DxD: Like a Devil

by Mirlnir

Life was nice, but I may have made too many enemies, and that resulted in my death. Thankfully I've been given another chance, and in an ironic twist, it's an even more dangerous world than the last. Devils, gods, and everything in between running around is concerning, but at least I didn't start with nothing. Being a Yakuza Princess is bound to be useful. Fem Gamer MC. Evil MC

5. School Day

Taking one last gaze at myself in the mirror, I smile slightly. Yep, pants look so much better on me; those skirts that are part of the regular girls' uniform are way too damn short, and being aware of the perverts attending the school is the opposite of reassuring. As much as I hate to admit it, I don't want to get into any trouble here and make another edgy name for myself. Cracking open some pervert's skull isn't going to help me avoid doing that.

I turn and glance at my mother, still sprawled across her bed as she sleeps peacefully. It took her a while to properly drift off, I'm guessing due to some anxiety or fear over being around devils. I don't blame her really, I had my own difficulties getting rest as well. Thankfully Gamer's Body mitigates the need for sleep somewhat, so I'm able to operate off of five hours just as well as if I'd slept my full eight.

For the hundredth time; I love this power.

"Oi, I'm heading out now," I say to her, causing her to stir lightly from her sleep. "If you wanna come along, then you oughtta hurry and go get ready. The entrance ceremony will be starting soon."

"Mmmm sure…" She replies drowsily, turning over to the other side. "Shoot the stupid fuckin' goose on yer way..."

"The hell do you dream about, woman?" I sigh. "Whatever. If you're going to stay in then sleep well I guess."

I shut the bedroom door behind me and head downstairs, leaving through the front door, I walk up the street some ways before frowning slightly. Damn, I'm kind of hungry. I haven't eaten anything since last night and I woke up early to make sure I was properly ready.

I recall still having a days old burger meal in my inventory, from when I was scouting out the area looking for the stray back in Kiyoraha, I must have thought about it because I'm hungry. That said, I'm not sure whether it's gone rotten or not, if it has then I'd rather just throw useless crap out and not have it clutter my storage.

I pause and frown in thought. I've somewhat neglected to explore the limits of my inventory yet. Does the stuff I put in there stay in stasis, or does time pass in there too? It's been around a week since I've ordered that meal, so it should be fairly simple to tell which way it works just by looking at the food.

I glance around to make sure nobody is nearby, then I discreetly take the burger out, smiling as I can still feel the warmth from when I was eating it. So they stay in stasis. That's really good to know. Incredibly useful too, so I don't need to worry about throwing anything with an expiry date or anything potentially volatile in there.

With that, I finish my impromptu breakfast as I continue towards the devil-infested school, acting as naturally as possible to not attract any unwanted supernatural attention. Some students spot me, looking at me somewhat strangely, but I ignore them. It's clearly pretty unusual around here for one of the female students to wear the male uniform

I scan the crowd of students, my eyes darting between each and every last one as I machinegun cast Observe to grab information on each of them. It doesn't return anything out of the ordinary, most of the stats range from 7 to 13, all of them are human. I already know who the devils are, but it's best to check just in case. This isn't the same DxD I'm familiar with, I need to be careful.

No one notices me using Observe at all – I mean, my mother and uncle didn't notice me casting it either, I think, and they're ostensibly veterans. Sona hadn't noticed either, otherwise, it would likely have shown on her thoughts note, that or she'd retaliate in some way for me casting an unknown spell on her. No one seems suspicious of me yet, and I can hide my magic well enough for no one in the school to notice.

There's still the weird dark magic I felt. It's not devil magic, or at least, not fully. Sona's was… I don't know, not as uncomfortable as this feels. Hers was dark for sure, just not so terrible. What is that? I can sense that it's not on school grounds, it's a little farther ahead. It hasn't moved at all from where I felt it the last time I was here, so it stayed in exactly the same spot.

Whatever it is, I don't like it.

I still get weird looks and glances as I make my way through the grounds, though I don't concern myself with them. I don't want to start any trouble nor do I feel like it. Definitely won't start shit on my first day here.

"Oh, Akane-chan." My uncle calls out, waving at me. "You're here already. Where's your mother?"

"Sleeping." I shrug. "I'm surprised you're early. Thought you'd sleep in too."

"I wouldn't miss this for the world." He says, patting my head. "Come on now, we're gonna miss it if we don't hurry up."

"Yeah, yeah-"

"W-wait!" A panicked voice calls out. "Wait wait wait! Hold it right there!"

We both turn around to see my mother raggedly catching her breath, as though she'd ran the entire way here, which she probably did. As she recomposes herself she brings herself up to glare and point at me, if the look on her face is any indication, frustrated.

"H-how could you just abandon me at home?!" She accuses. "You knew I was looking forward to this!"

That's a fucking lie if I've ever heard one. She definitely was not looking forward to this.

"Well, you looked tired, and I couldn't find it in me to wake you up," I answer, then cross my arms. "And stop shouting. You're making a scene."

As she notices multiple students and their parents looking at her strangely, she clamps her mouth shut with her face turning glowing red, a growl leaving her throat as Akiyama attempts to calm her down.

"C'mon you two, can't we argue about this later?" He sighs. "Let's just go to the hall and sit down, alright?"

I smirk, prompting Mizuki to pout as the three of us head towards the hall.

The place was packed to the brim with students and parents, dozens upon dozens of different people, some with strangely colored hair which I found odd. Neither Akiyama nor Mizuki paid it any attention though as the two stare at the stage, an incredibly handsome man with long red hair and blue eyes on it ready to give a speech.

My eyes widen in recognition.

Is… that…

I gulp and cast Observe, stilling in shock at what it returns but succeeding in keeping myself calm.

Name: Sirzechs 'Lucifer' Gremory

Title: Prince of Destruction

HP - ?

MP - ?

SP - ?

Race: Pure-Blooded Devil

LVL - ?

STR - ?

END - ?

DEX - ?

INT - ?

WIS - ?

CHA - ?

LUK - ?

Thoughts about you – An important figure, should not be endangered

Reputation – 0

Affection – 0

Obedience – 0

Loyalty - -100

W-what the hell is he doing here?! I mean, I can understand Rias and Sona being here, but why is the leader of the new devils here?! What the fuck are the Yakuza and Yokai doing letting this guy in Japan?!

Okay no, stop. Don't panic, now really is not the time for it. He's here, I can't do anything about it. I don't understand politics all that much, so if he had the balls to show up like this then that probably means he's in the clear. I really doubt he'd start blasting everybody here just because he could.

I know I told myself that I need to stop panicking whenever I find someone leagues above me but I can't help it. I don't think anyone would be comfortable around someone who they know for a fact can erase them from existence with a thought.

I give my uncle a quick glance, there's a relaxed look on his face as the three of us sat down next to each other. He most likely is already aware of who Sirzechs is, and seeing the difference between their stats leads me to believe that the super-devil must be far stronger than Akiyama, but regardless he still looks so calm.

I frown. Why does he have to be so damn cool?

This time I look at my mother, and while she looks just as relaxed, I can tell that it's just a mask. I can see the anger boiling in her eyes and from how hard she's clenching her fist you'd think she would be able to squeeze blood from a stone. I'm no empath, but I can easily feel her rage. This is the first time in my life I've seen her look so angry.

What the fuck did the devils do to piss her off so badly?

As Sirzechs trots out what can only be best described as possibly one of the most long-winded and generic speeches for such an occasion, even with his immense power/danger level, I force myself to think about something else, as to stop worry from showing on my face. Coming about new ideas for spells should be interesting, maybe.

Now that I think about it, I still don't have anything I can cast that can pierce or destroy the paladin's armor.

The bombs and mines didn't work, they damaged it for sure, but they didn't do any real lasting damage. The armor absorbs soaks up far too much for them to really make a difference. I need something that can break or penetrate the armor first.

My bread and butter offensive spells right now, let's call them Assault Spells, are Ice Arrow and Ice Shortsword. Both deal decent damage, but they're not really heavy nor strong enough.

Seeing that I'm at adept level now, I guess the next stage would be to cast a spear? An axe? Maybe a mace, for blunt damage.

What about a bullet? That ought to be fast enough to pierce its armor. I also need more defensive spells, my HP pool is pathetic as it is. I already have ice skin, so the next stage is likely something along the lines of ice flesh, or maybe plain old ice armor. I might be able to keep up all three spells at the same time if I wanted to.

I could also try making offensive stationary spells, something similar to a turret. That way I can turn the dungeons into an actual tower defense mini-game.

As I was brainstorming new spell ideas, lost in my own mind, something pokes me in the side "Oi, Earth to Akane, can you hear me?"

"What is it now, Kaa-san?" I sigh.

"Speech's done." My uncle says, making me pause. "You gonna go to your class or what?"

"Eh?" I blink, looking at the rest of the students accompanying their seniors to classes. "I, uh, I didn't notice."

"You looked so deep in thought, it was so cute." My mother giggles, poking my cheek. "What were you thinking about? C'mon, tell me~"

"It was nothing," I respond, standing up from my chair. "Well, I've got school, so what are you two gonna do now?"

"Mizuki and I are going to go meet an old friend," Akiyama says, patting me on the shoulder. "Don't stir up any trouble now, alright?"

"What am I, twelve?" I scoff and play slap his hand away, making him smirk. "I won't."

"We're serious, Akane," Mizuki warns with a pout. "I know you like to start problems with other people, but rein yourself in this time."

"… Hahhh alright, I promise." I sigh. "I'll try to not get in any trouble. Happy?"

"As. a. clam." she sounds out, patting me on the head to punctuate each word. Mizuki nods, pulling my uncle away. "Good luck on your first day!"

"And good luck on your date, lovebirds." I fire back.

My mother's face scrunches in disgust at the thought. "Ew!"

"Hey, come on now. I'm literally standing next to you." Akiyama laughs. "Couldn't be anymore blunt could you?"

The two of them start bickering as someone taps me on the shoulder. I turn around to face two violet eyes behind the frame of a pair of glasses, prompting me to fake a tiny smile.

"Shitori-senpai." I nod. "It's nice to see you again."

"Likewise." She smiles, looking over my shoulder at Mizuki and Akiyama. "I assume those two would be your family?"

"My mother and uncle, yes," I confirm.

"I see." She adjusts her glasses. "Please, follow me. I'll lead you to your class."

I do as she says, still getting odd looks from the other students for wearing a male uniform instead of the, and I stress the quotes here, 'appropriate' female outfit. Both Sona and I completely ignore them though.

"So then." Sona starts. "What do you think about the school?"

"Well, as it's still my first day, I'm not sure yet," I reply truthfully with a shrug. "From what I'm seeing right now, I'd say it's been a positive impression so far. It's much bigger than my old school, that's for sure."

"Of course. Kuoh Academy is one of the most prestigious schools in the country, ranking in the top 3 for five consecutive years." She says. "You should be very proud of yourself for getting accepted. I think someone as bright as you can stand to learn a lot here."

Alright, I see what she's doing here, she's praising me a bit off the bat to try and get on my good side again. I can respect that you know, it's probably what I'd do as well, to be honest. Maybe, if I didn't know better, she might've actually gotten me with that approach. Though I really doubt it. I was fairly distrustful of people in general even before receiving the Gamer. I'm not blinded by praise so easily.

"Thanks, I appreciate it, Senpai," I respond, as an idea blossom. I resist the urge to let a mischievous grin creep up over my expression. "Though, there's a concerning rumor I heard a while back."

"A rumor?" Sona's brow quirk upwards in curiosity. "What about?"

"I heard that there's a trio of perverts causing all sorts of trouble," I say. "They'd peek at girls in the changing rooms and snap pictures. Is that true?"

I almost burst out laughing seeing Sona's expression shift so drastically. I've never seen someone so stone-faced before in my life, and the fact that Sona is usually incredibly stern most of the time makes it infinitely funnier.

I await an answer, doing my damnedest to not smile. Sona finally opens her mouth to speak, though her response isn't what I was expecting.

"I hope you enjoy your stay here in Kuoh."

She completely ignored my question!

I quickly look in another direction, my cheeks puffing up slightly as I do everything in my power not to laugh. I regain my composure as swiftly as I can and clear my throat, responding with a slight stutter.

"I-I hope so too."

We spend the rest of the walk to my class in silence, and, a few minutes later, we spot Tsubaki with another student, the same one I tripped when I went out to get my uniform, right behind the door of class A-2.

The two girls notice us and give, short, polite bows of greeting, prompting Sona to do the same. I merely respond with a nod, since I'm not used to being all prim and proper. I lived in a casual household and neighborhood almost my entire life; bowing was reserved for properly important people.

I've punched more people than I've bowed to, hell I've broken the bones of more people than I've bowed to. Thinking about it a little more, I should probably curb that habit if I want to be able to make powerful friends.

"This here is your class," Sona says. "Take any seat of your choosing. You're early, so the room will be empty for a few minutes more before the rest of the students arrive."

"Sure, thanks."

"If you need any help, you can find me in my class, B-3, or in the student council room." Sona offers. "Good luck."

Tsubaki and Sona then leave me and the other girl alone. I smile and nod as we meet each other's eyes, greeting her politely.

"Didn't expect that I'd see you again so soon," I say. "What are the odds, huh? Us being in the same class?"

"It's a happy coincidence for sure." She giggles. "Thank you again for catching me the other day. It would've been a pretty bad fall."

"Don't mention it." I wave it off, sliding the classroom door open. "I'm Akane Amamiya. What's your name?"

"Oh yes, we haven't even introduced ourselves. Sorry." She bows apologetically. Waaay too polite… "I'm Haruka Sawamura. It's nice to meet you."

I freeze up a bit in recognition of the name. Who wouldn't recognize it? She'd been on TV almost constantly two years ago, was, and still is, one of the most popular pop idols of her generation.

She'd risen above so many other rival singers when the odds were stacked against her, put on admittedly great concerts, and surged to the top spot of the idol chart in like, three months? That was some absolutely absurd popularity.

Hell, there were rumors of foul play against her in the industry, and if those are true then this girl literally went up against proper fucking corporate overlords with her tiny-ass company and won.

I still found it weird how she decided to quit. I'd seen her make a huge speech about how she couldn't have become such a success without her friends and gave other such generic thanks, but then turned around and revealed she was associated with a Yakuza legend and promptly self-destructed any chances she may have had to keep her momentum going into the big leagues.

Apparently, she's the daughter of the deceased Fourth Chairman of the Tojo Clan, Kazuma Kiryu.

I don't understand why outed herself like that. From my point of view, it was unnecessarily stupid of her to crash and burn her own singing career. She could've made stupid money while also doing a job she obviously loved.

The only thing I can maybe respect is her standing up for her ideals. It takes a lot of balls to even say half of the shit she did on live TV, on a show being broadcast to millions of people.

...And there's something odd here. She's a very popular girl, yet nobody recognized her?

Weird.

I quickly regain my composure and pretend to be oblivious. I don't want to make a scene.

"Nice to meet you too, Sawamura-san." I fake a smile.

"You can call me Haruka. I don't mind."

"Then you might as well call me Akane." I shrug. "It's only fair."

5 Reputation with Haruka Sawamura [5/100]

She smiles sweetly and nods gratefully. She's easy to please at least.

She may be stupid, but I at least respect her courage to actually stand up for herself. I know I wouldn't have made the decision she did. I definitely would've just taken the big bag of money and shut up.

Hey, at least I'm honest.

More students arrive and enter the classroom, again, many shooting me weird looks before taking their seats. This time I glare back at them, causing some to flinch and turn their eyes away, a smirk creeping over my face as I notice.

Wimps.

I take the seat at the far corner of the room, right beside the window since that's one I prefer to get each year anyway, and Haruka takes the one in just front of me. I frown in thought as I take a look at the books on the desk before me.

With a quick glance, I use Observe on Haruka, raising a brow at her stats. I wasn't expecting regular stats by any means, seeing as I know who her father was, but this is… decent. Better than me in some stats too, only not by a whole lot.

Name: Haruka Sawamura

Title: The Dragon Princess

HP – 3000

MP – 100

SP – 10,000

Race – Human

LVL - 44

STR - 132

END - 235

DEX - 160

INT -133

WIS - 161

CHA - 345

LUK - 121

Thoughts about you – Someone who has been very nice to them, they would love to be friends with you

Reputation - 5

Affection - 0

Obedience - 0

Loyalty - 0

Maybe this Kiryu guy didn't want her to get involved with the supernatural and then never really tried to train her properly as a result. That's dumb. In my view, it's always better to be aware and ready rather than ignorant and unprepared. My mother and uncle are both guilty of this too.

I would've preferred it if they taught me how to fight. My mother is an assassin, which leads me to believe she must have a bunch of weapon skills and probably plenty for hand-to-hand, and I'd never turn any of that down. Magic is amazing and all, but being overly dependent on it is idiotic. I'd rather have some versatility or backup skills I can lean on if magic just isn't cutting it at the very least.

Maybe I should confront her about it if that's the case. Her stats look incredibly low, but I'm ninety-nine percent sure her skill wouldn't have degraded like her stats seem to have. Maybe she can teach me how to use the 'Fuck You' Revolver while she's at it.

My gaze catches on something, or someone to be specific. Someone with unkempt brown hair, green eyes, and a very familiar face. I resist a grimace as Issei Hyoudou enters the classroom, followed by his two dumbass friends.

Our eyes lock and I offer a silent nod in greeting, to which he blinks in surprise before returning the gesture. Oh, great…

A glance at their stats told me that none had any relation to the supernatural. Regular stats, no notable titles - disgusting ones really, I don't even want to think about why the fuck bald dude is called 'lolicon' - and all-around normal humans. Hell, even Issei's title is Unlucky Pervert instead of Future Harem King or Red Dragon Emperor.

I know I said I'd try to get him on my side, but I'm really not looking forward to it. I'm going to need to get rid of the two morons attached to him as well. They're a bad influence, they'll probably end up as rapists in the future regardless.

I glance out of the window and smile slightly. Really, who would miss them? I'd be doing the school a favor.

Another student enters the classroom, one who catches my eye. He was pretty tall, had a lean muscular build, and his hair was styled in a messy afro. He looked mildly annoyed for some reason, but when he locked eyes with me, I froze.

My eyes widened as I immediately recognized who it was, and from his reaction, he had the same realization. His mouth came open agape like a fish out of water, as he freezes in place. I mutter his name quietly, still unsure on some level if it's really him.

"Ichi…?"

The huge grin on his face told me exactly what I wanted to know.

---

(Mizuki)

"So he's here, then?" She mumbled, looking over the impressively large cafe.

This… wasn't what she expected. Majima typically wasn't the type of person to use cafés as a meeting place; usually, it would be some place like the docks or an obscure park nobody knew about. This is probably Akiyama's doing, though.

Akiyama blinked. "You don't seem very enthusiastic. You two are friends, right?"

"Friend is a strong word, but in a… very complicated sense, yes." She nodded with a sigh. "It's best to not get too close to him. Literally and metaphorically."

"Heh, that's for sure." He agreed.

The two walk inside, scanning the interior as Mizuki instantly notices how heavily guarded it is. Every single 'customer' and even the employee are Majima family men, giving the two sharp glances before going back to their business.

Extremely cautious yet relaxed. Not many would notice that the entire building is filled with capable warriors, and said warriors are ready to pounce at any wrong or threatening movement. That's the Majima family for you, they're not the strongest for nothing.

He whips his boys into shape way more than actual military camps. Anyone serving under the Mad Dog needs to work, otherwise, they're kicked or killed. That was his motto. "If ya wanna work, welcome. If ya wanna rest, get the fuck out."

One waiter approached, bowing respectfully. "Amamiya-san, Akiyama-san, it's good to see you again. I assume you're here for Oyaji?"

"That's right." Mizuki nodded.

"Excellent. Please, follow me."

The two glanced at each other and did just that, going up the stairs.

"Sheesh, talk about a tense atmosphere," Akiyama muttered.

"It'll be fine." She sighed. "...I think."

Personally, Mizuki didn't feel quite nervous being in this place. As admittedly intimidating as Majima is, seeing how he's the most feared Yakuza due to his unpredictable nature, he's also… an idiot? Goofball? Yes, that.

He's not gonna go up and murder civilians because it's funny, nor is he gonna start a fight with anything unless Daigo considers it an enemy. He's mad, not stupid. The chances of him attacking the two are virtually zero.

After all, he hates one-sided fights. Mizuki isn't sure she could beat him even with Akiyama's help, even if she was in her prime.

Mizuki spotted the yakuza patriarch at the far corner, a lean-built man wearing his signature snakeskin jacket, black pants, and eyepatch with his right-hand man, Nishida, looking tired as usual. Majima had some sort of paper, looking intensely at it as he hummed, thoughtfully scratching his head.

Majima took a pen from the table, scribbling something with a satisfied grin. Nishida blinked, squinting his eyes with a confused look.

"What's… that supposed to make?"

"Eh?" Majima grunted. "You blind? Says right here. 'Start'"

"That's- that's not how you spell 'Start'." Nishida said, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Why is there a 'U' in there?"

"haah?" The Mad Dog frowned. "How the fuck is it s'posed to be spelled then? It's S-U-T-A-R-T-O, dumbass."

"No, that's wrong." His right-hand man sighed. "There's no 'U' or 'O' for that matter. Those are Japanese syllables, Oyaji, not English."

Majima blinked and looked at what Mizuki now assumes is a crossword puzzle, scratching his head in confusion. "The fuck kind of retarded-ass language is this?"

Mizuki barely managed to stifle a snort. Part of her previous profession is being able to speak fluent English, so she knows exactly just how true that statement is.

"Most spoken language in the world apparently." Akiyama quipped, getting their attention.

Majima grinned widely as soon as he saw Mizuki. "Heh, yer finally here, Mizuki-chan."

"It's been a while, Majima-san." She smiled. "You too, Nishida."

Nishida smiled back and nodded before getting bonked in the head by his patriarch. "Fuck are ya still doing here? Get the guests some drinks, numbnuts!"

"S-sorry! Right on it!"

Mizuki and Akiyama looked at the rushing Nishida before taking the seats opposite of the Mad Dog, who threw the crossword puzzle away.

"Do you really have to treat him like that?" Akiyama asked, rubbing his neck. "Isn't he the captain?"

"Ya baby yer men and they turn out weak." He replied simply with a shrug. "Tojo can't be weak with those bat fuckers runnin' around."

"You can say that twice," Mizuki muttered.

"Fair enough." Akiyama shrugged. "I'm no yakuza, I shouldn't be talking.

"But you don't gotta worry 'bout this shit." He waved it off, leaning on his chair. "Ya here for questions, yeah?"

Mizuki nodded, her gaze sharpening. "I think you already know what I want to ask."

Majima didn't say anything, waiting for her to continue.

"What the hell is Daigo thinking?" She growled out. "I can understand him advocating for peace and trying to build positive relationships with other factions, but what he's doing right now?"

"He's letting the devils push it a little too much," Akiyama added with a nod. "Don't get me wrong, I get what he's doing this for, but he's making the humans look weak. He's giving them too much leeway."

"The filth might get ideas and start trouble." Mizuki huffed, crossing her arms. "We even saw Sirzechs in the school today. I brought Akane here because I trust his judgment, but I'll pull her out of Kuoh if this shit keeps going this way."

"...So that's what it looks like on the outside?" Majima stated. "Well, I get it. I would've thought the same, but the chairman has a reason for this."

They waited for him to elaborate.

"Basically, the chairman is makin' Sirzechs rack up debts." He continued. "More and more till he drowns in 'em."

Mizuki frowned in confusion. "He's doing all this to have Sirzechs indebted to him?"

"That seems… plausible actually," Akiyama noted. "Treat them nicely so the official peace treaty goes without a hitch, right? But still, they're being treated too nicely. Inviting Sirzechs himself to Kuoh?"

"That was a message," Majima explained. "News gonna spread that Lucifer Satan himself was in Kuoh, and the Yakuza didn't do nothin' about it. How do you think other factions will react?"

"...That the devils are close with the Tojo?" Mizuki offered.

"Hit it right on the head." The Mad Dog grinned. "And it all leads to one point."

The two leaned forward.

"A few months from now, there's gonna be an official peace treaty between the three biblical factions and the Yakuza here in Kuoh." He revealed. "Each faction has at least one request for the other, and chairman Daigo's request for the devils is to forbid them from usin' the Evil Pieces on humans."

Mizuki froze, not believing what she heard. Even Akiyama was the same, eyes wide and jaw dropped. Neither of them expected this from the sixth chairman, a bold move that could spark a war with the devils. Mizuki always took him as a very cautious individual that never took any risks.

To think he'd been preparing for years for just this one moment was unbelievable. The whole evil system has been a problem for a while, with devils kidnapping humans and forcefully reincarnating them under the excuse of 'repopulating devilkind' being the worst offender.

Sure, she's not stubborn enough to ignore the good that it did, but those were a rarity. Kind devils resurrecting humans out of sympathy were rarer than unicorns, and those things are extinct.

Still, Daigo requesting such a thing means he thinks that it has a big chance of working, but it's absurd. Sirzechs would have to give up on one of the new devil's strongest assets just to please the Tojo?

Mizuki held her chin with a thoughtful frown.

"I'm sorry, can you say that again?" Her best friend said. "Daigo wants the illegalization of the Evil Pieces system? In what universe would that fly by?"

"On humans. Banning it for every other race is pushing it." Majima shrugged. "And Sirzechs can't exactly refuse."

"Why?"

"Because it'll make him look horrible," Mizuki said, realization dawning on her. "Think about it; it's in the treaty with all three biblical factions, who by then, would think that Sirzechs is close with Daigo. Not to mention that Sirzechs already owes Daigo a lot."

"That's… true." Akiyama understood, nodding. "Even then, requesting something like that is just too much. What makes you think that Sirzechs will say yes?"

"Because if he refuses, he risks the entire treaty going south." Majima pointed out. "The chairman will stop actin' nice, and the other two factions have their own grudges. prolly even side with us. If that happens, devils won't stand a damned chance."

"Yes, but that doesn't make sense. That's not the Daigo I know." Mizuki frowned. "Why would Sirzechs even entertain the idea? Sure, if he refuses, then another great war might break out, but it's almost equally as bad if he accepts. The devils will riot, they'll absolutely refuse to go along with it."

Majima grinned widely, as if that was exactly what he implied.

Akiyama's eyes widened as he realized what this meant. "You mean to tell me that Daigo did all of this… to weaken the devils?"

Mizuki blinked and looked at him in confusion. "Eh?"

"Regardless of what Sirzechs says, he's weakening the devils." He continued. "If he refuses, he risks a great war that'll most definitely end with the extinction of the devils, and if he accepts, then just like you said, a civil war might break out. Infighting isn't something they can afford right now."

Mizuki almost couldn't believe what she was hearing. She knew Daigo for years, and he took a lot after his mentor, Kiryu. He hated bloodshed, almost always offering a peace treaty to every faction he could. Hell, he even earned a reputation as the biggest advocate of peace in the world.

This idea will cost many lives, most on the devil's side. A lot of devils are pompous and arrogant enough to ignore the bigger picture and join the old satans, who are waiting for the perfect chance to strike, starting another civil war.

"Don't tell me he's also doing this to lure out Rizevim?" Mizuki mumbled.

And devils will not be able to survive another one so soon. Their numbers are even less than half a million.

"That's the main idea." The Mad Dog grinned. "Either way, the old bastards are gonna have to show their faces, and you know what they did."

Mizuki clenched her fists angrily.

She'd do anything to rip that shitstain a new one, even if she dies for it.

It still surprised her to hear all of this. What the hell happened to Daigo all these years? True, all of it ends in the devils being utterly defenseless, and she's not complaining, but how and why did he change so much?

"He doesn't show it much, but the chairman is fuckin' pissed," Majima said, as if he read her mind. "How many humans got kidnapped and enslaved ya think? Taken from their homes, livin' ta serve some bat prick cuz of a Sacred Gear or some other bull?"

She doesn't know the exact answer, but if she had to guess, tens of thousands at least.

"Daigo doesn't hate devils like ya do, Mizuki-chan." The Mad Dog continued. "But he's sick and tired of them walkin' all over humans for centuries. They're the worst threat ta humanity seein' how they treat us as inferiors and toys, 'specially the old fucks."

Mizuki sighed and leaned back, but couldn't help the smirk from creeping up on her face. She knew Daigo saw it her way; those filths are a threat to everyone. Irredeemable pieces of shit that should've gone extinct since the first great war. Though, she didn't expect such retaliation in all honesty.

Now the devils' sins will be their undoing. They really thought the system of the evil pieces was gonna fly by and they won't do anything about it? Mizuki couldn't believe she almost gave Sirzechs a chance once upon a time.

"Of course, knowin' the chairman, this ain't exactly his plan." Majima shrugged with a grin. "He only approved and tweaked it a bit. All this is Mine's idea."

"Of course it was Mine's…" Mizuki chuckled.

"So damned if you do, damned if you don't, then," Akiyama noted, chuckling slightly. "And he's gonna have to take the lesser evil here."

"But this doesn't explain one thing." Mizuki narrowed her eyes, leaning forward. "Why insist on my daughter attending Kuoh Academy? Don't get me wrong, what Daigo's doing is genius now that I have context, but that doesn't explain why Akane needs to be involved in this shitshow."

Majima was about to answer, but her friend beat him to it.

"If Akane manages to befriend the heiresses, then it reinforces the idea that the Tojo is friends with the devils… right?" He looked at the Mad Dog for confirmation. "After all, she doesn't share the hatred Mizuki-chan has for the devils. She's gonna have an easy time getting along with them."

She froze.

"What he said." Majima shrugged, pointing at Akiyama.

Alright, she takes it back. Daigo needed an ass-whooping soon.

"...So what you're saying is that my daughter is a tool you can use?" Mizuki sneered. "I told Daigo that I don't want Akane to be involved in the supernatural, and he fucking dares to trick me for an idea that might not even work?"

"Mizuki-chan, calm down." Akiyama tried to soothe her. "If it works-"

"If, a huge fucking if." She growled, whipping her head at him. "And we both know Akane; the girl is more likely to punch God in the fucking face before making friends with them. You think she's gonna be nice to some bratty devil kids?"

"It's happenin' whether you like it or not." Majima quipped bluntly, making her scowl.

"What was that?"

"Ya think ya can hide it?" His grin dropped as he stared at her seriously. "Ya really think Akane-chan wouldn't get involved regardless of what ya think?"

She didn't respond, opting to flinch and look away as she already knew the answer.

"I get ya, Mizuki-chan. Yer tryin' ta honor yer husband's last wish." He continued. "But at this point, ya gotta think about yer daughter too. She gotta be prepared whenever shit hits the fan. Ya got the knowledge and skill needed ta help her get stronger."

Mizuki already got this talk, uncomfortable as it may be, but what can she say? She knows he's right – while she'd like to keep Akane completely out of it, she knows that it's not an option anymore.

...Maybe this is Daigo's message to her as well. To stop babying her daughter and teach her how to defend herself before it's too late.

And maybe she should listen.

"I-I understand." She sighed. "I'll… talk to her when she comes home today."

Akiyama smiled at her and nodded, approving of her choice. "Thank you for explaining everything, Majima-san. We owe you one."

"Don't worry about it~" His easy grin returned as he leaned back on his chair, then locked eyes with Mizuki. "So?"

She blinked. "Eh?"

"When can I meet Akane-chan?"

"No." She deadpanned. "Never. Not gonna happen. You stay out of her life."

"Aw, don't be like that."

"You're a terrible influence." Mizuki crossed her arms. "I can handle her breaking a thug's arm or leg, but I don't think I can last long if I hear her laughing maniacally while doing it."

"But that's the best part~"

Akiyama laughed, the previous tense tone dispersing as a more light-hearted one took over. Even then, Mizuki couldn't help but be very nervous. She made up her mind; she's gonna tell her daughter about the supernatural, but she's still not looking forward to it, because the moment she does, there will be no going back.

She's not sure if she should include her previous… job, but Akane probably has questions about the gun. Mizuki doesn't want to lie, though, she might have to.

The idea of memory erasure surfaced, but she quickly pushed it down. No, she will not do that again. She absolutely hated doing it the first time.

Another thing added to the mountain of things she needed to tell her daughter.

Mizuki resisted a sigh.

She really is a horrible mother.

---

(Ichiban)

Let it be known that Ichiban Kasuga has never been a good student.

He went to elementary school and attended one year of junior high school with whatever money his adoptive father managed to save, but he would always get in fights. Kids were brutal, he knew that much when he heard them mocking him for living in a brothel or his upbringings, but he never took shit from anyone, not even the teachers.

He won't take insults lying down. Talk shit, get hit.

So he had to drop out, and when he was told that he needed to be 20 years old to join the Yakuza, Ichiban felt pretty down about it. It's been his dream to join the Arakawa Family and serve under the patriarch, ever since he was saved by him two years ago.

Even then, he was still treated well by him. Whether it's a nice dinner or simply hanging out, Masumi Arakawa always answered his whims with a smile. Ichiban was a little shit, a street rat, a worthless human scum that hated the world. He had zero redeeming qualities, but he was saved regardless.

Ichiban swore that he'd do everything in his power to pay back his future patriarch, even if it costs him his life.

His soon-to-be patriarch told him to spend two years in highschool and one year in university, to experience how regular civvies live for once. Ichiban wasn't quite sure about the idea, but then he relented. Who knows, he might learn a thing or two here.

Arakawa was strangely adamant on this school specifically, though. Kuoh Academy was pretty damn prestigious, and Ichiban was… well, a dumbass. He has enough self-awareness for that at least. Sure, Captain Sawashiro and Patriarch Arakawa taught him a lot, but those lessons were more about life itself, or harsh training. Nothing like complex math or history.

He's still not sure how he got accepted. Probably Arakawa's doing. Another debt he needed to pay off.

But before that, before being indebted to a Yakuza, Ichiban met a girl that he'd come to call his very first friend. They started off on the wrong foot, with him pissing her off accidentally, but it didn't take long for them to get along.

She was fierce, never afraid to hit people whenever they angered her, and she lacked restraint, sending a few people to the hospital when fights broke out. He's never met a girl like her in his life, someone so damn stubborn and headstrong that it left him in awe.

He admired her if he was being honest.

So seeing her in the same school as he was shocking. His first and best friend that disappeared for a few years since the last time he saw her was in the same class as him. What are the odds? He knew he was lucky, but this is insane.

Of course, she looked very different. Instead of the small ponytail she had, her hair was long, reaching her waist, but still in that emo haircut. Her features and assets were more mature, and overall she looked prettier. He's not shy enough to admit it; his friend looked more beautiful than ever.

He was not surprised to see her wearing the male uniform. He knew enough about her to know that she detested skirts.

"Heh." He chuckled as he sat next to her, Akane looking like she was still processing. "What are the odds, eh, Akane? Haven't seen you in years. Almost didn't recognize ya!"

"And I'd recognize your ugly mug anywhere, Ichi." She smirked. "Never thought I'd see your dumbass in school of all places. Got a change of her heart and decided to get a real job?"

"Hah! As if!" He mirrored her look, a smirk creeping on his face. "I'll have you know, I finally know what I want to do in life."

"Oh really? Congrats, then." She leaned back on her chair. "But whatever it is, I doubt you'll do much with that disaster of a hairstyle. Nobody wants a walking bird nest around."

"Tsk, don't remind me." He scowled, still sore from how much the barber fucked up his hair. "And you decided to grow it? Thought long hair 'got in the way'. What happened?"

"Younger me had no idea. I look irresistible like this." She brushed the part obscuring her left eye back, winking at him as if she's proving a point. "Don't you think so too?"

Well, yes, she's doing a very good job at convincing him, but he's not gonna say that.

As he is about to respond, what he assumed to be the homeroom teacher entered the classroom. Instead, he opted to smile slightly as he stated what he really felt.

"Good to see you again, Akane." He muttered loud enough for her to hear. "Maybe school won't be so terrible with you around."

"Don't get all sentimental on me, Ichi." She responded with a whisper. "...But I feel the same. At least I have a friend here. I'm terrible at making new ones."

That's a fact if he ever heard one. Being sucker-punched in the face to becoming best friends in the span of a week is one hell of memory he'll never forget. Not like he's any better - he made his very first friend at fourteen for god's sake.

He wasn't confident about making new friends if he's being honest. Arakawa's son, Masato was enough as a friend, before knowing Akane was in the same school, but seeing that Masato left Japan to study abroad in the US a few weeks ago, it's been pretty lonely.

So seeing a familiar face here helped put him at ease, and someone that was like him to boot. He felt pretty satisfied with two friends, but Ichiban was open about making new ones. The problem is he doesn't know how to make friends.

The class went… not unlike what he expected. He spotted a couple of students chuckle and giggle at him as he introduced himself, which made him frown. Damned hair making him look like a moron.

When his friend introduced herself, he raised a brow as he saw three students at the other corner of the class leering and giggling lewdly. What's their problem? What're they laughing about? The uniform?

Well, a bunch of classmates looked at her strangely, but he knew she never gave a fuck about how other people might think of her. The lewd leers of those three might annoy her, though. She hates perverts almost as much as skirts. Many run-ins with them made her first reflex upon seeing them is to bust their balls with a kick.

He snorted when Akane glared in their direction for a split-second, making all three flinch.

After the introductions were over, the class went as normal.

It was pretty difficult for Ichiban to keep up and understand most of the things said - he never finished junior high after all - but he tried his best. Sure, he doesn't like it, but he really wants to make Arakawa proud, and also prove the jackass Sawashiro wrong. He may be a dumbass, but he's not an idiot.

A glance at his friend told him that she had no problems keeping up, writing stuff on her notes with a bored look, making him grimace. He knew she was smart, but he thought she was like him, not interested in this stuff.

Well, she did attend and finish junior high, so maybe that's the difference between them.

Even then, he kept his attention, his spite to prove the family captain wrong fueling him to learn as much as possible. He's sure he won't be the top student, but he's gonna try to make it at least to the top 20. Ranking in a school like this is considered amazing.

So after four classes, each taking 50 minutes, Ichiban felt his brain was about to melt. He slammed his head on the desk, groaning just as the teacher left. Finally, lunch break, just as he started getting hungry.

"Too much for your pea-sized brain to handle?" Akane snarked, smirking at him. "Should've expected as much."

"Shove it." He shot back.

"Heh." That only amused her more. "By the way, you should hurry up and get some stuff to eat, or you won't be having anything for lunch."

"Huh?" He blinked, then realized what she meant. Ichiban stood up quickly, almost running towards the exit before stopping. "Shit, you want anything?"

"I'm good." She shrugged. "Not hungry."

He nodded and rushed to get his food, hoping nobody took the good stuff.

He saw the damned turkey sandwich on his way to class, and he's honest-to-god going to cry if there aren't any left for him.

---

(Akane)

Never have I expected Ichiban-fucking-Kasuga in Kuoh Academy of all places. How in the goddamn hell did this dumbass get a place here anyway? Look, I don't really hate the guy, I'd even go as far as to say I like him - never emotionally invested though - but he's dumb.

...Eh, well, less dumb and more uneducated. I used to hang out with him a lot when I was visiting Kamurocho for a few weeks ages ago. Dumbass bumped into me and spilled my food all over the ground, and I was already pissed at the time, so I instantly started a fight with him.

Fucker was a lot stronger than the average punk too. He didn't want to fight at first, but immediately changed his mind when I punched him in the face. He wasn't afraid to throw hands with a girl, so I'll give him that.

And through a series of convenient events, we became friends.

Even still, I have no idea how he got here. Again, he was a punk with no money - he lived in a fucking brothel for god's sake.

At least I have someone I can… kinda consider a friend. Again, no feelings towards him at all. He's like my mother and uncle; I like him, but won't really shed a tear if he dies or whatever.

And I guess I can finally understand why this bastard was strong.

Name: Ichiban Kasuga

Title: The Carp of Arakawa

HP – 9500

MP – 50

SP – 12,000

Race – Human

LVL - 56

STR - 561

END - 341

DEX - 274

INT - 94

WIS - 81

CHA - 220

LUK - 150

Thoughts about you – Best Friend, is very happy to see you again

Reputation - 50

Affection - 0

Obedience - 10

Loyalty - 30

Way above average. He's gotta know about the supernatural, but how? And Arakawa is a very familiar name… Where have I heard of it before?

Ughh, how many things are gonna appear and screw with my metaknowledge? What's the point if everything is so damn different? It'd be OK if Ichi was a regular human, but he's very obviously aware of the supernatural somehow. It has something to do with Arakawa, I'm sure of that.

I shake my head with a sigh. Well, if anything, I know he likes me. At least I have this going for me.

I narrow my eyes as I quicken my pace, sensing someone following me. I go through crowds of students, trying to lose the devil after me, or at least have a few seconds where I can use ID Create.

Lunch Breaks last for 40 minutes, plenty of time to make new spells and possibly even progress through the dungeon some more. I already made sure that the devils can't sense my mana when I'm hiding it, so even if I increase my power, I won't be drawing attention to myself.

I knew increasing my Mana Control Rank as much as I could before getting here was a great idea.

I manage to lose this devil, or well, not fully. The crowds and crowds of other students in the small hallways slowed them down enough for me to use ID Create. A ruined version of the school replaced the pristine and clean one I was in, making me smirk.

Good, now I can start training.

I frown. Then again, the school is filled with closed spaces like hallways and classrooms. I need to take it to the schoolyard, I'll have space there to build a small base. I haven't started the waves yet, so nothing should attack me.

I do just that, rushing to the yard then quickly making a base, same as the one I always make, two layers of walls surrounding a tower I can shoot from.

Already have ideas for a couple of spells I want to try out. A spear, a bullet, and maybe a turret. A weak one is fine, because then it'll prove that I can actually make that stuff. Hell, maybe I can make Ice Golems that I can control remotely.

Making the spear was significantly easier than I thought. I imagined the arrow, but reshaped it slightly and made it bigger. Bullets were even easier, but I had to use more magic to make them fly faster.

[Cryomancy: Ice Spear] - Spell

A basic, yet fairly decent spell used by almost every Cryomancer out there. A sharp, strong spear, reliable in taking down many different kinds of foes. Incredibly deadly when used by a very skilled Cryomancer.

Deals 100 + INTx2.5 Ice Damage

Costs 250 MP

[Cryomancy: Ice Bullet] - Spell

An advanced spell; shaped as a tiny sphere that flies faster than most other Cryomancy spells. Used by experienced mages to take down heavily armored foes, as it penetrates most strong armor with relative ease.

Deals 250 + INT x 3.3 Ice Damage

Costs 400 MP

This is exactly what I needed. Hell, even the description says as much. It costs a fair bit, though. I can cast approximately 12 bullets at once before running out of magic, and last that happened, it wasn't fun. Colors were saturated- everything looked black and white, and it was difficult to focus.

Really don't like running out of magic. Feels uncomfortable.

However, a single bullet deals 1834 damage, and the Paladin had 5800 HP. Four bullets should be enough to end it easily, and I'll still have 3200 MP to spare. It's the perfect spell for that mob.

I'll still try to make a turret though. Can't be a Tower Defense without the defense part.

I clench my fists and take a deep breath, my eyes narrowing in focus as I try to shape the thing I want. A small construct that can shoot arrows or spikes at least. It was challenging to actually keep my attention on the thing because it drains a lot of MP, but I did it.

I grin in satisfaction, my MP going below a thousand as I look at my new creation. It was pretty small, and its stats were horrible, but that just means that I can make stuff like this. Maybe in a few weeks, I'll make one that can shoot explosive ice missiles. Baby steps.

[Cryomancy: Arrow Repeater] - Spell

The weakest spell of an advanced branch of Cryomancy that's all about creating defensive constructs. A small repeater that shoots one Ice Arrow every three seconds. Easily crushed and doesn't last long.

Shoots an Ice Arrow every 3 seconds that deals 20 + INTx1.3 Ice Damage

Can suffer up to 500 Damage before breaking. Takes half as much damage from Ice but double damage from Fire.

Costs 4000 MP

It sucks ass, but this is all I can do at the moment.

I start the first wave, watching as the repeater does the bare minimum. It's pathetic, but hey, it's progress.

I prepare the traps then finish up the waves until the Paladin one, casting Ice Skin before quickly dismantling the archers, soldiers and knights. Once my MP regens to full, I aim a finger in a gun gesture, casting the Ice Bullet from the tip of my Index.

"Pew."

The bullet flew faster than I can see, easily going through the Paladin's armor as it staggered. My eyebrows shoot up in surprise, then a smirk creeps up on my face. I don't even give it a chance to retaliate, utterly annihilating it with bullets and finishing the wave.

Finally, now I can go to the next rank without any problems.

And I do just that. I have around fifteen minutes before the next class starts, so I should be able to handle at least one wave.

Wave start

Defeat 25 Zombie Archers, 30 Zombie Soldiers, 10 Zombie Knights, and 15 Zombie Rogues [0/80]

Rewards: 5 Uncommon Gacha Tokens, 2 Standard Stat Crystals, 75 Credits

Easy. So damn easy.

It barely even took five minutes to get rid of them all. I was just throwing bombs here and there, sniping the rogues since they're kinda fast, and watching the cute little repeater doing its best. I deal a ton of damage that I practically one shot everything, the archer never even had a chance to draw their bows.

Level up x4

Wave complete

Rewards added to inventor

Perks gained

Secondary Class unlocked

Proceed to the next wave?

Eh? Secondary Class? I can have two classes at once?

Indeed, but you'll be limited. You'll only be given two different classes to choose from every time you finish one. The Secondary Class will also be twice as hard to level up, and will give half as many stats.

Unlike your Primary Class, Secondary Class level ups will not add to your overall personal level

Huh… Well, I'll take one over nothing. More stats means more power, even if halved it's still a huge boost. After all, I have my double stat increase. Leveling up two classes at once is gonna make me OP.

So what're the choices?

Choose wisely.

[Engineer] or [Swordswoman]

Hm… I do want to know how to fight with a sword. There are so many different kinds of swords in this verse, so it's practically the best weapon to use. Realistically, a spear is superior, but the only notable spear that I remember is the True Longinus, and I don't think I'm getting my hands on that any time soon.

There are so many swords though, like Excalibur or Durandal. Hell, my mother's armory had a lot of weird swords too.

As for Engineer… Well, I'm not really interested, or at least, not as much as learning how to use sharp sticks. I'm guessing it gives INT or WIS as stat increase too, and I already have my Cryomancy class for that.

I guess the choice is obvious, then.

I was about to press on Swordswoman, but I paused, frowning in thought. If I take Swordswoman now, that means the stat increase will be halved, right? I'm guessing it increases STR, DEX or END. At least one of them, at most all three. In all honesty, I desperately need physical stats, especially DEX and END. Speed and reflexes are important if I want to dodge stuff, and END is great for not getting one-shot.

I already have a lot of INT and WIS anyway, and even then, Engineer will increase them some more. I should probably leave Swordswoman as my next primary class instead of a secondary one.

Yup, I think this makes sense.

Class gained

[Engineer] LVL 1/100 [0%]

Gain 3 INT and 2 WIS every level

Mastery Skill gained

[Engineering Knowledge: Novice]

Knowledge of machines has been an important pillar of many different species across infinite universes, capable of building weapons of mass destruction to defying the gods and inventing true immortality. From a mere steam engine to a blackhole generator, this skill's true potential is boundless.

You barely even know how to hold your wrench the right way. Most machineries are far beyond your knowledge.

Create 10 machines to progress to the next Rank. Progress to Apprentice Rank [0/10]

...I didn't think the skill would sound that cool. Immortality? Blackhole generator? Count me in. I'm making both of those things and nobody will stop me. I can maybe make an army of robots, mechas, or even a suit like ironman.

I think I made the right decision here.

Name - Akane Amamiya

Level - 52

Title - None

Primary Class - Cryomancer - LVL 52/100 [22%]

Secondary Class - Engineer - LVL 0/100 [0%]

Race - Human

Rank - Mortal

Alignment - Neutral Evil

HP - 1100 [110 per minute]

MP - 5200 [3120 per minute]

SP - 1100 [110 per minute]

STR - 120

END - 110

DEX - 100

INT - 520

WIS - 520

CHA - 170

LUK – 50

[Mana Overcharge] - Perk - 500 INT

When your spells don't seem to do much, then why not add a little more oomph into them? You can now overcharge your spells with more magic to deal more damage or increase their destructive capabilities.

Adding 10% more of the total spell cost will increase its power by 13%

[Magic Zone] - Perk - 500 WIS

You've refined your focus so much that you don't even need to use your hands to cast anymore, thus creating a 'Magic Zone' where you can cast spells in. Refining your focus will increase the size of your zone.

Magic Zone size is 1x1 meters, and will increase by the same amount every 100 WIS, but casting using the zone will make spells cost 5% more MP

Yes, finally! I got the perk I wanted!

Now I can act like a badass while casting. Extra cost is no issue, seeing how much my spells cost anyway.

Now that I'm actually done with the whole Paladin issue, and seeing that I only have like, five minutes before class starts, I gotta get back. I made sure to re-materialize inside the storage room outside so nobody can see me. Nobody goes there this time of day anyway.

Hopefully nobody noticed anything weird with my disappearance.

---

(Issei)

After suffering through five long and boring classes, the best class is finally taking place.

Physical Education.

Now, while Issei isn't exactly the pinnacle of masculinity sporting a six-pack and making women squeal every time he walks past them - he hoped that this was the case - he thinks he's pretty capable. Not the best at sport, but not the worst. Pretty average all things considered.

He even enjoyed doing some sports, this class was at least fun. But this is why he likes PE so much, no. It was another reason entirely unrelated to actually doing sports, and his two friends shared his mindset.

"So many new hotties this year~" Matsuda whistled, checking out the girls in their gym uniforms with a dopey grin. "We're in heaven, boys!"

"Agreed." Motohama adjusted his glasses with a smirk. "And most of them have top-tier sizes. We've hit the jackpot by getting here~"

Issei shared their thoughts as he leered at the many beautiful girls of Kuoh Academy. Their first year has been incredible if you ignore getting hit by the Kendo club every once in a while, and this year is shaping up to be even better.

The only unfortunate thing he can see is the increase in the male student body. More boys now attend the school, and while the ratio of girls and boys was still 3/7, it's still annoying. What the hell are they doing here? They're corrupting the school with their existence!

They all entered Kuoh because they wanted to be in a school dominated by female students. More males defeats the whole point of being here.

"Hey, hey, guys." Motohama turned to them. "Who's your favorite? The student council and the two queens not included. New students only."

"Hmm, if I have to choose…" His bald friend hummed, eyes flickering over to the girl with a ponytail. "It gotta be Sawamura. She may not be packing like most other girls here, but her childlike and innocent face makes my heart pound. She's so cute~"

"Pah, of course you'd choose her." His other friend said with an eye roll, then grinned lecherously. "Personally, I'm into that emo girl, Amamiya. Nowhere near as big as Gremory or Himejima, but still a great bust. Long legs, sexy waist and thighs… she might as well rival them when it comes to body type~"

Issei patted his friend's shoulder. "I knew you'd get it, my brother. She might look scary and weird with that male uniform, but she's hell of a lot sexier than all the other new students here!"

Thankfully, the male and female gym uniforms are almost identical, with the change being in color. Red shorts for boys, blue shorts for girls, and said shorts revealed what they couldn't see in the classroom.

Seeing her do generic stretches outside was one of the best scenes of his life. There were some moments where she glared at him and his friends, and something told him that he should not challenge that look or it'll end poorly for him, but thankfully nothing horrible happened.

Issei felt like she was ignoring him, instead chatting with that other new guy with the shrub for a hairstyle. He felt a bit annoyed and jealous seeing how they're already friends from what he overheard in class, but didn't think much of it.

He never thought he had a chance with her anyway. He's aware of his reputation after all.

But goddamn that Kasuga asshole! He keeps blocking the view for some reason, and Issei isn't sure if it was on purpose or not. Not to mention, he has a great view of the best parts while the three of them can only watch from a distance.

Issei smirked. Heh, good thing that class is about to end, and the three devised a wonderful plan to peek on the girl's changing room from a very good place. Even if they're caught, they'd have taken multiple pictures already. They won't know until it's too late~

Their perverted plans never worked twice, so that's why they had to always come up with something new and original.

When the students left for the school building as class ended, the three perverts smirked at one another and hid in a place that showed the window of the girl's changing room. The window was closed, but not the curtains, so they had the perfect view.

Admittedly, it was pretty damn far, but Motohama had their backs as he brought with him three binoculars. They all lied on their stomachs, subtly hiding themselves as they peaked. Female students began pouring into the room, chatting and laughing as Sawamura and Amamiya followed suit, them having their own conversation.

The girls began to take off their clothes, still unaware of the three perversely giggling as they peeped. Issei was intensely focused on Amamiya, still talking with the other new girl. He started to feel more and more frustrated as she dragged the conversation, and as she started to take off her top, his heartbeat quickened in anticipation.

However, anticipation turned into horror as she spotted him midway taking off her shirt, which the school had a policy of never wearing anything underneath. Just a bit and he could see everything, but she completely froze when their eyes met.

When her face contorted into a terrifying scowl, unlike the usual blushing or squeals of horror, he knew they were fucked.

He quickly lowered his head, face paling as realization dawned on him. If looks could kill, Issei would've died seven times over.

"S-shit, they noticed us!" Matsuda exclaimed. "The Amamiya girl is closing the curtains, and she looks fucking pissed!"

"Oh god we're fucked." Issei whispered, getting up as he rushed towards the school building with his two friends.. "We are so fucked."

"Heh, calm down," Motohama said confidently. "Really, what are you so worried about? Girls don't have their kendo sticks with them."

"Girls with grudges are scary, man!" Matsuda held his head in fear. "We should go now. Hopefully she forgets about it."

The three left their hiding place, heading towards the men's changing room while making sure none of the teachers saw them. Unlike his two friends, Issei felt that this wasn't the end of it. That look of absolute hatred in her eyes wasn't normal, she looked as if she wanted to actually kill them.

The cold side glare she gave him in class only reinforced that idea, making him sweat bullets as Motohama and Matsuda remained unaware.

---

The cleaning duty ended, thus ending the school day, though he still felt uneasy. He'd look behind him every once in a while, but then reminded himself that he's just being paranoid. He walked with his friends so as to not stay alone, at least a bit of insurance. That glare still scared him.

However, he felt a little better when Amamiya didn't even try to do anything for the rest of the day, not even threaten or mock them. She stayed quiet, occasionally giving them glares as class went by.

So while still uneasy, he feels a bit better than before. Maybe he's just not looking forward to getting hit on the head by kendo sticks again. Those things hurt a ton, and he's always the one suffering because the assholes he calls 'friends' almost always abandon him.

"You still scared?" Motohama questioned with an unimpressed look. "Chicken."

"Shut up. You didn't see her glare like I did." Issei scoffed as they exited through the school's gate. "Felt like she was cursing me to hell with that look."

"Chicken~"

"I will kick your ass, four-eyes." He scowled.

"O-oi, guys?" Matsuda gulped as he glanced behind. "Is- is it me, or is she following us?"

The two blinked and looked, spotting Amamiya closing in on them with a look of cold anger, the Kasuga guy nowhere to be seen. Issei's face contorted into one of concern as Motohama remained confident.

"This is the only exit, dumbass." He said. "Where the hell would she leave the school from?"

"N-no I mean…" His eyes flickered between his friends and the approaching girl. "Is it me or is she… walking a bit too fast?"

True to his word, she was getting closer by the second, prompting Issei to slowly back away. He felt something was off, and when she suddenly threw her bag to the side, he knew they were in trouble.

Motohama couldn't even reply before her fist smashed into his face, sending him flying over to the side. The two were frozen in fear and shock as the girl got on top of him and repeatedly and brutally decked him in the face, blood staining her hands as his broken glasses and teeth flew away.

"S-shtop!" Motohama cried out in pain, trying to shield himself. "S-shtop hitting me!"

"Why? Ain't this what ya wanted?" She growled angrily, her accent switching to Kansai. "To be so close ta a girl?!"

She pulled him by the hair and slammed his head back into the ground, probably giving him a nasty concussion. Even then, she didn't show him mercy as she bent his arm, the sickening crack of his bones breaking will probably be haunting Issei in the future.

As soon as Matsuda tried to run away, the girl quickly got off of his friend's unconscious and possibly dead body and tackled him, slamming his face against the ground. Issei finally got a good look on her face as she dragged Matsuda's face across the concrete road, almost pissing himself from how terrified he was.

"Ya worthless fucks are clearly not raised well enough." She spat, standing up to stomp on Matsuda's crotch as she rolled her neck. "So let me do yer parent's jobs and show ya just how bad it is to peep on girls."

Bared teeth, dilated pupils, and a scowl of pure, unbridled fury. He's seen looks of disgust and anger before, those were common in this life of his, but never to such scale.

And he could've sworn her saw her eyes flash blue.

Then, she turned to him, the last of the three perverts. Issei scrambled to get up on his feet, but her fist connecting with his face sent him back down. He flinched violently as blood began to pour down from his nose, and just as he was about to suffer the same fate as his friends, someone stopped her.

"O-oi, Akane, what the hell are you doing?!" Kasuga said, pulling her away from him. "You're really gonna start shit on your first day?!"

"I don't give a fuck!" She screamed, smacking him in the face. "Let go of me or I'll beat yer ass, Ichiban! These dipshits deserve it!"

"Not in school grounds damn it!" He argued with a grimace, definitely not in Issei's favor from what he implied. "You! What the hell are you standing there for?! Run! Get out of here!"

"The fuck?!" Akane exclaimed, snarling at him. "Whose side are ya on?!"

"Yours, dumbass!" He yelled back.

Issei didn't want to wait to see what would happen next as he quickly grabbed his bag and ran as fast as his legs could take him, holding his broken nose in pain. The argument between the two could be heard from a distance, though Issei wasn't listening, thanking his lucky stars that he managed to survive the onslaught of that crazy bitch.

He knew pissing her off was especially a bad idea...

---

(Akane)

I regret nothing.

I glance at my mother, who looked as if she aged twenty more years currently in the principal's office. A check with observe told me that it was a regular human which was pretty weird, since last time I checked, Rias' dad was supposed to be the principal, right?

Probably another change. Not really that much of a surprise.

I'm pretty thankful, though, seeing how my mother would've probably done something stupid. Well, from what I know of her. She should be able to keep her cool pretty well in the presence of a devil. Assassins don't let their emotions get in the way after all.

From what I saw with how she reacted when she saw Sirzechs said otherwise though.

I do trust her, though. To a certain degree of course. Wouldn't trust her or anyone for that matter about my gamer powers for example. That's a secret only known to me. Nobody knowing about it gives me an advantage.

"Well, we'll let it slide for now, seeing the... victims had it coming." The principal hesitated to call the three morons 'victims', almost making me snort. "But such overreaction is unacceptable in our school."

"Y-yes, miss…" My mother nodded.

"Please, Amamiya-san." She looked at me sternly. "Control yourself next time, alright? Had Kasuga-san never stopped you, you might've even killed them, and we don't want that, do we?"

We really don't. Not yet at least.

"Sorry," I mumble half-heartedly. "Won't happen again."

"Thank you." She smiled softly. "Now, I shall see you tomorrow. Please don't be late."

That was our cue to leave, and as soon as we got to the ground level, my mother stopped me by grabbing my shoulders, looking at me with narrowed eyes. I wince, knowing she's not exactly happy with what I did despite her warnings.

"Akane."

"Y-yes?"

Yeah, she's angry isn't she? I can tell by the look on her face. She might act like an idiot, but I generally avoid angering her because it's genuinely terrifying when she's mad. And not the 'pouty' or 'whiny' kind of mad, but the 'punch a hole through a fucking concrete wall' kind of mad.

I've only ever seen her get that angry twice in my life. I'm 90% sure I inherited her temper seeing dad was the reasonable and chill one, despite his looks. Being yelled at by her was the scariest thing that happened to me.

A silent few seconds made me concerned, but then she broke into a proud grin that confused me.

"Good job."

...uhhh

"What?"

"I know I told you to not go overboard, or to not start trouble on your first day." She nodded. "But what you did today? That was hero work right there!"

"..Excuse me?"

I'm still unsure how to react. Realistically, she should be pissed off that I quite literally almost killed two students. Anyone would be, and for good reason. The parents of those dumbasses will probably try to call the police or something - can't do shit because I'm still a minor, and minors can't go to jail in Japan. Love the system here - and hold a grudge.

Mom absolutely hates dealing with those kinds of people, and will lament the fact that she can't beat the hell out of them without getting in trouble. Pretty sure she's jealous of me in that regard.

"I've heard rumors, y'know." She explained. "Worrying rumors about infamous perverts lurking in Kuoh Academy. I couldn't just wave it off seeing how you attend the same school, so when I did my research, I discovered that they're a menace to this society-"

"Short story, Kaa-san."

"W-well, a lot of parents complain about them, you see. Saying that their daughters don't feel very safe. Some even wanted to pull out." She cleared her throat with a cough. "And what you did today? Heh, you practically saved all the students there and assured them that they won't be peeped on ever again."

"So what you're saying is…" I frown. "I did a good thing?"

"Yep." My mother nodded. "And I feel very proud of you. You've practically become this school's heroine!"

Well… Okay, I'll admit, when she puts it that way, I did do a good thing. I had some doubts seeing how overboard I went. Granted, I don't regret or feel bad about what I did at all, I just hated that I might be getting problems because of it. Bad rep or something. Already had a dumb title in Kiyoraha, don't want one here too.

And being told that she's proud of me feels good. It always did.

Damned butterflies...

"Breaking: Local Kuoh Academy student almost kills two classmates, and is hailed a hero for it." I snark, smiling.

"Don't put it that way!" She laughs.

"Yeah, it sounds weird from my perspective, doesn't it?" I say. "But… thanks. At least you're not mad at me."

"You did the world a service by thrashing two possible future rapists." She salutes. Hey, that's what I thought too. "No way I'd be mad.

"Alright, run home now. I'll be catching up soon." She says, patting my head.

"Thought we'd walk together?" I raise a brow.

"I'd love to, but there's something I need to do first." She sighs, but I catch a glimpse of her eyes sharpening for a split-second. "And… Well…"

She suddenly looked uncomfortable, making me even more confused.

"What's wrong?"

"I… need to talk to you about something today." She fidgets nervously. "It's very important. Very, very important. So please wait for me at home, mmkay?"

Oh… is she talking about what I think she's talking about? That's a lot sooner than I expected. I don't mind though, that means I can stop hiding some of the stuff I do at home and actually learn from the expert.

"Alright." I nod. "I'll wait if it's that serious. Don't take too long."

I wave at her and head towards the front gate, admittedly feeling nervous. I don't know why I feel that way, but the prospect of her telling me everything is kinda nerve-wracking.

But I also feel excited. Is she gonna teach me secret assassin techniques? How to fight with guns or hands? Maybe she knows how to use Ice Magic too. That'd be amazing. Only issue I'm seeing is where to train. Anywhere will probably mean that the devils will be keeping a close eye on us, and I don't want that.

...Should I reveal my ID Create ability, or should I stay quiet about it? Showing it to my mother and/or uncle shouldn't be so bad. I have high REP with them, and I know I can trust them with this secret. Gamer powers are still gonna be only known to me, same with the actual waves of the dungeons.

I think I'll keep it to myself for now. I shouldn't be rushing. Wait and watch, keep the dungeon thing a secret until I'm absolutely sure it's the only way. Keeping everything to myself from my allies will only make me suspicious, and I want their full trust.

I sigh and shake my head. It feels like I'm walking on eggshells these days…

---

(Koneko)

The sun began to set as she jumped from building to building, silently keeping watch over the girl with red eyes. She trailed her upperclassmen with efficiency, this time making sure to focus extra hard on her.

Rias appointed her and Akeno to keep eyes on the new students close to the Yakuza. She was to follow Akane Amamiya, and her friend kept an eye on Haruka Sawamura. It wasn't a rigorous job at first. Keeping watch while remaining hidden is easy for someone like her.

But she was proved wrong the moment Amamiya vanished on lunch break. Became utterly untraceable, and that was one hell of a way to vanish seeing how her mana levels were already unnaturally low. Koneko panicked at the time, thinking she might've gotten kidnapped or something.

When she returned to class, Koneko almost broke character by letting out a huge sigh of relief. That would've been a disaster.

Unlike what most of her peerage thought, she's very aware of the new students' significance, even more so than her King, who's being concerningly laid back and confident that she can convince them to be friends.

Being friends is fine, Koneko thought. Rias wasn't exactly a malicious individual, just amazingly dense, and annoyingly arrogant at times. She doesn't hate her King of course, in fact, she loves her and sees her as an older sister.

But she'd be lying if she said Rias wasn't… how to say this without being mean?

An… idiot? No, airheaded?

Lacks self-awareness. Yes, that.

However, she's plenty smart too. Keeping an eye on Akane wasn't just spy work, it's also keeping her safe from possible terrorist attacks. They might be in a heavily guarded town, but it's not exactly bad to have extra protection, right? The Old Satans are getting increasingly bolder the past few months.

From what Koneko saw that day, however, told her that this gal might not need protection at all. She's seen the perverts get destroyed by girls constantly that it became a tourist attraction at this point, but never to such a degree.

One probably won't be able to use his dick anymore, and the other got a concussion he'll most likely never recover from.

She almost felt bad for them. Almost.

Regardless, Koneko definitely held the girl in higher regard now. Absolutely merciless to perverts, as any girl should be. She wouldn't even mind being her friend now.

She jumped down into a quiet dark alley, eyes seeing everything as bright as day, still spying on the Amamiya girl. As Koneko went about to follow her, she suddenly froze, her instincts screaming at her to run as far as she possibly could, but her legs couldn't move as a sharp blade pressed against her throat.

"And what do you think you're doing, filth?" A feminine yet terrifyingly emotionless voice asked. "You're getting awfully brave, don't you think?"

Koneko couldn't make out who said this, staying silent. She knew a single movement would end up with her throat being cut open. She's at the mercy of… whoever this person is.

"No answer?" The voice continued. "What a surprise. Here I thought you'd be spewing about how 'I should release you at once', or that 'I'm messing with the wrong person.'"

"W-who are you?" Koneko stuttered, still in disbelief that someone managed to sneak up on her.

"None of your concern, but I'll give you one warning." She whispered. "Keep up what you're doing, and I'll send you back to your master in pieces. Understood?"

Koneko nodded quietly.

"Very good. Now, I promised someone that I won't be doing anything rash, so I'll let you off. For now." She said. Koneko felt the sharp blade slowly retract. "Don't make me regret this decision, alright?"

As soon as the blade was far enough, she quickly twirled and threw a punch, but no one was there. Koneko felt her breath getting heavier as she shook, but not out of fear, not fully. No, she felt… cold. In fact, the puddle next to the garbage can was frozen solid as well.

What the hell was that?

She shook her head, and decided that whatever that was, she does not want to mess with it.

She needs to report back to Rias and tell her everything.

---

Omake: Pre-Game - Chapter 1 - Ominous Readings

(Three years ago...)

When she heard that she'd be going to Kamurocho once again, she felt excited. Finally, something other than Kiyoraha's boring and quiet atmosphere, something exciting and fun to do. She's always wanted to travel around Japan at least, visit towns and districts and do something before Winter Vacation ends.

And while she'd rather travel to a new place, like Sotenbori or Ijincho, Kamurocho was good enough. She went there once already and had the time of her life along with her parents years ago, why would this be any different?

After all, Kamurocho was worldwide famous for its entertainment. Even if most of it is adult entertainment, there's still a lot for younger people like her. So it should be fun, right? Especially seeing how they're here for a friend's birthday party.

"Every time I get inside this damned office, all I see is garbage!" The birthday girl complained. "How does he even do it?! It was sparkling from how clean it was the day before - Why's there so much trash?!"

First day in, and it's already looking grim for Akane. She and her mother never expected the outburst, and while they should've, they didn't think it'd be this severe. Her uncle messed up badly, didn't he?

Alcohol didn't seem to help her, either. The rest of the party was going smoothly - Karaoke, Arcade, and other fun things before going back to her uncle's office as the adults had their beer or sake. Of course, Akane was still 14, so she settled for a soda or two.

She only managed to drink half of her cola as they finished two packs of beer. Akane literally looked at her phone for a few minutes as they drank twelve damned cans. Her mother can handle a lot of alcohol, which was why she wasn't worried or surprised.

Only annoyed really. She really doesn't want to carry her to the apartment. She wished her uncle stayed instead of going to the convenience store for more drinks.

"H-Hana-chan, please calm down." Mizuki tried to soothe her. "I'm sure Shun-kun doesn't mean it-"

"Ah yes, Shun-kun." Hana, a chubby girl wearing glasses with brown hair styled in a bun, scowled with a flushed face, making her mother flinch. "Why the hell do you keep calling him that, huh?"

Oh here we go… Akane grimaced.

"E-eh?" Mizuki blinked in confusion. "W-well, I've known him for a long time. We're practically si-"

"So what?!" Hana sneered. "I've known him for a long time too! Don't think you can act all lovey-dovey with him, you stupid hag!"

"Lovey-dovey?! I don't even see him that way, you fat sicko!" Mizuki scowled back. "The hell's your problem?! You got a crush on him or something?"

"N-no!" The chubby girl blushed, but a scowl was still on her face. "I just don't want a widow getting close to my boss! He has no time for romance, so don't you even dare."

"That's exactly what someone with a crush would say!" Mizuki laughed, smirking arrogantly. "What, ya jealous?"

"I don't have a crush damn it!"

Unbeknownst to the two, Akane's mood was souring rapidly as she heard them bicker and mock one another. She tried to drown out the noises by blasting music at the highest volume, but to no avail. She almost yelled at them to cut it out and shut up, but managed to get hold of herself, only rushing to the exit with a huff.

"You stu- wait, Akane, where ya goin'?" Her mother asked.

"None of yer business." She replied angrily. "Don't follow me."

"Wait, Aka-"

She closed the door behind her, sighing in frustration as she walked down the stairs. Akane took out a pack of cigarettes from her jacket's pocket, lighting one up before inhaling it, a cloud of smoke leaving her mouth a second later.

If she stayed there any longer, she'd have lost it and done something she'll regret later. She came her to have fun, not deal with grown ups and their dumb issues. Akane likes Hana, admires her for her hardworking nature and digilince even, but she couldn't care less about her romance problems.

She shook her head, flicking the cigarette to the ground before stepping on it to put it out. I'll just take a walk. Maybe I'll find something fun to do.

And so she did, going through the bustling street, beautiful neon lights brightening up the district. She had no goal in mind, preferring to walk until she finds something that could at least amuse her for a minute or two.

Thankfully, she didn't have to wait too long, hearing something in an alleyway nearby. Her curiosity got the better of her, almost smirking as she spotted three punks harassing a very timid girl who looked like she was about to cry.

Some morons to beat up. Fun.

"P-please, I'm not interested." The girl said.

"C'mon, just give us a chance." One of them insisted with a leer. "We promise, you'll have the time of your life."

"Oi." Akane called out to them. "Cut it out. Girl said she's not interested."

"Hah?" They turned out, one raising his brows curiously. "Who the hell are you? Her friend?"

"Nah, just cleanin' up some garbage." She answered simply with a kansai dialect, hands in her jacket's pockets.

One of them blinked and looked around. "But there's no trash here?"

Akane grinned as she stepped forward. "Look again."

It took them a while, but the morons finally understood what she meant, scowling at her. "Oh you think you're funny?"

"I've been told that, yes." She shrugged.

"Tsk, we'll teach you what happens when you try to play hero." The 'leader' sneered, gesturing to his friends. "Waste this bitch!"

Akane's grin merely widened at that, ducking under an obvious cross punch before side stepping around the other one, kicking his back of the knee. He immediately lost his footing and fell over, and Akane took the chance to stomp on his face, quickly knocking him out.

She tilted her head away from a jab, grabbing the punk by the collar before smashing his face with a few punches. She pushed him away, not wasting a single moment to kick him in the nuts, forcing him to stay down.

Akane quickly raised her arm to block the third guy's punch, grabbing the nearest thing nearby - which was an iron pipe - then slammed it on the leader's side, making him cry out in pain as she delivered an uppercut. To make sure he stayed down, she used the pipe in her hand to hit his arm, smashing it to pieces.

She clicked her tongue in annoyance and spat at his face. And here she thought this was gonna be fun. Tokyo Punks are fucking pathetic.

Of course, to add to their injuries, Akane crouched and took out their wallets, throwing them in their faces as she took out their credit cards and whatever cash they had. Might as well get something out of this waste of time.

Akane stuffed her hands in her pockets, leaving the alleyway, but not before the timid girl called out.

"W-wait!" Akane stopped, glancing behind her. The girl bowed deeply. "T-thank you so much!"

Akane rolled her eyes and left, finding the next fun - and hopefully not disappointing - thing to do.

She didn't know how long she walked, most likely an hour or the like, sighing as she failed to find anything that could entertain her. She thought the arcade might be worthwhile, but decided against it. Already went there, and she's still sore that her uncle kicked her ass in that rock-paper-scissors stripper bug game.

Sega makes the wackiest shit for children.

Going alone to Karaoke would make her look like a weirdo. Bringing at least one person is required, she thought. Who the hell goes to Karaoke to sing alone?

"Maybe I should just go back to the apartment and sleep the night…" She muttered.

As that thought crossed her mind, Akane caught something in the corner of her eye. A black hooded woman sitting with a table on top of her, a strange orb in front of her. Akane blinked, raising a brow as she read the sign next to it. A fortune-teller?

She pursed her lips, looking around the oddly empty street before sighing. Whatever, she never believed in superstitions anyway.

As she walked by it, the old woman called out. "You there, girl with red eyes."

Ah, great. A weirdo wants somethin' from me. Akane grimaced. Is it because I looked at her?

"I ain't interested in fortune-tellin'." Akane declined quickly. "Find someone else."

"That's not what I want you for." The old woman shook her head. "I need your help."

Akane blinked, then got closer, curious about what a fortune-teller could want from a young girl such as herself. "My help?"

"Yes.." The 'fortune-teller' nodded. "And I'm afraid someone's about to attack me. I need your protection."

The girl crossed her arms. "Ya need protection from a fourteen year old girl? Am I hearin' this right? Look, lady, no offense, but as ya can tell, I ain't exactly built for fights."

"I'm not daft, I can tell you've seen your fair share of brawls." She said, surprising Akane. "And you've had far more victories than losses. You're no ordinary girl, that's for sure."

Ooookay… She didn't show it, but Akane felt slightly creeped out. "Let's say yer right. Why should I help ya? Because imma be honest; yer sketchy as fuck."

"I'm sure you're curious about your future" The old woman smirked. "I'll give you three readings for free if you do it. Fair reward, no?"

"I don't believe in fortune-telling." Akane stated.

"People usually don't."

Akane wasn't sure why, but the way this woman said that made her shiver. Okay, now she's definitely freaked out by all of this. Who's this woman and what the hell is her problem? There was something off about her and she doesn't like it.

As Akane was about to simply leave, a middle-aged man stomped over, face red with anger as he slammed his hand on the table. "You lying bitch! How dare you?!"

Akane flinched, startled at how loud he was.

"I told you, didn't I?" The fortune-teller grinned at Akane.

"...I s'pose."

"I paid you a million yen, and all I got was nonsense about me going broke!" He screamed. "And my girl ate up that bullshit you spewed and left me! She broke up with me because of you!"

The man was being uncomfortably confrontational, to a very old woman no less. Akane wasn't sure how to react, but once she collected her thoughts, she tried to call out to him. "Oi."

"All I did was tell you what I saw." The old woman said, utterly unaffected. "You, rummaging through a garbage bag looking for food."

"You well in the head?!" The man scowled deeply. "I have enough money to buy a quarter of this place, and you think I'd be going broke soon?!"

The woman's chuckle only made him bristle with rage. He lifted his fist, as if he was about to hit her, but then Akane grabbed his arm, stopping him in place.

"I dunno what the hell is yer problem, but were ya seriously about ta hit a defenseless old woman?" Akane raised a brow. "For shame, man. No wonder yer goin' broke in the future."

"Huh?!" He glared at her. "Hands off, brat. This bitch needs to be taught a lesson."

Akane narrowed her eyes and pushed him back, and without wasting another minute, kicked the man in the crotch, ending whatever incoming fight immediately. He fell over, groaning in pain, and for good measure, Akane kicked him in the face. The man didn't lose consciousness, getting up before hightailing it out of there, intimidated by the girl half his age.

Tokyo really is pathetic...

"Very good." The woman nodded in approval. "As I promised, I shall give you three readings for free."

Akane was about to decline, but hey, it's free. Might as well listen to this nonsense for a laugh or two maybe.

"Yeah, sure." Akane shrugged. "So what am I gonna be in the future, o' wise lady of… whatever yer kind is called?"

The woman smirked in amusement as she glanced at her crystal ball. "You… No, someone close, a friend, will go through betrayal, one that shall shake the brittle peace holding two worlds together."

"Betrayal?"

"Indeed." She nodded. "You are involved in it, yet not a victim. Strange."

...Ominous as fuck.

"Okay, then." Akane scratched the back of head. "I really doubt that's happenin'. Vague, ain't it?"

"Who knows." The fortune-teller said. "My readings may always be accurate, but they're not clear."

Yeah, right. Akane almost scoffed, but decided against it.

"And the second readin'?"

"Hm… I see you in a frozen wasteland." She revealed. "You are ecstatic to the point of madness, free of someone's control, yet alone in a lifeless world, only accompanied by the bloody, frozen corpses littered around you."

Akane flinched. That… was dark.

"The hell?" Akane mumbled. "What kind of weird ass future is that? A frozen wasteland? What, do I get to travel to the north pole or somethin'?"

The fortune-teller merely chuckled at that, and gave no further information.

"As for the last reading…" The woman looked at the crystal ball once more. "...I see you gaining a treasure."

Oooh now that's what I'm all about. Akane smirked.

"What kind of treasure?"

"One you will burn the world for if it means protecting it."

Ah, nevermind.

"However, you seem happy. Content, even." The woman said. "Yet, there are hints of regrets, of fear within. You want to see someone, yet feel hesitant. Ultimately, you are happy, but you feel heavy weight on your shoulders."

"...Riiiiight." Akane frowned. "Well, that was a weird way to kill time, I think. Thanks, I guess."

"Hehehe, take care." The woman nodded respectfully. "One more parting gift. You will meet someone very soon, and his fate will be intertwined with yours."

Akane blinked. "What kinda guy is he?"

"Who knows? As I said, you'll meet him soon." She smirked. "Just know that he's the light to your darkness."

...Right… Akane shrugged and gave the fortune-teller a parting nod. "Well, see ya around then."

The old woman merely waved goodbye as Akane continued her walk, a little thankful to have wasted a bit of time doing something at least. She won't admit it, but she found those readings to be kinda interesting. Betrayal, Frozen Wasteland, a Treasure, and now a shared fate with some stranger. Strange combination if she had to say.

But unbeknownst to her, the fortune-teller saw one more reading, one far more muddier than usual. It showed a rampaging beast of darkness filled with rage and grief, slaughtering everything in its path. It filled everyone's hearts with fear and terror as it killed, tortured and destroyed. No warrior, villain or hero, was able to stop it as one thing remained in its mind.

The one that took away its treasure will pay dearly.

---

Omake: Pre-Game - Chapter 2 - On The Wrong Foot

"Oi, Kaa-san. Wake up." Akane shook her mother, who stirred slightly. "Sun is setting already and yer still asleep."

"Five more minutes…"

She predicted that this was going to happen from the moment she saw her mother crush her sixteenth beer can. She knew Mizuki wasn't gonna wake up for a long, long time. Akane suspected that her mother would drink herself to death one day, and she doubted Mizuki would be against it.

A cause of death like that is something Mizuki's aiming for, Akane was sure of it. One day, she'll just say 'fuck it' and fill up her bathtub with champagne and/or whiskey, then drink it all with a straw. Fucking snort some too while she's at it.

This alcoholic bitch.

To tell the truth, Akane was pretty thankful that her mother doesn't have violent outbursts when drunk, considering who she inherited her temper from. She'd turn sad, happy, flirtatious, and if severe, she'd forget that she's not alone and…

"Ehehe, Tatty…" Her mother had a dopey grin on her face as she uttered her husband's nickname lewdly. "C'mere and gimme a kiss~"

Akane shivered. She'd rather deal with an angry Mizuki than hear that again.

At least she's asleep now. Sure, she had to drag her across Kamurocho to their apartment - with both her uncle and Hana passed out drunk - but that's thankfully done. Now it's the next day, and daylight is gone.

Why was I excited to come here again? Akane grimaced.

"Fine, sleep it off then." She gave up with a frustrated sigh. "I hope ya wake up with the worst hangover in yer life. See if I care…"

With that, Akane left the apartment, taking a taxi to the main district. She expected to have fun here, not babysit her dumbass of a mother and watch adults drink themselves silly.

'Least place looks nice… Akane thought as she glanced from the window. True enough, she was a fan of Kamurocho's aesthetics. It definitely looks a lot better than Kiyoraha's boring look. She'd love to live here, or anyone in Tokyo really.

Her dad used to live in Kuoh at some point if she remembers correctly. Odd how she never went there. She should try to convince her mother to visit that place one day.

Akane exited the car, the sun's already gone as the lights of the city came to life. She put her hands inside her jacket's pockets and began walking aimlessly, unsure of what she was supposed to do. She tried calling her uncle, but he didn't respond either, probably shitfaced too.

She scowled in annoyance. Great, it's Winter Vacation and she's stuck doing nothing. Akane should've brought her DS with her, at least she wouldn't have to suffer through this.

She internally swore that she's gonna kick her mother's ass once she goes back.

Akane sighed and turned her head to her right, spotting a Takoyaki stand. Now that she thought about it, she didn't eat anything at all. She's kinda hungry.

She almost drooled when the smell hit her nostrils.

Scratch that; she's really hungry.

Akane blinked as she noticed the line, groaning in frustration. Did everyone decide that it's Takoyaki day today? She shook her head and stopped at the back of the line, waiting for it to move.

This is gonna take a while, ain't it? She grimaced as her stomach started growling. Fantastic…

Let it be known that Akane isn't a patient girl.

This is practically hell for her.

Goddamn it…

---

(Sometime later…)

This has been the longest line she's ever gone through. A tedious thirty minutes that felt like thirty eternities instead. Starving throughout the entire thing hasn't been easy for Akane. It was agonizing.

But finally, after so long, it's her turn. Standing right in front of the old woman as she made her food cheerfully, twelve steaming balls of Takoyaki were given to her. Definitely not enough to actually fill her up, but looking at them now made it worth the trouble.

Akane quickly handed the money before taking the bag.

"You're lucky, Ojou-chan." The old lady said with a smile. "That was the last batch."

"Eh?" Akane blinked in shock. "For real?!"

"Yes. I'm all out of Takoyaki." She chuckled as the people behind Akane all groaned in frustration. "Now go enjoy yourself, dear."

You don't gotta say that twice~ With a smile, Akane was about to eat right there and then, but stopped herself.

She blinked, feeling something behind her. She turned around slowly, frowning nervously as she saw the hungry eyes of the people behind her look straight at her food. Akane closed the box and left the scene in a hurry, feeling something terrible would've happened had she stayed there.

Through the crowded streets to make sure she loses, then heading towards Champion District to eat there. Should at least keep them away for enough time for her to eat her fill.

Right as she turned, Akane accidentally bumped into someone, letting go of the Takoyaki Box in her hand. It fell, all the delicious pieces splattering on the ground as Akane looked in horror. No…

Nonono-

As if to add insult to injury, people unknowingly stepped on the food, squashing them completely. Akane clenched her fists, scowling deeply as turned to the guy who bumped into her. She couldn't think anymore - she's gonna fuck him up badly.

She grabbed him by the shoulder and pushed him to face her.

"Watch where yer going, dipshit!" She snarled. "The fuck's yer problem?!"

The guy, who looked to be about her age, blinked in confusion. He wasn't sure if she was talking to him. Better yet, why. Here he was, taking a walk like usual before a girl suddenly started shouting at him.

She was young, that was easy to realize. Her black hair was styled in a short ponytail obscuring her left eye. She wore something surprisingly light seeing it's winter, consisting of a red shirt, black leather jacket, and short jeans.

He's heard of girl punks before, but this is the first time he's seen one.

"T-the hell?" He muttered. "Are you talking to me?"

"No, I'm talkin' to the statue behind you- yes I'm talkin' to ya dumbass!" She grabbed him by the collar with a scowl. "Ya blind? Couldn't have watched where you're goin' before ya bumped into me?!"

"What the fuck- let go of me!" He scowled back as he tried to take her hands off of him. "The hell is wrong with you?"

"You bump into me, make me drop my goddamn food, then ask me what's wrong?!" He was doing a great job of pissing her off more by the second. "Tsk, Imma keep it short; ya have two options, bucko. One, ya give me back my money, 2000 Yen, like a good boy, or two, I kick your ass right here, right now."

"The hell do you think I am?!" He sneered. "Takoyaki, yeah? Those don't get over 1000 unless they're from a high-end restaurant. You think you can rip me off?"

"Option two it is…" Akane muttered.

The boy didn't even get the chance to respond before a fist smashed into his face, making him stumble backward. Seeing how empty this part of the town is, only very few people finally noticed the commotion as they began to clear out, some taking out their phones to record the whole thing. It's not every day you see a girl duking it out like that.

"Fuck!" He growled, hatefully glaring at her. "What the actual fuck is wrong with-"

The girl rushed at him again, a jab landing on his face again as he grunted in pain. He scowled as he tilted his head to avoid another punch, stepping backward. He was still unsure of what to do - he's fought a lot before, but never a girl.

"S-stop!" He tried to reason with her.

She didn't listen as she continued giving him hell - a knee to the stomach that left him reeling. He coughed as he began to lose his temper, snarling as she smirked smugly. "You Tokyo punks are fuckin' worthless~"

That's it. His scowl deepened. I'll teach this bitch to not mess with me.

He dodged a kick then grabbed her arm, pulling her close before delivering a brutal punch to the gut. She gasped in pain, and with a growl, she pushed him backward with an uppercut.

She was relentless as she rushed once more, grabbing a plastic trash can before smashing it on his face. He parried a punch and countered with his own, blood pouring down from her nose.

She dodged a kick, pushing against the wall before kneeing him in the gut again. He coughed and pushed her away, making her trip to the ground. Seeing his chance, he quickly got on top of her.

He cocked his arm back as she tried to get him off, kicking him in the face. He ignored the pain and landed punch after punch, making her cry out in pain. Said cries would turn into screams of anger, and for a split second, he could've sworn he saw a blue glow come out of her eyes.

She managed to turn the tables, this time her being on top of him as she busted his face with a flurry of punches. Thinking quickly, he kicked her off of him a good distance, giving him enough time to recollect his thoughts and breathe.

She quickly got up, looking as if she completely lost it, as if she's ignoring the pain. The terrifying scowl she sent his way made him shiver. What the fuck is wrong with that lunatic?! Is- is she trying to kill him?

And is it him, or is he starting to feel a little cold?

He clicked his tongue and scowled back. Fine, he'll just have to kill her first then. He doesn't have much in this life anyway. Fuck's the police gonna do, put him in prison? As if they can imprison someone underaged.

As the two charged at one another, a third voice stopped them. "Oi, oi, look what we have here?"

The two blinked and looked at where the voice came from. One man in his late teens followed by a dozen other guys, all holding pipes, knives, bats, and so on. The girl scowled at him, clicking her tongue.

"Really?" He turned to look at her, confused. "Couldn't beat one girl so ya brought your friends to do it for ya?"

"M-my friends?" He glared at her. "Aren't they your friends?!"

Her scowl was quickly replaced with a confused look, then her eyes widened in realization as the leader of that group laughed.

"We're nobody's friends. We just heard a commotion and thought we should join the party." He grinned. "Don't have to tell you that this is our turf, yeah?"

"Your turf?" The boy scoffed. "This is definitely not your turf. This is the Tojo's. What does a two-bit gang like you know anyway?"

"The fuck did you call us, brat?"

"I dunno what the fuck you morons want, but stay out of it." The girl added. "Couldn't care less which turf this belongs to - This ain't your fight, so fuck off, or I'll make sure ya never leave the hospital."

The way she said it made the leader flinch as if she was warning him rather than threatening him. He sneered as his grip over his pipe tightened. "The fuck is a bitch like you doing here, huh?! Go fuck off back to the kitchen where you belong."

The girl rolled her eyes with a mocking laugh. "Wow, original. Never heard that one before. Ya sure ain't trying hard enough."

The boy mirrored her sneer as he turned around to face them. He glanced at her, thinking clearly after calming down for a bit. "You don't mind if we continue later? I have an urge to kick their asses instead."

"Fine by me." She nodded. "I'm still fuckin' you up once we're done with the trash, though."

"We'll see about that."

---

It didn't take long for people to hear the shouts of anger and cries of pain over at Champion District, a place notorious for drunken brawls. However, this was no simple fight between two people.

When people checked out the commotion, of course, none called the police because of how common this is anyway, they saw around a dozen guys in their late teens fighting two kids a lot younger than them, a girl and a boy looking like they just started junior high.

It was surreal. A small gang against two kids, and what was more unbelievable, the kids were winning this handily. No matter how hard they were hit, they'd bounce back and strike twice as hard. Some of the older audience were reminded of the times of that man in a white suit.

The girl threw a jab at the last standing man with a yell, knocking him on his ass as his nose started to pour blood. The man looked around in terror as he saw all of his companions either running away or unconscious. He let out a terrified shriek as he escaped.

As for the two victors, they weren't in the best shape. The girl leaned against the wall, panting in exhaustion with his face bruised and bloodied, yet looking satisfied. The boy wasn't in any better shape either as he sat down, as tired and hurt as she was.

The boy looked at her as she met his gaze, throwing him a small smile. He smiled back, the animosity they had for one another evaporating and replaced with mutual respect. He wasn't sure who this girl is yet, but he'd openly admitted that she's one hell of a brawler. It was insane seeing a girl his age completely decimate adults with brutality even he doesn't have. He felt lucky that he had her at his side, and he'd rather not be in a fight with her again if he can help it.

As for Akane, she felt something similar. The boy wasn't like any other puny punk she encountered in Kamurocho. Hell, even Kiyoraha didn't have any kids as strong as he is. Might be arrogant to think that, but he reminded her of herself.

Akane always knew she wasn't exactly a normal kid right from the moment she threw her first punch. She'd realized how ridiculously strong she is for a girl her age, capable of beating grown-ass men with nothing but her fists. It's not really a feat a lot of kids her age can do.

Seeing this boy match her in strength like this, even overpower her at times in their previous fight… Well, now that the anger vanished, she can say that she respects his guts. At least he's not against throwing hands with girls like a lot of other guys.

She'd also admit that this was a good waste of time now that she can think clearly again.

"Think we scared 'em off?" Akane spoke up after taking a breather.

"For now, yeah." He nodded. "That's probably not all of them, though. They're gonna come back soon."

"Heh, let 'em." She smirked. "Always happy to crack open some skulls."

There was a moment of silence after that, the two watching the unconscious bodies of the thugs they just beat. It remained as such until the girl spoke once more.

"Akane Amamiya." She stated her name as he glanced at her with a confused look. "My name. I'm Akane Amamiya. What's yours?"

"Oh, uh…" He rubbed the back of his head. "I'm Ichiban. Ichiban Kasuga."

"Ichiban?" Akane raised a brow. "What kinda name is Ichiban?"

"What, got a problem with that?" Ichiban narrowed his eyes.

"Naw, I just never heard someone call their kid Ichiban." She grinned in amusement. "What are ya best at? Gettin' beaten up by girls?"

Ichiban scowled in response, a pink tint painting his cheeks as Akane laughed. Damn her for having a common name, he can't make fun of it.

"Look, what matters is that I'm happy with it, alright?"

"I ain't sayin' it's a bad name, man." Akane shrugged with a smile. "I'm just teasin' ya. I'd even say it's a nice name too, just a lil weird. That's all."

"Whatever…"

Another pregnant pause, this time with Ichiban breaking it after thinking about what happened earlier. He scratched his head with a guilty look on his face, not sure how to apologize. He decided to be forward with it instead of pussyfooting around.

"So, uh…" He started, prompting her to look at him. "Sorry for bumping into you earlier."

Akane grimaced as she remembered what started this whole mess in the first place. She quite honestly doesn't have the energy to get angry anymore, opting to sigh instead. As she was about to brush it off, she got an idea, smirking in response.

"Well, if ya wanna make it up." She extended her arm towards him, offering him her hand. "Then all ya gotta do is buy me dinner."

"I.. uh…" He chuckled awkwardly. "Don't have any money…"

And free dinner is out the window… She lost her smirk as she gave him a deadpan look. "Seriously?"

"Sorry?"

"Ugh, whatever." She shook her head. "C'mon then, it's on me, but you better pay up soon."

He blinked, not expecting this act of generosity before smiling gratefully, taking her hand. "You betcha!"

Akane pulled him back up, leading the way out of Champion District. She never expected to befriend someone here in this place. It feels nice to not be alone in this place. At least she won't be so damn bored anymore.

This trip might not be so bad after all.

---

Wow, two omakes in one chapter?

Reason for this is because I'm an idiot because Omake one was supposed to be with the previous chapter. Don't mind me. At least you get a 20k words chapter, yea?

Anyway, fun fact, I've yet to include an OC aside from Mizuki. All the characters you probably don't recognize are yakuza characters. Ichiban is only de-aged because if I go by canon, he's in his forties.

But I hope you had fun, because personally, this is my favorite fic to write so far.

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