Hello, this is SecretArtLotus here, to bring you Chapter 4.
How did you like Chapter 3? Any favorite moments?
In this new story, I like the pacing I am on. Fortunately, new ideas kept popping out in regards to how I should construct the story and the various characters in it. The aspect of romance will come into play and they will come naturally. I hope it does come naturally to you readers.
Because it can be love at first sight for some. Or the love can be developed through time.
In this new story, Izayoi's first meeting with Rias came early as opposed to the old story.
It will take time for it to develop, so I'm brewing the process. I will talk about the plot of Highschool DxD in the next chapter, whether there will be changes or not.
Enjoy reading!
Ja'ne! ArtLotus out!
[MONDAIJI TACHI GA ISEKAI KARA KURU SOU DESU YO? + HIGHSCHOOL DxD]
REVIVAL: A PROBLEM DEVIL
[CHAPTER 4: GLIMPSE INTO A MOTHER'S LOVE]
Sakamaki Residence
Morning
The early rays of the sun shone down on the balcony outside of the house, where a 17-year old blonde lay down on his back on a reclining chair, swinging his foot casually over the edge of the chair. His hands were propped underneath his head whilst he laid on the chair. His eyes were closed with a small smile.
It was a blissful morning.
It had been a few hours now when he woke up before dawn and decided to lay on his balcony outside, to wait for the morning sun to rise. Oftentimes, this was a moment he usually shared with Canaria. A quiet and relaxing moment to bask in the breeze before dawn and to welcome the warmth of the sun afterwards. It was a nice tradition for their family. And it would be a lasting one…
…3 days. It had been 3 days since he had enrolled into Kuoh Academy. Things were beginning to be a daily routine by now. He woke up, freshened up, and headed out with 15 minutes to spare. He arrived at Kuoh Academy a little bit on the nose. With many other students quickly following his footsteps. Primary school students and middle school students would walk together with their parents, guardians—in the form of their brothers, sisters, grandparents, relatives, and neighbours. The front courtyard of the academy would be crowded just before 7:30a.m.
Teachers who taught the primary and middle school divisions were stationed in front of the doors leading inside the school building. They would wait for their students and were determined to welcome them. The students greeted them in response together with their parents and guardians. He would arrive at this scene mostly, casually greeting with a bow of his head to the teachers and walk through the doors. He would get pairs of eyes on him due to his hair color. However, no one had reprimanded him about it. Yet.
He had already been tested in his previous school about his hair. His former teachers suspected that he dyed his hair. When they found that he was naturally blonde, they apologized for their incessant screening of his hair and had put a note in his student profile which stated that he was a natural blonde through documented tests. Over time, his reputation as a delinquent when he entered high school as a First-Year was almost gone. He got his fair share of scoldings and reprimands from teachers alike due to his behaviour in class. However it did not land him in detention in his first year of high school.
You could say he was on his best behaviour.
Until other delinquents started bothering him at first, never believing that his hair was natural and that he was merely copying their styles of dyeing their hair blonde. So, he did what any 15 year-old would not do. He entertained their bothersome act. The end result of that?
5 out of 6 were hospitalized due fractures in their bones at various parts of their bodies. Mostly due to them falling on awkward angles. He had almost been pressed charges until his mother came into the scene and cleared up the budding volatile situation. Because the delinquents were at fault. On the other hand, he was merely acting in self-defense.
That's when his reputation as a delinquent was kept afloat by this event. His peers often kept away from him. His classmates and teachers at the time did not mind much. As long as he was acting in self-defense.
Fortunately or unfortunately, he would meet various delinquents from other school districts on his way to fulfill his errands by his mother. These delinquents had heard what happened and wanted to test him. With the aid of smartphones and the technological rise of communication applications, even delinquents could be up in the loop of the circumstances surrounding him. Even when they're not from the same school. His name was surely mentioned around the delinquent circle of the high schools in Japan. He was impressed that the hospitalized delinquents would spread his actions to their circle. They have more guts than he expected. This gang of delinquents he met was different from the previous one in his school. They wanted him to join their gang. He calmly refused. They get agitated. You know the rest of the story.
His meet-ups with the local delinquents and in other districts lead up to bolden his reputation amongst the delinquents' circles. His impressive record against these unfortunate souls and walking away without a scratch made him untouchable, causing some of their groups to retreat before they instigate anything with him. Some of them had grown to know better. Meanwhile, he was casual about the whole situation. In retrospect, it was a good thing that he was famous against these kinds of people. Because a number of them did not have a clue when he did not want to entertain them in some instances when he wanted to eat in peace whilst walking, or ambushing him after a grocery run. He felt he may have knocked the sense out of their brain with their previous scuffles. A tinge of sympathy was felt. Only a tinge. Before their bodies hit the ground with a few twisted arms. Those will heal without issues. He was not in the mood to care for police questioning. He suspected the fear of him would make them squirm just enough to not reach out to the police. Because he was only acting in self-defense. Every time.
These confrontations with the delinquents were entertaining for him from time to time. If he were to meet these people again, he would definitely entertain the thought of instigation just to stretch his muscles for the day. It would be good exercise. His mother had always imparted knowledge that was beneficial for him. A good mind and body was essential for him to go through the day. He was only following her words. The entertainment factor behind the fights was a bonus mostly throughout his first year as a high school student.
His experience with his previous school was alright. Besides his typical confrontation with juvenile gangs disrupting people during the day and night, there was nothing that he found entertaining to do. It was not so fun. What was fun however, was when he took a walk around his neighbourhood at that time and he found a sight that dwarfs his previous encounters with the supernatural so far.
A magical crimson circle in an alleyway, glowing brightly. This has peaked his interest immensely.
He did not know where it led if he made contact with it. Yet he took the opportunity without hesitation.
That had been the opportunity he did not regret taking.
He had discovered a new world. His world, dubbed as the Human World, shares similarities with the new world, the Underworld. The occupants in the new world were mostly Devils and Fallen Angels. But it also has Dragons, and Grim Reapers.
Talk about the ideal fantasy world. The Underworld was one that he did not expect.
He also met with the crimson-haired Satan, Sirzechs Lucifer. He offered him a place in his peerage. He refused and proposed a wager instead. Since he wanted to explore this entirely new world, he made the wager. His primary reason behind the wager, however, was to fight against the crimson-haired Satan. Exploring the new world was already a guarantee in his mind. But to take a fight against a supernatural being? One he had never met yet was brimming with excitement to test himself? The opportunity could not be more irresistible.
Alas, he won the wager. His clothes were the casualties. As a bonus, he got to explore the Underworld freely. On the first day, he got to know the Gremory Territory, which has various big cities and were in hexagonal territories. In the company of a fellow Satan, Serafall and Grayfia was the one guiding them through the cities with no issues. The cities within the Gremory Territory were reminiscent of the cities of Japan. They were inspired by the designs in Japan. Although the experience was a bit similar to the one in Japan. He had a worthwhile experience, getting to know the livelihood of Devils alike, who walked around freely through the cities to shop and eat delicious foods. On that day, the streets were littered with Devils in their human forms. Some did not bother to hide their Devil features. Most Devils he observed were similar to humans in their appearance. It was an interesting fact to know.
To end the day, he had met the younger sister of Sirzechs. Rias Gremory. It was fun to tease her when she thought he was a perpetrator to harm her. He walked to the back courtyard of the Gremory mansion to do as he said he was. To have a small snoozefest before he went back home. In the middle of him walking to the fountain which seemed to be a good place to rest his head, he sensed a new presence. He was mistaken for someone else from the Phenex House. At the time, he did not know the Phenex House, nor would he care to know further. He was in the middle of relaxation but he kept it in the back of his mind when she mentioned it to him. After the happy accident, he slept peacefully after her. After some time, he woke up to see the crimson heiress lying down next to him with a pillow tucked under her head. He had attempted to wake her up by calling her name numerous times. She did not wake up. Hence, he lifted her up slowly. He did not sense anyone approaching them. So he took her inside. Only to be greeted by Grayfia, who guided them to her room. When he tucked her in, he was greeted by Sirzechs. Their conversation at the time was amusing, because he could see the frustration simmering on his face.
He was innocent. She was innocent. It was a happy accident.
There was no reason for Sirzechs to be frustrated, in his opinion. It happened.
After he got dressed in his orange shirt and black hoodie with the same exact pants and shoes, he was ready to head back home. A quick farewell to Sirzechs and his wife got him teleported to the alleyway where he spotted the teleportation circle. It was nearly 10 o'clock by then. When he got back to his house, his mother greeted him with a knowing smile.
Her question to him was—
"Did my Izayoi-chan get his cherry popped? I meant it figuratively. Unless you literally did get your cherry popped…In which case, congratulations! I finally got to see my son share a passionate moment with the opposite sex!"
Any normal mothers would not pop out a question like hers, which made Canaria different from the other mothers. She was indifferent. She always was.
His response was a sigh before her mother took a quick look at him. She smiled knowingly.
"You did get your cherry popped in some way. The corner of your lips."
She tried to bait him. He knew her tactic. He dismissed her accusation. He had seen Rias. She was not wearing lipstick.
"Who was it? Someone your age? Or someone older? I'm fine with anyone except someone's mother or someone's grandmother, Izayoi-chan!"
He dismissed it by asking if she had her dinner yet. She did not. She wanted to eat out today with him. So she waited until he got home.
Her questioning did not stop even when they stopped by the local diner for a bowl of ramen and plenty of greens on the side. She would not budge until she got her answer. He did not budge. He was stubborn, and so was she.
"...Since you're not budging…that must mean you must be hiding something…—You're also avoiding the topic. Was it…because it was not consensual… ?! Izayoi-chan, I taught you better than that!"
He nearly spit out his food. The diners looked at them weirdly but did not reprimand them. They ignored them after a moment.
"Or…was it because it wasn't planned? In which case…a happy accident?"
His mother always had this mysterious revelation that she knew a bit more than she lets on. This was one of them.
His mother felt proud when he soon smiled.
That night was one of the instances he was happy to see his mother's happiness on full display. It made her happy enough to be hungry for another bowl of ramen.
"I am so proud that my Izayoi-chan has finally known the touch of a girl…!"
That night really made his mother happy. He was not embarrassed at all at the attention they were getting. This is what he had to contend with ever since he became her son. It was normal for the two of them. Their moments together like this were always embedded in his mind. Their moments also what got him to write in a journal when he became her son. Because moments do not last in the mind. Time will eventually do its job and it becomes forgotten. So, he wrote them in a journal to keep the memories flowing whenever he read them. After that night, he started writing the details in his digital journal on his smartphone through the cloud system so he could retrieve it whenever he signed into the cloud.
He stopped writing when she passed.
His last entry was him visiting her on her hospital bed before his last mid examination day. Only for him to arrive at her hospital bed after the examination to find out her peaceful passing. Her smile and dried tears signifying what has been and what could have been.
His siblings encouraged him to write again. Because it was his life. His life without their mother. Although his siblings already had a foster family, Canaria was their first mother. Her death resonated deeply with them. Even when they were just entering middle school.
Their encouragement made him reconsider. It was not until he sat down and read his journal he had converted digitally. He read from the first entry until the second last. Because there was a message below the entry.
"You will always be my son, Izayoi-chan. You started this page of my life when you became my son. Why stop now? You have many adventures left in your life that would be better documented. I was just a mother that fulfilled her purpose in your adventure when you were a child. Now, you're not a child, I think~ How do I know you would stop writing after this? Call it a mother's intuition. I do not have much advice that you haven't heard before but I won't be the last one to love you, Izayoi-chan. There would be many. So many~ that will love you in their own way. Do not turn them away. Embrace them. Just as you embrace me. From now on, you'll have to go through with your adventure without me. My only regret, if any, is that I won't be there when you have your own woman who loves you for who you are and I won't spoil any of my beautiful grandchildren.
Although Homura and Suzuka are still children, do check in with them. Yes, they're smarter and mature than other children, but they're still children. They know the concept of death, but when it comes to my passing…I believe they need you for some time to come to terms with reality. They're just beginning their lives. However, short of my time with them, they're still my children as well as you. As siblings, please watch over them as best as you can.
One last message that I want you to know. I always love you, Izayoi-chan. Always~
My Dearest Son,
From Your Dearest Mother, Canaria~
A tear found its way on his cheek, which made him chuckle.
His mother had always known to catch him by surprise, one way or another. Even after death, she still displays her flair for surprises. For his mother to type her message would be when he fell asleep on the seat next to her hospital bed during his visits. He recalled at some point he lent his phone to her when her own phone had died and she wanted to call his other siblings. He was busy reading the results of her test, to see the cause of her illness. But it was inconclusive, much to his inner frustration.
That night where he read her message on his digital journal was before his first day of school at Kuoh Academy. He slept with a smile too.
Now, he has continued writing in his digital journal. Already, he had three days worth of writing in his journal about his first 3 days at Kuoh Academy.
He detailed his first day of school in Kuoh Academy. It was a normal yet entertaining first day. His classmates were welcoming, especially his female classmates. His male classmates had to welcome him regardless but they were amiable at least when they wanted to test his friendliness by asking him questions about the difficulties. He teased them a couple of times but pointed out what they could to find the answer. He would not spoon feed them the answers. Including his female classmates. They had to find the answers themselves. He was giving them hints for them to process the solution. He was one of the few people in his class that people would go to when they had encountered a difficult question in the lesson or they did not understand the words in English. Rias and Akeno were the only two others that people seek out to ask their questions. Though the male classmates would be inclined to ask him more than the two of them. When people seek him out, he was not giving hints for free. They owed him favors each time they asked him. He reassured them his favors would not drain their piggy bank. Both his female and male classmates were uncertain but they eventually caved in. Because they would have their answers to their questions.
As Third-Year students, they immediately have exercises after their lessons and that is when some students seek him out, or Rias and Akeno. However, they only asked their help with questions that were the hardest to understand and resolve. After the whole class had understood the questions and the resolutions, the teacher gave a few examples for further understanding.
His first day at Kuoh Academy was enjoyable. Due to the easy-going nature relationship he has with his female classmates. Amongst them all, he only knew one.
Rias Gremory. The Gremory heiress of the Gremory House. The little sister of the protective Sirzechs Lucifer.
This was his second time meeting with the Gremory heiress. As fate would have it, or the world works in mysterious ways, he did not get the opportunity to come across her as often as he had when he came to visit the Underworld. Throughout his first year as a highschool student, he would dedicate some time to exploring the Underworld. He had visited some renowned locations already and captured attention from notable parties. Some of them had even attempted to pursue him. Tough luck. After every excursion of his, he would be teleported to Sirzechs' office in the Gremory mansion before returning to the Human World just in time for dinner with his mother at the time or with his siblings when they seldom visited. At some point in time, he had been gifted a magic card known for teleportation with limited points of teleportation. He did not know the specifics however Sirzechs outsourced it from a close friend. He was intrigued to meet this close friend in the near future. Unfortunately, he never got the opportunity up to this point.
Now—his first meeting with Rias Gremory. It was quite an amusing situation for both of them. He still remembered her. Clearly. Who would forget the crimson-haired girl who had stolen his first kiss? Even without the intimate act, he remembered her just fine. He was still a male who understands the attractiveness of the opposite sex. Rias Gremory was no ordinary girl. That much he could tell from their first meeting. Proud and innocent. With an impressive growing bust. —As he said, he was a male. She also did not help her case as she unintentionally came close to him and almost covered his face with them after their kiss. He got an eyeful of them. —Yes, it was an interesting event.
In which case, 2 years had passed since their first meeting.
She has grown mature and her proportions were filling out from his observations, which annoyed her a bit. If he had understood the questions and completed the exercises, he had ample time to do whatever he wanted. So he chose to observe his classmates at different corners of the classroom before settling on her, and by extension, Akeno.
He knew by her curious outlook at his arrival in class. She did not remember him as clearly. Another observation that was interesting. So far, she had not asked anything about their previous meeting, if she could even recall it. It was as if she had forgotten about their meeting entirely. Genuinely. Yet, he found her sneaking glances at him. A look of curiosity and skepticism evident in her expression. Not all was lost, he mused. He chose to not intervene and let her memories come naturally.
He did not mind that she forgot their meeting. Because it would be sweeter to know when she remembered it and he could see it on her face. The day would come. He was a patient man.
His interactions with her and Akeno were enjoyable. By extension, his interactions with his female classmates were what made his time in school less of a bore. He could tolerate school. His banter with some of his teachers was amusing to him. His reputation from his previous school had been shared amongst the teacher's lounge and some teachers had tested him. They were genuinely curious about his capabilities. He had proven to them without any issues. Chalk and all on the blackboard when needed.
Talking about his class. His time in classes was stale at best. His boredom settled in with each teacher teaching them new lessons for the day. The teachers also gave them assignments for each lesson. Fortunately, those assignments can be completed easily and be submitted on time. His class was also reminded by the teachers about the various practice textbooks for references in addition to the standard textbook they have in their possession. It was necessary for them to purchase those practice textbooks for future assignments. He did not mind purchasing them later, lest he wanted to get scolded by the teachers. So he complied. Only a few subjects that had his attention for a bit. History, Science, Mathematics, and English. The other subjects were all subjects that he could contend with by reading the textbooks. Though—that does not mean he did not pay attention. He paid the least.
Besides learning, his time spent with his two new friends was entertaining. Rias Gremory and Akeno Himejima. Other girls aside, they were the ones who he interacted with the most. They had their banter, squibbles, and discussions about assignments throughout the three days he was at Kuoh Academy. Sometimes he troubled them with his teasing and they attempted to respond in kind.
One instance was when he gazed at them from his seat and admired the view of the Great Beauties of Kuoh Academy. His action attracted Akeno to attempt to tease him to get a reaction. She was bold and did not shy away from his gaze. In the end, she was the one with pink cheeks. Rias was inquisitive at first and questioned his actions when they were supposed to pay attention to the teacher. Was he not supposed to pay attention to the important things here? Meaning the crimson Gremory and Akeno. His response made Rias avoid his gaze and focused on the lesson. Her cheeks were noticeably pink.
This was not the only time nor would it be the last. Unfortunately, he got scolded by the female teachers when his antics caught their attention. His response only got the teachers to gaze at him suspiciously, much to his classmates' amusement.
Although he got scolded, he still found time to interact with both Rias and Akeno. Can he not focus on the beauties for some time? In between the lessons? In between the stale classes? It was not as if he ignored the teacher during the lesson. He prioritizes things differently according to his mood. Sometimes he would pay attention to the teacher and sometimes he would less likely do that to focus on something else. Learning was the foundation of the school curriculum. He was doing it in his own way.
How?
He finished reading the textbooks of each subject in his spare time before he attended Kuoh Academy and completed his transfer with the admission department with his latest examination results from his previous school. Since he finished getting the results in the middle of March, he transferred to Kuoh Academy in one day. It took time for him to finish every textbook and get to understand each topic. Yet, it served its purpose for him to know new things at least.
To recount the 3 days he spent in Kuoh Academy, he had gotten to know his female classmates a bit better. In the class, and the cafeteria were the places that he hung out with them. They genuinely wanted to hang out with him. He complied. When he sat on the table with his food tray with the group of girls, he found both Rias and Akeno sitting near the table, across from them. In the presence of them both, the girls proceeded to entertain the three of them with their chatter in which they chimed in every now and then. The blonde however proceeded to tease the girls when he had the chance causing the girls to pout or act flustered in embarrassment. Even if they experienced embarrassment, the onlookers could tell the cheerful atmosphere around them. Conversations were thrown into the mix of the chatter within the group whereas laughter were shared at the jokes told by the girls. It remained that way until recess was over when the school bell rang. A lot of eyes were trained on them since day one, particularly some male students who fancied some of his classmates. Though he could not help but tease them with a showing of his tongue or his smirks with a twinkle in his eyes. He did not know if this would continue but he welcomed to entertain them if needed.
On his way back to class, he was accompanied by both Rias and Akeno. The conversations between the three of them soon dissolved into banter and playful teasing halfway through their walk. However, the brief moment was respite and enjoyable to them. When they returned to class, everyone was surprised yet again by their arrival at the same time and in the company of each other. Particularly, he was scrutinized as he had been accompanied by the two Great Beauties. Some of the female population in class looked on in envy and the others gossiped their surprise at the closeness of the three. Those who watched did not voice out their curiosity and instead looked on in jealousy, especially the male population who was envious of the blonde who had been in the company of the beauties of Kuoh Academy. However, they did not hold any grudge against him and instead felt envious of the scene where they were greeted for the second time. This was still his second day at Kuoh Academy.
By the end of that day, he chose to go back early. Before he left the classroom, Rias asked if she and Akeno could walk with him until the entrance and he did not mind as much yet he took pride that he was to be accompanied by the Great Beauties of Kuoh Academy, and he could take claim that they were indeed beautiful however spoiled they were. Both girls looked flustered before Rias exclaimed indignation against his second statement while Akeno wore a strained smile at his playful spite. When they had reached the entrance, the two girls bid him farewell and claimed that they would be seeing him the next day. He responded with a farewell and left Kuoh Academy however reminded himself he had to go to the mall complex for groceries. He got a couple of messages from his siblings en route to the mall complex in Kuoh Town. His responses were short and to the point, which aggravated one of his siblings. He was reminded to be careful of hoochies by the same sibling. His looks were a curse and would attract wandering hoochies if he was not careful. His banter with his siblings dissolves into an endless conversation about his safety. By now, it was a typical day.
Yes, the 3 days at Kuoh Academy were—better than his expectations. His expectations were not necessarily high to begin with. However, he could contend with his high school life so far…
"Now onto Day 4."
Within the kitchen, the sounds of flowing water fill the corners of the space. In front of the sink, a certain blonde was scrubbing off a plate with a sponge before rinsing the plate to cleanse the suds and residue. Then, he proceeded to dry the plate with a dry cloth before putting it into the dish rack beside the sink. Doing a once over around the sink, the blonde turns around and leaves the kitchen towards the living room where he swiftly picks up his bag over the sofa before moving towards the front door. Putting on his shoes, he tapped the sole of his left shoe lastly to fit before he opened the front door and closed it once he stepped outside. At the light shining down at him, he walked out the gates and locked it.
He looked at the house. It would be a year since they had moved. It would be 2 years after Canaria had bought the home. He had moved into his new home at Kuoh Town, at his mother's behest, much to his confusion. Yet, he did not question her so much. Because god willing that he knows what was on her mind when it comes to her strange actions. He went with it, even though he had to wake up a bit earlier to travel to his previous school by train. His last year in his previous school saw a lot of absence from him particularly after Canaria's passing. 2 weeks straight of absence. He attended middle school and high school because of her. After her passing at that time, he had to step away. His teachers at the time were understanding. Because some of them had met his mother through the parents conference and his final examination results as a first-year highschool student. After those 2 weeks, he attended school and paid least attention to the lessons taught by the teachers. He could still do his assignments and homework. It was a time where he wanted to go home faster for a time or travel to the city to relax in the park. Revisiting places that he went with his mother. He did not avoid people nor did he seek out any help. There was no need. He needed time. That was all. A week before his final examination as a second-year, was the time where his mind did not drift to his mother as much. He had moved on with the life she helped paved the way. Alas, he did not want to disappoint his mother when his thoughts were often about her at the time and he was in a funk after her passing. It was not an ideal life to live if he kept pondering about his mother's memories. Because he had recalled that his mother also kept a diary of their misadventures when she met him as a child and she had also written about their time as mother-son up until her administration to the hospital. When he had discovered her diary in her room, he read through them. It eased him.
Afterwards, he did not need to hold onto the memories of her so much. He can move on without any restraints.
A smile graced his features as he looked at their house. It took him a moment before he started his walk towards Kuoh Academy, with his bag shouldered and both his hands pocketed.
Walking past a few landmarks leading to Kuoh Academy, the blonde reminisce yesterday.
On Wednesday, the routine remained the same. He attended Kuoh Academy and arrived on time, albeit nearly late. Yet, his arrival in class before the teacher solidifies that he arrived on time. He got into a light conversation with Rias and Akeno about his arrival and he was not bothered by it at all, dismissing it for the notion of learning no matter the lateness of one's arrival to the academy.
Rias questioned him about discipline of arriving early and teasing him of showing signs of sleeping during classes when he claimed learning was the ultimatum. He responded sarcastically that discipline only came at the expense of oneself if they did not manage themselves properly, and he had managed it properly. Hence, his arrival on time. Around Rias, Akeno and Izayoi, the classmates had to stifle their laughter at this, because his words rang true to them.
The blonde teases the redhead about her second statement by pointing out that she had no such proof, where she sought Akeno's help as a witness. The redhead had been provided by a shake of her head and Akeno's statement that she did not see such things. The black haired was absorbed in paying attention in class, and she teased the redhead if she was paying attention in class at that time at all.
The blonde shared smiles with the black haired who giggled at the exasperated expression on Rias's face as she tried explaining against the claim. Just as the teacher came in, Rias glared at both the blonde and her friend for their teasing. The first class of the day had started right then.
Time flew as the new subjects had been learned. Then came recess where the blonde spent time with Rias and Akeno alongside his female classmates. Both Rias and Akeno had chosen to sit across from him, where the other female classmates did not mind since they could integrate themselves easily into the conversation by sitting around them with vacant chairs. When his female classmates had finished sitting themselves around him to spend their recess, he had commented his newfound amusement at the increase of girls, whereby he claimed his luck of the day. A number of girls gave their protests and refutes, in which the others shared a bout of laughter at the exchange. The recess on that day had been enjoyable to everyone. After recess, the blonde left together with both Rias and Akeno towards their classroom, attracting a number of onlookers including their classmates who stayed behind in the cafeteria in the midst of finishing their food.
Afterwards, the rest of the classes went by uneventfully. However, the last class proved to be different as the teacher instructed them to form a group of three to answer her questions. Her purpose was for the students to get to know each other better and to enhance their communication skills. The entire class did not protest against the notion and were prompted to follow her instructions. He had grouped together with Rias and Akeno when the former invited him. The three of them held a set of discussions to solve the questions designated within the thin sheets of paper they received by the teacher in preparation for this particular group exercise. Throughout the other half of the time period was filled with groups of students discussing intensively to solve the questions. Their discussions continued until the bell rang outside the class.
As soon as the bell chimed in, the teacher instructed every group to submit accordingly since she forbade any group to submit early. Therefore, she would receive the papers by the bell ringing. Everyone submitted without any issues and were allowed to go back home. After the students bid the teacher courtesy of Rias, students left the class one by one. Before he left the premises of Kuoh Academy, Rias and Akeno had offered to go back with him until the entrance of the school building. Although the girls already offered the same request on Tuesday yesterday, he did not mind their request and the three of them walked out the classroom. He exited Kuoh Academy after exchanging goodbyes with both girls and he decided to take a walk to pass the time.
Later in the evening, he had arrived at a ravine and he stumbled upon the sight of a couple harassed by a group of delinquents. Without hesitation, he picked up a pebble and threw it to connect with a baseball bat that had been on its course to collide with the male counterpart that was protecting his female significant other. The baseball bat had been blown clean off of the delinquent's hands and it brought much attention towards the culprit. The leader of the delinquents immediately recognized the features of the culprit before he silently asked the others to scram. A few were apprehensive yet they obeyed.
But there were a few who did not abide by their leader and had rushed forward to lay their fists towards the blonde who stood in his spot before he picked up a few pebbles nearby and swiftly flicked one towards the ground in front of the first two delinquents heading his way. Instantly, the ground erupted and a small crater formed at the collision of the pebble against the soil. Instantly, the delinquents stopped in their advance and stared at the smoking ground, which had been destroyed by a single tiny pebble thrown by the blonde. The two delinquents covered their groins and butts, aware that they had nearly let out the contents within their bladders and bowels. Then, the delinquents heard their leader calling out to them and they immediately ran away. They did not give any glances towards the blonde, prompting to give priority to searching for any nearby rest area. Once the group of delinquents had run away from the ravine, the harassed couple looked at themselves if they had been hurt. The male counterpart hugged his significant other before they both stood up and caught the blonde who ushered them away with a notion of his hand. They followed his direction although they bowed at him in appreciation before they made their way to their home, uttering relief between themselves on their safety.
The blonde was about to head back home due to the night sky replacing the orange hues of the skies a while ago. Yet, he caught a sight that made him look up at the skies. A couple of dark objects flying past his vision in the skies above. The only feature he had recognized amongst the objects—were the pair of wings on their backs, and he confirmed their presence. He followed his sights towards a particular direction and took note of their departure. He did not trail them and stayed in his spot before he resumed his way back home. An idea formed in mind as he walked back home to end the day.
"Kuoh Town has some unwanted guests…I wonder what they're up to. The Fallen Angels population declined by a lot from the great war. They were the ones to retreat first because they lost too many. Their faction is the smallest out of all three right now. The only way for them to replenish their numbers is to tempt Angels to fall. Or…with the small number they have and limited ways to increase their number…they have to get stronger."
Izayoi thought as he trekked towards Kuoh Academy.
These were all common knowledge shared by Sirzechs and by extension, Grayfia. When he first visited the Underworld, he was interested to learn more of the new world presented to him. His curiosity got him to know about the Great War between the three factions, Angels, Fallen Angels, and Devils. After the war, only two factions found ways to replenish their numbers via the Reincarnation System, Evil Pieces for Devils and Brave Saints for Angels. He did not know the current situation with either the Fallen Angels nor the Angels. He only knew the Devils were living peacefully, devoid of trouble for a few years. This was his knowledge from when he first visited the Underworld and had explored numerous places by the time he stopped exploring after his mother's death. So, it was odd to see Fallen Angels in Kuoh Town. Their purpose was unknown. Which makes the situation that much more interesting. Something was brewing in Kuoh Town. Which involved Fallen Angels. A few hypotheses were conjured towards their sudden appearance but one triumphs all.
They were trying to reignite the fires of war again.
Although it was only an hypothesis. The only thing he knew from Sirzechs about the Governor General of the Fallen Angels was, he was incognito and he had triggered no actions so far. His inaction contradicted the rogue actions of the Fallen Angels in Kuoh Town. Was this intentional or otherwise…?
Before he could continue his line of thoughts, the blonde slowly stopped when he heard voices on the bridge—leading straight to Kuoh Academy.
"Oh my, can I still make it to the train in time?" A brunette woman festered herself as she looked down at her watch around her left wrist before looking at her two daughters walking next to her. She along with her daughters linked hands to stay close together in the midst of walking towards Kuoh Academy, the place where her and her husband had chosen for their daughters' education needs. Other than that, the location for the academy was of convenience to them due to the walking distance. It helped both parents feel reassured for their children's safety and treasure the opportunity to send them to the academy by walking. However, she awoke late today. It was because of her husband that woke her up before leaving for work, causing her to go shower and start cooking for their children, only to be thankful when there had been a simple breakfast waiting for her and their children. After having eaten breakfast, she led her daughters out of their home and towards Kuoh Academy as fast as she could. It was when they arrived at the bridge where she had checked her watch and saw that she might possibly be late to catch the train on time to her work.
"Kaa-san, you can go. We can go to the academy by ourselves." Her oldest daughter spoke up smiling up at her as the mother looked down at her before turning to her youngest.
"Yes, Kaa-san. You can go. The academy is just in front of us. Your taxi is waiting!"
"But…" The mother contemplated because she had wanted to accompany them up until the doors to the school building. In the midst of contemplating, she did not notice Izayoi approaching her from her right.
"You should follow your children's words. They know you're late."
"Huh?" The mother turned to the blonde young man before registering his words. However, before she could speak, he voiced out.
"I don't mean to interrupt but I can escort them up to the school building in your place. I'm a 3-Year student of Kuoh Academy. My next destination is the same as theirs."
"Oh…" The mother looked on in realization when she looked at his attire. Shaking her head, she turned to her daughters who had looked at the blonde.
"You…You're Izayoi onii-san that Kana-chan said!"
"Your classmate Kana-chan, dear?"
"Mm!" The mother looked at her oldest daughter nodding with a smile. "Kana-chan said that this Onii-san is cool-looking because he has pretty eyes and cool hair."
"Did she?" The mother smiled at her eldest since she had already known him from her friend. Although it did lessen her uncertainty, she was still hesitant.
"If you're hesitant, your children can request for their homeroom teacher to call you to assure them that they are in the academy and are on time for class." Izayoi spoke up as the mother looked at him in surprise before nodding to his suggestion.
"Alright, I understand. I am sorry for being distrustful, Izayoi-san."
"You don't have to worry. I understand. It's the hair, right? I get that a lot. If it makes you feel any better, it's natural and I was born in Japan."
"…Oh." The mother looked surprised at the information before she nodded her head at the blonde for the information. A tug on her left hand made her look at her eldest daughter.
"Yes?"
"Kaa-san, you're going to be late. Then, your boss will be angry….We don't want you to get scolded…" The eldest daughter pouted while the youngest nodded with a small frown.
"Yeah, you said your boss got cranky one day when he came to work without his favorite suit! It got poop!"
"Yeah! His baby did it!" The mother chuckled at her two daughters for recalling that funny moment at work.
"…Yes, I understand. Then, we'll say our goodbyes here. Kaa-san and Tou-san will be waiting when you both come out of your last class alright? Both you and Hinata, as always."
"As always!" The youngest, Hinata, smiled brightly before she bolted ahead to hug her mother by the legs, followed by her sister. "I'll wait for Mya-nee first! Then we can go!"
"Yeah, I know where her classroom is. It's really easy! So, we can go back together and meet up with Kaa-san and Tou-san!"
"..I love you both~" The mother hugged her daughters and kissed their cheeks before the three of them pulled away, smiling at each other. "Alright, I have to go. Do be careful and…?"
"Learn one step at a time!" Both sisters spoke at the same time, much to their mother's happiness.
"Bye, bye, Kaa-san!"
"Bye!"
"I entrust them to you, Izayoi-san." The mother bowed her head to him in courtesy.
"You're in distress. Your daughters know that too."
"Thank you." The mother looked at her daughters smiling at her before watching the blonde crouched down and extended both his hands to her daughters. Her eldest, Miyako, smiled and took his left hand. With a smile of encouragement from her eldest, her youngest, Hinata, followed and grasped his right hand. The blonde stood up and bowed his head to the mother before leading her daughters to Kuoh Academy. Her daughters wave their hands at their mother and she does not waste the chance to wave back and watches them reach the entrance gates, in which she turns to go back where they came from. She had left a taxi waiting at the last intersection.
As the three of them passed the bridge, Izayoi could see students walk into the entrance gates from the left and right pedestrian pathways leading up to the entrance gates of Kuoh Academy. One of many pathways other than the bridge. As usual, students stroll into Kuoh Academy chatting animatedly with their friends as they walk across from the entrance gates, passing the fountain and into the ajar doors of the school building. There are also parents escorting their Primary and Middle school children towards the school building with smiles on their faces. Though there are some frowns shared by the children who did not want to separate from their parents for the duration of the schooling, in which the parents resorted to taking the time to calm their children near the fountain.
"Thank you, Izayoi nii-san. Thank you for making Kaa-san's worries go away." Miyako spoke up next to Izayoi, who glanced down at her. "I don't like to see Kaa-san frown."
"Kaa-san didn't talk to us much when we walked." Hinata murmured as her older sister nodded.
"Yeah. But I know she's watching for us. I hope everything changes back to normal…" Both sisters frowned momentarily before they stopped, causing them to look at where they were; the fountain. They looked up at the blonde who motioned for them to stand in front of him as he kneels down with his right leg. The blonde lifted up his hands that held their small hands.
"Did your mother say anything that makes you happy today? Have you remembered any?" He asked the two brunette children, sharing resemblance with their mother.
"Kaa-san said she and Tou-san will wait for us right here."
"Mm. Near the fountain."
The eldest spoke and the youngest chimed in.
"Should you even frown right now after hearing that?"
"No…But…"
"…You want to change back to the way things are?"
"More than anything…" Both sisters looked at the blonde with their big eyes.
"I might know the solution. But I want to see if both of you can smile after this."
"You do? Mm, we can smile! Right?" Miyako looked over her younger sister who nodded fervently.
"How do I know you would?" A sly smile crossed the face of the blonde.
"…Hmm…Huh?" The oldest looked at Hinata who lifted up her pinky finger. "Ah! You're right! Yes! We can make a pinky promise!" Both sisters watched the blonde let go of his hands from them and showed them two of his pinky fingers.
"Like this?"
"Mm!" Both sisters latched their pinky fingers with his. "There! Izayoi nii-san, you promise you'll tell us the answer? If you give us the answer, we will smile! Now can you tell us, Izayoi nii-san?"
"Tell us, please." The youngest sister smiled.
"Oh! Yes, please." The older sister chimed in when she forgot to add the magical word as her parents suggested.
"Your Kaa-san didn't talk as much to the two of you because she was in a hurry, right?" Both sisters nodded their heads. "She was in a hurry because she woke up late." Both sisters nodded their heads again. "It's simple. You have to wake her up early."
"Wake up Kaa-san early?" Miyako looked at him in realization before seeing her sister nodding at her.
"If Kaa-san is early, we can walk early. Kaa-san can talk to us more." Hinata spoke as the elder sister smiled at her.
"That's your answer for change."
"But how?" The elder sister asked with a small pout.
"Now, why would I tell you that?"
"But you promised…!"
"You already heard my answer. Now, you have to think of ways to wake up your mother early in the morning. Consider this a lesson, eh? Try your best to think of the answer and when you do have the answer, you can tell it to her."
"Okay." Hinata nodded with a small smile while the eldest looked surprised before pouting. "I like thinking."
"I don't." The youngest sister giggled at her sister pouting.
"Anyway, we should go. Someone's waiting for you."
"Huh?" Both girls looked at the two female teachers waiting by the doors of the school building. "That's my homeroom teacher!"
"Mine too." Both girls did not waste time to latch their hands onto the blonde and led him towards the teachers.
"What do we have here? Miyako-chan, where is your mother? She always sends you and your sister, right?"
"She had to go in a hurry. So, she asked for Izayoi nii-san's help." The elder sister explained to her homeroom teacher who nodded in understanding. The female teacher turned towards the blonde student in question and bowed her head. The other female teacher followed by bowing her head slightly to the blonde in appreciation.
"I understand now. Thank you for your help, Izayoi-san."
"Thank you. I appreciate you doing so, Izayoi-san."
"No worries. Though you should contact their mother that they're both in their class. She needed confirmation so she won't have to worry so much."
"Alright. We will do that now." The first teacher pulled out her smartphone and contacted the number of the siblings' mother while the other motioned for the other primary students to walk into the school building.
"I believe this is as far as I can take both of you. You both know your way to your classrooms?" Izayoi knelt down as he questioned both sisters.
"Yes! It's on the First Floor!"
"First Floor."
"Yes. Though our classrooms are a bit far, we're together in the academy! So there wouldn't be any problems! It's the big sister's job to keep her baby sister safe!"
"Thank you, Mya-nee…" Hinata smiled at her elder sister who smiled down at her before brushing their noses together, eliciting a giggle from both of them. "...And... If you have any problems, I will come to you."
"Okay!" The older sister nodded before the two sisters turned to the blonde. "Oh! But we forgot something!"
"Thank you, Izayoi nii-san." Hinata bowed her head which Miyako followed.
"Yes! Thank you!" Both sisters lifted up their heads and smiled up at him. Then, they watched him raising his hands and planted them on their heads.
"You know your manners well." The blonde smiled casually, petting their heads causing the sisters to let out giggles as they smile happily.
"Miyako-chan?" One of the teachers called for the eldest child. "Your mother wants to say a few words to you and your sister."
"That's my cue to go."
The two sisters waved their hands goodbye as Izayoi simply raised his hand in return before entering the building and walking up the steps to his class on the third floor.
This was his daily life now.
End of 2nd Period
"Attention."
Everyone looked towards Rias who voiced out as she stood in front of the classroom after the teacher left. She looked at her classmates in the classroom, and nodded accordingly.
"Everyone brought their gym attire, yes? Fortunately, our next class will be conducted in the gymnasium." She informed as everyone cheered however they suppressed their excitement when Rias raised her hand. "Mind you, we also have to bring our textbooks to the gymnasium. With that, can the girls proceed to the restroom to change? Nearest to the gymnasium. In the meantime, the boys can choose to either change within the classroom or in the boys' restroom. That is all." Rias ended with a smile as the girls picked up their bags exclusively for changing and walked out the classroom while the boys stayed in class to change. Rias and Akeno were the last girls to leave the classroom and they followed the line of girls heading towards the restroom closest to the gymnasium. The remaining students in the classroom change out of the winter school attire and into their gym attire.
A group of boys glanced at the corner of their eyes, their attention solely on the blonde standing near his seat in the midst of putting on his gym shirt. He had already replaced wearing his school trousers with his sports one. Right now, he just discarded his winter attire, leaving him with a white tee, and he folded them neatly on his desk with his belt. The blonde holds onto the ends of the gym shirt and fits the zipper to connect with the left end. He lifted the zipper all the way to the top until he stopped before the collar. Lastly, he discarded his shoes for sports shoes. The group of male students watches him grabbing his folded clothes and shoes before travelling towards the wooden closet at the back of the classroom, putting them in his small cubicle drawer.
"Do you think I wouldn't notice all of you watching every move of mine like a hawk? Do you have something to say? If not, I'd reckon all of you have a tendency to be a creep, especially to the boys here." He said as the group of male students looked at their other classmates who looked at them perplexed.
"Who are you calling creeps?"
"Aren't you? If not, you can try justifying the burning stares."
"You're awfully close to the girls."
"Yeah! You're close to them!"
"Your point?" Izayoi asked, putting his left hand on his waist as he looked over the four of his classmates across him.
"Don't you dare stay close to them. A few of us got attached to the girls. Don't think you can steal them away from them." The supposedly leader of the small group spoke up.
"Leader, wait…" One of the boys standing behind the leader reaches out his hand to his leader. The bespectacled boy standing next to the neat brunette sighs in exasperation.
"Don't stop me! You have to be prepared to wage war with him!"
"I'm not stealing any of your girls. That is your mistake in assuming things that are not true."
"As if I'd believe…"
"Leader, he's telling the truth."
"Stop! Don't let him trick—Wait—What did you say?" The leader asked, turning to both of his friends, the neat-looking brunette and the bespectacled black haired.
"He's not stealing one of our girls, Leader. Our girls are close to him because they wanted to hang out with the other girls who hang out with him. They're having fun together with all of the girls in the cafe. We can't help it if their friends are eating their lunch together with Sakamaki-san."
"Yeah. I think you misinterpreted what we said yesterday."
"Oh...What about you?" The leader asked their other friend who looked sheepish "You were fired up as I did on this issue."
"I think I caught your enthusiasm and I didn't pay attention back then. My thoughts were on the exercise we did yesterday…"
"Isn't this embarrassing…" The so-called leader of the group turned towards their blonde classmate. "Hey, Sakamaki-san… I'd like to say...um…sorry."
"As brief as it was, I'm glad this issue didn't annoy me. Otherwise, you wouldn't have anything to apologize for. " The blonde smirked before he moved towards the door of the classroom. "If all of you are standing there, we'll be late, right?" He questioned with a sarcastic tone before he walked out of the classroom followed by the other male students who rushed outside in pursuit of the blonde.
"...Um, did we do something wrong? I said I was sorry…?"
"This wouldn't have happened if you'd just listened to us. The two of us had to follow your lead to stare at Sakamaki-kun for no apparent reason. Gosh…"
"Cheer up. I don't think Sakamaki-san would do anything to us." The neat-looking brunette encouraged his friends before the bespectacled sigh while the other two looked at each other blankly. "...Right?" His question went unanswered before the bespectacled boy informed the group about the time.
Gymnasium
"Do not overexert yourself into stretching, girls. Do stretch slowly. We have much to learn and to use those youthful stamina of yours." The female teacher spoke to the group of girls standing before her, stretching their bodies to warm up their tense muscles. She looked over at the girls who formed a circle before they started to count and stretch their limbs according to the number count. In the center of the circle, leading the girls were Rias and Akeno. The two of them stood back to back as they stretched together with the girls.
"Let's all count to 8 as you stretch. When it comes to stretching your head up and down, push it up by the chin and make sure your head resists the push." Rias instructed pushing her chin with both thumbs to lift her head a bit before she resisted the push with her head. The girls around her soon followed her example. "This will be the same when it comes to stretching your joints around your arms and legs. Do it with resistance."
"It's alright to stretch slowly. We do not need to overextend our bodies while warming up. Do it until your body feels limber and not stiff~" Akeno chimed in softly to the girls who nodded at her.
"You're doing good, girls. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about the other half of your classmates." The teacher looked over at the clock on the wall across her. "Where are they? They should already be here." The girls looked at each other and shared confusing looks with each other, neither one of them knowing the whereabouts of their male classmates.
Suddenly, the door to the gymnasium opens up.
"Oh? What a lovely sight to witness. I may have walked into an art gallery."
Sakamaki Izayoi commented as he walked through the doors, followed by the rest of the boys. He walked up in front of the girls who were stretching, who stopped their activities at his remarks. Some blushed in appreciation and embarrassment, some cheered and thanked him. Excluding Rias and Akeno who only smiled in amusement for his comment, with the former shaking her head.
"Truly a day to be reckoned with. Especially to be taught by a lovely teacher like you." Izayoi turned to the teacher who crossed her arms with an amused expression on her face.
"Charmer, are you?"
"I only state the truth. Why would I lie?"
"Then, you wouldn't mind running a couple of laps around the gym as punishment and warmup to start? 3 laps exactly. That'll get you and the rest a proper warmup. Put your textbook away before you start cracking jokes about bringing it along with you to jog. Today's activity is gonna make you sweat. I've already brought a box of water bottles over to the side."
"As she says." The blonde responded with a flourish of his hand, causing the girls to giggle amongst themselves at the exchange. As he and the other boys put away their textbooks near the girls, they started to jog around the gymnasium. The blonde was the first to jog before the others. It took less than 3 minutes before he stopped in front of the teacher. He was the only one that had finished the designated laps as the others had a lap left to finish.
"You're not sweating at all compared to the others, Sakamaki-kun." The P.E teacher nodded impressively. "I can't say I am surprised. As I've heard, you are an athlete. An athlete among athletes as the saying goes." The teacher raised an eyebrow knowingly as the blonde smiled.
"Thanks for the compliment."
The P.E teacher looked at the blonde for a moment before nodding at his nonchalant attitude.
"Alright. Since you warm up your body, you may retrieve your textbook and get a bottle of water in the box near the girls."
"I have his textbook and water, teacher." Rias stated as she arrived besides the teacher and held out the items in question to the blonde.
"Thank you, Gremory." The teacher nods as she looks at the blonde. "Alright. You'll need to read page 16 until page 25. Afterwards, we'll be ready for our exercise. You can get started now, Sakamaki-kun."
The blonde nodded with a smile before he followed Rias who gestured her hand towards the spot where she sat near Akeno who was reading the book.
"It's good to see you've joined us in time, Izayoi-kun." Akeno smiled at the blonde who took a seat in between her and Rias. "You received your instructions, I presume?" At his nod, she watches the blonde take a sip from the bottle of water. After he puts down the bottle, he retrieves his textbook and flips to the designated page.
"Akeno…Do you mind?"
"Hm? What is it, Izayoi-kun?" Akeno asked as Rias looked on whilst reading her textbook on the later pages. "If there is anything I can help, you may ask."
A small smirk falls upon his face as Izayoi turns and lays his head on the side of her lap, surprising Akeno and Rias including anyone watching.
"Mind telling what I should be reading?" He asked before putting his textbook on top of his face, covering the whole surface. A moment passed before the blonde pulled back the textbook to reveal his eyes gazing up at Akeno, whose eyes were closed.
"What is the meaning of this, Izayoi-kun?" Her smile creeped outwards at the corner, sweetly. Her tone subtly carries an edge as she inquires.
"Didn't you mind helping, Akeno? Or am I mistaken?" His brow rose knowingly as he looked at her. His nonchalant expression betrayed the thoughts of the onlookers who suspected the blonde would notice the subtle look of difference on Akeno yet they witnessed his nonchalant attitude towards her. The boys who continued jogging warily looked at each other when they watched the sweet smile on Akeno, recognizing the danger hidden behind the smile. A number of them had been subjugated to experience Himejima's sweet smile in the Second-Year when they acted out of line against their female classmates. A number of girls shared glances of worry amongst them at their new classmate because they believed he had never upset Akeno until now, and he did not seem to be phased at all, much to their added confusion.
"You didn't clearly state anything of this sort." Akeno claimed, looking down at the blonde without any attempts to remove his placement on her lap.
"Why can't I?" The blonde asked. "Considering I'm having a nice view. It would be a shame to leave." He commented as his eyes locked onto Akeno's who all but blush under his gaze. "I'm honored I'm able to make you flustered these days, Akeno. I feel special." He said nonchalantly with a hidden grin beneath his textbook as Akeno looked away. A moment passed before Akeno raised a finger and flick it across his forehead, which caused the blonde to look up at her.
"You wouldn't mind a return for your unexpected favour, would you?" Akeno said before looking down at the blonde who shared a smile.
"Nope. So, care to tell me what I should know?"
"I do believe the teacher herself had informed you, Izayoi-kun?"
"I wanted to hear it from you. One of the Great Beauties of Kuoh Academy. I believe intelligence completes your beauty, is it not?" The blonde complimented as his gaze did not stray from hers.
A small giggle escaped Akeno. "...Well then. On page 16, this is where it introduced Basketball and its fundamentals…"
"..."
Silence creeped in the gymnasium hall as everyone, girls and boys alike stared at the surprising spectacle; Akeno Himejima reading to Sakamaki Izayoi who laid his head comfortably on her lap. The only punishment he received was but a flick to his forehead, much to their curiosity. The flick was inflicted on the blonde after Akeno looked flustered for a moment which caused them to look on in bewilderment, neither one of them could hear the two of them except the early parts of their conversation. As the girls resume reading their textbooks and the boys finished jogging, they cannot help but sneak a few glances to Akeno and Izayoi. All except one…
Sitting near the aforementioned duo, Rias looked on at Akeno relaying information she had extracted after their initial read of the textbook. As she stared at them, the corner of her lips curved downwards unknowingly. At this moment was when Rias felt her chest tightening up within. Furrowing her brows, she looked at herself in confusion before she gazed back at Akeno and Izayoi. In the midst of gazing, she did not realize she had been caught by a certain someone.
"...Do you have something on your mind, Rias?"
"Huh?" Rias looked at Izayoi, pinpointing his voice directing towards her. She looked at the blonde whose head remained on Akeno's lap. "No, I don't have…" She answered in response.
"If so, may I ask?" The blonde raised his textbook and lifted his head from Akeno's lap. Once he sits up, he looks at the red head who tilted her head in curiosity.
"Yes…? What do you want to ask, Izayoi-kun…-" Just as she finished, she had to stifle a gasp as the blonde swiftly turned and planted his head gently on the left side of her lap. At the change of placement, it garnered the attention of every student in the gymnasium hall once again.
"Akeno had briefed halfway through the textbook, would you finish the rest?"
"Yes, Rias. Would you be so kind as to help him?" Akeno asked after she stifled her own giggle at the sight of her flustered friend. "You don't have to read everything to him. Do point out the important notes only."
Rias stared at Akeno in surprise before looking down at the smiling blonde. Her cheeks aflame with embarrassment before she glares at the blonde pointedly. Releasing her right hand on the textbook, Rias puts it on his cheek while Izayoi watches on casually. Then—she pulled hard on the cheek!
It was but a moment that she released the hold on the cheek and Rias proceeded to grab ahold of her textbook with both hands before reading what she knew to the blonde. All the while, everyone looked eyed wide at the scene before them. The P.E teacher observed all of the reactions displayed by her students at the Great Beauties attending to the blonde's aid with little repercussions and she could only cast her curious gaze at the blonde transfer student.
"...Izayoi-kun. Baka…" Rias murmured, her cheeks flushed with faint pink.
"Thanks for the compliment." Izayoi smiled nonchalantly before resuming his relaxation whilst listening to her read.
Suppressing her giggle, Akeno watches on in amusement before she resumes reading.
To Be Continued…
Chapter 4 has been completed! What do you all think? This is a different kind of flow, I'm sure you're aware.
If anyone is familiar with Sakamaki Izayoi, he is seen as a delinquent and unconventional character oozing confidence. But he also has vulnerabilities when it comes to Canaria. Her passing affected him. Just as any passing of our loved ones is.
I delve into his character a bit with Canaria and his relationship because it needs to be told. He learned what he could from her. She taught him everything while she had time until her passing. It saddens me that a character like her is dead in the light novels. But she was a role model to Izayoi. So I hope you can understand why I went with this chapter and the depth I put into it. Is it odd? Or is it alright?
Put your comments in the review section and post them. Type and send it.
I will come up with Chapter 5 soon. The high school arc is a bit long. So I hope you can be patient with me.
Ja'ne! ArtLotus out!