Chapter 10: Meeting the occult

Chris slowly regained consciousness. The ceiling light above irritated her eyes, making it difficult to open them fully. Her body felt weak, especially when she tried to move her legs. When she turned to the side, she saw Issei, who looked drowsy, but the moment their eyes met, he instantly perked up.

—Yukine-san! —Issei smiled at her.

—I-Issei. —She looked around. The white walls, the curtains, the bed she was lying on. —Are we...?

—We're in the infirmary, Yukine-san. The one in the academy. They brought you here after helping you. Were you attacked?

—Helped... yes…. no, well I- #cough# #cough#. —Chris felt an awful itch in her throat, forcing her to cough several times.

—Hyoudou-san.

Hearing her name made Issei turn his head toward the young woman with black hair and violet eyes behind them.

—Souna Kai#COUGH#chou.

—You should give her some water. It'll ease the pain for now.

—Eh? Ah… Yes. —Issei filled a glass from the pitcher on the table, but Chris couldn't move. She felt embarrassed that Issei had to help her sit up, yet she still hesitated to accept the water.

—I can swear to you that this water has nothing in it, just like last time. You can feel it in your right hand, can't you? —Chris did as instructed and, sure enough, her Gear was still on her hand, just as Souna had pointed out. —If you felt safer with it, I didn't mind. With that, I hope you understand that you have my support, and that's why I can assure you the water is fine.

— ... —Chris didn't argue further and drank the water. It was embarrassing to let Issei help her, but she wasn't in a position to refuse. He gently laid her back down. —Thank you Issei. You as well, Kaichou.

Sona smiles with satisfaction.

—The fact that you still call me that, Yukine-san, I hope it means we can talk more openly. And not just here.

—I suppose so, Souna. I can't really resist anyway.

—Yukine-san? —Issei asked uneasily, instinctively moving to position himself between her and Souna, just in case. Souna was surprised but after a moment she smiled.

—You really have a very loyal friend, Yukine-san. —Even Chris couldn't help but be surprised. A little red in her cheeks.

—C-Calm down, Issei. She, even knows and is part of the supernatural, didn't hurt us. In fact, I think she's more than she appears to be.

—Excellent observation, Yukine-san. It seems Rias was unable to explain things properly to you. Isn't that right, Hyoudou-san?

Issei swallowed hard.

—Y-Yeah.

—Don't worry, Hyoudou-san. We are not Fallen Angels. We are something else, but we'll discuss that in the meeting—with both of your consent this time, Yukine-san. I admit we made poor choices in how we approached you, and if you still need time before having a conversation with us, I'll make arrangements for you both to be safely taken home.

— ... —Chris considered her options for a moment before sighing. — No, Kaichou, that won't be necessary. Though our parents… it might...

—If you're wondering how to come up with an excuse for your parents, don't worry. After confirming you were alright, I contacted them and told them you'd be working on something for the club tonight. If not, you were gonna show up early, nothing more.

—How did you...? —Chris was about to ask but then realized something. — Oh, right… magic, I suppose?

Sona gave her an ironic look, though Issei still seemed unconvinced. Chris understood how scared he was, and yet she now knows that even if she couldn't protect him, he still wanted to protect her, a dead weight, we are in this together.

—Issei. —Chris called him with a sheepish smile. —For now, let's do this. We need information. We don't have much to go on, and with more informed minds, we can better understand what's happening. Trust me.

—... Okay. —He returned her smile.

— For now, let's focus on the important part. Yukine-san, can you walk?

Chris tried with all her strength, but her legs ached too much to stand. She let out an irritated sigh.

—I don't think so, Kaichou. I just hope my legs aren't...

—Your legs are simply recovering. There was no spinal damage so you can be at ease. We have a wheelchair ready.

—Is there no other way? I don't want to...

—I think you can stop the tough act, Yukine-san, no one here is going to hurt you, you have my word.

—Alright.

After that, Chris was pushed in a wheelchair by Issei, followed by Souna and the three other members of the student council. They made their way toward the Occult Research Club building. After walking down a hallway, they knocked on the door and waited. Sona turned to both of them.

—Before we go in, I want to insist on something: everything that is said here must stay within these walls, or at the very least, between the two of you. We won't be able to handle the situation if more people get involved. I also ask that you keep an open mind regarding who we are and what we do. We don't usually have the best reputation, and you might even get scared. If any of the terms confuse you, I can be your source of information and help interpret them if needed.

Both teens nodded, taking deep breaths. Suddenly, a voice came from behind the door.

—Come in, you may enter.

… "MARIA?!" The silver-haired girl in the wheelchair thought in shock.

Her voice and tone sounded just like one of her teammates from SONG. A part of her even hoped that when the door opened, she would find her pink-haired friend standing there. However, instead of Maria, there was a group of young people in a highly decorative room, as if it belonged to a Victorian mansion, with candles and a pentagram on the floor.

It looked like the home of a cult.

There were two sofas in the center. The student council members stood next to Souna-Kaichou and a red-haired girl behind the first sofa, along with the others who wouldn't be sitting. Issei left Chris by the second sofa before sitting down alone.

Before anything else, a girl— I think her name was Akeno Himejima, Chris thought— knelt down and placed teacups in front of them.

Then, the red-haired girl began speaking, leaving Chris slightly startled again, at how much her voice resembled Maria's.

—Well, now that I believe there won't be any more issues, we can introduce ourselves properly, Yukine Chris-san. Welcome to the Occult Research Club.

—...

—Allow me to introduce myself. I am Rias Gremory, the club president.

I still can't believe how similar her voice is to Maria's...

—...Nice to meet you.

Chris analyzed her from head to toe before following her hand as she introduced the others.

—Akeno Himejima.

—How are you, Yukine-san? I hope you're feeling better. Fufufufu.

Chris had the feeling she was up to something.

—Yukine-san, Akeno was the one who healed your wounds and made sure you were okay. —said Souna.

—Oh… Thank you, Senpai….

—My, no need to thank me, my sweet Kouhai. Tell me, did you wake up the way I thought you would?

—The way I would wake up…?

Chris was confused, and when she glanced at Issei, he had stopped drinking his tea, his face completely red.

—I told Hyoudou-san about it. Tell me, did it happen?

—N-No.

—Did what happen?

Chris eyed her companion suspiciously, instinctively moving her hands toward her chest.

—I didn't do anything! I swear I didn't do anything! I wouldn't kiss you while you were asleep… Ah…

—Uhhh… You said too much to your sleeping beauty.

Suddenly, a shoe struck his cheek with great force, sending him crashing to the floor. Chris was as red as a tomato and remained silent.

Some members of both clubs found them amusing, and even Rias stifled a few chuckles before continuing.

—Kiba Yuuto.

—Nice to meet you, Yukine-san.

Chris returned the greeting to the "prince," but she also noticed his neck was red. Issei had just enough time to open his mouth before—

—I…

—Hyoudou-san. —Kiba cut him off. —It doesn't matter.

The young man gave him a thumbs-up. Chris didn't quite understand, but Issei simply nodded, calming himself, as if there was some unspoken respect between them. "Boys, I guess."

—And lastly from my part, Koneko Toujou.

The so-called mascot of Kuoh. Just as Kaori and Yui had said, she was an incredibly cute girl, like a little kitten. Even though she acted indifferent, she occasionally glanced at Chris from the corner of her eye while nibbling on her sweets.

—Hi. —She said with simplicity.

Now it was Souna's turn. She adjusted her glasses before turning her gaze to Chris and Issei.

—Before I introduce my members, I'd like to formally reintroduce myself, even though you already know me, Yukine-san. That's because, in reality, Souna Shitori is not my real name. My true name is Sona Sitri.

—Sitri… Isn't that—?

—I'd prefer to leave that revelation for later, but I understand the connection you're making. However, before that, let me introduce my three members… if you don't mind.

She gestured, and the vice president stepped forward.

—Tsubaki Shinra… the vice president of my club.

—I'm glad to see that you're well, Yukine-san. I apologize if I startled you with my naginata, but I had to protect Kaichou in case you turned out to be hostile. I could not avoided that.

—Tsuba—

Before Sona could finish, Chris spoke up.

—You were just trying to protect someone. In a dangerous world, it's normal to carry weapons. There's nothing wrong with that. Besides… I think it was partly my fault as well.

—Wait. Yukine-san, Did they—?

Issei was beginning to realize that it wasn't the fallen angels who had attacked Chris, and he was about to protest, but she stopped him.

—Issei. I messed up too, and I didn't want to tell you. I wasn't in any condition to fight, so I couldn't even transform without hurting myself. No one's really at fault…

—Oh… I… I'm sorry.

Issei sat back down.

Sona seemed pleased and grateful. Tsubaki simply bowed before stepping back, also a bit relaxed, allowing the remaining two members to introduce themselves.

—My other two members: Momo Hanakai and Reya Kusaka.

—It's a pleasure to meet you, Hyoudou-san, Yukine-san, —said the brunette, Reya, giving a polite bow. Meanwhile, the silver-haired girl, Momo, handed Chris her bag.

—We kept your belongings safe until you recovered. We even managed to remove the blood so you wouldn't have to explain anything.

Chris accepted the bag and gave a half-bow from her seat.

—Thank you.

Rias seemed pleased with how things were going. But now, it was time for the big revelation.

—Alright. Now that both groups have introduced themselves, let's get straight to the point.

Issei and Chris exchanged glances for a moment, their faces shifting into deadpan expressions.

Meanwhile, Rias took a deep breath, ready to declare it proudly—

—We are…

—You're demons —they both said in unison, cutting her off.

—….. —Silence fell over the room as the duo looked at them like it was the most obvious thing in the world. —Wait how?

—Well, simply logic. I guess? —Said Issei with a calm, yet smug face.

—We mean, if fallen angels exist, what stops us thinking that demons also exist. Besides you are really trying too hard to calm us for the revelation, Sitri and Gremory's names kind of spoiled the surprise. I mean you might as well put a sign saying "Not a devil's lair, despide our president having the name of a duke of hell".

The group looked as if they had staged an entire performance for nothing. Before long, laughter began to spread through the room, starting with Rias and even reaching the usually serious Sona, who struggled to hold back her amusement. Koneko was smiling.

On impulse, their wings emerged, momentarily surprising the duo but also making them feel a bit more at ease with the atmosphere rather than a serious one.

Demons really did have a rather obvious sense of humor.

Soon, they would get to the truth—once the laughter died down.