Issei Hyoudou squinted as the first rays of the morning sun filtered through the living room which was his new bed. The alarm clock on his phone buzzed insistently, and he groaned, reaching out to silence it. The sounds of Raynare and Kalawarner already stirring in the other rooms reminded him that today was a big day—his first day back at school after three long years.
"Human, get up! We're running out of time!" Raynare's voice was sharp, cutting through the haze of sleep that still clung to him.
Issei sat up with a jolt, rubbing his eyes and glancing at the clock. "My names Issei!" he called back, trying to ignore the knot of anxiety tightening in his chest.
In the kitchen, Raynare was already in the midst of preparing a simple breakfast. Her movements were brisk and somewhat impatient, clearly not thrilled about their new situation. Kalawarner, meanwhile, sat at the table, flipping through a magazine with an air of indifference.
"Are you making me something as well Ray-chan~" Kalawarner asked, glancing up with an eyebrow raised.
Raynare shot her a sharp look. "Do not call me that woman," she said with a sharp tone. She took the pan of the off the stove and dumped the eggs onto three separate plates.
Issei trudged into the kitchen, rubbing his temples. "Can we just get this over with? I'm already on edge."
Kalawarner's gaze softened as she looked at him. "You'll be fine, kid. Just think of it as a new adventure."
Issei turned to the voice, his eyes widened slightly at the sight. His uniform merely consisting of black blazer and a white long sleeve shirt with accents, along with dress pants and a pair of brown dress shoes. Hers on the other hand had her wearing a black blazer and white shirt underneath with a magenta short skirt. He couldn't help but acknowledge that hit really hugged her body.
Kalawarner raised an eyebrow as a small grin played her lips as she understood what was happening. Before she could even have a little fun in the morning Raynare came down with her plate food in an almost rushed manner.
The tension in the room was palpable as they finished breakfast and got ready. Issei, despite his attempts to project confidence, felt his nerves intensify as he donned his new Kuoh Academy uniform. The crisp white shirt, black blazer, and gray trousers felt foreign and restrictive compared to his usual attire.
Raynare adjusted her own uniform with a huff. "I still can't believe they made us wear this ridiculous corset. It's so uncomfortable."
Kalawarner's uniform fit her effortlessly, as if she had worn it a thousand times. "It's not that bad. Just think of it as part of our cover."
Raynare shot her a glare but said nothing more. They gathered their things and headed out the door, making their way to the school.
As they approached the gates of Kuoh Academy, Issei's nerves spiked. The grand entrance, flanked by tall, wrought-iron gates and manicured gardens, gave off an intimidating impression. Students in uniforms similar to theirs buzzed around, chatting and laughing as they made their way to their classes.
"Could you look any more like a lost puppy?" Raynare's voice broke through Issei's mounting anxiety.
"I'm sorry, I just haven't been to school in the last three years," Issei replied, trying to maintain some semblance of calm.
Raynare scoffed. "Spare me. It's just a bunch of humans congregating in one area. Not a big deal."
Kalawarner adjusted her glasses, her expression neutral. "Let's just get this over with. We need to check in with the Student Council President."
Issei nodded, feeling the weight of their mission pressing on him. They made their way through the bustling courtyard, catching the occasional curious glance from passing students. The school's grandeur was undeniable, with its marble columns, elaborate statues, and sprawling lawns.
As they approached the main building, Issei's heart raced. He could already sense the stares and whispers following them. The feeling was overwhelming, but he tried to focus on the task at hand.
Many focused on the two women that walked beside him, mostly the girls. He could make out their quiet whispers talking about their appearance. He had no doubt that they would make waves in the school, their beauty was really up there and the majority female population made sure to let the three know with their actions. The small male population, while ogling at the two fallen, seemed to have a particular disdain towards him for even being breathing the same air as them.
"Ugh, this is pretty much a glorified zoo. The human males keep staring at us like some piece of meat." Raynare scowled, her voice dripping with disdain as she surveyed the crowded courtyard. Her gaze was fixed on the sea of students, her irritation palpable. "And you, human—" She turned sharply toward Issei, her expression making it clear she had no intention of changing her condescending tone. "—can you stop acting like you want to crawl into a hole? You're making a scene."
Issei, feeling the sting of her words, tried to keep his composure but couldn't hide the irritation in his voice. "I'm not trying to cause trouble. It's just that being thrown into this after three years is a lot to take in."
Raynare rolled her eyes dramatically. "Oh, spare me. You act like it's the end of the world. It's just a bunch of humans and their pathetic little lives."
Kalawarner, who had been observing the scene with growing frustration, sighed. "Raynare, could you not antagonize him? It's only making things worse."
"Why shouldn't I? The human is a walking disaster," Raynare shot back, her tone sharp. "He's more of a burden than anything else."
Issei's face flushed with annoyance. "I'm doing my best here. You could at least try to be a little supportive."
Kalawarner tried to step in, her voice laced with exasperation. "Look, we're here for a reason. Can we try to get through this without turning it into a complete disaster?"
Raynare crossed her arms defiantly. "And what's your brilliant plan? We're already attracting too much attention as it is."
"I have no clue, I thought you were the mastermind as you so proudly proclaimed a few days ago?"
Raynare shot Kalawarner a sharp look but surprisingly bit her tongue.
As they continued through the bustling courtyard, Issei's nerves were frayed. The constant stares and whispers from the students only heightened his discomfort. He stumbled slightly, knocking into a nearby snack stand. The sudden wobble of the stand sent a cascade of drinks spilling onto the ground.
"Great. Just great," Raynare muttered as she watched the mess unfold. "Can't you do anything without screwing it up?"
Issei scrambled to apologize to the vendor, his frustration evident. "I'm really sorry! I didn't mean to—"
Kalawarner stepped in to help clean up, her tone softened but still strained. "Let's just try to avoid more incidents. We're already getting enough unwanted attention."
Raynare huffed, clearly unimpressed. "Of course, it's my fault again. Maybe if the human could pull himself together, we wouldn't be in this mess."
As they approached the entrance of the main building, tensions remained high. The students' curious glances and whispers followed them, and Issei found it increasingly difficult to ignore the discomfort.
"Why are they all staring at us like that?" Issei asked, his annoyance barely masked.
Raynare's response was curt. "Probably because you're with us. And your constant fumbling isn't helping."
Kalawarner's patience was wearing thin. "Raynare, can you please just stop? We need to get through this day without any more chaos."
Raynare glared at Kalawarner. "And how exactly do you propose we do that? The whole place is a circus."
"By you shutting up and making our way towards the office." Kalawarner picked up her pace to try and hopefully get out from the spotlight. While she had gone through espianoge school with Raynare, she despised feigning public appearances. The fake smile, personality, even shape-shifiting was a pain in the ass for someone like her, and she'd rather be away from all the attention.
The trio eventually made their way inside the building, the ornate furniture and design seemed to increase ever more as they approached the student council office.
As they stood at the end of the hallway stood two large wooden doors in front of them. It seemed to loom over the three as the inctricate designs that were carved on the wood seemed to become more apparent to them by the second.
Issei took the initative and walked up to knock on the door, the noise echoing in the now silent hallway. The momentary silence after the knock was followed up by sound of footsteps approaching the other side of the door before it opened up. A young girl looked at them with an emotionless stare as she gave a slight blow and gestured them inside the room. The room was similarily decorated in a fashion that mirrored the occult research room that Issei was in. Except without the occult related items, it was highly decorated with what seemed its own bathroom and shower, kitchen and tea set, and expensive furniture.
Right in front of them sat none other than the student council president Sona Sitri behind an unreasonably expensive looking wooden desk, with her peerage behind her.
"You three are late." Her stern expression and businesswoman appearance and tone was directed at them with a hint of frustration.
Raynare scoffed, crossing her arms, "Since when?"
"Since an hour and 45 minutes ago, you three had missed the entrance ceremony." Issei and Kalawarner could only stare at Raynare in disbelief at her earlier constant bickering to them this morning to make sure they got to school on time. Raynare could only scrunch her face at the statement, but otherwise decided to remain silent.
"In the letter you sent me you said 8 AM."
"To report to homeroom, yes. However the-"
"Entrance ceremony was not disclosed." Issei shot back, his agitation had started to rise the second he stepped foot in the school.
"It is common practice." Sona said sharply.
Sona coughed as to pass the moment before continuing the conversation again. "Hyoudou-"
"-Just call me Issei"
Sona Sitri let out a deep sigh, her fingers pressing into her temples as she cradled her face in frustration. The weight of her responsibilities as the Student Council President felt heavier than ever. The serene office, usually her sanctuary of order and calm, now seemed like a cage trapping her within a web of complicated issues.
She had been informed of the situation involving the new arrivals by Rias a few days ago. The details had been shocking, to say the least. A human with a Sacred Gear, who had been absent from her town for three years, had suddenly resurfaced and made his way back. It was disconcerting enough that someone with sacred gear would just reappear out of nowhere, but what followed was even more troubling.
Sona's brow furrowed as she recalled the rest of the information Rias had shared. Apparently, this human had managed to find himself entangled with a particularly dangerous stray devil, one that had been evading their notice for quite some time. The fact that he had nearly lost his life in such a scenario only added to the gravity of the situation should an innocent human have died on her watch.
But it wasn't just the stray devil that caused her concern. It was the ripple effect of this human's return. The fact that she had been informed that he attracted the attention of all three factions—fallen angels, devils, and angels—was a complication she hadn't anticipated. As if dealing with a stray devil and an unpredictable Sacred Gear user wasn't enough, she now had to manage the presence of two fallen angels within the school, all while keeping a tight rein on the situation to prevent it from spiraling further out of control.
The fallen angels, Raynare and Kalawarner, were particularly problematic. They were a politically volatile element in an already delicate balance. Their presence at the school was already enough of an issue to blow up in her face if any unnecessary parties were to discover them. The fallen angels had their own agendas and motivations, and it was hard to predict what they might do next even if it had come from the Maou himself.. Sona had to maintain a delicate balance between providing them with the cover they needed and ensuring that their presence didn't disrupt the school's environment or draw undue attention.
She pulled herself out of her head before returning her attention to the trio.
"Since you three had missed the ceremony allow me to give you a quick run down. My name in public is Sona Shitori, and as you may have guessed in private, it is Sona Sitri. I admit I was given little to no information about who you are Issei Hyoudou, and your… appeal to the three factions. I have had certain expectations of you from the escapades you have involved yourself in my town, and you have unfortunately met them."
"You're gonna pin the blame on me for that out of control abomination that was left loose in this town?"
"-Ano, are you saying you were the one that-," one of the peerage members tried to get a bit more clarification on this revelation that Issei had given, much to Sona's dismay.
"-Trust me I have no inclination of being here other than extenuating circumstances, and in regard to the uninvited interest of the factions, I too am left in the dark regarding that matter."
"Well considering you are here in this position, with certain company, I might add, there must be some sort of significance to you."
"Yeah I really wish there wasn't." Raynare chimed in, her irritation was blatantly on display for the whole student council, "Can we just get this out of the way, I'd rather not spend another minute around this moping human and devils."
"Excuse you?" Sona's voice become steel yet her expression remain unchanged.
Kalawarner sighed, "Ignore her please we have had quite the chaotic past few days, however we would appreciate it greatly if we could get on with our day. I'm assuming as a student here we have assignments we need to complete and lectures to attend."
Sona stared at the trio with differing amounts of annoyance before begrudgingly accepting her offer. "Very well, I will give you a quick run down of the ceremony. You are expected to represent the school inside and outside of the premises. You have a standard to uphold and you must keep it in order to maintain the reputation of the school. You must help your classmates succeed and they should help you likewise. You are expected to adhere to the rules strictly and to maintain a consistent work ethic. Any use of magic or supernatural power without my express permission is prohibited, and expulsion from the school will be the least of your worries. You are here to learn, study, but most importantly to enjoy your youth and to prepare for the future."
"Tsubaki?"
"Hai Kaichou?"
"I'd like you to take these two and guide them to their homeroom class 3-A. Issei, I'll be taking you to class 2-B."
Tsubaki nodded before gesturing over the two fallen angels to follow her, meanwhile Issei followed closely behind Sona. The five of them shortly split up as Tsubaki walked up the staircase, and Sona proceeded forward. The trio gave each other one last look before parting ways.
Issei approached the sliding door with Sona or who turned around and gave him a look, "Try not to mess this up." Her monotone expression didn't seem to boost his confidence whatsoever and she began her brisk walk back to her office.
With a light knock on the door a muffled voice came through, "Please come in."
Sliding open the door he could immediately feel the eyes of dozens of students on him, taking in every detail and flaw that he couldn't hide. He gave a rough swallow until he made his way up to the center of the front facing everyone.
"Everyone this is our new transfer student," said the ordinary man with some gray hair, "Please welcome him."
"A boy?"
"He's kind of cute"
"His hair's a little weird though"
"Why was he walking with those onee-sans from the morning
"Tch. What the hell is someone like him doing with hotties like that."
What. The. Fuck.
He got a few quiet responses and muttered greetings from some students who were uninterested. The rest were either whispering with their companions or continued to take in his image. Meanwhile Issei was viciously looking around the class the to see who said that last one. He eyes landed on two students who seemed to have a particular distaste for him based on the looks of their faces.
"Hyoudou-kun if you-"
"You can just call me Issei," he said instinctively. Goddamn it, that useless fallen had made it a habit for him to correct anyone now.
"A-Ah ok, Issei-kun, if you don't mind introducing yourself to the class."
"Right, ano… My name is Issei Hyoudou, just call me Issei, and I'm coming back to school after a few years, so please be patient with me."
A hand shot up from the back of the room. "Hey, Issei, where were you all this time?"
Issei hesitated, not sure how to explain his absence. "I've been… away, dealing with some family matters."
Another hand went up, this time from a girl with glasses. "Were you traveling?"
Issei nodded. "Yeah, I guess you could say that."
Motohama, one of the perverts from earlier, couldn't contain himself any longer. "More importantly, what's the deal with those two babes you were walking with this morning?"
Issei's mind raced. He hadn't thought about a backstory for their group and it seemed the talk of the town was those three this morning. If they got their stories wrong it'll definitely cause issues down the line, his best chance is going with the most plausible explanation.
"Oh, um, they're my older sisters."
The class erupted into whispers again. "Older sisters? Really?"
"They're so pretty!"
"No way, they're related?"
"So, are your sisters single?" said both the boys that were originally giving him irritated looks. The infamous perverted duo that seemed to continuously bring the reputation of the school down, but not enough for them to get expelled.
Issei felt a surge of irritation along with everyone in the room as they stared at the two with annoyance. "No, they're not interested in dating anyone here."
The teacher clapped his hands to regain control. "Alright, alright, settle down. Issei, please take a seat."
Issei made his way to an empty desk, the whispers around him continuing. He could feel the stares and tried to focus on the teacher's lecture, but his mind was racing.
During the lesson, he caught snippets of conversations. "Did you see those girls with him?"
"Yeah, they're gorgeous!"
"Are they really his sisters. One of them looks from Japan, but the other looks so foreign."
"Maybe shes from Europe, they might have different parents"
"That's why they all look so different maybe?"
The classroom was filled with the usual morning chatter, students catching up on gossip and exchanging notes. The noise level dipped as the door slid open, and Tsubaki Shinra, the Student Council Vice President, stepped inside, followed closely by two stunning women. The contrast between the two newcomers and the typical student body was stark, and the room fell silent almost instantly.
Tsubaki stood to the side, allowing the two women to stand front and center. The students gawked at the pair—Raynare, with her long black hair and striking, almost haughty features, and Kalawarner, with her vibrant blue hair and a playful smile. Both exuded an air of mystery and confidence that immediately drew everyone's attention.
"Alright, everyone, settle down," Tsubaki's voice cut through the whispers that were already beginning to spread. "We have two new transfer students joining us today. Please give them your full attention." Tsubaki stepped out of the classroom letting the two fallen angels handle themselves now.
Raynare was the first to step forward. But instead of the cold, aloof demeanor she usually carried, she softened her expression into something sweet and inviting—her Yuuma personality. Her eyes sparkled with a fabricated innocence, and her smile was warm enough to melt the icy atmosphere she often brought with her.
"Hello, everyone!" Raynare greeted with a cheerful tone, her voice light and musical. "My name is Raynare! I'm really excited to be here. I hope we can all get along!" She clasped her hands together and tilted her head slightly, radiating a charm that immediately disarmed most of the students.
The class was momentarily stunned by her sudden change in demeanor, but soon enough, murmurs and whispers filled the room.
"She's so cute!"
"Is she an idol or something?"
"No way, she's way too pretty to be a regular student!"
Raynare's eyes scanned the classroom, her innocent smile never wavering even as she caught sight of a few envious glares from some of the girls. The boys, however, were completely enamored, leaning forward in their seats as if drawn to her like moths to a flame.
Kalawarner, who had been quietly observing the reaction to Raynare's introduction, decided it was time for her own entrance. Stepping forward, she pushed her glasses she had brought as apart of her disguise, up the bridge of her nose and gave the class a sly, knowing smile.
"Hi, everyone," Kalawarner began, her tone smooth and confident, yet carrying a hint of mischief. "I'm Kalawarner. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all better, and I hope we can have a lot of fun together." Her words were punctuated with a subtle wink, which sent a wave of excitement through the boys in the class.
Before the students could react further, one of the more forward boys in the back row blurted out, "Were you two the ones walking with that guy earlier?"
Raynare's smile didn't falter, but internally, she cursed the situation. They hadn't prepared any backstory for themselves or Issei. She quickly glanced at Kalawarner, who looked back at her with a hint of amusement.
Sensing an opportunity to stir the pot, Kalawarner decided to have a little fun. "Oh, you mean Issei?" she said with a tone that was almost teasing. "Yeah, he's our boyfriend."
The room exploded into chaos.
"WHAT?!"
"No way, seriously?!"
"Issei? The new guy?"
"How can he have both of them?!"
"He's got to be loaded or something. That's the only way!"
"Maybe he's like a super genius?"
The girls in the class were just as shocked, their expressions ranging from disbelief to outright anger. "Boyfriend?" one of the girls in the front row muttered, her voice laced with incredulity. "There's no way..."
Kalawarner, enjoying the chaos she had unleashed, maintained her innocent smile, while Raynare's cheerful demeanor faltered for just a moment. Inside, she was fuming, but she quickly forced herself to maintain the Yuuma act.
"The huma-Issei's very special to us," Raynare added, her voice as sweet as honey. It was a struggle to keep the bitterness from seeping into her words, but she managed to keep up the facade. "We've been through a lot together, so… please be nice to him." She finished with an innocent giggle, though anyone who knew her well enough would have sensed the edge in it.
One of the boys, enraged by the revelation, spoke up with almost uncertainty. "So, does that mean you all... hang out after school?"
Kalawarner's smile widened, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, we do more than just hang out. Issei's very... attentive to our needs." She leaned in slightly, as if sharing a secret. "He always makes sure we're completely... satisfied."
The class erupted into chaos and shocked gasps, the boys practically falling out of their chairs with surprise and jealousy while the girls exchanged looks of disbelief and scandalized whispers.
Raynare's face turned a deeper shade of red, her calm mask cracking under the weight of Kalawarner's teasing. She had been alive long enough to experience the many things life can throw at her, but embarrassment was something she could never get used to, especially being physically involved to that shut in loser human. "Kalawarner, that's enough," she hissed under her breath, but her voice was drowned out by the noise of the class.
Another boy, eyes wide, blurted out, "So, w-what kind of things do you guys do together?"
Kalawarner didn't miss a beat. "Oh, you know, the usual—romantic dinners, late-night walks, and of course, we spend a lot of time... alone. Issei's really... passionate."
The classroom was in an uproar now, students either yelling in protest, gasping, or staring in disbelief at the two women who had just turned their mundane school day into something out of a scandalous drama.
Raynare, now visibly flustered, could feel her patience wearing thin. Her sweet, innocent act was on the verge of collapsing entirely as she shot Kalawarner a withering glare. "Kalawarner, I really think we should—"
But Kalawarner wasn't done yet. "And you should see how he—"
"Enough!" the teacher finally barked, his voice cutting through the chaos like a whip. His face was flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and frustration as he struggled to regain control of his classroom. "That's quite enough, both of you! This is a classroom, not a... a... soap opera! Please take your seats immediately!"
The class erupted in giggles and whispers as Raynare and Kalawarner walked to their seats, the teacher's outburst barely managing to quell the storm they had unleashed. Raynare's cheeks were still burning with embarrassment, and she shot Kalawarner another glare, her eyes promising retribution later.
Kalawarner, however, seemed completely unrepentant, giving Raynare a playful wink as they sat down. The chaos they had stirred continued to ripple through the classroom, and it didn't take long for the rumors to start spreading beyond the walls of that room, turning their first day at school into something that no one would forget anytime soon.
"You know I'm more surprised that the entire school populace hasn't swarmed both of you yet." Issei picked away at his school lunch mindlessly. His classes had been relatively normal throughout the day except for the constant hushed whispers and stares that he would receive. It seemed to really pick up just before his lunch period were everyone started to stare at him viciously, and the irritated gaze and jealousy from the perverted duo seemed to return in ten fold.
"It… is a bit surprising," Kalawarner responded. "We've been quite the center of attention up until recently, and your reputation is quite notorious as well." She looked up at the surrounding area trying to make eye contact with several students who all quickly turned their heads away in a bashful manner. "Now it seems things have shifted."
"What are you talking about, what are they saying about me?"
"None of your concern, human," Raynare cut in with her usual snark, her eyes narrowing as she regarded him with a look of disdain.
Issei sighed, the frustration starting to build. "My name's Issei," he mumbled, though he knew she would ignore him. He tried to brush it off, focusing instead on the nagging feeling that something was off.
Raynare pointed a chopstick at him, her tone sharp. "More importantly, we need to start training that stupid Sacred Gear of yours."
Issei blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation. "Train for what? It's not like I've got some world-breaking power that people are going to freak out over."
Raynare rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. "As much as I'd like to agree with you, you're not exactly a typical Twice Critical user. The amount of draconic energy you have is… excessive."
Issei stared at her, confused. "Draconic energy? What are you even talking about?"
Raynare groaned, rubbing her temples in frustration. Kalawarner, ever the mediator, gently placed a hand on Raynare's back, trying to soothe her growing irritation.
"Listen, kid," Kalawarner began, her tone more patient. "Draconic energy is just one of many types of energy in the supernatural world. Humans have ki or chakra, devils have demonic energy, angels and fallen angels have angelic energy, and dragons have draconic energy and so on and so forth."
Issei nodded slowly, trying to follow. "Okay, but I'm not a dragon."
"No shit, kid," Raynare snarked, crossing her arms. "But your Sacred Gear, Twice Critical, is a dragon-type. I'm sure the princess gave you the rundown, but typically, Twice Critical is bottom of the barrel. It usually contains just a tiny bit of draconic energy."
Kalawarner gently lifted Issei's left hand, holding it up as she continued. "You, however, are an anomaly. Your draconic energy output is through the roof, way beyond what a normal Twice Critical user should have."
Issei furrowed his brow, still not fully understanding. "Okay, but how does that help me? Twice Critical has a pretty hard cap on the damage it can do."
Raynare jumped back in, her tone dripping with condescension. "Let me explain this in a way your tiny human brain can comprehend."
"My name's Is-"
"Your Sacred Gear needs energy to function, genius," Raynare interrupted. "Since it's a dragon-type, it needs draconic energy to operate. Normally, a Twice Critical would have just enough energy to get by on its own. But you? You've got way more than necessary. That excess energy is what you need to train. It can be used in all sorts of ways if you know what you're doing."
"Okay," his interest was piqued, "What ways can it be used?"
"Well," Raynare began, her tone more thoughtful, "mostly for strengthening and defense. Some energies have unique characteristics that can be utilized in different ways though."
Issei leaned in slightly, eager for more information. "What about draconic energy?"
"No clue," Raynare replied swiftly, not missing a beat.
Issei blinked, staring at her with a deadpan expression. "You're telling me all this about draconic energy, and you don't even know what it can do?"
Raynare shrugged, completely unbothered. "I'm just giving you the basics, human. The specifics? That's on you to figure out."
Issei sighed in frustration, running a hand through his hair. "Okay, well how do I even begin training it?"
Kalawarner exchanged a glance with Raynare before they both responded in unison. "No clue."
Issei's jaw dropped. "What?! So what the hell am I supposed to do?"
Raynare rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. "Don't get your panties in a twist, human. We're not completely clueless. We know you need to train and harness that energy, but the specifics? That's where it gets tricky."
Kalawarner nodded, her expression softening. "The thing is, draconic energy is rare, especially in someone like you. We're used to dealing with other types of energy—ki, demonic, angelic—but draconic is… different."
Issei frowned, trying to make sense of it all. "So, you're saying I have to figure it out on my own?"
Raynare frowned in response. "No, but we'll need to employ the help of… them." Her tone made it clear she wasn't thrilled about the idea.
"Who, Rias? You think she'd know?"
Raynare shrugged. "No clue."
Issei stared at her, incredulous. "So you're telling me you have no idea what to do?"
Raynare scoffed. "It's not like I was given a handbook on it, you dumbass." She sighed, considering their options. "But who knows…"
"Well I'm assuming you guys can use… angelic energy, so how did you start training to use it?"
Kalawarner decided to offer some insight. "Well, we didn't really train to use angelic energy; we were born with the ability. We only train to enhance our power."
Issei groaned. "Okay, so the devils might have some idea on how to handle this?"
Kalawarner sighed. "Yup, since the princess has reincarnated servants, she's probably more familiar with unlocking different types of energies."
Raynare added, "Plus, I doubt they'll leave us idle. They'll probably want us to have a formal sit-down with them to discuss our presence going forward. You can bring it up then."
Before Issei could press the issue further, a new presence made itself known. A girl none of them had seen before approached their table with a peculiar glint in her eyes. She was petite, with short, bobbed hair, and large, round glasses perched on her nose, magnifying the intensity of her gaze. A mischievous smile played on her lips as she stopped in front of them, her expression a strange mix of curiosity and excitement.
"Hey there, you three!" Her voice was high-pitched, overly cheerful, and slightly breathless, as if she had just stumbled upon a goldmine. "My name's Aiko! Nice to meet you all."
Issei blinked, taken aback by the sudden introduction. Raynare and Kalawarner exchanged confused glances before nodding politely in acknowledgment. Issei, still unsure of the girl's intentions, responded cautiously, "Uh, hi. Can we help you with something?"
Before he could say anything more, Aiko cut in, her eyes sparkling with barely contained excitement. "So… is it true?"
There was a noticeable pause as the three of them stared at her, unsure of what she was referring to. Aiko's face grew a deep shade of red, and her breathing became visibly deeper. Her hands, clutching a small notebook and pencil, were trembling slightly, and the camera around her neck bounced with the rhythm of her uneven breaths.
Issei felt a shiver of unease crawl up his spine. Why does she look like she's about to explode? he wondered. The two fallen angels beside him seemed equally perplexed by the girl's overexcited demeanor.
"S-Sorry, but who are you again?" Issei finally managed to ask, hoping to get some clarity on the situation.
Aiko let out a giggle, clearly delighted by his confusion. "I'm Aiko, president of the school news club," she introduced herself, her words rushing out in a rapid stream. "And I've been hearing all sorts of rumors about you three… so tell me, is it true?"
Issei opened his mouth to respond, but before he could say anything, Raynare suddenly reached across the table and grabbed his hand, interlocking her fingers with his. Her grip was firm but oddly gentle, and she flashed Aiko an innocent smile, though a faint blush crept up her cheeks.
"Yes, it's true," Raynare said sweetly, her voice laced with a soft warmth that made Issei's heart skip a beat. What the hell is she talking about? Issei thought, his mind spinning with confusion.
Not to be outdone, Kalawarner smoothly leaned in, grabbing Issei's other hand and intertwining her fingers with his as well. She gave Aiko a confident, almost smug smile, as if she were confirming a fact that everyone should already know.
Aiko's eyes widened, and her face turned an even brighter shade of red. She could barely contain herself, her excitement bubbling over as she struggled to keep her composure. Her hand scribbled furiously in her notebook, her breathing coming in short, sharp gasps. "I-I'm so glad you said that," she stammered, her voice trembling with barely suppressed glee. "B-But, you know… some people still don't believe it. I mean, you're the talk of the town, but… could you prove it? Maybe with a picture? For the school newspaper, of course!"
Issei's heart skipped a beat, and his mind reeled as he tried to process what she was asking. Prove it? How the hell am I supposed to prove that they're my sisters? he thought, utterly baffled by the direction this conversation was taking.
Raynare's mind raced, the implications of Aiko's request hitting her hard. This is insane, she thought, her disdain for the situation simmering just beneath the surface. The last thing she wanted was to kiss a human—especially not in front of a crowd. But before she could formulate a response, Kalawarner took the initiative.
"Well, if that's what you want…" Kalawarner said with a nonchalant shrug, her tone casual as if she were discussing the weather. She then turned towards Issei, her eyes locking onto his with a predatory glint. Without giving him a chance to react, she pulled him close and pressed her lips to his in a firm, lingering kiss.
Issei's mind went completely blank as the unexpected contact sent shockwaves through his body. The world around him seemed to fade away, leaving only the sensation of Kalawarner's soft lips against his. His heart pounded in his chest, his thoughts a chaotic jumble of confusion and disbelief. What the hell just happened? was all he could manage to think as she finally pulled away, leaving him stunned and breathless.
The cafeteria, which had been buzzing with quiet whispers and side glances, erupted into a deafening roar of cheers, gasps, and excited chatter. Students jumped out of their seats, phones flashing as they captured the shocking scene. The chaos was palpable, the atmosphere electric with disbelief and excitement.
Raynare, who had been watching the scene unfold with a mixture of horror and frustration, felt a deep sense of irritation bubbling up within her. I can't believe I have to do this, she thought bitterly, her pride as a fallen angel screaming in protest. But the situation left her with little choice. Maintaining their cover story was crucial, and she knew that if she didn't follow through, it would raise even more suspicions.
Swallowing her disdain, Raynare leaned in towards Issei, her face a mask of reluctant determination. "Guess it's my turn," she muttered under her breath, more to herself than to anyone else. With a quick, almost dismissive movement, she pressed her lips to Issei's, the contact brief but undeniable.
The cafeteria went wild once again, the students' reactions escalating to a fever pitch. Aiko, her face glowing with perverted delight, snapped picture after picture, capturing every moment from multiple angles. "This is perfect!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with gleeful satisfaction.
.
.
.
"It really is true! Issei Hyoudou is involved in a forbidden relationship with his two older sisters!"
.
.
.
Aiko's words hit the trio like a ton of bricks. For a moment, all three of them froze in place, their minds struggling to process what they had just heard. What did she just say? Issei's thoughts were a tangled mess of disbelief and horror. Forbidden relationship… with my sisters?!
Her words hung in the air like a bombshell, the weight of them crashing down on the trio with a force that left them reeling. The cafeteria seemed to blur around them as the full implication of what Aiko had just said began to sink in.
Issei's face turned a deep shade of crimson, a mix of shock and horror flooding his system. His mouth opened and closed several times, but no words came out, only a strangled gasp as he struggled to process what he had just heard. The heat in his cheeks spread like wildfire, making his entire face feel like it was on fire.
Raynare's expression was a mirror of disbelief and mortification. Her cool, collected facade shattered as her face flushed a deep red, her mind scrambling to make sense of the situation. How did this happen? Her eyes darted between Aiko, who was now skipping away happily, and Issei, who looked as if he might pass out from the sheer embarrassment.
Kalawarner, normally calm and composed, felt a wave of panic rise within her. Her heart pounded in her chest as the realization hit her with full force. The blush that spread across her cheeks was fierce and uncontrollable, her mind reeling with the absurdity of the situation. This wasn't supposed to happen…
All three of them stood frozen in place, their brains working overtime to piece together the puzzle Aiko had just dropped on them. The murmurs and stares from the surrounding students only served to intensify the embarrassment that clung to them like a second skin.
Suddenly, as if a lightbulb had gone off in his head, Issei's eyes widened in realization. "Wait… did you… Did you tell everyone you were my girlfriends?" His voice was shaky, barely above a whisper, but the accusation in his tone was clear.
Raynare and Kalawarner flinched at his words, the color in their faces deepening as they exchanged guilty glances. The truth was undeniable, and the weight of their actions came crashing down on them like a tidal wave.
Raynare's lips parted, but no sound came out. She couldn't bring herself to meet Issei's gaze, the shame of the situation making her want to disappear. Kalawarner, on the other hand, tried to muster a defense, but the words died in her throat as she saw the look of pure disbelief on Issei's face.
Issei's mind raced, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place with alarming clarity. The conflicting stories, the confused looks from classmates, the whispers behind his back—it all made sense now. The rumor that he thought people were overreacting to; it wasn't because he had two extremely attractive older "sisters"; it was the result of two completely different cover stories colliding in the worst possible way.
"Oh, God," Issei groaned, running a hand through his hair as the full gravity of the situation hit him. "This is so fucked up…"
The cafeteria's buzz of excitement seemed to fade into the background as the trio stood frozen, caught in the aftermath of Aiko's bombshell. Finally, the silence broke, and it all came crashing down.
"What the hell were you thinking?" Issei snapped, his voice a mix of frustration and disbelief. He turned to Raynare and Kalawarner, his eyes wide with incredulity. "Why would you tell everyone you were my girlfriends?"
Raynare's face twisted in frustration, the embarrassment quickly giving way to defensiveness. "We could ask you the same thing! Why did you tell people we were your sisters?"
Kalawarner crossed her arms over her chest, her brow furrowed in irritation. "Do you have any idea how difficult it is to keep a backstory straight? We were trying to stay close to you without raising suspicion!"
Issei's eyes narrowed, the frustration boiling over. "That was the whole point! Telling people you were my sisters was the easiest way to explain why you two were always around me without making things weird! How was I supposed to know you'd go around saying we were dating?!"
Raynare rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, because claiming we're your sisters was any better. Like I'd ever be related to your pathetic human ass!"
"… And saying you were my girlfriend is better… how?!"
Raynare could look look to the side no saying anything in response.
Kalawarner chimed in, her tone accusatory. "And whats wrong with that backstory kid?! Why would that cause any problems?!" She tried to collect herself as much as possible, but her red face and shaky speech was still ever present.
Issei threw his hands up in exasperation. "Of course it would cause problems! But at least mines made sense! Who in their right mind would believe I'm dating two older women who suddenly appeared out of nowhere? That's way more suspicious than saying you're my sisters!"
Raynare's eyes flashed with irritation. "Well it's not my fault you humans are so straight-edged about these things, if you had just kept your mouth shut-"
Issei's mouth opened in shock, the gears in his mind grinding to a halt. "Wait… y-you're trying to pin the blame. ON ME?!"
Kalawarner sighed, her frustration giving way to a begrudging acknowledgment. "Listen w-we didn't think it through."
Issei rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. "You think? Now the entire school thinks I'm in some weird, incestuous relationship with my 'sisters'! How are we supposed to explain our way out of this?"
The three of them fell into a tense silence, each grappling with the situation they'd inadvertently created. The stares and whispers from the other students only made the weight of their predicament heavier.
Finally, Raynare let out a sigh, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "We'll have to figure something out. But for now, we need to keep our stories straight. If we start contradicting each other, it'll only make things worse."
Kalawarner nodded, though the tension in her posture didn't lessen. "Agreed. We'll deal with the fallout later. But for now, we need to play along and hope this blows over."
Issei sighed, his frustration still simmering beneath the surface, but he knew they were right. They'd made a mess, and now they had to deal with it. "Fine. But no more surprises, okay? Let's just try to get through this without making things any worse."
The two fallen angels exchanged uneasy glances before nodding in agreement. As the three of them walked out of the cafeteria together, the weight of their new, unwanted reputation hung over them like a storm cloud, and the road ahead looked anything but smooth.
The room was filled with a heavy silence that hung in the air, nothing could be heard except for the slight shaking of a paper. Rias's eyes were glue to the newspaper that she gripped in her hand, her knuckles already turning white. On the newspaper was the incriminating photos that had made their way around the entire campus like a wildfire: Issei Hyoudou's Forbidden Love: Scandalous Photos Reveal All.
Her grip tightened as the color of her face started to match her hair, her power of destruction crackling in her hands, destroying parts of the paper. "T-This… This is unbelievable!" Rias finally erupted, breaking the long silence in the room. "W-What were you three thinking!"
"Clearly they weren't thinking, please do not group me into this," Issei huffed, trying not to be the center of attention for once.
Rias snapped back at him, "You quite literally are the focus point of this rumor Issei, what were you thinking!"
"Ah- I-It wasn't my fault! I realized we hadn't had a backstory and by the time people were asking me how I knew them I just said we were related. It was the easiest way to explain why we would be near each other."
Issei gave an irritated look at Kalawarner and Raynare, "These two dumbasses were the one that royally fucked up everything."
Raynare's sharp voice cut through the air, dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, brilliant, human. Because telling everyone we're your sisters was such a genius move. Did you really think that through, or was your brain taking a nap?"
Issei shot her a glare. "Well, what was I supposed to say? We didn't exactly coordinate our stories, did we? Isn't that supposed to be your job?"
Kalawarner, more laid-back but still clearly annoyed, crossed her arms and smirked. "Well we didn't exactly plan on you pulling that 'sisters' stunt either, kid. We just said what made sense. Telling people we were dating you was easier to explain."
Issei's irritation flared as he turned his gaze to Kalawarner. "Easier to explain? To who? What guy dates two women at the same time, in fucking high school?"
Raynare's eyes narrowed, and she leaned in closer, her tone biting. "Oh, so now it's our fault? Maybe if you'd kept your mouth shut, we wouldn't be in this mess. But no, you had to go and confuse everyone with that idiotic sibling lie."
Kalawarner rolled her eyes at the brewing argument. "This is getting nowhere. It's not like we can go back in time and fix it. What's done is done."
Rias, still fuming, shook the shredded remains of the newspaper at them. "What's done is done?" Rias repeated, perplexed at the statement. "And now the entire school is engrossed in this ridiculous story about you three! How could you let this happen on the first day?!"
The trio looked at each other and around the room but could give no answer. The once lively conversation in the club room died down as no one had an answer. Koneko seemed to be distracted by the plate of sweets in front of her and Kiba could only give an awkward look to the whole situation.
Akeno's voice broke the silence, smooth and teasing. "You know, Issei-kun, I never thought you'd be the type to get involved in such a scandal so quickly. And with two women, no less. I'm impressed."
Rias froze, her eyes narrowing as she looked at her. "Akeno, don't start."
She chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, but I can't help it. It's not every day we get to see our dear Issei-kun in such a… compromising position. I have to say, I'm a little jealous."
Issei's face flushed slightly, and he quickly looked away, trying to compose himself. "It's not like that! I didn't even want to kiss this idiot," his thumb pointing to Raynare.
Raynare's eyes flared with anger the moment Issei's words left his mouth. Her wings twitched as she clenched her fists, barely containing her fury. "Huh? You little shit, maybe I should just knock you on you ass! You should be on the ground kissing everywhere I step!"
Issei could only roll his eyes at the statement
Akeno's smile widened at the escalating situation, as she tilted her head, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. "Are you sure? Because the pictures seem to tell a different story. You and Raynare looked quite… intimate."
Issei's blush deepened, and he scowled at her. "That was just for the stupid picture! It doesn't mean anything!"
Akeno leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand as she continued to toy with him. "Mm, if you say so. But, you know… if you ever feel like you need someone to practice with, I'm always available."
Issei's eyes went wide, and he nearly choked on his words. "Wh-What?!"
Before Akeno could continue her teasing, Rias shot her a fierce look, her cheeks burning with embarrassment and frustration. "Akeno! Enough!"
Akeno giggled, clearly enjoying the chaos she was stirring up. "I'm just teasing, Issei-kun. But you do make it so easy." She turned her attention back to Rias, a playful glint in her eye. "Don't worry, Buchou. You can have Issei first, it's only fair."
Rias, caught between her flustered embarrassment and frustration, snapped at Akeno. "This isn't the time for jokes! We have a serious problem here!"
Akeno waved her hand dismissively, still smiling. "Oh, I know. But sometimes a little distraction can help. Besides, seeing everyone so worked up is just too amusing."
Rias, still flustered, glared at Akeno. "This isn't helping anything! And stop making it worse, Akeno!"
"Hai!" She gave a cheery smile before retreating.
Rias ran a hand through her hair, "Enough of discussion on this s-situation." Rias regained her composure, "The other reason I called you three here was to have a look at current abilities."
The two fallen angels exchanged skeptical glances.
"Why?" Kalawarner asked, crossing her arms. "My abilities aren't anything too special, and I'd rather not waste time showing off unless there's a good reason."
Raynare tilted her head, her eyes narrowing. "What's in it for us? You're not just going to get us to perform like some monkey without a solid justification."
Rias took a deep breath, clearly frustrated but determined. "It's crucial for us to understand each other's powers. Given the… complications and conflicts we've had, knowing each other's strengths and weaknesses will help us work more effectively together." She pinched her nose, "Plus, I've been ordered to essentially, train you up."
Raynare grit her teeth in frustration, "Do you think I'm not up to par, princess? " Her hand began to slowly glow as she was ready to launch a light spear in the middle of the club room.
"If a spar is what you'd like, I'd happily oblige you Raynare."
Before the situation could escalate, Issei intervened. "Actually Rias, if you don't mind, could you help me out with something."
Rias still on edge from the brewing tension, turned to him, "What is it?"
"Are you any familiar with working with different energies?"
"Energies?" Rias looked at him apologetically, "I'm afraid if you're talking about chakra or ki, I'm not able to help you Issei, it's quite dan-"
"He's talking about his draconic energy," Raynare cut in. She stepped forward releasing the forming light spear in her hand to nothing. "He's got an excessive amount that he can't utilize, and neither of us are familiar with unlocking it."
Kalawarner stepped forward, "Azazel-sama gave us the orders of training him up, but we can't start if he can't even access it willingly."
"Is that so…" Rias said absentmindedly. "Have you ever used it before Issei?"
Issei thought back, not able to remember ever using it intentionally. "He has when hes been near death," Kalawarner spoke for him.
"I have?"
Rias chimed in, "That makes sense, in some cases your instincts take over and subconsciously your body could do that."
"So, do you have any idea how I can use it at will?" Issei asked, his tone carrying a mix of eagerness and frustration.
Rias paused, considering her words carefully. "To control your draconic energy, you need to be aware of its presence and learn to manipulate it. Typically, this is achieved through becoming familiar with using magic."
Issei looked puzzled. "What does magic have to do with it?"
"Well," Rias began, "magic helps because it teaches you how to control and manipulate external energy. Once you're familiar with that process, you can apply the same principles to your internal energy—in your case, draconic energy."
Issei nodded slowly. "Actually, I already know a bit of magic."
Rias's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "You do? What kind?"
"Healing magic," Issei replied, a hint of pride in his voice.
Rias raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Healing magic? Where did you learn that?"
Issei hesitated for a moment before answering. "I… learned it quite a while ago."
Rias studied him for a second, sensing there was more to the story but deciding not to press further. "Are you absolutely sure about your abilities, Issei?"
Issei swallowed, steeling himself. "I… I am."
Sorry for the delay again, and sorry for the slow pacing, I don't like keeping you guys waiting and so I'm just putting this out to keep you on track. If you guessed it, yes the usual plot points are going to happen. Riser, kokabeil and peace summit, but those three are going to lead up to the deviation of the story. Honestly this might happen around chapter 10 I'm not sure im kinda just estimating from how im pacing this.
Once again this is my first time writing, and I don't have a beta reader so I apologize for the grammar mistakes, and if the story is not that well written. I'm having trouble trying to garner if the pacing is too slow so please let me know in the reviews.
Once again I have a disc, which the invite code is: 9j3vTT7byD
Go ahead and join its where I want to discuss ideas I have for the future of the story, and if you guys have suggestions I'll defeintely take them into consideration.
I also wanted to put this chapter out because I'm starting school again and honestly I'm not going to have a lot of time so it might be months till a new chapter. I'm sorry about that, this chapter was actually supposed to be over 20k words and include a few more scenes but I didn't want to keep you guys waiting so I pretty much just cut it short so you guys can get a something new while I try to plan time to write the rest.
Once again leave a review and join the disc and let me know what you guys think about my writing, character personalities, and pacing. Hopefully I'll see y'all soon.