Chapter 6: Live A Little
It's been days since the total fiasco last night. Asia is back, and now she is a devil. Despite the fact that she gets headaches every time she does something church-related, all she needs to do is adjust to her new life. She is also going to school, and she is in my grade. Rias thought that it would be best if she was around me, Koneko, and Kiba. When she is on her devil duties, I take care of her. I love it when she smiles, and I hope that it stays like that.
Mom has been very accepting of my friends coming over to hang out. I think I'm starting to fall in love with Rias. I never had a girlfriend, and Rias has been there for me.
Anyway, I'm back at school along with the others; I've been a great asset, according to Kiba. Fallen angel activities have been declining lately, following the showdown with Raynare. Rias told me that I was a one-of-a-kind human for showing mercy to Raynare and that not a lot of people would show mercy. They would just straight-up smite her. I know that it's not the end of it, and it may not be just fallen angels, but others as well. I will train hard with my comrades, and I will prevail.
"Issei?" I looked to see Asia grabbing my attention.
"Hey, Asia, what can I do for you?" I offered my support.
"I would love to hang out with you after school, and I hope that it's not too much." She suggested.
"Yeah, of course. What do you have in mind?" I also suggested.
"I could really need some new clothes and stuff, since I don't have very much." Asia said.
Asia has been living at home with me, and Mom doesn't really mind. I had Kiba persuade her to do so. Even though I don't like the fact that I had to get my best friend to convince her, I'm still assuming voodoo magic.
"Great! That means so much to me." Asia said cheerfully.
"Can I tag along?" Kiba popped out of nowhere.
"Hey, Kiba." I greeted my best friend.
"Afternoon, Kiba." Asia was also greeted. "It would be lovely to have you come along."
"So, what's the plan?" He asked.
"I just need some basics, a few sets of clothes, and a lot of personal care." Asia explains.
"Are you Issei?" I looked to see another student with blonde hair, like Kiba, but it was a little messy.
"Yes, I am," I replied.
"Hey, Saji." Kiba greeted.
"Hey, Kiba," the blonde student said, greeting Kiba back. So, that's his name.
"Oh, well, it's nice to meet you, Saji. What can I do for you?" I asked.
"Sona sent me, and she wants to see you after school." He explained.
"If it is important, then yes, I'll be there." I accepted.
"Great, I'll let her know." Saji said so and departed.
"So, who is Saji?" I asked Kiba.
"Saji Genshirou is a supporting member of the student council and a pawn in Sona's peerage." Kiba answered.
"Figures. "Okay, I'll meet you all at my house after school, and we can then proceed to the mall." I said this to my friends.
"If it comes from Sona, then I'll join Asia on her to-do list." Kiba suggested.
"I'm sure it isn't that serious." I stated my opinion.
"Sona means business, so whatever it is, I got you covered." Kiba supported.
"Well, if you insist." I said this as the school bell rang.
After school was over, I went to meet up with Sona in the council room because she had requested my present. I just realized something. Kiba is always coming over to my house, but I'm not complaining. He is always welcome at my house, and he can stay as long as he wants. It's just that I see him at my house and in the club room. Come to think of it, he never invited me to his place. Doesn't he have a place? I mean, I'm sure that he has a place in the underworld. Does he? Would it be rude if I asked him? Perhaps Koneko or Rias would know.
I entered the council room and saw Sona, Rias, Akeno, and Sona's assistance. I think her name is Tsubaki.
"Hello, everyone." I greeted.
"Issei, thank you for joining us. please sit." Sona said.
"So, what's going on?" I inquired as I sat down.
"I recommended to Sona that we involve you in a necessary discussion regarding the events that transpired at the church that night." Rias explained.
"What is there to talk about? There have been no reports of fallen angel activities, and Raynare and her little fallen angel friends have vanished without any stray priest attacks. I said.
"Well, the higher-ups just informed us that Raynare and the others belonged to a rogue element." Akeno explained.
"When she was almost about to kill me, she said that her boss sent her to pursue me. So, how can this be a rogue element?" I asked.
"Remember, Issei, we are under a ceasefire armistice." Sona said.
That's right! Mgelika and the others spoke about the three sides' ceasefire agreement.
"But why would Raynare's boss do something that would violate the agreement?" I asked.
"We believed that whoever sent fallen angels here in Kouh belonged to a rogue section." Sona answered.
"At the church, Raynare said that she went behind her superior's back to get the rings from Asia herself." I stated.
"Azazel is the current leader of the fallen angels, and he signed the agreement along with Michael and our devil king." Akeno said.
"And Azazel is known to keep his side of the deal; he is also the one to agree with the armistice." Sona added.
"Maybe Azazel would know who the leader of this rogue element is." I suggested.
"I thought about our higher-ups, wondering if they could reach out to Azazel and see if he knew anyone who went rogue."
"Raynare went down her own path, but the situation still stands. Whoever this rogue fallen angel leader is, we still need to be on high alert. They sent Raynare to kill you, but she didn't follow her orders. So we would like a daily follow-up on you until we can find this so-called rogue element." Rias said.
"Okay, I'll keep in touch." I said.
"Also, Issei, I was wondering if you ever considered joining a devil's peerage; with your powerful sacred gear, you would be an outstanding candidate." Rias suggested.
"I don't know. I haven't even thought about it." I said.
"You've been a huge help for all of us. I'm not rushing you or anything. I just wondered if you ever considered it."
"Well, I don't know, but I'm always happy to help you guys, and my mom thinks highly of you and others." I complimented her.
"Well, send her my thankful regards." Rias smiles at me.
Rias has a smile that literally blows me away. It's like watching the sun set on the horizon. Her beautiful crimson hair that dances when the wind blows and her oceanic, sparkling eyes that make you want to faint. It's glorious! Okay, I need to take it back a bit.
"Hey Rias, I need to ask you something in regards to Kiba." I said.
"What is it?" She asked.
"Does he have a place to stay?" I pointed out my concern.
She looks down at her knees and sighs, "How did you figure it out?"
"He's been at my house a lot lately, and he's always welcome there, but I always see him at the club, even when nobody is around."
"With the aftermath of the war affecting us greatly and the number of reincarnated devils needed to maintain our population, assistance is almost at a dulling point. It's not just him. The Underworld economy has been through numerous recessions, with a percentage of our budget going towards recovery." She explains.
"Not a lot to spread around," I commented.
"Unfortunately, the war took a toll. Not just on our numbers, but on our infrastructure and executive system as well." Akeno added.
"Shit." I cursed quietly.
"The system is still maintaining itself, but it's hardly still running its course, and many of our leaders in the war have died, and leadership also keeps the system going." Sona said the same.
"With limited housing options in the Underworld, we established territories here on Earth to provide additional support, but, similar to the Underworld, the city requires payment for housing our kind, a cost we currently cannot afford." Rias said.
"What about the royal houses? I suggested.
"Most of them make donations, but some are greedy with their wealth, and others look after their own." Akeno stated.
"Well, that's got to be a bitch to deal with." I commented.
If mom agrees, Kiba can stay with me until he can get the things that he needs. Asia is staying in a spare bedroom, so if I can get the basement cleared up, he can use it for the time being.
After Sona closed up the student council for the day, we all said our farewells before leaving the school.
"All right, I hope that everybody enjoys the rest of the day. If there is anything, I'll be in touch." Sona said so and departed.
"I should probably get going. Hopefully, I can still make it in time to catch up with Kiba and Asia." I spoke to myself.
"I haven't gotten the chance to introduce myself, but I'm Akeno Himejima." Akeno introduces herself to me with a bow.
"Oh, nice to meet you, Akeno; I'm Issei Hyoudou." I replied back.
Akeno Himejima is a third-year student and a queen in Rias's peerage. She and Rias have a sister-like relationship that goes way back. They are always together, and the girls in Kouh call them the two great ladies of Kouh.
"Well, Issei, I hope I get to see you soon." Akeno said this as she left with Rias and waved goodbye to me.
"Wow, and yet, another princess stole Hyoudou's heart." I commented as I admired the scenes of Rias and Akeno.
"If you can't decide on one, then pick them both." Mgelika speaks.
"What? Wouldn't that be just unfair to both of them?" I asked.
"Polyamory is very common in the supernatural."
"And what about Ddraig? Did he have any relationships before he was sealed?"
"Ddraig was more fighting than matchmaking."
"Seems lonely."
"Although the idea has come to mind, there are opportunities that he could have taken."
"What was her name?"
Mgelika sighed for a moment and said, "Mizuchi, the Dragon of the Waters."
"Did he love her?" I asked.
"More than anything."
"Why didn't he end up being with her?"
"Ddraig believed it was best to keep her out of his great battles for her sake. Following Ddraig and Albion, the three factions pursued the other dragons. The pride and wrath of the two heavenly dragons made all the dragons seem like threats. Ddraig never heard from Mizuchi again."
"Do you think that she is still out there?"
"Maybe. It's hard to tell. Only time will tell."
Based on his tone, it appears that Mgelika wishes he had taken the opportunity to be with Mizuchi when he was Ddraig. The most feared and respected dragon has a soft side for other dragons' love. Ddraig was so caught up in his battles that he totally missed out on what would have blossomed if he had gotten the chance. Even though Mgelika is Ddraig, he seems to talk about it from a third perspective. He really doesn't feel like he is Ddraig anymore.
I arrived at home and noticed Kiba and Asia had already done their shopping. Kiba did suggest that he go shopping with Asia. I'm really kind of bummed out that I didn't get a chance to go.
"Welcome home, Issei!" Asia welcomes me back.
"Hey man, everything was perfect. Asia has a good amount of set clothes." Kiba said.
"How did everything go with the council?" Asia asked.
"Sona invited me, Rias, and Akeno to talk about the aftermath of everything that went down that night, but nothing too serious, though." I answered and began to yawn.
"Have you gotten any sleep?" Kiba asked.
"I've been having trouble sleeping lately." I replied.
I don't want to burden them with my nightmares. Every time I go to sleep at night, it's always the same thing. In my nightmares, my dad's murder recurs, and I find myself far away, attempting to reach them before it's too late. I couldn't get to the blade on time.
"I used to drink herbal tea when I had trouble sleeping," Asia said.
"I'm not much of a tea person, but I'll give it a go." I said.
"Trust me, I'll make you feel so much better." She smiles.
"Well, I better get going." Kiba said this while gathering his belongings.
"Wait, why don't you just stay here for the night?" I suggested.
"I don't want to intrude," Kiba said.
"No really! I got some extra blankets and pillows, and that couch can fold out into a bed." I pointed at the living room couch.
"Yeah, it would be great if you stayed the night." Asia said.
"It's not necessary." He continues.
"I insists."
Kiba thought for a moment and smiled at me with an accepting nod. "All right, that's very kind of you, man."
"Hey, I always have your back! What are friends for?" I went to the closet, picked out some blankets and pillows, and sat them on the couch for him.
"Dinner!" I heard my mother cooking.
"It's hungry-man time." I said this as Kiba, Asia, and I headed to the dining room table for dinner.
Mom was even more accepting of having my friends come over. It gave her a reason to cook a big meal for us.
"Is Koneko not coming over for dinner? That lady loves to eat." Mom said.
"She is catching up on a few things at the school club," Kiba said.
"I should start making you all some lunches to take to school."
"I don't want you to miss out on work." I said.
"I'm doing work at home for a little while. I don't really need to be in my office all the time. Plus, it gives me a bunch of time to see you and your friends."
"Mrs. Hyoudou?" Kiba asked.
"Please call me mom. Everybody does." She said.
"Okay, mom. Do you really not mind us being here all the time? I don't really want to intrude on anything."
"Not at all. I haven't had moments like this for myself and Issei in a long time. It's wonderful that I'm able to have such a lively house. It makes it feel like home even more."
"Well, if you don't mind."
"You guys have been a big help around the house, and that is not a lot to come around nowadays."
It's true. Since dad died, things have really been gloomy, and we just breathe it in. Since Kiba and Koneko arrived, things have gotten so much better.
After dinner, the night sky began to take over. I helped Kiba with setting up the hideaway bed in the living room. I don't know if I should bring up his current living situation, but when the time comes, I'll be there for him.
"A warm bath does sound good." I took my clothes off and wrapped my lower body with a towel. I haven't gotten a chance to get myself cleaned up for a while, and I'm starting to smell.
I opened up the bathroom door and unexpectedly walked in on Asia, who was taking a bath. As she widened her eyes and snapped her head in my direction, I stood there, staring at her as if I were some sort of pervert.
"Shit, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to see you like this!" I exclaimed, realized that I was staring at her, and tried to leave before it got more awkward.
As I was about to leave, Asia grabbed my hand, and I just stood there frozen, not realizing that my towel had fallen off.
"I'm sorry! It's just that I've never seen a man's thing before. I'm all flattered now. I'm sorry." Asia apologized.
"No, I should be the one apologizing. I didn't pay attention and failed to notice if anyone was using the bathroom. I started to feel hot and sweaty, and it wasn't from the steam coming from the bath.
"Well, should we make the most of it?" I heard Asia stand up.
"Um, what do you mean?" I don't know what she means by that, but all of a sudden, I feel blood flowing throughout my body. Am I getting excited?
"I heard that taking a bath together can bring people a lot closer. It can help them understand each other." Asia flustered.
As I listen to that, my body becomes even hotter, and my blood is currently pumping through my region of manhood.
"I just want to understand you on a deeper level." Asia turns around and pushes herself up against my back.
"I started to turn red as I was squeezing my eyes shut. I can feel her breasts against my back. I can't believe how much I like and enjoy this. Her breasts rub against my back, and her beautiful blonde hair tickles my sides. My whole body is building up steam, and I can't find a way to alleviate the pressure.
As much as a man would seize the opportunity at first sight, I am unable to do so out of respect for others. So, while keeping my eyes shut, I turned my body towards her and gave her a gentle step back. "Look, Asia, I'm happy that you are wanting to excel in our friendship, but not like this. There are many ways to enhance relationships that don't include us getting naked with each other. It'll make things complicated."
"Oh, my pardon. I never meant to make you feel uneasy." Asia said.
"Not at all! Just do it slowly and at your own pace. You don't need to rush it." What the hell am I even saying? This is about the friendship between Asia and me, so why am I speaking in such a manner? Damn, maybe I really am a pervert.
"What do you mean by that?" Asia asked.
"I mean, like, hanging out, having lunch, playing together, going to the beach, and all kinds of fun activities." I explained that I wouldn't try to steer her astray.
"Okay, that sounds like fun!" Asia exclaims cheerfully.
I let Asia go back to washing herself as I returned to my room and thought about what I'd done.
"Bad Issei!" I said it with discipline. "Just fucking knock next time."
Now, I'm starting to wonder. Does Asia see me like that? I don't want her to think that she needs to be like that towards me. She is really beautiful and so kind.
"And another princess snatched the heart of a great Hyoudou." Mgelika commented.
"Can you not say things like that?" I countered.
"Jeez, Issei, how many girls are you going to let steal your heart?" Mgelika teased.
"Why are you still talking?!" I yelled.
"Don't deny it! I know what you feel. I'm inside your head."
"First Rias, then Akeno, and now Asia. What am I going to do?" I asked myself.
"Have them both." Mgelika answered.
"Asking them all to go out? It sounds like a fantasy for my mind to play with." I answered.
"Do you really think that you should be throwing the word 'fantasy' around after everything?" He has a point.
"I guess not."
"You know, it's not so bad to just live a little, Issei."
You know what? After everything I've been through, I should live a little. I haven't really gotten to explore much of the city. I should take Asia and the rest of the gang out. There is no school tomorrow, and it will be a perfect day for all of us.