Okaaaaay! We are back with this one! The second most requested story for comeback, tying pretty closely with Lone Dragon Emperor. This story blew the fuck up after the last chapter. I'm not surprised. It really was one of the best chapters I've ever written. It's also definitely the longest. Fuckin 50k words. I honestly don't know what mindset of instability you have to be in to fuckin do that. I don't even know what was going through my head. Passion is just another word for insanity, I guess.
Anyway, we are finally back. Now, it's time to get into the juicier stuff. Issei's back home now! Ah, but what does this mean? Cannon timeline won't be going on for a little bit, and even when it does, I'm very confident that original events will be taking place during it. This ain't gonna go exactly like how cannon does. Things are gonna go somewhat different. Especially considering that Issei's actions have taken, and are continuing to take, an effect on the world of DxD.
But for now, Issei's back home. His return will be the primary focus for this one. The dynamics between character relationships are going to get very interesting from here on out.
Let's get right into it.
-Evil God-
《Ares. So you still continue to linger in the shadows?》
"Hades. Yes, for now. I was still keeping myself out of Zeus's eye after my "retribution" for interfering with the 'Atlas incident'."
《Retribution? The weapon that Hephaestus created.》
"Yes. Zeus ordered me to give my fair share of power to it, so that it may come out a proper weapon."
《You complied.》
"Of course. It was an order from my father, after all. Besides, I am a God of War. Giving blessings to a weapon is not something that I would consider a "tragic punishment"."
《I see. In that case, what do you plan to do now?》
"Well, originally, I planned to do nothing. However, I have heard some interesting news from the Underworld's "Rating game" broadcast of the battle between Sekiryuutei and he who wields the "Nemean Longinus". Apparently, the spirit of Atlas still sleeps within him."
《Indeed. There is no denying it. Not only is there the power, but I have seen it for myself. The burning gaze in his eyes holds two flames. However, he cannot properly utilise the power. It is much too unstable. It seems that the spirit itself is limiting him so that there is no critical damages, unlike the first time it was used.》
"Yes. Well, all that I was concerned with was the spirit and power itself. If it exists within him, then there is something interesting to be done indeed."
《Hoh? And pray tell what may that be.》
"After the announcement was made, I quickly returned to Olympus to meet with my father and Hephaestus. Despite agreeing to pay retribution, I was still nowhere to be found, because I was hiding in Hades. That's why, upon hearing that information about Atlas' spirit, I brought myself back to Olympus to "fulfill my father's request"."
《You agreed in construction of the weapon once learning of Atlas. So it seems you have something planned, don't you?》
"Heh. Perhaps I do. Something quite amusing, if I were to say. I was very much interested in learning as to whether the "shield" could inadvertently become a "lance", in a sense."
《A "lance", you say? Fafafafa. Yes, watching this newly crowned "Dragon of Aegis" become a "Dragon of raid"— That is interesting. The God of War can also be attributed to being the "God of meddling", by this point.》
"I am an impatient God. Boredom is something I despise. If it is some simple meddling that shall bring me purpose again, then I will partake. I tire of this "age of peace". Atlas bringing Olympus into disarray would have brought me some entertainment. Perhaps the death of a God or two would also do well for my amusement. Unfortunately, that was halted by the Sekiryuutei. However, just as he robbed me of my entertainment, he shall repay me with an even greater form of entertainment. He will show me— We shall see if the "Arbitrator to the Gods" will pass his "judgement" upon the ideals of Evil-Gods he stands to obstruct, or if he will instead lose the "temperament" restricting him from hunting the docile Gods into extinction. —One way or the other, I expect this "Sekiryuutei of justice" to further expand upon the title of [God-slayer]."
Part 1
[[[[ Wel~coooome! ]]]]
"H-Hello…"
Hello everyone. Hyoudou Issei here. It's been a short while. Maybe a week? Ah, well, it has for me. It's just that I skipped the details of that week after the match with Sairaorg.
But as right now, I am currently gathered with my group, in front of a large, extravagantly designed castle. A familiar castle that I've been to once before. And right in front of this castle, my group— or more accurately, I, have been greeted at the courtyard of this large estate by an ensemble of what looks like hundreds of servants/maids.
That's right. This place, where I have been greeted by practically every servant of the estate— is none other than Phenex castle…
"Welcome, Hyoudou Issei-san."
"..Y-Yes, good day…. Thank you for having me… It is an honour…"
The person I was personally greeted by, along with her husband, was Lady Phenex herself. Accompanied by her husband, Raiser, and even another man I didn't recognize, but assume to be "Ruval Phenex". And greeted by the simultaneous bow of every Phenex servant lined up behind them, I have come dressed nicely, to finally attend the celebration specifically set for Ravel and me.
…..Alright…. Maybe we should head back in time a bit, just so I can give you some backstory to catch up on how I've arrived to this point.
—Well, let's go back to the time shortly after the match with Sairaorg.
"Haaaaah~ I'm so exhausteeeed."
I let out an unbelievably heavy exhale the moment we appeared in the basement area of my house, that is usually used for teleporting in and out of the estate.
Finally, after two whole months, I'm back home.
"Alright..! I'm so tired, I think I'm gonna knock out."
I gave my arms a quick stretch while holding onto Gasper who was still sleeping on my back.
We've just returned home after the match with Sairaorg. Instead of heading to the Gremory estate as planned, we ended up returning home. Originally, the group was actually going to head there like planned, but they stopped when I said: "Actually, you guys go ahead and do what you gotta do. I'm tired so I think I'm gonna head back home. I gotta unpack my stuff that was transported there anyway. Besides, Gasper is sleeping, so I'll take him back home and let him rest there for a bit."
After I said that, many of the group members ended up changing their minds. Ravel was obviously set on going wherever I was going, so of course she was already by my side when I said that. Starting with Irina, who had joined us after the game, everybody just decided not to go back to Gremory. Even my master, who was supposed to go home, she ended up contacting her parents and telling them she wouldn't be returning. Instead, she would be heading back to the human world, to "our" house.
So that's why, we're all back home now. Our whole group is here, including Kiba and Gasper, since we came straight here.
I stepped forward while holding onto Gasper, planning to head upstairs and put him to bed. Even though this isn't where he lives, it's fine to let him stay here. I don't mind having him sleep over at my house for the day. He's tired, after all. He's earned a good rest.
"I'm gonna go put Gasper down for a rest. After that, I'll go probably unpack my stuff."
I announced that, mainly to Ravel who was beside me. Instead, the first one to answer me was Kiba.
"Ah, I can take him back with me, back to our home, Ise-kun."
Kiba said that while approaching me, seemingly to take Gasper from me. But, I took a step away when he reached out for him.
"Ah, no."
Kiba, or more like everybody, was a bit surprised to see me back off from him defensively. It was something I did without thinking too deeply about.
"Ah, I mean— It's fine. He can stay here for today. He's tired anyway. I don't want him being moved around a lot. And it's only for one day, so having him stay over is no big deal."
Though I said that, I couldn't deny that there was some doubt somewhere in me. Maybe somewhere in my heart. A doubt that, somehow, for whatever reason— I shouldn't necessarily trust anyone with Gasper, for right now, when he's most vulnerable. I mean, I don't distrust anyone from my group. It's not like Kiba would ever do anything bad to Gasper, let alone anyone from our group. But— I don't know. Whatever. I prefer to handle it myself. That's all.
"I-Ise-sama, I can unpack your belongings for you, if you'd like."
Ravel offers me that with an almost embarrassed attitude.
"Ah, no, it's okay. I mean, I can handle it. I don't want to trouble you again, after all this time. Now that I've recovered and returned home, I think I shouldn't be relying on you all the time. If I don't take care of myself, then I will have made no progress, you know?"
Ravel became dejected after hearing that.
"Oh… But…. I feel happiest when Ise-sama relies on me…."
She says it in a small voice, while lowering her head just a bit, and even a tint of red on her cheeks. Ooooooooh..! Dammit! She's so cute, even when she's sad..! Aw, man! How am I supposed to say no to such an adorable expression..!
"W-Well, I mean…. I guess it's okay…. I trust Ravel no matter what so, I mean, it should be fine to just let her handle the little things… So long as we both rely on each other equally, then I'm satisfied too…. You are my manager, after all…. So, I guess, I'll leave it to you..."
I said that while scratching my cheek awkwardly. Ravel brightened up with a delighted smile and nodded her head.
"Yes..! Of course..!"
Up until now, Ravel hadn't smiled so radiantly. She's been acting sheepish ever since the game ended. Avoiding eye contact, peeking at me through the corner of her eyes, watching me from behind, twirling her hair when she talks to me, muttering in a low voice when I ask her questions….
W-Well, it's not like I can blame her…. I did say that in the middle of the game, in front of everybody…. I mean, yes, it was something that could be interpreted in a few ways, thankfully…. But, there are still some programmes and publications from the Underworld that are saying things….. I was able to hear it from Azazel on a call, on our way home. He called me laughing about one of the few programmes that were saying: [Cruel irony: The Sekiryuutei who interfered with Gremory-Phenex engagement, proposes to Phenex daughter?!]...
Most of the outlets are actually reporting on stuff pertaining to the game, especially the majority, which are reporting about "The new Sekiryuutei of justice!" and "The Sekiryuutei of the people!"... Depending on your outlook, one publication can be worse than another. I think, it would probably be worse if more of them were reporting on the thing involving Ravel… Only because it's deathly embarrassing, but luckily, that's not the case…. For the most part…
Also, I just noticed that the atmosphere around me became awkward after my interaction with Ravel. It's been like that since the game too….
Now that my internal problem with Raynare is pretty much resolved, I can say that the main reason it's so awkward like this is because of the girls' feelings towards me…. The way they feel…. Now that I think about it…..
No…. It's obvious how the current situation around me is… But…. I'm not going to address it…. Because it's not my problem. My problems have been resolved. I have more important things to focus on. I see no issues with the current situation. I'm not going to worry myself over things that aren't my fault. Living life by shouldering the burdens of others— living like that, living the way I did— it was just unhealthy. Caring is different from stressing myself out. I can still care just fine, but, if it isn't my fault, then I have no reason to eat at my own conscious for it. I shouldn't blame myself for mistakes that aren't mine. It's okay to realise that I'm the one who's right sometimes.
Like Azazel said, part of being a 'mature adult' is recognising when you're right and when you're wrong. You shouldn't blame yourself if you're not the one who's in the wrong. Self deprecation isn't healthy either. I can be right too. I have the right to feel a certain way too. And if there's one thing I can't deny, it's the way that they all made me feel that day. I was not the one who was wrong for feeling the way I did, they were the ones who were wrong for making me feel that way. Because their actions were not justified. They were understandable, "because we're young", but that doesn't make what they did right. That's why…
...Well, it doesn't bother me that much anymore. I've forgiven them for it. It's not like I'd ever hate or dislike them for something like that. But, in that same sense, I'm not gonna break my back over things I shouldn't.
All of that aside, I'm actually starving, now that I think about it.
"Neh, Ravel. I'm kinda hungry. I'll handle unpacking my stuff myself, so can you make me something?"
As we began walking upstairs (as a group), I asked Ravel that casually. Even at Grigori, she was usually the one who whipped my meals up for me. I did get tired of all the extravagant foods at Grigori (oddly enough), after all. My big room was connected to a kitchen, go figure. So, I just ask her to cook for me whenever I get hungry.
But apparently, that's something weird because everyone in my group was looking at me like I grew horns outta my head. Unlike them, Ravel responded as normally as usual.
"Hm? Of course, Ise-sama. What would you like?"
"Uh, I guess anything is fine."
"Very well. I will make Ise-sama's favourite for today since he worked so hard during the match. Ah, I will also him some of his favourite cake dessert on the side as a reward."
"Aw, hell yeah!"
Yes! Ravel's specialty cake! I love her desserts so much! Thanks to her, cake has practically become my favourite food in general!
Ravel tilted her head though.
"Ah, but, I can also unpack Ise-sama's bags right after."
"Huh? Ah, no, no, you shouldn't. I can't have you making me my favourite foods and then packing my bags on top of that too. I should at least handle the bags myself."
"But I am fine doing both of them. Ise-sama deserves to rest well after his fight."
"Aw, come on. They're just bags. It's no big deal. Let's just meet down the middle and say that I'll handle the bags and you'll handle the food, yeah?"
Though I asked that, Ravel gave me more of a serious attitude. Oh, I know that face… It's that "serious" expression she gives me when she's trying to "advise" me about things. Things mainly related to my safety. Ravel wagged her finger in the air while holding her other hand on her hip, her attitude seemed informative.
"Now, now, Ise-sama. Azazel-sensei and I have already told you enough about pushing yourself. You have just had a rigorous match with Sairaorg-san and your stamina is most likely well depleted. The thing that you should be doing now is resting. That being said, making some food and unpacking some bags is not an arduous task. As your manager, I should have every capability to handle such menial jobs by myself. Especially when you need it most, at times like these. Now, please go lie down and rest. I will have your food shortly."
"Ah…"
I was left speechless after her light "scolding", I guess. Well, you can't even call it a scolding since she wasn't mad at all or acting very sternly. She was just saying things for my own good with an almost motherly or guardian like attitude….
Having nothing to say, I couldn't help but smile wryly.
"Ehehe…. You would really make a good mom, huh, Ravel?…"
Even though I said that in a kind of amused manner, Ravel's entire head exploded red with steam and her eyes turned into spirals.
"H-Hawawawawawawawawawawawawawa?! I-I-I-I-I-Ise-sama?! S-S-Something like that, my heart is not prepared! P-P-Please allow me some time to prepare myself first! At the very least, please wait until we have graduated!?"
"Ah."
Being who I am now— a more matured version of myself who is fully aware of the girls around me, and their feelings, including Ravel— I, of course, realised the implication of what I said and immediately turned red.
[—!]
"J-J-J-J-J-J—! N-No, wait! I'm sorry! I didn't mean it that way! I said it wrong! I worded myself incorrectly! I didn't intend any sort of deeper meaning to that! I was just saying what I was thinking! —Ah! But that doesn't mean I don't think Ravel would be a good mother! I think you'd be a great mother! In fact, it would be awesome to have you as the mother to my childr—"
Naturally, I made it worse.
"—Aaaaaaaaaaaahahahaha! I'll leave the food and unpacking to yooooooou!"
—I immediately turned and sprinted away in embarrassment, while holding onto Gasper. I ran away so fast that there wasn't even a chance for Ravel to respond to me, and I ended up unconsciously taking the stairs up instead of the elevator. I chastised myself in my own mind.
Fuck, fuck, fuck, shit, fuuuuuuuuck! Aaaaaaaaaahahaha, I want to die~! Please kill meeeeeeee~! How am I supposed to confess when stuff like this happens?! Sairaooooooooooooooorg! At this rate, my confession is going to faaaaaaaaaaail!
"..Muu… Ise-senpai?.."
Gasper, who was practically bouncing off my back as I comically ran up the stairs, stirred in his sleep a bit.
"Don't worry, Gasper! Nothing to worry about here! Just go back to sleep, hahahahaha!"
Though I was running and laughing like I was dying from embarrassment, Gasper seemingly fell back to sleep after my words. Meanwhile, I was still left frustrated with my failure.
Dammit, the way I am now….. The road to my confession is likely not a long one, but definitely a difficult one….
Part 2
"Ise-samaaaaa~ Your food is ready~"
While I was sitting down on the side of my bed, with Gasper cutely sleeping in the fetal position in the middle, I heard Ravel calling me from a floor down. Looks like my food is ready.
I got up from my bed and made my way out of my room. Even though I said that I would leave the unpacking to Ravel, I ended up doing it myself anyway. Besides, I really only said it out of embarrassment and trying to get out of the situation. I still feel bad relying on Ravel after coming back supposedly having "recovered". I mean, aren't I supposed to be taking care of her now? I've made my promise, I have to keep it. If there's any promises I gotta keep, it's that one.
I finally made my way downstairs and into the main area of the main floor. Everyone seems to be here. Even Kiba still stuck around, huh. Ah, looks like they noticed me. Uh, I guess it's gonna take a little time before they get used to having me around again. You know, since they keep staring...
Ravel approached me with an apron on.
"Your food is ready, Ise-sama. The cake is baking right now."
"Ah, thanks, Ravel."
Even though I answered normally, Ravel raised a brow at me.
"W-What is it?"
For some reason, she looked like she knew something…. She hummed a little bit before heading towards the stairway.
"Hmm… Well, I will go unpack your belongings now."
"Ah..!"
I was about to call out to Ravel, but I stopped myself. Unfortunately, that was enough to make Ravel sigh and turn back around. She looked at me with a blank face.
"Haah… As I thought, you already unpacked your bags, didn't you, Ise-sama?"
Ah, Ravel was giving me a very "motherly" attitude again…. I scratched the back of my head.
"...Ah, yeah… Sorry..."
As much as I wanted to sound cool by using the excuse that I "still wanted to take care of her" or something, I couldn't. There's Ravel's signature "reading" skill that she's able to use against me. She can always tell if I'm hiding something, or whatever I'm thinking in general. I don't know how.… Ravel sighed again.
"Well, there's no helping it. I suppose I'll just take care of the cake then."
Whew, I'm off the hook. Not like she would scold me or anything, but, I don't like to make Ravel feel any kind of bad.
After that, I went to the large dining table and began eating the beautiful ensemble of food set before me without hesitation. Aaaaaaah~ Ravel's home cooked meals! No matter how many times I have it, it's so good! Thank you very much for this opportunity!
Because of how enthralled I was with my feast, I failed to realise how violently I scarfed down my food.
"Ise-sama. You mustn't eat so rambunctiously."
Ravel lightly reprimanded me while wiping the side of my mouth with a napkin. Ah, it looks like my face was dirty, huh.
"Ah, fowwy (sorry)."
I apologised while having my mouth full, to which Ravel handed me my drink.
"Here you are."
I used the drink to swallow my food smoothly.
"Aah~ so good~ Ravel's cooking really is the best!"
"I'm glad you liked it. I'm happy to make it. Here, there is still some sauce on your lip."
While Ravel wiped my mouth, we heard a ding from the oven.
Ding!
"Ah, that is your cake. Hold on. I'll have it out by the time you've finished your meal. Make sure to keep yourself clean, Ise-sama."
"Yes, ma'am!"
I gave Ravel a playful salute before continuing to eat. I could feel an uncomfortable amount of attention on me. When I looked around, everybody was staring at me from their different places in the living area.
I wiped my mouth and decided to pay no mind to it.
In fact, the rest of the day went on a bit like that.
After having all of my stuff unpacked, I realised that there were clothes of mine that have to wash. Seeing that I got to keep the black Grigori uniform gifted to me by Azazel, I wanted to wash that too. Problem was that I was wearing it. And that also made me realize not only how dirty my clothes were, but also how dirty I was. I needed a bath. So, of course, I decided to take a bath after my meal and dessert.
"Hey, Ravel. I'm pretty dirty, so I'm gonna head down and take a bath."
I announced that to Ravel who was cleaning up my dishes.
"Hm? Ah, of course, Ise-sama. Even though they should be mostly healed, please be mindful of your wounds. Leave the dishes to me."
"Sor— Ahem. Yeah, thanks."
"Of course."
As much as I wanted to say "sorry", I refrained. No need to say sorry, it's just better to be thankful. I also wanted to say something else after that, but that's something only a person who is in a special relationship would say, ehehe…
Anyway, I quickly made my way to the lower floors where the baths were located. It's been a while since I've taken a bath that wasn't personalised for just one person. Ah, I'm remembering there was that one time Ravel came into the bath with me at Grigori….
Wasting no time after making it into the bath area, I removed my clothing and went to take a bath.
Sss…
I turned on one of the showerheads to give myself a rinse. After that, I turned it back off and began washing my body.
"Aaah~ Home sweet home. Well, Grigori wasn't bad at all either."
While washing myself, I began thinking back to everything that's happened. Holy shit. Now that I think about it, I went through a lot, huh. 'That day' in the clubroom happened, I went to Grigori, I fought a Lernean Hydra, I fought a Stone Golem, I faced a compilation of unique trials, I learned to tame my perversion a bit, I trained my mind a little bit, I surprisingly became a lot stronger, and most of all, Ravel…
Well, there's not much I could say on her except for…..actually a lot, haha… I could probably talk about her for hours. I could probably think about her for hours. It's so odd, thinking back to what I went through. Even though there was so much hardship and trials, I still don't regret it at all. I feel like I've gained way more than I've lost. I would do it all over again. After all, when I think about what I've gained, I….
"...Ravel…"
After seeing the comforting image in my head, I sighed deeply.
"Haaah…. What should I do?..."
I'm lost. I have no idea how I'm gonna confess. I have no idea where I'm gonna do it, when I'm gonna do it, or how I'm gonna do it. I mean, I have to make it special, right? I can't just do it will nilly. Ravel deserves better than that. It should be like an event or something, right? Something that she'll always remember. Come on, brain! You're creative sometimes, think of something!
Um, well, she's kind of like a princess so maybe something related to fairy tales?! Come on, think, think!
Hnnnnnnnnngghhhh!
"Haaaaaaah!"
I let out a heavy exhale after becoming exhausted from thinking too hard. Looks like there's parts of my brain that have not been trained enough…. Dammit….
Speaking of confessions, I just noticed, but…. The target of my confession has….changed, hasn't it? Before all of this happened, the person that was my original prospect was…..
That was…..
I looked down to the palm of my left hand.
"...Guess I really have changed…"
Every time I think about my previous prospect…. Every time I think about that person who I was yearning for previously….. I keep getting this sympathetic, but nostalgic feeling... How odd…. I don't know how to describe it…. But all I know is that…. The person who I yearn for...is no longer the same….
[Razbliuto.]
While I was lost in my thoughts, Ddraig randomly said that.
Huh? What's up, Ddraig?
[Mm?]
The thing you said, what was that?
[Ah, yes, that. Do not mind it. It is nothing to concern yourself with.]
Um… Okay?
"Weirdo…"
Well, anyway. Thinking back to Ravel again, the way our relationship is has certainly changed from the beginning. Drastically. We've gotten unbelievably close. Probably the closest I've ever been with anyone, honestly. It has to be. There's nobody who knows that many of my secrets. And, there's probably not anybody who knows that much about Ravel as I do. I'm not sure, but I do feel that way, somehow. So our relationship, based on how we act around each other, is….
"...Hehe…. Now that I think about it, Ravel really acts like my wife or something, doesn't she? Ehehehe, just kidding…."
At that moment, I heard splashing from behind me.
Splash! Splash! Splash!
"Huh?"
I turned my head back after hearing multiple splashes. When I looked, I realised that the majority of the girls in my group were gathered in or around the large pool-like bath.
"Ah."
I turned back around after seeing them.
What're they doing here?... They're here to take a bath? All at the same time?... Somehow, I get the distinct feeling this isn't some coincidence….
Regardless, I decided it was none of my business and continued washing my body.
After a few seconds, someone came up to the spot next to me, on my right, and began washing their body as well. It's Koneko-chan.
"..."
She said nothing, of course. To be fair, I didn't even look at her, as I saw no reason to interact. It's a bath so of course we mind our own business. Although, I can't say it's not awkward. The entire atmosphere on this floor feels awkward. I mean, I don't feel awkward since I see no reason to, but i can definitely feel the attitudes of everyone around me being awkward.
"A-Ano…Ise-kun?"
"Hm?"
I heard someone call out to me. When I looked over, there was someone on the spot beside Koneko-chan, further down the right. Ah, it's Irina.
"What's up, Irina?"
Irina held up a wash rag and gave an awkward smile.
"Y-You want me to wash your back?... Ehehehe…"
She asked me that awkwardly. Huh? Wash my back? She's asking me that? Irina of all people? Not sure if she's just messing with me, but Irina's not the one to tease. She is a pure Angel, after all.
"Uh, no thanks. I can wash it myself."
I casually declined her offer, still wondering if it was a serious offer. She gave an equally awkward laugh.
"Ehehe… Yeah, right… I was just joking, ehehe…"
She kind of shrank in her place. Doesn't seem like a joke based on your attitude. Then again, it is weird that you even asked me, since Irina isn't one to do that.
Shadun!
While I was just finished with my awkward interaction with Irina, someone hastily opened the entrance to the bathhouse and ran in.
"I-Ise-sama..! I am here!"
Woah! It's Ravel!
"Ravel..! Why are you here?"
I was surprised to see Ravel come into the bathhouse in a rush. Before she came in, the atmosphere was just slightly awkward, but now it's unbelievably uncomfortable.
"I..!"
She was already naked and wrapped in a towel, with an attitude that seemed like she was preparing herself for something… Could it be…!? Whilst becoming red in the face, Ravel took a deep breath and crossed her arms confidently.
"Ahem! —I have come to fulfill my duty as your manager! T-Therefore, I will wash your back!"
She announces that to me, just as I suspected.
So she did come in here to do that after all! We're doing this again?!
—Wait! My heart's not prepared! I just indirectly confessed and now this?! I'm not ready! Aaaaaaaaaah, but even though I say that, I should be taking responsibility, shouldn't I?! Come on, Hyoudou Issei! You're a man, aren't you?! Can't you take responsibility for your actions?! You can challenge Gods but not charm a woman?! Come on! What was all the confidence training for?! This is the body of the "God-Killing Sekiryuutei", isn't it?! That's the woman you're gunning for, isn't it?! If both of these things are true, then earn some damn guts and do what you gotta do! It's not like you're confessing right here anyway, so just show that you're not a wuss! Come on!
"A-Ahem…"
I cleared my throat, sat up straight, and gathered my confidence.
"R-Right."
While keeping a "cool" posture, I pointed my thumb to my back and asked as formally as I could.
"Ravel, please wash my back."
Aaaaaaah, I said it! Holy shit, was that embarrassing or what! Sometimes acting cool is worse than acting stupid!
Ah, but it worked! Ravel looked surprised for a moment, but then she nodded firmly with a red face.
"Y-Yes, Ise-sama!"
Without hesitation, Ravel ran up to my back and sat down to wash it.
"I-I will begin now..!"
"Yeah."
With that, Ravel began washing my back.
"I-Is it good, Ise-sama?"
"Yeah, thanks."
Even though the atmosphere surrounding me and Ravel was warm, I could feel the atmosphere outside of us to be ice cold. Everyone was staring at us intently. All eyes were on us.
I feel the urge to ask why they are staring at us, but the answer is obvious, isn't it? Rather than being worried about it, I was more focused on keeping my cool while Ravel washed me.
Come on. Stay cool. She's done this before. Don't focus on how everyone is staring at you, just focus on Ravel. She's washing your back. She's using her soft….delicate….beautiful hands…. And she's rubbing them all over my back…. Softly….. Gently….. Soft hands… I've held hands with her before….. It was so calming….. If those hands were to touch me somewhere else….
—I felt the towel resting on my lower half rise up slightly.
(—!)
Woah! Down, boy! Okay! Let's try not to think about that again!
"Ise-sama, I am finished."
"Eh?"
I was snapped out of my suspicious thoughts by Ravel. O-Oh, she's done. Okay then…
"W-W-Would you like me to continue with the front?"
Ravel asked that using her confidence, even though she looked extremely embarrassed. My face went red with her question, but I tried my best to keep calm.
"N-No, thank you. I can handle that myself…. But…"
I brought up my own wash rag with a casual smile, ignoring the redness on my face.
"How about I wash Ravel's back? Since you washed mine, I'd like to wash yours too…"
Ravel waved her hands frantically in embarrassment.
"E-Eh?! N-N-No! That's alright!— No, what I mean is..! Just this much physical contact is enough—! I am satisfied with this—! Ise-sama doesn't have to! I am fine doing it myself..! So Ise-sama doesn't have to, if he doesn't want to..!"
I "don't have to if I don't want to"? But I do want to! I seriously do! There's nothing more that I want to do than wash Ravel's back and make contact with her soft skin! I just can't say it out loud because I'm a wuss!
Come on, Hyoudou Issei! Remember what your sensei taught you! [If you can't express your confidence in your words, then show it in your actions]! In other words, [take the initiative, shithead!]
"Ravel..!"
"Y-Yes?!"
Ravel flinched at my call. I removed myself from my place and left it open for Ravel to sit on.
"Please let me wash your back..!"
I asked that seriously, as if it was a life or death situation. Ravel's head burned up red. Her eyes darted around the entire bathhouse, almost like she was worried about what the others would think. But, after a few seconds, she vigorously nodded her head.
"Y-Yes, of course, go ahead!"
She hopped into my previous spot with a stiff posture. Ehehe…. It's obvious how terribly nervous she is. Although, that is one of her cute points.
"Okay, I'm going to start."
"Y-Y-Yes…"
While preparing myself mentally, I began washing Ravel's back. I could literally feel every pupil focused on me. Or rather, the two of us, intently.
Aaaah, Ravel's skin is so soft…. It's hard not to get….hard, when touching it…. Or more like, it's impossible. I can actually feel it right now. I can feel little Issei physically betraying me from under my towel. Don't do this to me, man. Come on, we go way back, don't we? Don't turn your back on me now…
"Are?"
While I washing Ravel's back, I could feel like one of the two girls on our right was staring closely at me. They are.
Irina and Koneko-chan were both staring at me. I could see it clearly from my peripheral vision. But, the place their eyes are directed towards is…..
(—!)
Oh no! The towel on my lower half has an obviously pronounced shape under it! It looks like the towel is being lifted up slightly! No, mini Issei! Why are you doing this to me?! Is this payback for all of the rough treatment I've given you over the years?! This is a cruel punishment!
It's okay, Issei! Just don't look at them! Don't make eye contact! Pretend it isn't there! If you do, I'm sure it'll go away!... I hope…..
"S-So, Ise. It looks like you're washing backs now? If so, then I'd like to have my turn next, if you don't mind."
Hm? Out of nowhere, my master, Rias, sat down in the spot to the left of us. I noticed just a bit of hesitation when she did it, but, more than that— hey, isn't she acting normal again? That sounded a lot like something the usual Rias would say. Ah, that's right. I call her Rias now. Considering that I no longer have a fear of being hated for it, I've decided to call her by name. I mean, if they didn't hate me for everything that happened already, which wasn't even my fault anyway, then why would she hate me for calling her by name now? Even if she does….. Well, what can you do?...
...Anyway, I only call her by name in personal reference to her. Out loud, I'd rather call her "master", since it's more proper to refer to her that way. And I'll call her "Buchou" only at school, from now on.
Anyway, though I can tell that there is still a subtle awkwardness to her attitude, she seems to be acting fairly normal. Speaking of "acting normal"...
"Ara, ara, Rias. That's not how you should ask. You should offer to wash his back first, like Ravel-chan. Ise-kun, maybe I should wash your back next time, and afterward you'll wash mine? Ufufufu."
Oh! Akeno-chan also came up to the side next to Rias and sat down while saying that. Looks like she's back to normal too. Guess it took a little bit of time before they could readjust, huh. Well, everything's back to the way it was, I guess.
…..Almost everything….
—Ahem. I shook off my thoughts and gave them a casual smile.
"Ahahaha. Thanks, Akeno-chan. But that's alright. You don't have to worry about that. I can wash my body myself."
When I said, all of the girls around us looked at me dubiously. They looked at me like I was not only saying weird things, but also acting weird as well. What? Is it because I'm washing Ravel's back after letting her wash mine? That's because she's Ravel, you know. We're used to it, at this point. Even though we've only done it once, it feels more like we're so close that we have done it a couple times before.
Akeno-chan was the first to point it out to me.
"Ara, Ise-kun. "Akeno-chan"? Is that possibly your new nickname for me?"
Akeno-chan smiled with her hand against her cheek. Nickname? No, well, it's not really a nickname…
"Ah, sorry. That was disrespectful, wasn't it? You are my senpai, so I guess it should be "Akeno-san" after all."
Even though I said that, Akeno-chan smiled and shook her head.
"No, no, it's fine. In fact, I'm flattered. I get to have my own personal nickname from Ise. I'm so happy~!"
Akeno-chan had a glowing expression as if she was truly delighted. Oh, so that made her happy? I guess that makes sense. It must make her feel special. Well, to be honest, the reason I've been calling her that is because of Barakiel-san, her father.
Ever since I started having conversations with him, he would always tell me stories of Akeno-chan as a child, of the past. He would call her "Akeno-chan" while telling those stories, as if he was referring to a baby girl. Well, to be fair, he was. However, because of that, I also ended up being caught up in that trend. Since we would talk about it a lot, and I would ask him lots of questions regarding it, I also ended up calling her "Akeno-chan" over and over again. Next thing you know, I became even more accustomed to it than the old way. Maybe because I wasn't interacting with her for a couple months, and there was a disconnection, but that's how it ended up.
Huh. So I was calling her that even now? I must have been doing it without noticing then. Well, it feels right to call her that, for some reason.
"Ise…. Y-You may also call me by a nickname, if you like, you know…."
Huh? Rias said that while washing her hair sheepishly. A nickname for Rias? I scratched my cheek with a raised brow.
"No, well, when we're at home I can just call you "Rias", right?"
—At that moment, it felt like the atmosphere froze into thick ice, and subsequently cracked.
"...I….Ise…. What…. What did you just say?..."
Rias was looking at me with the widest eyes. Everyone else around was giving me similar expressions of shock and awe. What? What did I do?
"Ise-kun….he just…"
"Ise-senpai…"
"Ise-kun…"
The other 3 girls were whispering with some sort of surprise. Despite becoming more knowledgeable about these things, I still don't understand the situation. What's going on?
"Ise…. I'm so happy…. Finally, you…."
Rias was covering her mouth as tears fell from her eyes. Tears of joy? What? I don't understand. Why is she crying? Did I do something "significant" or "profound"?
Not comprehending the current atmosphere, I whispered into Ravel's shoulder.
"Ano, Ravel-san~... I'm quite confused, would you kindly fill me in about this situation~?"
Ravel had a conflicted expression on her face, as if she knew something, but didn't know whether she should tell me or not.
"Ise-sama…. This is…."
She only muttered to herself. What? It's something she debates telling me about? No way. Ravel tells me everything. If she's not telling me something, it's probably for my own good. But, wouldn't this be better for me to know?
….Look, I understand that she has feelings for me, I think. That's something…. It takes a lot to admit that, but Azazel and I worked on it a lot. I know. I understand it now. That idea is clear in my head. Even so, this doesn't make sense. Why is she so happy just about me saying her name? Because it makes it feel like we're closer? I mean, I guess I can understand that, but to cry tears of joy over it?...
Moreover, "finally"? What does she mean "finally"? At first, I called her "Buchou" because she instructed me to, but as time passed it became sort of like a "excuse" for me and my trauma. But, that's my problem. What does that have to do with her? She's so happy that I overcame my trauma that she cries? That seems a little too far fetched. She didn't even know about my trauma, right? So, what the hell? She's this happy that I said her name, but why?
What the fuck? I seriously don't get it. All I did was say her name. Why does It matter so much to her that I—
….
That was when it all hit me. All at once, the pieces began to fall together. My memories brought the mystery to its conclusion.
("Yet, I am still called "Buchou"…")
("I want someone to love me for "Rias". Not for "Rias Gremory" of the Gremory household. Nor as the High-Class archduchess. Just Rias.")
("I am the one who is the furthest behind…")
("—Baka!")
("Even now..! You would still call the woman you are about to make love to "Buchou"..!")
("Ise…. What am I to you?")
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
…
I slowly picked myself up from my spot without speaking.
"...Ise-sama?"
I handed Ravel the wash rag I was using to wash her.
"...I'm sorry, Ravel. I'm done, so I'll be heading out now…."
That was all I said before turning around and walking away.
"Eh? I-Ise-sama?"
I didn't acknowledge her confusion and simply made my way out of the bathhouse, ignoring all of the others on the way out.
….
—Around 10 minutes passed since then. I was in my room again. Gasper still turned out to be sleeping here. It's only been a couple hours since we've returned home, so it's fine to let him sleep here. It's looking more like he'll even end up staying over, since it is already late at night. But, I was less concerned with him and more concerned with myself. Or rather, with the new epiphany that has become apparent to me.
…...That's what it was?...
All of this time… This whole situation….. All of that mental and emotional turmoil that I experienced…. All of the hardships I faced… My struggles…... Everything… All of it… It was all because…. I didn't say her name….
"...Hah….Haah…."
I placed my hand on one of the couches in my room to balance myself, and held my head in my other hand. I felt lightheaded. I felt out of breath. And most of all, I felt like I was gradually losing my mind.
—Many thoughts began clashing within my mind.
Ą̶̗̜́r̵̺̠̀̆͝ė̸̡̜̞̈͘ ̷̩͆̈y̴͉̍o̵̢̻̓ǘ̶̺̞̪̐̀ ̷̝̯̒̋f̶̻̫̂ṵ̷̢͆ͅc̴̦̙̼̽̈́͋k̴͖̮̥͑̇̎i̷̗̮̓̋n̷̨̧̐̐g̶̛̳̃ ̴̨͔̻̋͛̊k̴̛̩͓i̵̹͝d̶̻̾͒̾d̴̖̤͊̑̋ï̴̙͕̑̚ͅn̵̳̓̈́g̵̱̗̎̈́̔ ̴̩͍͛m̴̛͓e̸̘̱͛͊̀͜?̶̧͈͖͗̈́́ ̴̤͠E̷̍ͅv̶̡̎e̴̛͕̾ŗ̷͖̦̍̉̋y̶͙̠̦͐ẗ̶́̐̈́͜h̶̡̾i̶͍͕͋̈́n̵̩͋̌̚͜g̵̫̯̉̕ ̸̗̞̍̿̋Į̵̝͒̚͘ ̷̡͖͝ͅw̶͖̻͌̎͠e̵̞͒̽̚n̶̥͕̋̿ẗ̴̨͎̻̇̕ ̴̢̖̘̑͝t̵̙͓͂h̶̦̠̀̍͠r̶̛͎̀̀o̶͓͕͕̓u̴̻͊̚ǧ̵͔h̷̖͋͐͘.̸̡̊̉̿ͅ ̵͚̑Ă̸͎̜͍ḽ̸̂͂͝l̵̹̮̥̀̀̑ ̷̻̏̑ò̸̖̽f̶̡̥̏ ̵̝̇̈́m̷̲̔y̷̛͈̰̪ ̶͎̭͋͒s̶͔͌̒t̶̜͂̓ȑ̸̳̕ǔ̷̲̳ǧ̷̜̳̐̓ĝ̷̣́ĺ̶̫̲ë̵̩͕͚̂s̵̡̠̘͘.̷̧̘̎͝ ̵̹͖̆͗̑Ý̶̪̊̕o̶͓͓͋ụ̵̆̋͝ ̶̜̔̏̎i̵̧̇̊̍ͅg̸̘̜̣͗̋n̵̡̎o̵̫͊͝r̴̢̯̊͌e̶̟̫̿d̸̤̒ ̴̮̏̈͆m̸̧̾̔͘y̶̬̗̎̔̈́ ̷̡̩̈͝t̵̲̼̀r̶̡͍͌a̴̧̧͖͗ủ̷ͅm̸̙̒ȁ̴̼͓̀͑.̵̞͐̽ ̵̰̈̚͜͠Y̵̰̪̽͛ö̴͖̼́͛u̴̧̫͌͝ ̶̢̛͂̒r̸͎̹͌̏ë̶̯́͜f̴̣̫̠̔́̎ù̷̢͈͕̇s̵̪̒͘e̵͓̤̋̉͐d̵͖̔ ̷͍̓͝ͅͅt̷͔̫̋͝͝o̶̳̓ ̵̹͗̀̿s̶̥͔͆̍ẹ̸̿ë̵͓͠ ̸͚̓̋͑à̸͍̟̺n̶̡͙̙̈́̊ẏ̷̫̈ò̵̻͓̕n̸̡̙͇͑̆͛e̷̩̺̺̓͑̾ ̷̛͙̦̞̀͋b̵͖̈́̈́̕ẻ̵̘s̸͉͛͝ị̶̾͛͒d̶͓͇̰̈́e̴͎̠̼̊́ṡ̷̫̀͜ ̶͙̮͈̽̈̍y̸̗͓̬̌͐o̵͚̩͆u̶̟̥͚͐͊͂r̶̖͈̻̐ŝ̵͓̩͙è̵͉̙̮̾l̴̮̈́̌v̶̯̬̝́̂̀e̸̦̭͙̓̏͝s̸̟̞̈́̄͝.̴͔̿̎ ̸̜̼̌Ỵ̸̜̂o̷̱͊̀u̸̦̩̎̀̂ ̶̹͊p̸̡͆̎̄u̴͕̦͙̒̆t̵̹̰͖̅̀̀ ̸̭̠͕̍̋ṃ̵̠̈́e̸̳͉̔́̍ ̷̟͇͗ͅẗ̶͙͙̇h̷̹͚͙̑̓r̶̪̹̐̀ȯ̵̖́́u̵̹͘g̵̭̃̓͠h̶͉̃͑ ̸̭͇̥̎̆͆å̵̧̗̑l̶̻̖̯̊l̷̨̀ ̵͇̗͉̔ȏ̸̢̠̔̚f̷̨͔̠̿ ̶̦̄̈́ť̶͔h̸̨̪͑̂́ã̴̞̗t̶̰̊̈́ͅ.̵͔̘̗͐ ̶̠̇Ā̸͍l̶̥̘̏͘̕ͅĺ̵̡͉̱ ̴͎̘͋b̶̩̰̹̀e̶̛͖c̶̘̋͝a̸̞͈̹͋u̷͎̓̈s̴͈̰̊̎͘ȩ̶̭̓ ̵̨̈́I̵͙̘̰̽̈ ̷͔͈̅̕d̸͚͔̔i̵̹͇͌̑d̷̢͈̎̐ǹ̶̨̑'̴̝̫̆ṱ̶͖̗́́ ̵̤̦̍̔ș̵͖̃͆̂ḁ̸̒y̴̧͕͙̎̃͝ ̸̭̄̈̂y̶̻̞̲̽̾̂ǫ̵̠̮̎ů̶̬̀͘r̸̡̼̝͛ ̴̡̛̤̥̐n̶̜̎a̷̳͔̋m̴̮͎̣͊̌ȩ̸̳̫̓?̵̛̹̳͛̊ ̷̜̀
T̵̻̉̃̈́ḩ̵̀̕ȋ̵̞̺̉̈́͜s̸͔̆̈́ ̵̹̌i̸̛̥͚̋s̵̠̩͖̿n̴̝̐̈́'̸̛̖͖̩ṭ̴̋ ̷̨̒f̶̹̺͉͗̊a̴̧̛̬͛͌i̷͓̐͐̀r̸̛͈̈́.̶̭͒͜ ̸̍͜R̶̭̾̂ā̶͔̼̈̄v̶̱͗͐͝ȩ̶͚̮̔̂̄ļ̶̣̲̿͋̚,̷̥̊͒̿ ̴̺̠͂̌t̵̙̐̐h̸̲̍i̷͈̩̎̔̕s̷̡͈̐ ̴͇̌̈́͊ï̶̡̨ͅs̵̡͕̀̾͜n̴͎̻͐̇'̶̫̽̊͘t̸̝̙̾͠ ̴̯͚̏f̶͈̦͙̎a̸̛̞̝̮͑̕ḯ̶̺̥̩̽ŗ̷̬̲̊̄̕.̶̤̪̯͋͒ ̷̡̐T̸̡͚̟̓̕h̵͈̹͉̀ë̸̡̥̙́͐ý̶̯̹ͅ ̷̥̄̋̂p̶̦̀u̸͈̍ͅt̵̗̀̋ ̸̗͊̚̕m̵̰͎͝e̴͍̻̔ ̵̭̓̽ẗ̸̝́ͅh̷̢͈̿ŕ̴̖̜̝̒o̷̞̯͂̓̅ͅŭ̴͖̝͂g̷̜̮̬̽͗͆h̷̛̤ ̷̡̰̳̀̅̐t̷̖̪͋̏ḫ̵̇̀̀i̸̤̺͎͒͘ş̵̹̓ ̸̦̐̓͘b̵͓͕̓̚̚ͅé̸̘̩c̵̮̩̥̈́͛a̶̡͕͛̓̚u̸̙̍̋̾s̵͚̠̞̀̆ḛ̵̡͍̈́͛͌ ̴̮́o̴͈̞̓f̴̡͔̀̒̕ ̵͚̀̓ẗ̵̝͈̳́͋̎h̸̞̏̾â̶̞̪̝͊̚t̴̖̗̿͒.̷̹̻̉ ̴̧̛̮͎͆͝Ó̶͙͘v̵̧̢̲̇ē̵̖̤̃͜͝ṛ̸͖̥̋͆̂ ̸̡̣̋̈́s̸̩͚̿̀̈͜ų̵̭̝̀́c̶̢̱͋̀ḥ̷̭̓ ̴̢̼̭̆ã̴̫̇ ̴̛̤̫̃̾s̷̛̰̥̚m̶̬̽ã̶͖̟̲͋ĺ̷̙̲ͅl̸̥̬̀̐,̴̥̙͚̓ ̶̪͛̓s̴͉̪̙̈́͝t̸̩͛ư̴̳̘̈́p̵̖̑̐̚ḯ̸͙͝ď̷̡̮̏͠ ̵͍̓ḑ̸͇̔͌ȅ̶̢̱͍̉t̷͙͔̪̅̕͘à̵͕̺̀̄i̵̫̳̤̍̇͝ľ̷̖̯̐.̶̰̀̓ ̷̧̄͒̀R̷̹̮̭̾ḙ̷̡̈f̶̝̲͙̄u̶͖̯͐̾s̵͙̻̋͝į̸̤͐̉ͅn̷̖̓̏ģ̴̳̙̏̓ ̸̭̆͋t̸͚̘̔ͅö̵̩́ ̸̤͖̻̿͝s̸̛͉͎̗e̸̯͊e̴͎͖͂ ̸͚̥̖̔m̶͔̋ỳ̴̮̄͛ ̶̡̳͂͊̎t̶̹͓̆͝r̷̢̄̎ȧ̴͉͆̽ü̴̫m̴̢̝͋̾̂a̴̰̬̘̎͒̃,̸͖͔͐̋̉ ̵͍͆ņ̶̤̝̈́̾̏ò̸̧͓͈ț̵͆̂ ̵̧̩̹͌̏̀c̸͎̪̈̾͘͜o̶͈̮͛̽͝ņ̵̈́̅̚s̵͓̋̊͝i̶̥̱̿̂d̸̡̞̋̃ê̴̩ṙ̵̖͗i̴̛̗̘͌́ǹ̶̦̝ͅg̴̲͂ ̴̧͍̝̈͐m̶̨̒ͅy̵̮̯̔ ̵̝̙̙̈͝s̸͓̼̋̓ẗ̸̨̬́̔r̸̋̆̌͜u̸̞͒ḡ̶̬̕g̸̺̳͑̿l̸̲̟͌͗ĕ̴̜̘͇̇ś̸̘̍,̶̜͌ ̵͈̎a̴̟͗͋̍ǹ̵͖̺̮̋͑ḋ̶̘̽͝ ̸̯̲͈͒̔̆b̷̤͇̍͘ẽ̶͖̩c̸̠̥̅ǫ̶̥͚͗̓̓m̵̦̱̂i̴͕͈͂̔n̸̡̆̆g̸̘͗͂̚ ̷̛̥̹d̴͙̔͌̎r̴̛̰̤͆ä̵̙̯̦́̀̿m̷̭͂͝a̶͓̭̓ṫ̷̨̫̗̽͗i̸̘̩̐c̷̻̭̈ ̴̟̓̔̑ö̶̥̹́v̵̡̟̦̋̔e̴̖̖̜̓r̶̠͚͙̈́͋ ̵̟̀a̶̫̲͒̓͘ ̷̭̗͒̽ṱ̴̇ḯ̶̧ṯ̷̝̓l̸͙̂e̴̱͈͆͋͊.̷͍͚̱̋͑͠ ̸͔̫̑̆E̵̠͐v̵̨̖̘̓e̴̮̗̍̕ṇ̷̉ ̵̜̼͐͜t̸̳͚̘͝ḧ̴̝͉̍ö̶̢̳͖̋̚u̴͚̭̽͗́g̶̹͑̃h̷͍̔̇͛ ̴̘̣̿̎͘Ị̴̢̨͐̆̍ ̸̛̀̑ͅh̶̻̄̾ā̶̼͛d̷͖̪̾͋ ̷͉͕͂̊͝t̵̡̀r̸̡͓̯̎̅͐a̵̱͘u̸̢̪̒̇͂͜m̶͍͕̫̒a̸͕͖̍͆͊.̸̉͜
Í̴̙̾t̵͍̘̊̓ͅ'̷̜͚͂͗̕s̵̡̞̍͜ ̷̮̗͑ͅṋ̵̫̏̕o̸̧͊t̵̡̛̐̕ ̷̯͐f̷̧̤͚͗á̸̧̮̳͝ȋ̴͕̼͖̚r̷̡̽̃.̷͕͌͋̎ ̵̥̅͠I̸̖͎̣͊̅͝ṯ̴̫̩̈́̆'̴̨̧̉͋s̵̝͝ ̸̥̔̉͂n̸̠̕ơ̴͚t̸̘̬͊̕͝ ̸̨̮͍͐̏̚f̶̦͌́̅ä̷̘͚́͛ị̷̏͘͝r̷̢̼̞͆̈́.̵̢̛̻͓͒͝ ̴̺̖̥͋̋̚Ì̷̢͙͕ẗ̶̜̗͈͠'̶̫̼̩̑̀̀s̵̳̝̜̍͆ ̶̡͈̰̍͝n̶̛̫̯͆o̸̩͉̊́̊ț̵̡͍̈́̌ ̸͖̝̍f̶͈̂͂͠ȁ̴̯̲͚i̸̛̲ṟ̸̩͑̍.̶͔̎͂́ ̵̼̀Į̷̙̙͛ẗ̵̲͕̩́́͠'̴͎͑ͅs̸̜͉͌̏̆ ̴̢͈̹͊̕n̵̫͘o̷̟̐̔̚ṱ̴͚͋̽ ̷̟̈́͒f̸͈͘â̷̤͒̚ì̸̞̰́r̵͚͗͒ͅ.̴̟̳́̂͋͜ ̴͔̙͌̑͗Í̷͎̣ẗ̶̞͕̅̕͜'̴͎̥́͘s̷̘̖̓ ̸̰͇̀̕͠ ̸̱̙̥̌ǹ̵̺̦̔̂ǒ̴̢t̶̙̪̐̀͛ ̴͓̰̃f̶̛̲̊̂a̷̼̒̀i̵͕̲̒̎r̸̗̳̃.̴͈̋́ ̵̙̏́I̸̬̯̤͆̀t̵̤͒'̸̛͖͆s̵̨̼̒ ̶͔̂͐̈ǹ̸͚̼o̴͕͌̾t̷͍̲͌̃ ̶̠̱̮̑̑̄f̵͕̯͈̄à̷̄̚͜ḯ̵̭͍̟̇̒ṛ̵͖͗͛͌.̸̛̳͈͎ ̶̗̐̏̋Ị̵̟̝̲̒̾̎͜ţ̵͚̳̠̺͕̥̐̈'̴̨͕͕͕̯͈̫̓͐̂͌̚̚s̶̛͈̱͔̄ ̷̧̥̥̪͚̭̰̀͘n̴̨̜̖̻̝͂͂̈̈ô̸̢̡̳̩̖͉̥ț̵̱͇̘͗̏̀̌ ̸̡̻̤͙̭̖͇̇͆̐͛̎f̵̢̗̬͍̥̖͚̔̑̅̏̅̚ả̵̻̼̔͛̽̽î̷̘̓̏̂ŕ̵͇͔͋̍͛͝ ̷̢̮̫̪͕̫̇̈́͜I̶̻̙͛̂͊̕͝t̷̢̝̱̉̊͝'̶͓̲̣͆̊̐̆͋̕ͅs̸̤̟̺̬͛̈́̽ ̷̡̼̪̮̄́͋̀̂̚͠n̷͇̜͌ò̷̰̗̺̞̤̣̅̂̒̔́͘ͅt̵̨̢̞͖͖̝͒̽̑̑̿͜ ̶̥͎̝̒̌f̸̱̪̥̟̐͗̄̍̂̓ạ̸̗͈͔̳̈́̊̄͗͘͜i̸͍͇͇̞̾ṟ̵̝̭̳̦͊͝ ̴̢̙͚̺̱̙̈̀̎͗̀͝I̵̢̛̤͓̦̥͂̅̐͗̋̕͜t̶̫̐̎͆́͊͑'̷̳̓̎̃ṡ̸͇͛̂̍͜͝ ̴̛̥̯̀̃̌͘͘͠ͅn̸͈͖̥͚͒̍̉͠o̴̗̲̲̩̘͖̐̿̍̕ť̵̰̱̻̋ ̵̝̖̤̦͖̫̌̎͐̅ͅf̵̳̦̱̣̬̌͝a̶̛͙͇̳͋̇͝ḯ̸̩̊̓̐ŗ̶̣̙̥̪̅̍̽̽ ̷̻̞̒͗̌̊͑̈́͆Ỉ̴̙͚̰̜t̸̰͕͙͇̣͛͊'̴̥̿͒̌̃s̸̨̝̼̀̽̕͘ ̶̜̯̟͚̼̤̇͗͋́̾̐n̶͍̹̥̈́̌̏̌͜͜ö̶̧͍́̕͘ṱ̵̱͂̽͌ ̵͓̪͝ͅf̵̢̛̬͕̙̫̽̉͋͑͠a̵̧̳̞̦͍͙̹̽̃͑͛̉̀̚ȉ̶̬͔̦͎̊̎r̷̡͖͕͍̲̓̓͆ ̷̼͉̬̭̗͚͎̊̅̄̏̔͠Ĭ̸̯͓̪̯̔̐̉̃̃̕ṫ̵̢̤͇͉̭̯̘̌̆́̉'̴̤͒̉̅̍́̃ş̵̛͕͖͐͊̌̈́̈́̅ ̵̢̲͕͋͜ ̴͉͚͎̭͔̹̑̅̆ͅn̸͈̤̄͑o̷̢͋̓ͅt̷̨͎͎͓̻̻̩͂ ̴̡̘̥̋̇̕͝f̸͙̳͖̩́̐̿͗á̵̰̙͉̝̰̤̦̆͗͊̅i̴̖͗ŗ̴̼̻̼̀͒̾.̵̯̙̥̏̈́͂̄I̴̛͎̦̿̆̽̍͂͠ͅͅt̶͔͛̅̋'̶̡͙̞̼̦̞̓ͅŝ̵̳̼̭̭̪̦̎ ̵̬̉̉̄͊͑̕͠n̵͚̏ȍ̵͎̯̹̝̖̟̽͒ͅt̷̖̗͈͈́̀͜ ̴̨̼̞͔̌̃̀̉̋f̷͎̥̳͐̊̌a̶͎̎̋̉̄̓í̷̧͍̜͓̑ŗ̷̛̽̓͐͆ ̶̰̖̜̝̠̗͑̀̄̀̈͝ḯ̴͎̦̖̈́̿̐͜͠ť̷̞͙̱̔͂̑̾́'̸͇̼͊͌͂̓͠s̴̃̂̒̕ͅ ̸̢̦̖̝̺͖̽n̸̤̞͖̩̄ǒ̷̢̻̟̯̙͎̋̌ṱ̶̈́͆̚ ̷̩̠̳̥̒͋f̴͇͑͝ȧ̸̯̝͖͙͖̺̉͋̂̍̈ͅi̶̡͙̗̤͆̊̃̚r̶̝̰̂ ̴̢͚̭͚̺̎ī̵̜̘͉̣͚͛̇͗t̷͔̘͎̞̝̒͗͆̓̀'̴͖̤̃̆̎̕ş̶̡͛͛̏̽̔ ̶̭̹̩̙̐̀͒̂̽͘n̵̖̭̲̙̞͊̈́̓o̴̢̨̓͛ť̴̖̭̙̑͌́̕ͅ ̵͇̩̣͉̮̔f̴̙̭̺͚͈̈̾͒͛͗̌̀ͅâ̴̧͓̙͎̺̅́̍̌͆̎͜i̶̻͙̣̼͖̱̾̈́̂̆̕͝r̴̤̲̹̍ ̶̝͙̏̀̈́͒ì̴̤̱̪̬̔̿̀́t̵̪̙̳̜͚̂̔̌̆̕'̴̬̮͓͐̃̽͌̐s̸̬̣̗̤̙̙̀̂͝ͅ ̴̡̛̥͎͎̒̾͗͛ñ̶̦̹̺̖̠̺͕̇̐͛o̶̪̖̖̲̖͒͐͜ţ̶͈̬͚̘̘͇͛̈́̓͛ ̵͍̭̬̙͛̓̃̊͂̒͘͜f̷̲̙̄͐͗͜a̷̢̦̼̮͎͉͉͗͂̐͗̇̕͝ī̸̥̫̭̬̥̖̇̍ŕ̶͖̿̾̈́͝͠ ̶̛̙͙̯̖͓̓͗͝i̷̭͕̤̥̺̇͆t̸̤̝̲̠̦̃͑̈́̒̎̎͜͝'̵̨̪̫̮̯̗͋s̷͕̩̽͐̿̀ ̸̝̫̬̔̿̈́n̴̦͂o̵͙͔͒͂̅͘t̶͚͓̹̠͚̃̍̽̆̒̈́͠ ̶̥͚̽͂́͋̏̐f̵̛̭̙̞̙̊̐́̈́͐͠a̷̙̮͋̍̓̌̀͌̽i̵̞̯͕̮̫͐͋̐͒̅͌́ȓ̵̢͉͂͘ ̷͔̣͙̜̮̦̑͑͌́̿ǐ̸̭͌̿t̷͙̣̩͊̀̆ͅ'̸̱͖͖̼̭͆̉̀̌͘̕s̵͇̗̟̫̘͕͘ͅ ̵̧̱̖̎͊̅͜ǹ̵̯̊̐o̵̯̙̳̹̎̄ͅţ̸̜̜̹́́͌ ̵̨͙̭͕̳̞̥͆́̾͘f̷̟̲͠͝ḁ̶͉̖̲̗̰̈̽̈́̒͠͝i̸̢̟̺̮̫̮̒̀͆͐͘r̷͔̮̱͎̦̳̅̂͂͠ ̸̨̡̜̳̺͎̓̊̒̂̉̌̈į̵̧̛͓̲͎̞̽̀̚̕t̸͇̠͍̪̫̼̒̓̅̓̄͆͝'̵̧̮͖͖̩̰̅̿s̸̙͕̯̯̓͂̑̈́͑͑ ̸̛̩̬̗͍͋̀̈́͑̋̓n̵̨̪̠̲̠̩͌̓́̇o̵̡͕͓̓̍̂́̚͜t̵̢̧̰͘ ̸̞͍͋̑̇f̶̡͛͋̆̎͊͂a̵̩̘͗̀́͆̎ï̴̢̪̱̻̲̥̦͂̏́r̷̡̨̨̬̭̖̦͐̂ ̸̝̖͎̞̝͈́͛͝i̶͇̍̔͊̄̒̋ț̸̢̡̩̳̤̔͐̌̌'̷̧͋́̀̍̌̕ș̶̀̽͆ ̸̞̗̈n̵̨̳͚͚̲͓̩̑̓͐͝ơ̵̟͓͓̞̮̓̋̎̽ͅͅt̶̼̿̅̒͑̂͆͝ ̵͕͐f̸̻̹̄̍̍̀̆̕͠a̶̠̫̤̳̔̓̾͑̒͐ỉ̵̧̦̰̩̣̤̋́̿͋͆̅͜ř̵̖̣̲̊̇͋̀̋ ̸̺̦̘̩̓̽͛̽̏͆͠ĩ̴̙̼̄͑̽̐͝t̷͔͕͋̓'̵̜̘̬̇͌̓͐̀̈́͝s̵̡̥͒̈́̈́͛̈́ ̸̭̲͉͚̗͘̚n̶̛̞̣̰̋ö̵̼́̃̃́̊t̴͓̊͒̕ ̷̻̼͓̘̪̠͓̑̎f̸͎̲͖͚̜̳͎̋̈́ă̵̯͒̂̄͊͘͝i̸̢͒͆͐͂͘̚r̶̳͒̀̊̏͌͠ ̶̯̎̒͋͒̈I̵̞̮̘͇͇͚̙̖̤̋͐̊̏̕ṫ̶̟͙̣̥͈̱͙̰͉̤̋͂̂͐̀̀̕̚̕'̸̜̬̝͖̖̲̬̝̝͓̍͋̄͋́͝͝͝ş̶̨̱̠͔͚̳͙̙̯͙̝̪͛̒̀̇̓ ̷̧̡̢̢̡̢̡̮̲͔͕̟̣̠̪̲̂͋̉͂̓ͅn̶̡̘̥̯̹̩̭͉̬̥̹͈̔̿̄́͒̅͛̈́ô̵̧̘͓̰̜̳͇ͅţ̴̙̣̘̞̱͓̺͉̩̫̪͇̼͍́̉̕ ̷̧̛̻̗̼̖͉͖̘̦̗̿͌̄͆͛̍͐͒͛͗̂͛͐̇͌̾͝f̷̨̧̛̗̘̯̭̩̜̹͇̳̖͎̣̞̓̈́̈́͌̈̈́̔͂̑͗̋͜͝͠a̷̡͖͉͎̥̤̙̰̤̠͖̲̮̙̙͓̯̿i̶̱͙̗̹͔̗͖͉̭̣͉̇̾͊̾̊͘͜͝͝ͅr̸̭̫̝̓̓̑̑̆́͆ ̶̱̦͓̰̱̙̅́̏͋Ì̵̧͇̭̿́̈̃̉̑͋̄͘͜ṱ̵̨̳̩̮̘͍̺̟̙̠̮͖͉̺̺̑̅̓̀̄̇̇̐͛͂͛̈́̂̕͜͝ͅ'̵̩͓̝͙͉͈͎̌̈́̀̂͑̈͘̕s̷̡̢̧͍̤̦̫̱͕̗̙̮͈̥̤̾͜͝ ̶̳̄̈̈́̑͗̈́̈́̓͐ņ̵̨̬̜͚̺̺̮̺̱̞̼̗̣̬̆̍̆͝ͅo̵̡̨͕̩̝̗͙̩̩͓͛̌͗̆ţ̵̛͚͔̫͚̬̘̺̉̋͂̾̀̈́̈́̓̈́̽̿̚ͅ ̴̨͉͉̙͛̽͘͝f̴̣̬̫̖͉͈̘̳͐̄̔̆̈́͜͜ǎ̸̛͖̝̺̩̰͖̙̹̖͕̟̰̽̿̌̏̒̈̋̚̕͝i̵̮̜͚̝̬̠̥̼̰̜͚̩͚͚̪̗͑͊̀͒̉̃̿͗̾̆̃́́̿r̵̗̲̺̊͊̾̄͠ ̵̬̘̖̗̯̭̲̼̥͎̇̅͊͂̎̽͌̈́͛̔̽͋̆͘I̶̛̩̳͐̎̋t̶̰̄͋̅̈́̉'̸̨̨̛̬͕͙̞͍̫̩̯̜͓͕̪̔̍̅̆͌̎̒̒̒̋̋̀́̎͆̋͝s̴̡̼̖̗͈͕̙̼̬̥͍̞͔̽̈́̋̊̓ ̴̢̡̪͍͍̪̺͎̜̜̞̗̞̱̣̮͋̋̾͛̽̒́̏͒̀̈́̅̆̓͜͝͝ń̷̗̇̚o̸̧̭̙̮̦̤̩͍͛͒̌͌̓̂͊̆̏̿͛͊͂̀̀́͘̚t̴̮͎̒̑͊̅͑̔̉̀͌́̀̚͝ͅ ̶̢̡̡̢̟̫̣̻̳̥̤͕͍̥̲̫̞̃ͅf̸̨̯͕̰͎̣̰͖̱͍͇̝̅̀̓̐̃͊͆͑͑̇͌̑̿̍͜ͅǎ̴̢̻̣̫̖̬̓͂̉̏͋̈́̆͠ḭ̴̢̨̛̤̳̜͔̱̞̪̈́͐̽̏̃̈́͐̔͒̽͊̽̂̓ŗ̸͙̹̎̂́̐̑̎̂͋̈̎̑̚̚̚͝͠ ̸̢̡̨̱͉̣̫̝̼̯͔̞̌̾̐Ī̸͓͉̎ẗ̸̢̰̥́̉̀̄̑̊̈́̀̉̊̂͂͝'̴̡̥̱̳̰̗̣͉̠̳̝̋͂̋́̋͜͝s̶̢̨̬͈̜͍̲̗̠̣̆̋̑̈́̀͋͒̏ ̷̜̭͉͕̫̼̹̺̏̋̀̊̇̐̾̽͑̓́̏̽́̽́͘n̷̢̮̭̱̟̥̱̍͗̊̈́̌̂͆ô̴̺͗̉̅̾͑̋͝t̶̡̨̡̗̥͕̝͕̗͎̮̏̒͒̎ ̸̢̮̦̟̼̙̻̲́̅̓͘̚͝ͅf̷̢̬̼̱͚̠̬͎̳̺͓͖̪̬̖̗͙̤̆̂̏͌̌͗͂̈́̿̾̐̃̍̿͆͝a̵̢̡̖̩̤̭̬̫̤͚͖̱͚̟̿̓͆͜͠î̷̧͉̝̫̬̭̩̠̘͇̀̚r̶̜̥̾͐̈͛́̍́̃́͑̏̈̚͝ ̷̡̨̹̯̯̬͔̠̜̏͒̓̕͠Ì̴͎̘̩̞̮̱̪̻̐̄̕͝t̶̡̧̨̡̨̥̰̮͍͖̝̟̗͚̤̟͔̩́̀̐̆̽̓̒̏͋'̷̨̡̧̨̥̞̠͎̣̬͓͓͈̣̙̞̤͌̉̈́̈́̐͑͝͝͝s̷͖̜̠̲̓̈́̒̔̏͆̏̚͘ ̶͙̰̱̗͉̜̩͎́̆͐́̌̇̒̆͐̃͜͝͝ͅ ̴̨̛͙̥̞̀́̋̓͋̂̎͌͗͆̈͊̀́̍͝n̵͉̙̤̈́̾̾́͗̉͘͜͝͝ơ̸̼̜͎͎̺͛̽̄̌͌͐̓̏͂̔̐̋̈̆̿t̵̡̖̻̰̮̼̒̊́̈́͆̔͒̔͜ ̸̡͈̼̺͇͈̜͙̒̑̎̔̎f̵̧̛̹̤̎̍̎̀̊͊̿́̉̓a̶̢̢͓͉̻̪͓̝͈͔̹͕͎̻̝̞͗̒̈̎͛̊͑͒͂̄̾͆̿̔̓̕i̴̡̤̥͚̭̰̭̓̂̓̈́̓͒͌̇͂̐̇ȓ̶̡͕͖̙̬̰̗̫̭̮͕̺͔̼̠̪͒̑̌͐͗̌͘͝ͅͅ.̴̡̳̯̼̝̟͙̙͈͈̤͈̲͎̯̰̠̪͋͌͊Ǐ̸̢̩̹̩̝̖͖̗̠̖̲̯̼̭̪̈́͗͐̐͘ṱ̴̨̧̛͉̬̠̤̒͆̽͛͐̒́͂̈̄͘͜ͅ'̴̜͔̻̫͔̥͖̗̖͉̻̩̺͉̙͇̙͗͜s̶̤̣͕̺̈̂̑̕ ̶̧̢̣̥̜̬͛̇̾͆̏̊̿̀̿͊̑̏͒͘͠n̷̩͓͚̝̹͕͕̜̱͖̉͗̂͐̏̓̑̓͗́̋̀͑́́̃͜͝ò̵̢̰̰̣̜̞͇̰̜̳͕̼̱̘̱̿̀̇̐́͐̇̀̀͒͆͌̊͘͝͝t̸̤̦̬͗̊͒͛̈́͗͋́̏̽̽̎̕͝͝͝ ̶̟̱̱́̅̊f̸̘̳̦̮͉͓͍̲͖͇̗̞͚͚̠̏̚a̷͔̦͉̪̤͚̠̘̻͚̦̝̤͛͊̊͌̐̒͑́̒̅̀̐̈̐͘̕͜͠ì̵̧̨̛̼͚̤̦̻͎̼̟͖̰̞̭͕̹̭͌̓̇̕͘͝ͅr̸̞̝̲͚̄ ̷̡̫͔̳̪̬̦̺̼͍̝͉̼̞͚͂̐͛̽̏̽̒̓̀͗͊͛̾͐͋̂͝ì̴̥̠̥̄̕͝t̵̨͇͇̞̫͕̰͉͍͔̲̰͇̜̝̳̭͔͑͠'̶̡̧̧͙̮̗͂͊̂͗͐̎̓̌́̉͂̅̕͠s̴̛͇̘̼̯̪̠͚̋͆̌̂̐̉͗̈́͐͐̋̕̚͠ ̸̠̯̓̿̃̀̆̒̆̽̉͑̀ņ̴̡̛͍̭͕̺̯̓̈̉̐̆̂͆͒́̇̐͠͝o̶͉̳͒̆̊̀̋͋̌̿͗̀̂̂̍̂̋̚t̵̡͇̼̦͖͉͎̮͙̞͈̼̹̮̫̼̝͑͋͒̓̂̎͌̽̕ ̵̖͒͆͐̑̊̔f̶̧̘̲̰̩͈̹̰̪͙͕̱̞͉̈́̂̄̑͆̓͆̏̿̑a̵̧̝͕̟͕̻̗̳͚͖̠͖̝̓ͅi̸̮͑͊̌̐̆̈̄͒͝r̴̨̢̖̲̞̥̼̯͈͕̟̮͇̗͕̕ͅͅ ̵̛͍͔̗͇̠̪̖̲̯͙̠͚̱̰̲̥̍̑́́͛̓̐̎̽͗̀̓̋͐̕͝į̷̛̩͉̲̥͉̼͓͖̗̝͖̜̦͓̰̖̺̓̀̈́̂̋̒͝t̶̛̙̬̲̟̪̣͚͖̿̾͗̔͂͂̇̾̑̓́͂͐͗̃'̸̧̩̦̄͊́͒͐̀͜ş̵̧̰̲͙̬̠̣͔͔͙͊̿̏́͒̋̇̂͌̀͝ ̶̧̨̜̙̙͚̥̫̜̗͚̯͒̂̆̑̃̾̌͌̃͘͝͝ņ̶̡̲͕̞͓̙̯̦̥̘̙͑̓́̊̿̿́̅̽͊͆̒̅͛̓͑̆̀ơ̸̤͎̣͖̖͖͖͙̭̘͐̓̾̾̋͐̍̊̌̉̌̎̄̒̄̓̒t̸̗̝̥͙̽̒̓̈̎̉̇̄̓̽͑͒̇̕͘̚ ̴̟̹̳̎̏̿́̔̊̈̃̽͘f̸̢͇̗̪͉͖̙̤͈͍͉̅̋̊ͅą̴̛̳̝̃̒̏͌̄̀̾̌̊͠i̵̢̨̥͇̦͖̳̪̖͈̳̝͑̈́̒̽̏̔̽̀̒̾͑͋͊̔̋̕͝͠ṙ̶̢̧̧̭̦̮̹̩̪̘͓̭̓̒͒̔̔̐͊̈́̃̌̊̈́̿̚̕̚͝ ̵̡͚͚͇̮͙̝̘͖͙͈̬̌̋ͅi̵̡̡͎̜̦͗͆͋̈́̒̽͐͘͜͜͠t̸̨̤̗̖͖̜̖̞̭̥̯̬̪͎͎̗̍̈́̅͛̔͘̚͝'̵̡̮̠͔̰͉̜̺͈̪̤̺͉̮̈̊̒̄̀̉̈́s̵̳̖͔̱͈̩͓̀́̾̎̒̐̋͆͐͆̀̅̕͝ ̸̠̝͔̤̐̊̈́n̶̖͆̇͛̈́̍̏́̈́o̸̦̼͖̝̭̘̩̯̣̠̙͔̎͛͘͜ẗ̵̘̱̞̣͚͓̬̟́̉̐̀̉͆͌̇̍̀͠ ̴̡͔̠̟̻̺̹̆̈́̌͘f̷̧̲̯̘̩̹̿͛̐͑̎̿̿̀ằ̸̢̛̝̺͇̞̠͕̜͐͗̎̏͂į̸͓̕ř̷̢̛̟̤͉͎̼̙͇̥̯̺͉̰͓̞͗͒͌͛͐̀̾̔̒̅̐͊̚ ̸̛̪̦͇̭̇͑̃̿͂̑̓͆ì̸̧̞͉̗͉̗̤̜̆̾͜ţ̴̤͓̦̝̦͇̭̹̹̙̤͌̎̿͒̕͘'̴̼̮̬̳̜̄͗̈̉̚s̷̞̿͘ ̴͉̣̬̻͑̃̽̀͑͑̌̎͂͜͝n̸̛̛̛̝̟͔͇̟̞͋̓̂̆̂ò̸̳̼̺͔̤̞̼́̊̍̄̍̈́͌͆̍t̶̫͖̪̃́̍̅̃̈̌̾̔͠͝ ̵͓̃̿̄͘f̶̡̨̭̻͔̟̦̭̤̙̟͊̂͒̃̅a̸̧͈̜̬͆̌́̀͊͌͒̋̏̍́̐̒͘͝ͅi̸̧̛̩̲̤̳̣̙̘̬̣̩̻̲̜͇̟̦͂̀̏̍͆̃̊̑̎͜r̷̢̞̖̯͎͉̰̰͙̖̞͓͓͚̼͉͉̾̆͒̔͊̈́͐
.
.
.
"Ise-sama?..."
…..
…..
Ravel called out to me from behind, seemingly having entered the room without me noticing….
…..
…..
"It's…..not fair…."
"...Ise-sama?..."
Ravel placed a hand on my back softly. I could feel some of the stress being relieved just from her gentle touch.
"Are you alright, Ise-sama?..."
"...Yeah…. I'm fine…. I just…. Yeah…."
"Ise-sama….."
"I'm okay…. Just…. I need to think for a little while…. Please, leave me be, just for a bit….."
With a bit of hesitation, Ravel removed her hand from my back and agreed.
"...Yes, Ise-sama…"
Ravel stepped away from me and towards the door, planning to head out of the room. She paused before leaving.
"Are you sure you're alright, Ise-sama?..."
She asked me that again with uncertainty. Ravel always had a knack for knowing how I felt. Whether it was through my voice, body language, facial expressions, or speech, she always knows. But, judging from her attitude, this time, she is unsure. Something that only happens when my emotional state or mental state is in too complex of a conflict for her to interpret….
"...Yeah…. I'm okay..."
"...You are not...angry?..."
…
…Angry?
…
"...No…. I'm not angry….. I'm just….disappointed….."
"...Very well….."
With that, Ravel exited the room as quietly as she entered. I was left alone with my thoughts again.
"...Angry?... Why would I be angry?... Should I be angry?..."
[Partner?]
…..Hey, Ddraig….. Do you think I should be angry?...
[I do not know, partner.]
…Ddraig… Have I gone crazy?...
[...I'm afraid that I don't know what would constitute as "crazy", partner.]
...You know what I mean…
[...No. You haven't…. Though, I will say that: since your return from the "seventh-blood dimension", there has been a piece of your mind that was….affected by its influence. Suffice to say, there is possibly a hint of what you could call "madness" somewhere within you.]
…
"...Hahahahaha. Hahahaha."
[Do not worry, partner. When this situation had first come to be, you had a similar episode, didn't you? This is most likely nothing more than an "aftershock" to that, considering that you just had a similarly internal conflict. You will be alright. —You are alright. ]
"...Yeah…. I know…. I always am…."
After being left alone in my room, with the sleeping Gasper, I gradually recovered from my little episode. By this time, it was already time to head to bed. I decided I would take Gasper to one of the extra rooms to sleep and ended up running into Kiba and everybody else heading to their rooms. Kiba said he'd take Gasper to one of the extra rooms, since he decided that they'd stay over for the night after all. I was hesitant, but I still let him take Gasper to one of the extra rooms. Though, I did unconsciously keep my gaze locked onto him until they entered the room.
Then, everybody else, who lives with me, began to head off to their own rooms. Looking at how it was, everything seems to be back to normal. Rias and Asia were also heading off in the same direction as me. However, my attention was caught by the fact that Ravel was heading off in the opposite direction of us, for some reason.
I called out to her.
"Oi, Ravel."
Ravel stopped in her tracks and turned around.
"Hm? What is it, Ise-sama?"
"Where are you going?"
Ravel tilted her head cutely at me.
"Whatever do you mean? I am heading off to bed, just as we all are. —Oh, I'm sorry. Did I forget to say "good night"?"
A bunch of question marks popped up over my head as I furrowed my brows in confusion.
"Huuuh?"
I pointed towards the direction Rias, Asia, and I were headed in.
"What? What're you on about? The room is this way."
—It went dead silent with my statement.
…
…
…
…
What? Why are you staring at me like that? What do I look like, a ghost?
After what felt like 5 whole minutes of silence, Ravel's face gradually became redder and redder until it looked like it was a tomato. With a shaky voice and some steam from her head, she slowly approached us.
"...Y….Y-Yes, I-Ise-sama….."
"..Okaaay…"
While trying to ignore the awkward atmosphere, I made my way to my room accompanied by the 3 girls. Though there was an obvious pause from Asia and Rias.
When we made it to the room, Rias began undressing immediately. She was followed, of course, by Asia. It was practically second nature to them. Ravel was shocked and embarrassed by it, but it hardly bothered me. After that, we brush our teeth like usual and head off to sleep. But, I told the girls to go to bed before me, since I wanted to wash my face in the bathroom. Ravel instantly knew that there was something up and tried to use washing her own face as an excuse to ask me in the bathroom, but I told her she "didn't need to because she was always beautiful". Even though it was something that would usually make her feel embarrassed, she was able to get the message and went off to bed without me. As I thought, Ravel knows me best.
I splashed some water in my face to cool myself down.
"Haah…."
I let out a heavy sigh. No matter how hard I try, I still can't get those lingering thoughts out of my head.
I looked at myself in the mirror with a feeling of deep seeded humiliation.
"Ddraig…. Do you remember all those times when I thought about how stupid I looked in hindsight…. About all the times I made a fool of myself in front of everyone without even knowing it….. Wondering if they were all laughing at me?..."
[...Yes, partner.]
"...In that case….. How stupid do you think I look now?..."
[...]
"Haaah…"
I let out another heavy sigh while looking into my own eyes through my reflection.
"...I'm not angry…. I'm just disappointed…"
|Rias|
It has been 15 minutes since Ise has entered the bathroom alone. He said he was going to wash his face, but I began to feel worried with how long he was staying in there. He has been acting differently since we've returned, or rather, since even before the game. It's obvious that he has gone through some changes. But…..
H...He…. He called me Rias…. He called me by my name….. Finally… After so long of waiting, I was finally referred to by more than just a title…. During the game, he referred to me as nothing but "master", something that would begin to linger in my conscious. But then….. He finally said it….. I was so happy that I couldn't help but cry right in the middle of the bath. My heart was overflowing with joy and relief. Even though I had become less worried after he said that he had forgiven us, after the game, there was still a shred of doubtful fear in my heart.
But after hearing him say that… I no longer had any doubts….. My heart was filled with relief.
Now, the only feeling I have is the desire to give him my affection. It's been so long since I've held him in my arms. So long since he has touched my skin. So long since I've smelled his scent or caressed his hair. At this point, I can't help but yearn for him, now that he is so close to me again.
Dakun..
I heard the door to the bathroom open as Ise exited. I could feel myself becoming restless, knowing that he was soon going to be right next to me. I already wanted to hold him tightly.
Pomf…
I felt his weight press down onto the bed near me. However, he didn't lie in the space left between Asia and I, like usual. Instead, he was sleeping behind me for some reason. Considering that Asia is already sleeping, I shifted my body over towards Ise to hold him.
But…. The spot beside me was empty. I opened my eyes to check, and when looking, I noticed that there was a gap between Ise and I. Of course, I brought myself closer to him so that I could wrap my arms around him. That when I realised it…
—Ise was sleeping comfortably while embracing Ravel.
….
It's nothing. Think nothing of it. If that was the case, then I—
…..
I wrapped my body around Ise's backside and drifted off to sleep while embracing him.
|Kiba|
I woke up in an unfamiliar room, on a large bed. Ah, that's right. We stayed over at Ise-kun's house yesterday. We were so tired that we decided to stay here for the night.
Hm? Speaking of which, Gasper is not here. Did he leave already? I wouldn't see why he would leave without telling me. Perhaps he just woke up to eat?
I decided to get up and possibly look for Gasper, so that we could return home. After exiting the room, I ran into a couple other club members who lived here. Irina, Xenovia, Koneko-chan, Akeno-san, and even Buchou and Asia-chan a couple floors down. But, no Ravel, Ise-kun, or Rossweisse-san.
Heading down to the main floor, we could hear some noise coming from downstairs. There was also the smell of cooking. It could only be assumed that Ravel and Rossweisse-san were cooking. Those suspicions were confirmed when reaching the bottom floor.
We also found Ise-kun and Gasper…. They were….
"Ora, ora, ora, ora, Gasper! Come on! If you don't speed up, you're going to lose, you know!"
"Haah! Hah! —P-Please slow down, Ise-senpai..! —Hah! My body is still exhausted from yesterday..!"
"No can do, buddy! Being a man is all about breaking past your limits! If you still feel exhausted from yesterday, then blast away that exhaustion using morning exercises! That's what being a warrior is all about!"
"Hah! Hah! —That isn't healthy..! —Hah! Haah! —I will no longer be able to waaa~aalk!"
"Don't worry! If you collapse, I'll make sure to carry you around anywhere you need to go! You can rely on senpai!"
"T-That's embarrassi~nnng! — Hah! Hah!"
….While heaving violently, Gasper whined, and Ise-kun encouraged him. They were both playing video games together…. Ah, except…. The game that they are playing is a physical game, a game about dancing.
That's why, Ise-kun and Gasper are both performing complex dance movements in front of a flat screen tv, at differing paces, with Ise-kun being precise and enthusiastic, and Gasper being covered in sweat and struggling to keep up…..
….I had a difficult time processing the scene before me…. Ah, so they're playing games….. Well, that's good, I suppose….. At the very least, it looks like they've become much closer than ever before….
|Ise|
It's been a few days since the match with Sairaorg happened. I haven't returned to school yet because my body was super overcome with fatigue after using the Triaina, unlocking the new queen mode, and channeling the power of Atlas multiple times. Despite that, I've still tried doing light exercises, to which Ravel immediately knows and lightly scolds me for it. How the hell can she tell that I've done one push up? She can read me so well, it's like she psychic. Well, for me, that's part of her charm.
Anyway, I'll be returning to school not too soon, since we have the next few days off. But for some reason, Ravel seems to be acting like something just happened.
I asked Ravel, who was pacing around different parts of the main floor.
"Hey, Ravel, what's up? You seem jittery."
Ravel stopped and answered me with a distressed attitude.
"Ah, Ise-sama…. No, I'm sorry. It's just…. Um… I just received contact from Onii-sama."
"Hm? Raiser? What's up? Is there something going on at home?"
"Well, actually…. He suggested that you contact him yourself… It seems that he wants to speak with you."
Raiser wants to talk with me? That's odd. For what reason?
"Ah, could it be that he wants to tell me about the whole celebration thing?"
"Ah, yes…. It's exactly about that…"
"Oh, well, why didn't you say so earlier? I'll go call him."
I started to make my way upstairs to look for that card that Raiser gave me to contact him. Ravel interjected before I left.
"Wait, Ise-sama.."
"Hm?"
I turned my head back at her call. She was twiddling her fingers with a nervous attitude and a red tint on her cheeks. She avoided eye contact with me.
"...You don't have to…. If you don't want to attend, you don't have to…. You have no obligation to…."
The way Ravel said that…. It's almost like she's ashamed of herself…. Or rather, her expression looks like it's saying "I'm sorry that you have to deal with my problems"...
"...Ravel."
Ravel looked up at me worriedly. I just gave her a soft smile.
"I want to."
Her face gradually became less worried and grew a bit more red instead.
"O-Okay…"
With that, I continued up the stairs and made it to my room. Looking through one of the drawers, I quickly found the card I was looking for.
"Here it is."
I brought out the card and used my demonic powers, and the formula on the card needed, to create the magic communication circle for contacting Raiser. If only he had given me a personal number of some sort, this would be easier. Ah, but, isn't this technically more personal? Because there are probably times he doesn't have his cell phone around, and the communication circle is something that will always reach him directly.
Anyway, after a few moments, the communication circle connected to someone.
[What? Who is it?]
Ueeeh. He answered in a pretty rude way.
"Uh, hey, Raiser. It's Ise."
Raiser looked up at my image as if he noticed me.
[Ah, it's you. Hmph. Took you long enough.]
He says that as if he wasn't expecting me to be the caller, but he didn't even seem the least bit surprised…. Moreover, didn't you just tell Ravel to tell me to call you?
"Yeah, I'm calling to ask about the celebration?"
Raiser gives a sigh before waving his hand around.
[Yeah, yeah, I know. So are you coming or what?]
"Huh? Ah, yeah, I would like to. —I mean, yes, I want to attend."
[Ah, is that so. Alright, good. Ravel already has the details. It's tomorrow so be ready. She'll let you know the rest.]
"Oh, okay— wait, huh? Wait, that's it? That's all?"
[Yeah, that's it. I was just told to confirm your attendance. This is nothing more than a formality. It's usually done this way between fellow kings, and their servants are usually the ones who are given all the details.]
"Kings? But I'm not a king yet. Also, servants?"
[Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just make sure you show up.]
"Huh? I mean, yeah, of course. I will."
[Good. See you then, or whatever.]
"Um, yeah. Thanks."
With that awkward interaction ended, he cut off the communication between us. He could've been more polite, geez… More than that, that was an extremely short exchange. I was expecting way more complicated things to be said, but in the end, I just confirmed it and that was it. He mentioned servants when talking about information.
Speaking of servants, that makes me think about Ravel. Last I heard, Ravel is a "free" [Bishop] held by her mother. Lady Phenex told us that when we talked in the clubroom 'that day'. She mentioned it to me randomly with no further context….. And she asked me to take care of Ravel… And….
(—!)
Wait! It just hit me! All this time, I was considering the idea of Ravel possibly being one of my future servants, but was still unsure as to how I would be able to bring it up to Lady Phenex. However, if I were to think about it in hindsight, it's clear to me that she already approved it! Without me even knowing, she told me in my face that it was okay! Albeit, she didn't say it directly, but she implied it heavily! If this is the case, then one of my more minor aspirations has been achieved already!?
No, wait. Wait, don't get too excited just yet. Remember what you've learned about high society. Formalities are something that matter a lot. That's why it was even necessary for Raiser to confirm my attendance even though it seemed somewhat unnecessary. The appearance is important.
That's why, when I attend the celebration at Phenex castle, I'll have to personally and properly ask for Lady Phenex to agree to trade Bishop pieces with me when I become a king. And even though she'll most likely say yes, it's still something important enough to make me nervous.
Okay. Okay. It looks like just attending the celebration won't be my only worry. I'll have to think about asking for Ravel's piece as well. I'll have to do it as respectfully and properly as I can. This is important, I can't mess this up. I just wonder what Ravel will think….
"Ah, hold on. I just remembered something."
I suddenly realised something and brought out my cell phone. I made a call to a certain, mischievous sensei.
[Ise? What is it?]
"Ah, yeah, Azazel. Uh, yeah, you told me to call you when I found out about the Phenex event? Apparently, it's gonna be tomorrow. I'll be attending so I just wanted to let you know."
[Ah, great. Thanks for letting me know. You have the next few days off, right?]
"Yeah, we have a short break. Why?"
[Ah, then that's perfect. It's all lined up quite nicely. This may seem sudden to say, but after you return from the celebration, you'll have to take care of a few temporary guests at your home.]
"Oh. —Wait, what? Guests? Oi, sneaky sensei, what do you mean by "guests"?"
[Oh, don't worry about it. They're familiar faces. You'll be happy to see them, trust me.]
"No, no, no, wait. Hold on. What're you planning, you pigeon of mischief? You definitely are thinking of doing something unpleasant."
[Ara, Ise. A pigeon is not a crow, you know?]
"You're not denying that it's unpleasant."
[Oh, no. I'm sure you'll find it "pleasant". I already told you that it would make you happy, right? Trust me, it's not anything unpleasant. You already like these people well enough.]
"Um… Okay…. I trust you…"
[You shouldn't.]
"Wait wha—"
[Till later.]
Azazel abruptly hung up, cutting our conversation short… This sensei…. He's going to be the death of me, mark my words.
Well, at least he said that they're "familiar faces", so I'll know who they are….. Hopefully….
|Kiba|
"Are you heading out somewhere, Gasper?"
I asked Gasper, who was dressed up and seemed to be leaving our home.
"A-Ah, yes. I-I am going to Ise-senpai's house. We are going to be going to the mall complex today."
"You're going out somewhere with Ise-kun? Again? You two have been hanging out together quite often, haven't you?"
It's only been around a week since the rating game against Sairaorg-san. And yet, ever since then, Ise-kun and Gasper have hung out together almost every day. Ise-kun has had the past days off, due to the state of his body, but the rest of us haven't. We've still been attending school. Despite that, Gasper still heads out and hangs out with Ise-kun whenever he's free. Or rather, it seems like Ise-kun invites him over, or to go somewhere, pretty much everyday.
Gasper rubs his fingers together bashfully, but his expression is happy.
"Y-Yes, we have…. I have a lot of fun to being with senpai. I never thought that he would be asking me to go places with him like this. We spend time together and talk a lot. U-Um, it makes me happy, ehehe…."
"Yes, it does look like you've become closer as friends."
"Y-Yes..!"
Gasper smiled joyfully. He looks truly happy to have become close with Ise-kun. Considering how much he looks up to Ise-kun, I'm not surprised. It's practically like they're best friends now…
"Hm?"
Looking over the sofa I was sitting, I noticed something significant about Gasper's attire.
"Gasper…. Are you wearing pants?"
That's right. Looking at it closely, Gasper was certainly wearing pants..! Not a skirt, like usual, but pants..!
"Y-Yes, that's right..! I decided to wear this for today because— Well, senpai told me that if I wanted to become more manly, that he would help me. So he said that, to become more manly, I should focus on starting with smaller things. "Little by little", he said. So that's why, I decided to wear this. Though…. These are still women's pants…. But, little by little…. R-Right?"
"O-Oh…. Yes, I suppose…. That makes sense. Um, good luck, Gasper. Well done."
"Y-Yes..! Thank you! Um, I will be leaving now, so…"
"Ah, yeah… Have a good trip."
"Yes..!"
Gasper gave his goodbye and left after saying that. I was left alone with my thoughts.
…
"It's good that Gasper and Ise-kun have become close…..isn't it?"
I said that to no one but myself. Even though everyone seems to be acting normal….. Even though everything seems to have gone back to normal… I still have my doubts….
The other day, the day we stayed over, I noticed something…. When Buchou had asked Ise-kun if she should wash his clothes, he said..
("Ah, no thanks, Rias. I'll take care of it.")
…..That was something that shocked me. Yet for some reason, Buchou and the other girls seemingly paid no mind to it. Did something happen the night before, when they were all together in the bathhouse? Was it something good? Yes, it had to be. A development like that had to have been the result of something positive…...right?
Despite believing that it was a good thing, just based off of my own deduction, I couldn't ignore the subconscious feeling that it was somehow….not good?
Oh rather, I had the instinct that it was somehow…..not good enough…
Not to mention, just a bit later, Ravel approached Ise-kun about his laundry.
("Ah, I'll take care of that for you, Ise-sama.")
("Oh, yeah, thanks.")
...He accepted her offer without hesitation… Despite the fact that he told Buchou he would handle it himself, he accepted Ravel's offer as if it was something he was used to… And no one else noticed. They were all seemingly in content moods. It was like all their previous worries had been laid to rest…. Meanwhile, I was the only one left wondering about it…..
Am I the only one who noticed that he was casually reading various books on different mythologies, almost like he was studying them?... Am I the only one who noticed that he didn't even bat an eye when Buchou and Akeno-san were walking around in revealing clothing?... Am I the only one who noticed that there were times he would almost "flirt" with Ravel, complimenting her looks at certain times, and even briefly hugging her when no one was looking?...
….Am I really the only one who noticed all of that?...
…..Or is everyone of those girls….all cursed with foolish hearts?...
…..
"...No, I'm overthinking it."
I decided to ignore my possibly negative thoughts and distract myself with some television.
"Surely….. I'm just being paranoid."
|Azazel|
[Azazel. How are things going over there?]
"Ah, Sirzechs. It's you. Yeah, everything's fine here. Things seem to have finally calmed down. All those brats have gone back to acting normal again."
[Is that so?...]
"You sound worried. I don't blame you. Now that there is a certain interpretation to that boy's words going around, I'm sure some problems have arisen on your side, right? What are you going to do? Surely, something has been stirred up by his "confession", within that family, I mean."
[Yes, it has…. My parents have gained doubts. The only thing I can do, as of now, is to try and ease their worries. Hopefully, they'll think not much of it, but…]
"Yes, that may be difficult. He is going to be attending the private celebration at Phenex, after all. I'd imagine that there are going to be many "red flags" set around everything he does from now on."
[Yes, that is true….. I'll try to appease those family members of mine, lest we possibly have a repeat of the Raiser situation, but with a different individual instead.]
"Well, good luck with that. I've gotta get this new system with the Youkai finished as soon as possible. Tomorrow will be the last day I have to work on it, since the visit will be the next day. My poor student will be having his hands full for the next few days. Well, even though I say that, it's really nothing he would complain about. It's a good thing, after all."
[Say, Azazel. Tell me something.]
"Hm? What is it?"
[That analogy you once told me— the one involving a "canyon"... Did he jump? Did he take that leap of faith and make it?]
"Yes, he did. He leaped over it marvelously. And even though he barely made it and clung to the side, he climbed up using his own strength. The only assistance he received was the never faltering mental support and emotional connection from his "caretaker", and maybe even some encouragement from his lousy sensei. But other than that, he brought himself up using his own strength. A strength fueled by an unwavering determination. I suppose you could call it an indomitable will, haha."
[I see…. Well, I suppose that's a good thing…. But, what about the next part? Did he reach them? Or did he walk right past?..]
"Mm. Well…. I don't think he ignored them. He may even be standing right beside them. But at the very least, I can tell you this…. He's probably not facing the same direction they are. His vision is most likely set on the wide, open world set before him….. He didn't flinch when they looked towards him either. And above all else, the two spaces beside him— they certainly aren't left empty."
END
BOOOOM! WE ARE BACK, BOYS! I'm so fuckin sorry it's been this long. So much shit has happened in life including my break. With taking a break, having my car stolen, and fighting my damn annoying depression, I've been kept pretty fuckin busy, haha. Don't worry, I'm okay. Shits hard, but that's life. It's nothing I can't deal with. I will have to return to the psychiatrist tho. It's been a few years since I've seen one, but it's a cycle, I guess.
Anyway, I'm glad I was finally able to update this fuckin story again, because holy shit has it blown up. I mean, I guess it was always popular, but this story is really the one that never stops growing amongst all my stories. Even when not being updated, people are eating this story up. Makes me happy. So yeah, I'm back, this story is back, let's keep it going.
So yeah, tell me what you guys thought about this chapter, just like always. Sorry it couldn't be longer. Next chapter hopefully will. A few things will happen there. First of all, the celebration with Phenex, that should be interesting. And then the next thing, which will be the thing Azazel has planned. And it'll probably end with Ise's return to school and how he deals with that as a bit of a new person now that he has a bit of a new outlook on life. So, be prepared for that. I'll work as quickly as I can, in a healthy manner, lol.
Your thoughts: What do you guys think Hades, and more importantly, Ares, is planning? What sort of other effects are Ise's actions gonna have on the world and the various pantheons? What do you think of Ise's interactions with everyone? What do you think is the state of his relationships? Do you think Ise is alright mentally, or is there something amiss? What do you think is going to happen at the Phenex celebration? What do you think Azazel has planned for Ise? Is Kiba the only one seeing things the others can't, or is he just being paranoid? And finally, now that Ise has taken his destined "leap of faith", do you think he's going to turn around? Or will he simply walk out towards the great open world, without looking back?...
Read, Rate, Review go crazy.
Stay frosty.