It was lunch time at Kuoh Academy and currently Issei, Mash, Asia, Xenovia, Murayama, and Katase were eating together. Xenovia had joined the class when Rias enrolled her into the school and since she already knew the ORC, she naturally hung out with them. As for why Katase was hanging out with them, she decided to give Issei a chance too, is what she said but it was more likely that she wanted to spend time with her best friend Murayama. Ever since she and Issei patched things up the two have been spending more and more time together. There was a part of her that thought that Murayama fell for Issei, but she refused to believe that. Kiryuu, who would normally also be hanging out with them, was with the perverted duo who seemed to be discussing something with her.
As the lunch dragged on Kiryuu finally joined the group. "Hey everyone, do you guys have any plans this weekend?" Everyone in the group shook their heads in denial. "Well then how about we all go out for karaoke this weekend?"
"That sounds like a lot of fun," said Issei.
"I would like to go!" said Asia excitedly.
"It seems interesting," said Xenovia.
"We're down to go," said Murayama excitedly while grabbing Katase.
"It will be my first time going with other people. I can't wait," said Mash.
Kiryuu smiled. "Great! But considering that Issei is the only guy I thought about inviting some others as well," she said.
Issei's eyes slightly narrowed. "What other guys?" he asked, slightly annoyed.
"Well…" Kiryuu's eyes wandered as she avoided Issei's gaze. Issei followed her gaze to see she was looking in the direction of Matsuda and Motohama, who were clearly listening to the conversation but pretending not to.
The others followed Issei's gaze to the same place with Katase looking disgusted, Asia looking nervous, Murayama and Mash looking slightly annoyed, and Xenovia looking confused since she didn't know what was going on. "So, it's like that huh?" said Issei, unenthusiastically.
"It won't be just those two. I planned on inviting Kiba as well," said Kiryuu.
With the mention of Kiba being invited, Katase's and Murayama's mood improved dramatically. Issei just stared at Kiryuu a bit longer before looking away. "Do what you want."
Kiryuu gave a sigh of relief that Issei didn't protest against it. "All right then. I will make arrangements for us to go this weekend, after we get out of school."
Everyone nodded and soon lunch ended. Later after classes had ended, Issei, Asia, Mash, and Xenovia were heading to the clubroom when Mash asked something that had been bothering her. "Senpai, I was wondering why you agreed to go to karaoke with those two?"
Asia and Mash looked at him nervously while Xenovia looked interested. Issei just gave them a side glance before looking ahead again. "Because I don't have a say in what they want to do. While I am mad at them, we have been friends for years. So even if what they did was unforgivable, deep down I can't really be mad at them because I understand their feelings very well." Issei gave a tired sigh. "That said, I'm not gonna act like I can give them a pass because we are friends, and trying to get revenge on them would make me like everyone else in school who mistreated us. So, I'm simply ignoring them. They can do what they want," he said passively.
Mash and Asia gave him complicated looks while Xenovia decided to ask what was on her mind. "What exactly happened?" The others remembered that Xenovia wasn't there so Mash explained what happened. After the explanation she nodded her head in understanding. "I see. Well in that case, I think Issei Hyoudou's method of dealing with it is correct. Trying to get back at someone for spreading rumors is a waste of time."
"Don't let that stop you if you want to talk to them. My problems shouldn't affect how you interact with people. Also, just Issei is fine Xenovia. You're a friend now, so you don't have to be so formal with me," said Issei with a small smile. Xenovia smiled at Issei and gave a nod. "Well, I think that's enough gloomy stuff for today. Let's get to the clubroom."
It was the weekend and currently Issei, Asia, and Mash were waiting in the town square for the others to arrive. The three were excited to have some downtime after a hectic month. After some time Murayama and Katase showed up, then Kiba and Xenovia, and finally Kiryuu came with Matsuda and Motohama in tow. "Good, we're all here. So, let's get going," said Kiryuu.
As everyone nodded in agreement a couple of people came up to them. "Hey! If it isn't Chan-Mas!" said Sei Shōnagon.
"Hello Master! It's good to see you!" said Tamamo Cat.
Issei looked to see two of his Servants come talk to him excitedly. "Sei-chan and Cat. What are you two doing here?"
"We were out having lunch and then we saw you and Chan-Mash with a bunch of other people. What are you guys doing?" asked Sei.
"We were about to head out to karaoke-"
"Karaoke! Can we come too?!" asked Sei excitedly before Issei could complete his sentence. Tamamo Cat also had sparkles in her eyes wanting to join in too.
Issei looked over to the others apologetically. "What do you guys say? Can they join us?"
Everyone nodded yes but it was clear that Katase, Matsuda, and Motohama were extremely confused. Katase was the first to speak. "How do you guys know each other? And why did the cat girl maid call you Master?" she asked with a suspicious look. Matsuda and Motohama were nodding their heads vigorously wanting to know the same thing, jealousy showing on their faces.
Issei made a complicated face as he tried to make up an origin for how they met. "I helped out Sei one time when she just came into town. We happened to eat at a themed cafe where we met Cat and became friends. As for Cat calling me Master, it's because she's into that sort of thing. I mean look at her, she is dressed as a cat girl maid outside of her job."
The duo and Katase looked at the pair for a bit before nodding in acceptance. "I-I see. Well, I don't have a problem with them joining I guess," said Katase.
""We don't have an issue either!"" said the duo excitedly.
The group rolled their eyes at the pair's reaction while Issei sighed internally in relief from them believing his story, while the two in question were excited to join. With that the group went to enjoy themselves. After they arrived everyone was having a good time. Katase was trying to get closer to Kiba while the perverted duo were fawning on Sei and Cat. The others were looking like they were having a good time drinking and singing. When Matsuda decided to go up and sing, Kiryuu moved next to Issei to talk. "So, having fun?"
"Yeah, I'm having a great time. Although if your plan was to get me and those two to make up, it isn't working since they haven't even spoken to me since we got here," said Issei.
Kiryuu had an exasperated look on her face. "As you know, their libido overpowers their brain, so when you invited those two Servants this was bound to happen. They really are idiots since this whole thing was their idea to try and make up with you."
Issei gave her an understanding look. He figured this was something along those lines. "Well, whenever they decide to actually enact on that will be up to them because I have no intention of getting involved with them again until they prove to me that they can be trusted. Besides, my life is busy enough as it is."
Kiryuu gave an understanding nod to Issei and moved back to her spot. Some more time passed and this time Kiba moved next to Issei. "Hey Issei-kun. I never properly thanked you for your help with my problem. Despite how stubborn I was being, you gave me help and allowed me to accomplish my goal. I really can't thank you enough," said Kiba with a bright smile.
Issei just gave him a smile back. "It's no problem Kiba, we're friends after all. What I said about not making Rias unhappy was true, but in actuality, when I learned about your situation and saw how you were acting it reminded me of the tales of some of my Servants from when they lived. Some had worse endings than others and I didn't want you to join their ranks. Honestly, I'm a nosey person who just wants to help people with their problems, and doing that has made me used to stubborn people." Issei had a wry smile. "You should see how I talk to Gilgamesh. That's a conversation that requires absolute patience."
Kiba could tell that Issei was telling the truth about that and had a smile of his own. "Well, whatever the reason, I'm still grateful. If there is anything I can do for you just let me know," he said with a bit too much passion for Issei's liking. Issei awkwardly nodded and Kiba went back to his spot.
The party went on for a couple more hours with Sei and Cat being very energetic, Katase trying to flirt with Kiba and everyone else having a really good time. Eventually the party ended, and everyone started to head home with Sei and Cat leaving first. "That was fun! We should do that again sometime Chan-Mas!" said Sei.
Issei waved back. "Sure. Maybe next time we'll invite Murasaki-san."
Sei's eyes lit up when he said that and nodded vigorously. After that the pair left. Next Katase and Murayama left with Katase looking sad to leave Kiba and Murayama trying to move her along. Then Kiba left, waving goodbye followed by Xenovia. Finally, it was just Issei, Mash, Asia, Kiryuu, Matsuda and Motohama. Issei turned to leave followed by Mash and Asia when he was stopped. "Uhm, Issei. Hold on a sec," said Matsuda.
Issei sighed internally and turned to look at his former friends. "What?" he said coldly.
The duo looked sad and hesitantly spoke up. "We're sorry about the rumors. We were just jealous of all the attention you started getting from girls," said Motohama.
"Yeah, we always said we were in this together so when you started getting ahead, we felt a little betrayed even though it was mostly jealousy," said Matsuda.
Issei continued to stare at them stoically. "I know we said that, but let's be real, if either of you got a girlfriend before the rest of us you wouldn't miss that opportunity. On the contrary, an image of either of you rubbing it in our faces comes to mind." The pair looked away pretending like they would never do that. "The old me probably would have just sucked it up when you made those rumors about me, but that was the old me. I now understand the importance of reputation after my time away and while I can't change what I did in the past all I can do is improve my image moving forward." Issei narrowed his eyes at them. "And I can't do that if you are gonna keep making shit up whenever you get jealous."
The two were slightly confused. "Wait, so you broke off your friendship because of your image?" asked Motohama, slightly offended.
"It seems superficial at first but one's reputation holds more weight than you think. I'm not particularly concerned about school, since that's a lost cause in my opinion, but moving forward I have to be more prudent no matter how I feel about something. Words carry more power than you think, and you never know what will enter people's ears. Do you really think the things you said about me would amount to nothing if say, the rumor spread to a place where I wanted to work or something?" The pair had nervous looks, understanding where he was coming from now. "I put up with a lot from you two. Some people would probably say I put up with too much, but I was willing to tough it out because I understand you two. But there are some things that are simply too much, and I understand you two enough to know that if you don't face repercussions for your actions you will only escalate them. So, I've decided I'm done. You two can do whatever you want, but I'm not gonna waste my time with people who are going to use me as an emotional punching bag."
The two now started to panic seeing that this wasn't going well. "We're sorry Issei! We really, truly, are very sorry!" said Motohama.
"We'll do whatever it takes to make it up to you! We swear!" said Matsuda. The duo were now on the ground bowing in a seiza position.
Issei stared at them for a bit then looked to the others. Asia looked nervous, Mash had a neutral expression, while Kiryuu had an expression of looking at some pathetic people. After a bit of time mulling it over Issei finally decided. "You two can say what you want but that only gets you so far. Show me you're willing to make it up to me. I won't ignore you anymore, but we are not friends." With that he turned and started to head home, followed by Mash and Asia.
The perverted duo lifted their heads and had relieved smiles as they nodded to Issei's words. Kiryuu walked up to them and spoke. "That was a better result than I was expecting, but don't get complacent. Screw up again and you guys will be as good as dead to him."
""We won't screw up! We will make it up to our bro!"" said the two intensely. Kiryuu just gave them an exasperated look before heading home herself.
Happy New Year everyone! I hope this year goes better than the last one. Anyways, this chapter is some more character development for the side characters. I had a bit of a hard time with what I was gonna do with the perverted duo since there will eventually be the Kyoto trip later on in the story. Even if the other students accept Issei by then, I doubt any of them would want to room with him, and having him room with those two without any kind of interaction or having Issei blow up on them didn't sit well with me either, so I decided to handle it like this for now. Now another question for the readers. What class, skills, and traits would you give the DxD characters from the Servant system in FGO? I'm sure the class's are obvious but I'm interested in what people think of for the other two. As always thanks for reading, and here's to 2023!