. "And thanks guys."
"No problem."
"I'm gonna go… and apologize to Rias now," Issei said as he got up and dusted himself.
"Yeah, you better."
"Do your best. See you on Monday."
"Yeah. Sure. See you guys," Issei waved goodbye as he walked towards the school where he hoped that someone was there. He could always dial up Souna but…
Yeah. Wouldn't wanna call Souna right now.
"I really hate those guys," Issei grumbled as he stood outside the old school building. "I really hate myselves. At least come with me when apologizing to Rias!" he cursed himselves.
"Ise," Rias' voice sounded behind him.
"Kyaaaah! Rias-sempaiiii!?!" Issei twisted to greet Rias with a bow.
"Ara, no need to be so stiff around me Ise-kun," she said and pulled Issei up to look at her. "Unless it's another part that's stiff, then that's fine. It can't be helped," Rias winked.
"Wellllll," Issei trailed off with a flushed face.
"Want to go with me on a walk? I'm visiting the bookstore then eating some sobameshi. It's nearly lunch," Rias said and twirled around to walk out of the school grounds. "Are you coming?" she asked when she noticed that Issei wasn't following her.
"Yes! Coming!" Issei ran after her. "Rias-sempai is so cute in casual clothes!" he thought. Rias wore a white v-neck shirt under a light purple cardigan. Her navy blue long skirt covered her legs up to her sandals, barely showing her ankles as she walked. Rias' red hair was braided and orderly, unlike her usual messy mane feel.
"Come on, stand beside me. Don't be shy," Rias called from behind her shoulder. Issei nodded and hastened to meet her pace. He snuck peeks at her face, glancing back towards the road whenever she seemed to notice his stare.
"I see you have unlocked the Seir's eye," Rias said while they waited for the crossing sign to turn green.
"The what?"
"The Seir's eye. Didn't you notice your right eye now has a clock?" they crossed the street. Once they crossed, Rias pulled out a mirror from her handbag. "See?"
Issei accepted the mirror and stared at his right eye. His eye was still brown but roman numerals decorated the edges of his pupil while the Seir sign slowly spun in the middle. He checked his left eye but there were no roman numerals nor Seir sign. "How did this happen?"
"You have already used Seir magic, so those things are going to show. My half-human cousin didn't have red hair when she was a kid, but when she activated a Gremory magic, her hair turned red like mine," Rias said as she bagged her mirror and continued walking with Issei catching up to her.
"Do I have to use contact lenses to hide my eye now?"
"I don't think so. The symbols are only clear when you stare hard enough," Rias said. "Also, contact lenses are going to be useless when you use your magic, they'll probably glow."
"You have good eyes."
"Not really, I just sensed magical particles from your eye so I stared at it."
"I see…" Issei trailed off. "By the way, was that your magical power last week? The large red ball, is that the magic of the Gremory's?"
"No. That's my mother's magic," Rias sighed. "The magic I used last week was Bael magic. The magic of the Gremory is more of a support magic than offensive. How would I explain this?" Rias hummed in thought and slowed her pace. "When I touch or look at an object or person, I could tell where they have been, what they are feeling in that moment, and what is going to happen to them. For example, I could tell that," she held his hand, sending excited shivers down Issei's spine, "You have been having sex with nearly every maid in your main house for the past week. There are also two others like you and your nickname is now Mizuchi," Rias smirked as Issei's face turned redder. "You feel excited and nervous right now, being close to me and holding my hand while being embarrassed because I now know your nickname sounds like a woman's," Rias laughed when Issei's face turned even redder. "If I release my hands in the next five seconds, you are going to trip over a pebble," Rias didn't let go of his hand. "There's the pebble, don't trip on it Mizuchi-chan," Rias released his hand and ran ahead once they were clear of the pebble, laughing all the way.
"Rias-sempai!" Issei jogged after her even though his face was still red. "She's fast," he huffed as he accelerated. They continued running until Rias slowed down and Issei met her pace.
They stopped in front of a bookshop. It was a regular bookshop, nothing noteworthy. It had an open sign hanging on the glass door and bookshelves displayed the hottest and newest books for the window shoppers.
Rias entered and Issei followed. The door chimes rang as the door swung shut. Books lined up the orderly shelves. Action figures, manga, and picture books filled out the first quarter of the bookstore while hardbounds, pocketbooks, and textbooks filled out the rest. A table and tea set were set up by the counter and the AC temperature was just right. The bookshop smelled like old books, new books, and herb tea. All in all, the ambiance of the bookshop could make the most anxious of people sleep.
"Ah, Ria-san," a girl popped out from behind the counter.
"Good morning Tsubaki," Rias waved.
"Your order: the weekly shounen, seinen, shoujo, and doujin, as well as the bi-monthly action figures," Tsubaki said, as she set a plastic bag on the counter. "Is that all?" she raised her eyebrows when her eyes met Issei's while Rias looked through the items in the package. "Good morning Hyoudou-san."
"Good morning," Issei said.
"Yes, it's complete," Rias said, "Do you mind if we browse?" Tsubaki gestured a "go on" before ducking under the counter. "Thanks," Rias said as she went deeper into the bookstore, scanning through the titles of the pocketbooks. Issei followed and browsed through the books before getting bored and going to the manga section.
He shifted through the manga volumes and weekly releases before coming across the latest volume of Highschool ExE. He wanted to skim through the chapters but Rias came out from the sea of shelves and bought a large book which Tsubaki wrapped in biodegradable plastic.
"Shall we go eat lunch?" Rias asked.
"Sure," Issei nodded and placed the manga back from where he got it.
"Have fun on your date, you two," Tsubaki said.
"Thanks," Rias waved as Issei opened the door for her then closed it.
"Ehem, date?" Issei coughed into his fist. He glanced at Rias.
"What? You don't like it?" Rias bumped Issei.
"W-Well. I like it," Issei grew red in the face, "It's just that I've got a bad rep and I wouldn't want you to be wrapped up in it."
"Understandable, but I don't mind. It's not like the rumours could hurt me," Rias smiled a calming smile. "I'm pretty tough, you know?"
"Yeah," Issei looked away.
"Thanks though, for looking out for my reputation," Rias said as she continued walking. "Now, where is that soba shop? I heard Sona say that it was somewhere around here…"
Issei followed Rias who wandered around the streets of Kuoh's business district, looking for a noodle shop. It was nearing lunchtime and the sun had risen to its peak. Summer had started to settle in and the asphalt road burned under the noon sun. The sweat that had cooled from Issei's and Matsuda's earlier race started dripping again from Issei's hair.
He saw Rias start to sweat as they walked. The droplets of water emerged from under her red hair, traced the edges of her face, graced her neck, before flowing towards her chest where it disappeared into her clothed valleys; the large breasts that looked to be so squishy. Issei glanced away when he felt he had stared long enough.
"Ah! Here it is," Rias pulled Issei to a stop, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Let's go," she pulled him inside the building. Once they stepped inside, they were assaulted by the cool air from the air-conditioning. "Ahh, that feels nice," Rias said as she adjusted her cardigan and let go of Issei. Issei fixed his shirt and joined Rias on the counter's chairs.
"What do you want?" the chef called as he leaned over the counter. He was an elderly who wore a kind smile.
"What do you recommend?" Rias asked.
"Well, item number 3a is selling pretty well this week. But I prefer…" the old man prattled on about his goods while Rias listened. Issei checked out the menu listing the foods available.
Since it was summer, something cold would do.
"What about you young man?"
"I'd like to have zaru udon."
"All right. One sobameshi and one zaru udon coming up! Please wait a bit."
Issei leaned on the counter while the chef prepared their dishes. "Rias-sempai, I want to talk to you about something."
"Mm," Rias turned to Issei, "What is it?"
"I just want to say. I'm sorry for being weak. I know you told me not to apologize but I'm just really sorry," Issei faced Rias, "Please Rias-sempai! Please train me to become stronger. I beg you," Issei bowed.
Rias put her finger to her lip, thinking. "Rise Ise, and look me straight in the eye," Issei looked at her beautiful blue-green eyes. Her eyes lacked the mirth that was usually seen in them. They looked like the eyes that she used when faced off that stray priest. "Are you sure about this? The training that I am going to put you through is not easy. It's not like in anime where you do 100 pushups, sit-ups, and kilometer runs. The training that I will put you through will make you spit out blood in your sleep, are you ready for that?"
"If it means getting stronger, then I don't mind losing a few limbs," the embers that Sirzechs saw just a few days ago were now a flame. A rather fragile flame, but a flame nonetheless. Nothing a gallon of gas couldn't fix. She'd give him that gallon of gas. Rias herself would fan the flames of that determination.
Rias smirked, flashing her demon's fangs for a second. "Very well, but I can't do things like this for free you know. We would have to draw a contract. Let's say…" Rias trailed off and did some calculations. "Let's say that I train you. What will you do for me? A devil's contract operates on 'equal exchange' after all."
"How about renewing the alliance between the Gremory and the Seir? I read that the two pillars used to be on good terms."
"Ara, a political favor? You sure did your research. But if I don't want that? The Gremory are strong enough on their own."
"Then what is it that you want, Sempai?"
"How about I think it over first?"
"Sure. Just as long as it isn't something scary…"
Rias laughed. "Don't worry Ise-kun. I won't do that to you. You're my precious junior after all," she smiled and patted his head. "Starting tomorrow, I will train you, and sometime in the future, you will do something for me."
Issei just blushed as he let Rias ruffle his hair. Their moment was interrupted by the old man carrying their meals.
"Here you go, lovebirds."
"Thank you Ossan," Riad broke her chopsticks.
Issei blushed and broke his too.
" "Itadakimasu!" "
"Umm, Rias-sempai.."
"Yes?"
"How does you magic work again?"
"Simply put. I see the part and possible futures of an object."
"Futures?"
"Unlike the past, the future isn't set in stone. So, when I look into the future, I see multiple timelines."
"Sounds complicated."
"Not really," Rias happily slurped her noodles. Issei just hummed and lapsed into comfortable silence while slurping his own cold noodles.
Issei knocked on Aika and her brother's apartment door then waited. Aika's half-naked brother answered the door.
He was a handsome man of 24 years of age. His muscles were like a swimmer's, evident but not too bulky. He wore a pair of glasses that made him look like a geek and had short brown hair. He kinda looked like an older and buffer version of Issei, but with glasses and short hair.
"Good afternoon, Nii-san," Issei saluted.
"Banzai, Sei-kun. You here for Aika?"
"Yeah…"
"She came back red-eyed after coming from your house."
Issei gulped.
"Don't worry. I'm not going to butt in. Aika is old enough to make her own decisions and get over her emotions," he shrugged. "And it's you. You're an honest chap, I trust you to take care of my sister."
"Okay?"
"She's in her room. Close the door properly, okay? I'm going for a walk," Aika's older brother said as left the apartment, still shirtless.
"Bye?" Issei waved as the guy disappeared down the stairs. He sighed and entered the apartment, closing the door behind him. Issei removed his shoes and placed them on the shoe rack before walking towards Aika's room. He knocked.
"Aika?"
…
Issei sighed and leaned his back on the door. "I'm sorry for worrying you. I know I don't have a good reason for disappearing on you without giving a proper goodbye. I'm sorry for that too. I just wanted some time for myself, to think about what I should do now that I have all these new riches. To think about these things, you know," Issei scratched his head and sighed before crumpling to the floor. "It's just… ..the pressure I feel is suffocating. Like a huge responsibility was suddenly placed on me and I don't know what to do."
Aika opened the door and walked in front of Issei. "I'll forgive you if you trust in me more. We've known each other for so long after all. Just know that I'm never gonna let you down or desert you," she crouched down and wrapped him into a hug. "I'm also sorry for slapping you this morning," she whispered into his ear before breaking apart from their hug.
"I forgive you too," Issei smiled. "Because that wasn't me," he thought to himself. "Well, technically it WAS me but it wasn't ME. Oh, whatever, my head hurts now."
"By the way," Aika said. "I want to show you something at your apartment."
"Okay? What is it?"
"C'mon, it's better to show than to tell," Aika grabbed his hands and dragged him up and out the door.
They walked towards Issei's apartment, the silence between them peaceful. A little awkward, but still peaceful. They didn't hold hands, they didn't rub shoulders, they didn't even speak to one another. But it was better than the heavy feeling they felt in their chests this morning.
"I've got a new neighbor?" Issei checked the door beside his when they arrived at his apartment building, knocking as he stood in the doorway. It was rude to enter a person's residence unannounced even if the door was open.
"Yeah, she moved in on Wednesday. She's also our new classmate," Aika said with a smug smile, "She's cute too and has got nice boobs. You know her."
"I do?"
"Coming " a feminine voice sang before a chestnut pair of twin tails twirled around the corner and stopped just shy of Issei and Aika.
"Good afternoon Aika-chan," she said waved at Aika before standing up straight and staring at Issei. Issei's eyes widened when he recognized those eyes, all bright with cheer and happy-go-luck-ness. The girl's lips curled up in a contagious, innocent, happy smile that contained no malice whatsoever. She looked like she was about to pounce on Issei and hug him tight like he was a long-lost brother.
They stood there for a few seconds, with Issei staring in disbelief and the girl swaying between wanting to hug him and wanting to shyly draw back into the apartment room. She cleared her throat, "I'm back Ise-kun."
"Rin-chan… ..you're a girl?!?!"
Next up: The Church and its Divisions, Part II
"Mouuuu, that's not how you greet a childhood friend, Issei!"
So… I decided to use "Issei" when an Issei is alone and to their new names: Rou, Shin, Mizuchi, when they are together. Just a heads up so you guys won't get confused.
Rou, Shin, and Mizuchi just mean dragon. Just in different kanji and pronunciation. Mizuchi wouldn't have been Mizuchi, he shouldn't be. By my other choices were either 竜 which could be read as "Ise" but, as said by the Isseis themselves, was going to be confusing. The other readings for 竜 were either "Ryuu" or "Ryou." So I had to settle with 蛟 which could be read as "Mitsuchi" or "Mizuchi." I was half tempted to use the outdated version of Mizuchi which is "Mitsuchi," but writing Mizu instead of Mitsu is much easier, not to say less feminine. Also, 蛟 makes much more sense since it means "young dragon" when Mizuchi is the youngest among the brother. I guess the odd one among them is Shin since his name is related to dragon but not actually dragon. 辰 means the Fifth Sign of the Zodiac, which is Dragon. Also, Shin sounds nice, the other reading for 辰 was "Jin," but Shin just rolls off the tongue better, don't you think? It takes a bit longer to write but I like it.
The first part of this chapter is basically me being a fkin weeb. Also ngl, I had a blast writing this chapter. I don't know if it's gonna be my favorite chapter but damn, it was fun. Fufufufu~ I know some of you might not like this. Heck, my beta was not a fan of it either. Both of them if I recall properly.
Also. Since we've got here. I could finally get rid of self-conscious, gloomy Issei and turn him into a badass. Yeah yeah. The training starts now, but first… Nah. The training starts now! *starts playing Eye of a Tiger*
Now… the next chapter might take some time. IRL shit is hitting hard.
Reviews are always appreciated. Rants about how the moon is made out of swiss cheese are especially accepted. Knowledge is power after all.
This chapter was brought to you by Dzius and Vorpal.
Join the Discord server, we've got a LanceSennin. (erase the space): discord. gg/5TaUq3brxa
Here's your smut!
It has been a day since the lord has shut himself in the room and his three maids were worried about him. Kurenai, Haku, and Hitsui stood by his door, awaiting his orders.
When Issei arrived home with bloodstains on his clothes, madness in his eyes, and the smell of smoke, they were all worried. He immediately ordered them to teleport him back to the main house, where he shut himself up in his room after going to the library. Falstein told them to clean him, to which Issei refused until they forced him into the bath and scrubbed the blood off of him while Falstein changed the bloodstained beddings. The chef then served the master the best food that he had made. Issei ate before he fell into a restless slumber, waking up or shouting in his sleep.
The maid trio were trained to serve and protect their master at the cost of their own lives. They were trained by Falstein to use magic and weapons. They were trained to hunt, cook, and provide first-aid. Cleaning was like second nature to them, and so was defending. But dealing with a traumatized person who had nightmares? They weren't prepared for that.
Kurenai spoke: "What if we had sex with him?"
"Huh?" "What?"
Kurenai's face burned a deeper red. "Y-You heard what I said! Master is an incubus, therefore he should be fine with sexual acts, right?"
"I guess," Hitsui placed her finger on her lip.
"Then let's do it!"
"Are you sure that you're doing this for him?" Haku spoke up.
"What do you mean? Of course I'm doing this for Master. It's our duty to make sure that he is at his best after all!"
"Let's pause for a minute and calm down," Haku placed her hand on Kurenai's head, as if calming her. "Are we doing this because we want something out of him? Are we doing this to get closer to him? Are we doing this because we are his servants? Or are we doing this because we want to do this? I don't think Issei-sama is the kind of person to force people to mate with him if there is no consent or if one party is being forced."
"..." Kurenai kept silent.
Time passed as the three maids stood in silence outside the double doors. Kurenai was thinking, Hitsui was drinking her tea, while Haku awaited Kurenai's answer.
"I've sorted through my emotions. Thank you Haku," Kurenai stared straight into Haku's blue eyes. "I have placed Master's wellbeing on the forefront of my mind. Everything I do is for him. So if it means baring my body for him to become better, I-I'm gonna do it."
"You stuttered," Hitsui teased.
"Shut up!" Kurenai stomped on Hitsui's foot. "Are you with me?" she asked.
Haku smilled and nodded. "No. You stepped on my foot," Hitsui hmphed.
"That's not enough to hurt you," Kurenai waved Hitsui's glare off. "So… how are we going to do this?"
"Suddenly got cold feet?"
"I'm being serious here, Hitsui."
"We could just walk in. It's not like we have to make a dramatic entry or anything," Haku said.
"R-Right. Then let's strip for him at the same time, okay?"
"Sounds good."
"You speak like you've done this before."
Hitsui shrugged. "No I haven't. I'm just better at hiding my nervousness than you are."
Kurenai growled but didn't say anything. She pushed the door to the master bedroom open, but only wide enough for them to fit through. Once they were in, she closed and locked the door.
Issei was in heaven. It was weird since he was in hell but this was definitely heaven.
Three maids were stripping before him.
The first maid was a girl with fiery, crimson eyes. The name that he gave her was Kurenai. Her long hair was raven black and wavy. Her body was slim and her breasts were not that large, but they were there! She a little shorter than Issei, he could kiss her forehead without bending over.
The second one was a short girl with long, silky, snowy white hair. Her eyes were as blue as the sky and she stood up to Issei's shoulders. Her name was Haku. Her breasts were larger than Kurenai's and her hips were wide. Her skin looked so smooth and creamy, Issei thought that he could drag his fingers across her legs and not feel any friction whatsoever.
And last but not least was Hitsui. Green hair framed her head, her eyes were also an emerald green. She had a small smile on her face that hid the nervousness in her eyes. She was rather tall, taller than Issei. Hitsui seemed the boldest of all three but also the most nervous. She had a more curvaceous body than Kurenai or Haku.
"Wait girls. Before you go any further. Is anybody forcing you to do this?" Issei asked as he walked towards them.
"N-No, Master. We're doing this for you!" Kurenai said.
"I see," Issei breathed a sigh. "Come here, I'll do the rest," his voice sent shivers down Kurenai's spine as he pulled all three of them towards the bed.
Issei's hands caressed them one by one, feeling their soft bodies. He laid his hands on Kurenai then continued undressing her, unclipping her bra and pulling down her underwear while his tail dealt with her socks, throwing them off of her. Issei pushed Kurenai onto the bed and kissed her neck. He licked her and groped her free breasts, making her moan he gave her a bite on her neck before moving onto Haku.
Haku also got stripped bare by Issei. Her hair clips were also discarded, letting her soft hair free to reach her milky thighs that were hidden behind her tights. Her thicc thighs were licked by Issei, making her moan at the strange new pleasure presented to her. Issei also pushed Haku to lie beside Kurenai as he moved onto Hitsui.
Like Kurenai and Haku before her, Hitsui was stripped by Issei. He released her large breasts by which he was mesmerized by. Issei sucked on her breasts, rolling the nipple around with his tongue as he played with the other one. He the pushed Hitsui to join the other two girls.
Issei stripped off his pants, revealing to the girls his rod. "Lick," he said as he got in front of them.
The three maids complied and started to work. Kurenai took the tip into her mouth, Hitsui started licking his length, while Haku kissed and licked his balls from under him.
"Ahh, that's good girls," Issei said. He pulled Hitsui away from his dick and started kissing her breasts again. "Deeper Kurenai, take it deeper into your mouth," he ordered her as he fondled Hitsui.
Kurenai gulped as she processed his command. She stuck her tongue out and licked his manhood from the base to the tip one last time before holding it in place as she started putting it into her mouth. She felt his warm dick slowly enter her mouth before touching the back of her throat, she braced herself to push her head further but Issei bucked his hips, sending his hot rod straight into her throat.
"It hurts," Kurenai would've said as tears filled her eyes, but all she did was whimper as Issei's prick gagged her and filled her mouth.
Issei placed both his hands on her head and she widened her eyes. He pulled back out before pushing back in. Before long, he was facefucking her, making her whimper whenever he sheathed his dick into her mouth. Issei shouted as warm fluid filled Kurenai's mouth and he released her head, letting her breath the air.
Kurenai coughed and gagged when her master finally let go of her head. Hitsui appeared in front of her then started licking the cum that dripped out of Kurenai's mouth and onto her breasts. She continued licking Kurenai until Issei gripped Hitsui's finely shaped ass and flipped her onto her back.
"You ready?" he asked and Hitsui nodded. Issei nodded back and entered her virgin vagina. Blood stained the bed and Hitsui grimaced in pain. Issei kissed her to comfort her before he started moving. Her played with her large breasts and
It took a while before her pained grunts turned into pleasured moans. Issei thrusted faster and faster.
"Ahhhnnn~~ Issei-sama~~" Hitsui moaned. She gripped the bed covers as Issei thrusted harder and faster.
Haku hugged Issei from behind and licked his neck. Her large breasts pressed against his back, soft and squishy. Her hot breath and her smooth skin stimulated Issei more. Haku dragged her teeth across his skin and nibbled lightly.
Issei thrusted harder into Hitsui, he gripped her by the waist and pounded away. He felt his stomach clench and his hips move faster. He gritted his teeth in pleasure as he felt Hitsui's tight snatch squeeze him tighter and tighter. Issei buried himself deep into Hitsui before releasing his cum into her pussy.
Issei sighed in pleasure. He released himself from Hitsui's pussy and wiped the blood and cum off his dick using the edge of the bed cover.
"Who's next, girls?" Issei Jr. stood in attention to the attention it was about to be given.
Haku was already ready before Kurenai. She spread her labia and raised her leg. Issei took this chance and inserted himself into her as he took her thigh and draped it over his shoulder. There was no blood but Haku winced as Issei sheathed himself in her. Haku's pussy was already drenched and Issei had no trouble entering her.
"Issei-sama. Please fuck me," Haku pleaded and Issei nodded with a savage grin. He held her by the thighs and fucked her as fast as he was able to.
Inside. Outside. Inside. Outside. His dick slid into her wet vagina as fast as physically possible. Wet, meaty slaps resounded across the room as they continued to shamelessly fuck as hard as they could.
Soon enough, Haku came. Her walls tightened around Issei's length and she screamed in pleasure. "Ahhhh! Issei-sama! Please don't stop for me!" she managed to say as orgasmic pleasure rocked her world.
Haku's main priority was serving her master. And even if she was on the verge of breaking, she'd still pleasure him.
Issei grunted and continued the hammering pace he started in. His maid tightened around his penis, almost painfully. He felt her tense as she orgasmed once again, but he didn't stop thrusting in and out of her.
Haku clenched her nether walls for a third time, as she once again experienced mind breaking pleasure. Her chest heaved and her sweat drenched the bed. She felt her master exit her and she groaned. She didn't feel him climax yet.
Issei moved towards Haku's chest and placed his manhood between her large breasts. He squashed his dick using her soft boobs and, using Haku's own fluids as a lubricant, thrusted between them. His balls rubbed against her smooth stomach and Haku licked the tip of his prick whenever she could.
Issei picked up the pace before coming all over Haku's face. Haku licked the semen that was on her lips then fingered the rest before putting it in her mouth. It was salty and had a heavy smell, but she enjoyed it since it was her master's.
"Last one," Issei said and moved towards Kurenai. Kurenai crawled to Issei and spread her legs for him, letting him see her dripping snatch and her asshole. Issei grabbed her shapely ass and slapped it once, enjoying the way it felt against his palm. Kurenai mewled but didn't say anything.
Issei smirked one last time before pushing his dick into Kurenai's pussy. He took her virginity and kissed her neck while his hands roamed her smooth stomach and humble boobs.
He continued this until Kurenai said: "I'm ready." He started moving backwards until his tip was left inside of her, before moving back in. Kurenai gritted her teeth, adjusting to the feeling of a cock inside of her.
Soon, she was sighing in pleasure as Issei's dick slowly rubbed against her walls and her pleasure spots. She felt his warm length fill her up, taking up space before leaving her womanhood just to return immediately. Kurenai started bucking her hips to meet his, trying to satiate the growing desire in her loins.
Issei picked up the pace, his lust growing more unbearable by the second. After a while, he was slamming his cock into a moaning mess of a woman. Her gripped Kurenai by her raven locks as he grabbed her slender waist and pulled her as he rammed into her wet folds. Kurenai didn't fight against what he did and continued to tighten her lower lips and swing her ass in tandem to Issei.
They continued making love until Issei buried himself into Kurenai and roared. "I'm coming!" he said as ropes of white cum were ejaculated into Kurenai's pussy.
Both sighed in relief/disappointment as Issei unsheathed himself from Kurenai. Cum slowly seeped out of her snatch but she didn't bother, letting it fall onto the drenched bed. Issei junior finally settled down and the girls changed the beddings and clean themselves in the washing area.
Issei invited the maids to cuddle with him. The quartet snuggled under the large blanket, their warm bodies rubbing against one another. Smooth skin rubbed against Issei and he was slowly aroused by the feeling of three women holding him.
"Alright girls. Get ready for round two," Issei threw off the blanket and stood on the bed, his cock ready for more and his twitching incubus tail ready to assist. The trio of maids shuddered, thinking of all the pleasure they were going to experience in the near future as they crawled to Issei, prepared to worship his cock.
Yes. Consent is the sexiest thing in the world. #fightme
ik ik, the lead up to the smut was terrible. Yeah, burn me over it. Get your stakes, firewood, and Gordon Ramsay. The next smut involving the maids would be more energetic, I promise. It shall include BDSM *salutes in aot style*
Also. I can't get the idea out of my head that Hitsui is Fauna from HoloEN. Sue me.
Speaking of the maids.
I think Kurenai looks a bit like Akame from AgK…. ...but with hair sorta like Rias'.
Haku…. Haku…. Haku…. I got nothing. Hestia from Dungeon but with white hair? And her hair isn't in twin tails. Also, kuudere-ish. Yeah. I think that's the most accurate I could say.