Chapter 9: Break a word again.

Rias sat in her office, arms crossed, visibly annoyed. Things had spiraled out of control far faster than she had anticipated. Meanwhile, her companion and rival, Sona Sitri, paced in circles, alternating between worry and frustration. Her expression, however, was one Rias recognized all too well.

—Sona, are you blaming me for this? —Rias asked.

The mentioned president sighed. —No… I'm not, Rias. But by Lucifer, I should. Neither of us knew how far Yukine-san would go for Hyoudou-san. We shouldn't have provoked her with your plan. We should've just let them meet and intervened once they were more comfortable with us. That way, we could've earned her trust.

—Hmm… —Rias considered for a moment. —True. But now that we know Yukine's real condition, that would've been like leaving fresh meat for the wolves and hoping they wouldn't devour it. Besides… —She paused so her friend could figure that.

—There was always the chance Yukine-san was aligned with the Church or was a new weapon designed to eliminate us. Yes, I know. But I still dislike the fact that you hypnotized Hyoudou-san to use him as leverage against Yukine-san.

—Trust me, I didn't enjoy it either. But you know what would've happened if she'd been hostile towards us—the destruction she could have caused. I doubt the barrier you created would've held if she unleashed hell on us like it was a battlefield. Did you see her reaction when you told her that?

Sona nodded, not denying Rias' logic.

—Even so, you realize it's going to be much harder to get her to listen to us now, —Sona remarked as she glanced around the room, noticing someone's absence. —Where's Hyoudou-san, wasn't he here?

—Well first, we have the benefit of the doubt, considering she allowed you to bring her here, don't we? —Rias responded. —As for Issei… when he found out what happened to Yukine-san, he wanted to be with her. And believe me, he made it very clear he was ready to fight us if we didn't let him. hehehe...quite angry.

—Wait. Does that mean he's already learned to use his Sacred Gear? Was he able to summon it?

—No, but his desire was strong enough that he came very close to activating it. I decided to let him go. After all, we should handle everything in a proper meeting.

—Agreed. Though I must say, this has raised my opinion of the two of them. They're certainly valuable in their own ways.

—I'd call it sweet, —chimed in a voice as Akeno Himejima entered the room. —Don't you think so, Rias? Even though they barely know each other, just by being childhood friends, both were willing to face the unknown danger together.

—Yes, I must admit, I didn't expect such bravery from the leader of the Perverted Trio or his determination to be with the Siren of Kuoh. It was like watching a romantic shoujo manga with a bit of fantasy. —Rias quipped, smiling a bit, eliciting a head shake from Sona, who clearly disapproved of her lighthearted attitude.

—Let's focus for now, girls —Sona interjected. —Akeno, how is Chris Yukine doing?

—She'll be fine, Kaichou. We managed to heal most of her injuries. In fact, all of her wounds were already closing before we began treating her. Maybe her 'Gear' allows for accelerated healing. She'll just need something to replenish the blood she lost. I'd say she'll wake up in a few minutes. I'll go prepare some tea. —Akeno said with a calm tone.

Sona let out a relieved sigh.

—Good. In that case, I'll inform her parents with a bit of hypnosis so we can arrange that meeting—whether Yukine-san agrees or not.

—-

Issei couldn't remember how he ended up in the Occult Research Clubroom or why he was now in the same room as the school's mascot and prince, as the blond had already introduced himself. Despite the odd situation, Issei had to admit he had thoroughly enjoyed the sight of Rias Gremory, the club president, bathing behind a curtain. The image of her naked silhouette was burned into his memory, and he couldn't shake it, nor could he stop wondering why there was a bath in a clubroom.

"But who cares? Rias-senpai was naked! Her curves are so… erotic!" he thought, practically drooling.

—What an irritating face… —Koneko muttered indifferently, though Issei heard her.

"Crap," he thought.

After Rias finished changing, she reappeared with Akeno Himejima.

—Sorry to keep you waiting. —Rias said with a calm smile.

—N-No problem. —Issei stammered nervously.

—Pleasure to meet you. My name is Himejima Akeno. —she said in a gentle, melodic tone.

Despite being captivated by the stunning girl's introduction, something gnawed at the back of Issei's mind, telling him that something was off.

Once everyone sat down, Rias welcomed him to the Occult Research Club, though Issei didn't recall agreeing to join.

"Maybe they're just inviting me…" —he thought.

Before they could discuss why he was there, Himejima-senpai received a call and had to leave quickly. The atmosphere turned tense for reasons Issei didn't understand. The silence made him uncomfortable, but more than that, it gave him time to process the strange feeling in his chest—the sense that he had forgotten something important.

When Himejima returned, she mentioned that Chris Yukine was in critical condition. That's when it all came rushing back.

It was true—he was supposed to meet her that afternoon to talk about what happened during his "date," if he could even call it that. She had promised to protect him, and now she was injured.

"She was fighting… and I… What the hell am I doing here?!"

He shot to his feet, ready to follow Himejima, but Kiba Yuuto stepped in front of the door.

Rias remained calm, seated, while Koneko watched with indifference. Issei was growing increasingly irritated. Images of Raynare and Chris flashed in his mind—one cold and deceitful, the other warm and genuine.

—Calm down, Hyoudou-san. I'm sure Himejima-san can- —Kiba began, but before he could finish, Issei's left hand shot out, grabbing him by the throat. His face twisted in anger as the irritation in his arm seemed to guide his actions.

Behind him, he heard the chairs move as the two girls stood up, likely startled by his sudden aggression. But he didn't care.

—Move. —he growled. —Or I promise you, prince charming, that no girl will ever want you when I'm done with you.

His threat was sharp and clear, and Kiba hesitated, unsure of how to respond. That's when Rias spoke up.

—Let him go, Yuuto. She's in the infirmary, Issei, —Rias said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Issei paused, still glaring at Kiba. Slowly, he released him, though his frustration was evident. With a curt nod, he headed toward the infirmary, even as Rias watched him with a hint of annoyance.

Issei reached the door to the infirmary, only to be stopped by one of the student council members. He was about to protest when Vice President Tsubaki stepped out and calmly advised him that it wouldn't be a good idea to enter—not because the situation was still critical, as it was already stabilizing, but out of respect for Yukine's dignity. Issei didn't understand at first, but when the implication clicked, his face turned bright red with embarrassment.

The girls found it endearing that the leader of the Perverted Trio would freeze up, walking stiffly like a robot to the nearest chair outside the infirmary. He sat down expectantly, while the others left to return to the student council.

After a while, Akeno Himejima emerged from the infirmary and found a worried but visibly dejected Issei sitting there.

"He's going to blame himself for this… Sorry" Akeno thought, feeling both pity and especially guilt.

—H-Himejima-senpai. —Issei's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

—Y-Yes? —she replied.

—Himejima-senpai. Yukine-san… how is she?

Akeno's expression softened into a kind smile. —She'll be fine. And she's dressed now, so you can go in.

—Thank you. —Issei said, relieved.

—She'll wake up in a few moments. —Akeno added with a playful smirk. —Although I wonder if she'd wake up faster with a kiss.

The teasing suggestion left the boy completely flustered, his face turning an even deeper shade of red despite his usual perverted nature.

When Issei quietly entered the infirmary, he found Chris lying in the last bed, deeply asleep with the sheets pulled up to her shoulders. He stood there, staring at her peaceful face. Akeno's teasing words echoed in his mind, making him blush again, but after a few moments, he also felt the familiar pang of regret. "Again..." he thought. Yes, unlike Chris—who, as she claimed, didn't remember him—he knew exactly why they had stopped talking or rather the obvious reason. And it hurt, especially now that they were older.

After Shidou-san, his second friend, left, Issei began his rise to what he once thought would be a life with no regrets: becoming the "Harem King." In simpler terms, an unabashed pervert who openly talked about women, their bodies and aiming for a harem. It was something Chris clearly wouldn't have been interested in, yet their friendship had endured for a time. Around her, he always tried to hold back his baser impulses, though it was incredibly difficult.

Whenever he'd get caught looking at one of his magazines or talking about his usual interests, Chris would puff out her cheeks in frustration, muttering something to herself and refusing to speak to him. Over time, though, things changed. Issei began to ignore her at school for his interest, and Chris, though popular, in turn, became the target of whispers and teasing for being friends with "the little pervert, Issei."

Chris had loved singing and music. Her dream was to become an idol and wear beautiful dresses, like something out of a magical girl show. But no matter how busy she was, she always made time for Issei—at least, when he was available. She even praised him when they sang together in the karaoke, something about him having a good talent in singing.

One day, Issei remembered that Chris had asked something of him, a promise, something she was very excited about, but he'd been too distracted to give it the attention it deserved. Maybe it had been a new XXX DVD he was obsessed with, or something else had drawn his focus along with his friends. Whatever it was, he hadn't followed through. The next time they saw each other, Chris threw everything at him, and they ended up fighting.

It might have been a childish argument for Issei, but to Chris, it had clearly been something far more important.

After that, Chris was accepted into Kuoh Academy, and from then on, they stopped seeing each other. Issei believed his mother was the only one who stayed in contact with her. It would be some time before boys were even given the opportunity to attend Kuoh. Tragically for Chris, the music club would close this year due to low membership. She never had a reason to approach him again, especially when her reputation could be at risk from being associated with him.

Never talk to him, never interact with him, he just was nothing to her at that moment, and yet, here she was, being a heroine, fighting against… "fallen angels" with firearms, and saving him—choosing to protect him, "the harem king", Pathetic. A part of him wanted to believe that she saved him because they were still friends. But knowing she had no memory of him only made it harder to not think of something. She didn't remember what he had done to upset her or why they had fought.

"If you did remember, would you think it would've been better if Raynare had just killed me instead?"

A selfish part of him hoped she wouldn't regain her memory, just so he could spend more time with that smile—a smile he had always adored but had been too distracted by his own dreams to appreciate. Another part of him wanted what was best for her, which was why, when it came to topics like romance or anything erotic, he could never bring himself to talk about them in front of Chris or of her.

More than anything, though, he never wanted to break his word to her. And yet he did it again.