It was strange.

That night, he dreamt of black and white and red and green, strange mutterings that seemed so foreign yet so comforting and unsettling at the same time and of a family home painted in red.

Ahh... that's right. He walked downstairs and saw his parents both dead, then the man walked to him and said something, then he died too.

But not until after something strange formed on his left hand. What was it again? A dull gauntlet of sorts..?

Hyoudou Issei, first year high schooler, shook his head and cupped his hands, letting water pool slowly before smashing it into his face, droplets falling haphazardly into the sink and floor.

Looking back up at the mirror, Issei grimaced.

He looked like shit, major eye bags and his already unruly hair looking like a wild jungle bungle.

"Just a dream, Issei. Just a dream."

A faint shout from downstairs reassured his thoughts as he dried his face and combed his hair down, back to its usual spikiness. His finger traced a near-invisible silver line on his cheek as he frowned, noticing the never seen before scar.

How strange, to be having nightmares, and such vivid ones at that as well as this cut. Did he cut himself without noticing? And did that bastard Matsuda spike his drink last night?! He knew that cordial tasted different!

Issei sighed, a goofy grin making its way to his face as he changed into his uniform, a simple black shirt underneath his blazer.

An undershirt was allowed, after all, and so he wore different coloured shirts everyday, much to the Student Councils displeasure. Some days he wore patterns, and those were usually the most chaotic yet fun days so far.

It was refreshing as well, better then looking like Yuuto Kiba. But to be fair in his case, he rocked that look, so who's he to complain? Whilst the boys seem to hate him, Issei had no problem with the guy. He hadn't done anything to him anyway.

Issei exited his room, walking down the stairs as his ears were greeted with the sound of television and his parents bickering and his nose the smell of breakfast~

"Goddamnit Gorou, I just bought these beans!"

"If there's coffee, it's meant to be consumed. You're just mad that I beat you to them."

"Exactly! Waah~ Why can't I enjoy nice things in this household..!"

Amidst the wailing, the smug grin and the news reporter talking about orangutang (monke), Issei simply sat down, clapped his hands together, and bowed his head.

"Itadakimasu."

Gorou finally looked up from his newspaper and looked at his son.

"Morning Ise."

"Morning dad."

"Morning Ise~"

"Morning mum."

And that was that, their conversation over as the two males of the Hyoudou residence ate their breakfast and mentally prepared themselves for their day ahead.

Gorou had work, something he enjoyed but was finding more mentally taxing dealing with the idiots that didn't listen to what he said. Words through ears, then they complain he doesn't explain when that's all he did for the last three hours.

In Issei's case, it was school, and like any other student, he pulled from a certain data set that modern day high schooler students had the same stress levels as people in mental asylums all those decades ago whilst disregarding any other source that didn't support his cause. Or he made it up and enjoyed the wild goose chase some of his more intellectually challenged friends undertook in order to find it.

Was it accurate? Who knows, not his problem. It supported his case but he was forced to go regardless despite his begging to avoid the torture that was math. Numbers were too difficult to work with, what was wrong with eyeballing it? Worked for him and other men in history after all.

English wasn't a barrier as his neighbours as a kid were European, and History was simply just remembering facts and dates. Social, economics, physical education; easy-peasy Japan-squeezey, or something along those lines.

But unfortunately, they were both men, and due to their pride (weak as it was) had to do their duties and suffer whilst their wife/mother got to kick back and watch Soap Opera's all day then complain when she had to do something.

All in a days work, really.

Devouring the last of his breakfast, Issei thumped his chest as he sculled the last of his drink, a loud belch following as he grinned.

"I'm off!"

"Ise, that's disgusting!"

"Haha! That's my boy!"

His infectious grin never left his face as he left home, breezing forwards on the footpath as he quickly joined the Kuoh student-body.

A spring in his step, a smile like the sun, Hyoudou Issei was set up for a brilliant day of peeping and sleepin', two of his favourite activities. And what better then to enjoy the first hobby of his then with none other then his two partners in crime.

"Yo, Issei!"

The brunette grinned as he ran forwards, meeting Matsuda and Motohama halfway. Slapping their hands together, they performed their handshake, a series of hand slapping and knuckle bumping.

"So, Gentleman," Matsuda rolled his tongue as he bowed like a servant of nobility. "Shall we?~"

The trio cackled as they discussed lecherous topics freely in the open, earning them pointed looks of disgust that they paid no mind to whatsoever.

High-school boys in puberty, expressing their desires freely. As disgusting as it was, it was something many did not and could not do openly. A positive perk, in a sense, the perverted honesty they held.

But Issei felt something was off, like he was missing something, like something was nagging at him to remember. Had he seen all of this before? He swore he could've had this conversation before already.

In fact, when he sat down for class, they had a surprise quiz that looked really familiar, and when he asked Sensei if they'd done this one already, he received laughter at his expense for a foolish question.

So why did he know all these answers? Hyoudou Issei knew that by no means he was intelligent; that was reserved to those that gave a damn, but he knows he doesn't know the answers to these questions, but he does.

Shit, he wrote the math answers without showing the process! He's fucked- and the teachers coming around as well fuckfuckfuck-

Issei scribbled quickly, his hand a blur as it drew lines and numbers without thought, and as the teacher walked past, Issei stared dumbfounded it at his page.

What he wrote actually kinda maybe made sense..? Maybe he was a genius, and the viral cortex or something in his brain finally activated.

Heh, Neuron Activation. Monke.

Still, he couldn't itch the feeling in the back of his head, or was it his ass? – that he was forgetting something… something important…

…shiiittt, he missed the airing of the new 'Magi Girl: Slippery Disaster!' like an idiot! Fuck! Now he's behind Matsuda and Motohama! Those bastards were gonna rub it in his face!

"Time is up. Please hand your sheets to those in front of you upside down."

Issei let out a sigh of relief and leaned back in his chair, a goofy smile spreading across his face as he visualised the latest episode in his mind.

"…"

A tingle on his neck, a twitch of his muscles and Issei fell backwards, a loud bang filling the classroom as he groaned.

"And this is why we don't rock on chairs, Hyoudou," the teacher scolded lightly.

"S-Sorry Sensei, hehe."

The classroom snickered as Issei stood up, fixing his chair and sitting back down.

…what just happened? He felt like something poked him in the neck as he went to look out the window and he fell back because of it.

The brunette rubbed his neck with a frown, rubbing his hand over the spot where it tingled.

Strange… how strange indeed. He wasn't superstitious, but he might develop some fears soon. Maybe the ORC could help quell his thoughts… with President Rias' boobs~

Oh well, food for thought another day.

The day passed like normal. The peeped on the kendo club as per usual on a Wednesday, and got chased down and beat up in the afternoon as per schedule- surprisingly he dodged the first strike but then got cocky and beat up anyway; plus despite the bruises, he got multiple panty shots! Booyah!

They sat on their asses and groaned and complained as after school clubs did their activities, and the same refreshing breeze cooled their bodies as they enjoyed their time on the side of the hill.

And today, Issei found himself looking over at the Old School Building where the Occult Research Club resided. His recent nightmare had him thinking about inquiring about it from the Seniors, and he thought about approaching them but didn't.

Even if it was a club and their hobbies, he felt like he would be ostracised and teased for what he'd speak of. His reputation was already trash, he didn't need to be put even lower in the ladder; though, not that he cared much.

Stopping by the convenience store, Issei glanced down at his phone, making sure he bought the right items for his mother before he added a drink of his own and the latest Polaroid for – surprisingly – his father.

Who said men couldn't enjoy the simpler things in life? Those that talked smack about men being effeminate deserved a fate worse then hell, little pussies they were.

"Thank you!"

Issei waved to his favourite cashier as he exited the store, only to run into a tall and sturdy wall.

"Ah, s-sorry."

The man paid Issei no heed as he walked inside, the brunette looking at him weirdly before making the walk back home.

Strange, he hadn't noticed him there, and the doors were automatic sliding and clear… how the hell did he not see him?

And he seemed somewhat familiar too… eh, potato potato, not his fucking problem when he had an episode to watch!

"I'm home!"

No response.

Issei grinned.

Dumping the bag on the kitchen bench, he grabbed his strawberry milk with delight and ran upstairs, relishing in his temporary freedom.

People who liked chocolate milk were cool, and so were vanilla and lime and whatever flavour you liked. Strawberry? Biggest Chad in the mofocking room.

Collapsing into the beanbag he insisted on getting, Issei flicked his Tv on and relaxed into the wonderful heaven of porn and beanbag.

A few bags of chips littered the floor as Issei's eyes remained glued to the screen, the screen's imagery reflected in his light chocolate eyes as he moved from episode to episode, caught in the never-ending loop of 'just one more'.

Bbbrrrinnnngggg! Brrinnnggggg!

"Ah! Oh, it's just my alarm… shit that's my alarm."

Issei sighed as he turned the Tv off, picking his rubbish up and dumping it in his overflowing bin.

It was currently around 8pm, or 2000 for those military freaks or weirdos that spoke in 24-hour time. His parents should've called him down for dinner already.

Emerging from the man-cave looking like a half-homeless man, Issei yawned loudly as he ruffled his hair, trying to fix the tangled rooted deeply at the base as he walked down the stairs.

"The lights are on still, so where..?"

He frowned as he reached the base, the front door wide open. Peeking his head outside, nothing was out of place, and as he closed the door, he didn't notice the door light flickering, it's casing cracked.

"Man, what are they doing?" Issei muttered, locking the door. "It's like they growing dementia or something…"

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Oi, Ise! Open the damn door!"

"Ah shit! Sorry, Dad."

Unlocking the door, Issei swung it open as he yawned, scratching the back of his head.

"Where were you guys at anyway-"

Squelch

Issei's eyes shot open as something wet and squishy pressed against him.

Slowly, they looked further down, and the further he looked, the more he wanted to whimper and look away.

Gorou – his father – was slumped against his chest, a large hole in his chest that leaked blood and flesh and splintered bone.

Issei backed up, the corpse falling off his body and hitting the ground with the wet splat. Glasses split and rolled away from each other as scarlet slowly pooled out in a deep reflective mirror that showed Issei's dilated pupils.

"D-Dad…?"

Something hurtled from the darkness and collided with Issei, the teen's vision blacking out momentarily before it swam back into view.

His back pressed to the kitchen bench, a mangled, desiccated corpse that resembled his mother lay bare in his lap, grey matter oozing onto his pants with red.

"A-Ahh…"

Issei raised his hands, matted hair trapped between his blood-cakes fingers, lifting the 'head' of his mother as it freed itself from the neck with a wet squelch.

"Ahhhhhh…. …ahahaha…."

Her blank eyes stared into his, and Issei simply dropped her head as all strength left his body.

His skin was wet and sticky, his hair matted from his own blood, his bones fractured from the impact and his lungs shivered with each bated breath. His whole body felt warm, an intense, fierce burn encompassing his entirety.

"Oho~ Unfortunate for you to be caught in this affair of mine, dear boy~ Feel enlightened, for I shall ascend, with a sacrifice from yours truly~"

Issei's eyesight dimmed as he felt his head fall forwards, everything turning black as he felt his arms become heavy.

. . .

. .

.

"Woah!"

Issei blinked, staring himself down in the mirror as he gripped the sink to keep his balance.

He looked like shit, major eye bags that looked like black eyes and his already unruly hair looking like a wild jungle bungle.

"Just… just a dream, Issei… it was just… a…. …a d-dream?"

A faint shout from downstairs made Issei jump, his mother's voice echoing in his mind as vivid imagery of him holding her decapitated head flashed in his mind.

"F-Fuck!"

Issei jumped backwards, smacking his head into his bathroom wall as he groaned, clutching his head as he knelt down, feeling tears brimming up.

"Ise? Are you alright dear? I heard a loud noise."

"F-Fine, mum!" Issei choked out. "Just hit my head, that's all!"

"Alrighty then~ Come down for breakfast when you're ready sweetie~"

Issei remained in place for a few minutes, taking deep breaths, calming his racing heartrate before he slowly stood back up.

Looking into the mirror, Issei fixed his hair back to its usual spikiness, washed his face before flashing a smile.

It was hesitant, scared, and his eyes were still filled with fear.

"It was just… just a nightmare, Ise. Just a nightmare."

And thus Issei went on with his day once more.

"Morning Ise."

"Morning, Dad."

"Morning, Ise. Feeling better?"

"Morning, mum. And yeah, I'm alright."

"Do you need the day off, sweetie?"

Issei paused, mind ticking as he mulled over his thoughts.

A day off wouldn't hurt, thinking about it.

"…um, yeah. If you guys don't mind…."

Gorou peered over his newspaper momentarily before going back to its contents.

"Take the day off, son," Gorou said, flipping through a page. "Your mental health is important as well."

"He's right," Maya added, not looking back from the sink. "If schools too stressful for you, take the time off when you need to."

Issei felt something well up inside – love for his parents – and sniffled, hiding his tears behind his arm before he smiled brightly.

"Yeah… yeah, thanks mum. Thanks dad."

"No need to thank us, sweetie~ Now go enjoy your day off."

Breakfast was a quick affair, and Issei soon found himself walking outside, the morning sun warming him through his jeans, t-shirt, and button-up shirt with rolled sleeves.

Letting his feet take him wherever, Issei squinted up at the sky, noticing the clarity of the clouds before looking around at his surroundings.

The concrete seemed more real, covered in general everyday carbon footprint, the grass and plants he passed more alive, their colours popping, more lush and vibrant in their textured pots.

He even stopped by the park, examining a tree up close as he ran his hand carefully down its bark, feeling the nooks and cranny's, each twist and gnarled turn it held.

It was like he had a filter that dulled his vision taken off, and now he could see the intricacies of his surroundings. The tree was no longer just a 'tree', but a cluster of brown hues that formed a complicated painting of complexity a human could never re-create.

Issei stood by the tree, taking a deep breath as the wind tittered by, and even then the 'wind' felt more alive, as if it was whispering in his ear as it passed by.

"Natures pretty cool~"

Issei felt compelled to hug the tree then shrugged, wrapping his arms around the bark as he felt content with himself.

"Neh, neh, is that Onii san a tree-hugger?"

"Neh, neh, maybe he wants to be like the tree?"

Issei cracked an eye open and grinned, looking at the two curious kids that had wandered up to him.

"Guess you could say that," he said, removing himself from the tree. "The tree was so beautiful I couldn't help myself."

"Neh, neh, Onii san, you can't love a tree. The tree isn't alive."

Issei scoffed, "of course it is! It's as alive as you or me." He then looked around warily before leaning in, a finger pressed against his lips. "Wanna know the real reason why I hugged the tree?"

The two kids crept forwards, listening intently as Issei smiled.

"There's a rumour that if you hug the tree, then a wish of your choice will come true~"

"Really?! Hey, hey, let's try it out!"

"Yeah, yeah! Let's do it!"

Issei snickered as he walked away, glancing over his shoulder as he left the park to see the two kids hugging the tree, giggling as they then began playing a game of tag.

A bit of fresh air really refreshed his mind. What he could go for next was something to keep him occupied for a few hours.

Checking his wallet, Issei counted his money before nodding to himself.

Theatres it was. Though, going by himself felt a bit odd, but he rode solo for most of his life. Nothing new, albeit a bit sad.

He snickered to himself, entering and choosing a movie at random, spending a bit too much on snacks, then finally getting a seat towards the back in the centre.

Settled in, snacks and drink at ready, Issei focused his eyes on the big screen, groaning internally at the tedious mass of ads that rolled at the beginning before the movie began.

. . .

. .

.

It was a strange movie, but not something he didn't mind.

A story based on a civilian forced to become a soldier in desperate times, sent off into a war only to die. Then, the plot twist; he didn't die. Instead, he found himself in a time-loop, constantly living the day before the deployment and the day of deployment.

And the cycle repeated. With each new gruesome death, the protagonist learnt something new, and with each cycle, he grew more confident. The cycles continued to the point he manages to succeed in his mission, but all his comrades he died.

Unable to bare living alone, he kills himself, then repeats the cycle, over and over trying to save everyone, until one day he realises he succeeds.

Of course, the plot had lots of holes and had the atypical happy ending, but it was an enjoyable ride, watching the MC go from a wimpy civilian to basically an A-Tier soldier.

Leaving the movies, Issei glanced at the time on his watch and decided to go walking once more, to a familiar location he visited quite frequently when he wanted to clear his head.

Ascending the hill far away from the shops and on the outskirts of Kuoh, Issei traversed the forest, following the dirt clearing that led up to the abandoned Church.

It's structure was compromised, but the building stubbornly refused to fall, staying rigid in place despite the wood planks occasionally hanging loosely or falling off. Most of the glass was broken in large, jagged shards, but a rare few windows were still intact, weather blemishing the surface.

Pushing the door open, Issei stepped through and felt a familiar warmth spread through his body.

This was the main reason he hung out at the church. It had this weird effect of calming and soothing the mind, making one feel at peace upon entering despite its abandoned state.

A blessing from God, perhaps, but Issei was not Catholic or Christian, nor was he overly superstitious. He believed in his lands culture, participated in their events, but did not let religions, gods or spirits sway his decision making.

Walking towards the altar, he passed the rotting wooden pews, stepping up towards the main podium where a ray of light looked down on.

Sitting in the edge and looking out at the entrance, Issei laid back and stared at the ceiling, before eventually closing his eyes, simply enjoying the atmosphere and resting peacefully.

And when he re-opened his eyes, the ray of light had shifted, and the ochre sunset replaced the blue skies.

"Oh shit."

His parents would probably be worried by now.

Leaving the church, Issei followed the path back down, finding himself back on concrete footpaths as the sun touched the horizon, then back in his neighbourhood as the sun dipped beneath the horizon.

A good day, he hummed, potentially even a great day. His mind had never felt clearer and more relaxed, and he even had the day off school!

Issei turned the corner, taking his time to walk the few hundred-ish metres left to his house.

Looking back at it, he could only really come to one conclusion. The dreams he had, and that one vivid nightmare? All just his imagination. He had watched a horror movie the night prior with the boys, so it probably stirred his imagination up and made that surreal dream.

It was the only explanation, really. Magic was a false reality, and time travel? Trapped in a loop? As if! That was stuff of fantasy, no way it was real.

Issei chuckled as he passed through the open gate, pulling out his key to the front door.

Right now, he was pretty hungry, then after that? Catch up on some schoolwork, anime, then back to school tomorrow morning. For once, he was actually looking forward to school.

Not for the work, mind you, but to test his vision out and mmmm through some peeping holes. Always a good time with the MnM's.

Unlocking the door, Issei pushed it open and smiled.

"I'm home!"

And as he stepped through, a loud crack filled the room as Maya Hyoudou fell to the ground, her neck twisted to the point it faced her frozen shoulder expression of surprise towards her beloved son.

His blood turned cold as he looked at the chair his dad sat in, the place where his dad sat now just without his chest-

"Ah, you must be their son~ Don't worry, I'll give you the same treatment~ Wouldn't want your sacrifice to go in vain~"

That man in front of him was going to kill him, just like he killed his mum and dad last time…- wait, last time?

Issei choked, slowly looking down at the gaping hole in his chest, the same burn from his dream encompassing his body, before all turned black.