The next day, as Issei expected, the rumors had spread to ridiculous degrees and everyone in school was looking at him like some filth on the ground. Matsuda and Motohama were looking at Issei nervously, considering this was their fault and the fact that Issei had a very clear "I'm annoyed don't test me" presence around him they were hesitant to speak to him. Someone else, however, wasn't.

A girl walked up to Issei and stood near his desk. Issei looked up to the girl, not changing his expression. Said girl was Aika Kiryuu, one of, if not the only girl in school who would talk to the perverted trio amicably. She was also known around school as the female pervert, but for some reason the rest of the school treated her normally.

"So…" Aika began. "You have a girlfriend?" Her expression showed a teasing smile.

"Haah…" Issei let out an elongated sigh before answering. "No, I don't have a girlfriend. Those idiots couldn't understand why I don't hang out with them as much and began to make up a reason as to why. Even though I tried to stop them the rumors began to spread like wildfire. You know how it is for me. The other students automatically assume the worst without anything to base it off of." He said irritatedly and loud enough so the rest of the class could hear.

The other students were pretending not to eavesdrop (and doing a poor job of it).

"I know my reputation is bad from before… before." He paused mid-sentence not wanting to specify. The others in the room knew what he meant when he said that. "But it's like everyone thinks nothing has changed. Is it really so easy to think the worst of me?" Issei looked directly at Aika.

"Unfortunately, as long as you associate with those idiots, everyone is gonna act like their problems are your problems." Kiryuu said ignoring the complaints from the other two perverts. "It also doesn't help that while your personality may have changed, your tastes haven't. You're still a pervert." She smiled wryly.

"Pot meet kettle." Issei said under his breath.

He couldn't deny her words though. If he really wanted to restart socially he would have to abandon his friends. But he wouldn't do that for such a shallow reason, although the idea has been more tempting as of late as his friends had been more harmful than helpful to him lately. At this point he was one bad incident away from leaving them altogether. Issei recollected himself and turned to Kiryuu.

"I wouldn't do something so shallow. What kind of person would I be for abandoning my friends just to score social points?" The two perverts had happy tears in their eyes, thankful that their bro wasn't just gonna up and leave them.

Aika gave the two a look that said, those two can't be helped, then returned to the conversation. "Well it's not like you have time for a girl right now anyways considering your after hours activities." She said low enough so only Issei could hear her. He gave her a complicated look then turned away. Aika knew about Issei's circumstances as well but didn't have all the details, so she was somewhat sympathetic to his plight. "Living a double life sure isn't all it's cracked up to be huh?"

"They make it look so much easier in anime and movies." Issei playfully complained. "But if I want to protect the things that are important to me I have to keep going." His look changed to one of determination.

The other students couldn't hear them but a few had surprised looks on their faces at Issei's expression. Some of the girls slightly blushed at an appearance that could only be described to them as manly before shaking that feeling off at remembering who they were thinking about.

Aika gave him an affirming nod before returning to her desk. The teacher finally entered and classes began like normal.

Later as school ended Issei was heading to his locker to get his things and head home. Upon opening his locker something unexpected fell out. A pink envelope fell to the ground and immediately grabbed the attention of everyone nearby. "No way! Is that..!" Matsuda said, stunned at what he was seeing.

Issei bent over and picked up the letter. He gave it a look over to see if it was addressed to anyone specifically. There was a faint perfume smell coming off the letter. He then opened it and read the letter while everyone present watched dazed.

"Please meet me by the old fountain tomorrow at sunset. -Your Secret Admirer." The writing was definitely feminine. He was surprised and suspicious.

His friends apparently had finally recovered from their shock because now they decide to hound him. "YOU BASTARD!" Motohama shouted. "All that bullshit about not having a girlfriend and now you get a love letter! WHAT! THE! HELL!" He had grabbed Issei's collar halfway through his rant and was shaking him vigorously.

Matsuda followed up after his friend. "How could you do this to us?! I thought we were bros! Now you got some girl wanting to meet you and probably do some ecchi stuff with you too!" He wailed.

The other students were now in a frenzy talking amongst themselves about what was happening. "No way, he actually got a love letter!" "It must be a day of miracles. Maybe I should go buy a lottery ticket." "There is no way there is someone crazy enough to date that pervert, right?"

Issei, under normal circumstances would have been over the moon about getting a love letter. Of course, that was the old Issei.

"Will you two shut up. It's not like I planned this. I'm just as surprised as you are. And to be honest I don't even believe it myself." He had an exasperated look on his face. "I have half a mind to believe this is some elaborate prank on someone else's part."

After he said that, the other students seemed to calm down somewhat, with some of them saying "I see." or "That must be it." while coming to some sort of understanding. He also heard someone say "Even if that makes sense that's just too cruel even for a pervert like him." At least someone had some sympathy for him.

His friends finally seemed to come out of their hysteria and ask Issei. "So… are you going to meet this person?"

Issei gave them a side glance then turned to head for the exit. "Yeah. If for no other reason than to find out who sent it." He stopped just short of the exit and turned his head back with a mischievous smile. "Of course if it's legit then I'm not going to waste this opportunity. Looks like I'm going to be busy tomorrow." He then walked out while his friends went back to cursing him.

Once Issei got home he told his parents about what happened today.

"I'm so happy for you!" His mother told him.

"Is this our chance to finally have a daughter-in-law?" His father was almost weeping as he asked that.

Issei sweatdropped as he addressed his parents.

"Glad to see you had faith in me." He said sarcastically. "Unfortunately, I'm not as hopeful as you two are. We all know what my reputation is so I'm more inclined to believe this is some prank from someone who hates me." He stated pessimistically.

Both of Issei's parents had sad looks on their faces. While they couldn't deny his words, it still made them sad at how their son's way of thinking had changed. He used to be so hopeful even if things looked bad for him but ever since he came back home he had been less positive. It's only to be expected considering what he had been through, but the pair missed their son's child-like wonder that he had held onto for so long.

"So what are you going to do?" Issei's father asked, repeating what his friend asked him earlier that day.

"I'm going, if only to find out who sent it. On the off chance this person is serious though, I'm not going to give up this opportunity." He said, determined.

The pair had a small smile on their face glad that their son hadn't completely given up on a normal life. Issei started heading for his room.

"I should get my clothes ready for tomorrow in case it turns into a real date. I don't want to look like a mess after all."

Rias was stretching in the clubroom having finished her paperwork for the day. Beside her Akeno, her Queen, was handing her some tea she had prepared.

"Is your work going well Buchou?" Akeno asked.

"Yeah. I just finished up today's requests. How are things around school? Anything of note happen?" She asked while bringing her cup to her mouth.

Akeno put a finger to her bottom lip and smiled as she answered her king. "Well, did you hear the latest rumor about Hyoudou-kun?" Rias shook her head in denial. "Apparently he got a love letter before leaving today. It was quite the hot topic, especially among the other members of the perverted trio." Rias smiled, she could just picture the look on their faces.

"Any idea from who?" She asked.

"No idea. He didn't let anyone see it, not even his friends. Although it seems Hyoudou-kun himself isn't too hopeful about it."

Rias' face slightly frowned confused. Isn't this what he has always wanted? "Why do you say that?" She asked bewildered.

Akeno also frowned and responded. "Well apparently Hyoudou-kun thinks it's some kind of prank being played on him."

Rias could see that happening, he had a bad reputation after all. Even so, no one deserves to have their heart stomped on. "So what is he going to do?" She asked slightly worried for him.

"He is going to meet whoever this is apparently." The queen said.

"Do you know when it's supposed to happen?" The redhead asked.

"Sometime tomorrow. He didn't specify."

Rias nodded her head in understanding and came up with a plan. "While this might be underhanded this might create a perfect opportunity for us. If things do go wrong we can have one of us come in and help him, which would make it easier to recruit him into my peerage."

Akeno was slightly surprised at her king's plan but then a mischievous smile crept onto her lips. "Ara ara, are you perhaps using this plan as an excuse to spy on Hyoudou-kun's date instead." She said teasingly.

Rias slightly blushed and denied it. "O-of course not, why would I do something like that? I'm only interested in his Sacred Gear." She stated unconvincingly.

Akeno decided to tease her further. "Ara ara, poor Issei-kun. It seems he's only valuable as a pawn for our king."

Rias gave her queen a small glare before Akeno leaned in and spoke again. "I'm sure you just want to help him, considering your own love life troubles."

Akeno had a kind expression on her face while looking at Rias. Rias simply looked down neither confirming nor denying what her queen said. "Anyways we should wrap up our work for the day." She said, trying to change the subject.

Akeno just gave a small Ufufu and responded. "Whatever you say, Rias."

Issei was walking through downtown heading towards the meeting place of his supposed "Secret Admirer". He had already made two plans for the day depending on how it went. A: If it was a prank then he would deal with the culprit(s) and get on with his day. B: If this was for real he had plans to take the girl all over town and do his best to show her a good time. What they did specifically would be dependent on what kinda person this girl was. Incidentally, that bat that has been keeping a watch on him for someone has been following him ever since he left his house. If things go south at least there will be a witness, although that may or may not be a good thing.

Issei finally made it to the water fountain and waited there for several minutes before a girl approached him. She had long black hair and was in a school uniform that he didn't recognize. The girl timidly approached him before stopping a few feet away.

"I-I'm glad you answered my letter." The girl said nervously. "I was worried you weren't going to come."

Issei gave her a small smile. "Well it would be rude to ignore a letter from a girl, especially one as pretty as you." He did his best to be nice while hiding his suspicion.

The young girl blushed and decided to continue. "T-thank you. I was wondering, if you don't already have one, if I could be your girlfriend?" She twirled her hair with her finger nervously.

Issei felt excited inside but quelled that emotion. "Well it's possible but I would like to get to know you first."

He had to play this right. If this was real he didn't want to make her feel bad because of his paranoia, but if this was an elaborate prank she could be just waiting for him to let his guard down then smash his heart (figuratively anyway).

While Issei was contemplating his actions his thoughts were interrupted by a deep voice.

[Partner, I can feel power emanating from that girl.]Ddraig spoke into his mind.

Issei immediately went on alert but tried not to show it. "Is she another devil?" He mentally asked in a serious tone.

[No. This girl's power is different. She smells like a fallen angel.]

A fallen angel. It was his first time encountering one. He focused on the girl trying to feel for her power and found it to be true. It was different from what he felt from Rias and Sona and if he wasn't looking for it he would have never noticed.

Things just got more complicated. He thought as he readied himself to use magic if things got violent. He hoped that this was just a coincidence and that maybe she really wanted to go out with him.

"That's fine, but can I ask you to do something first?" The girl asked with a somewhat innocent look. Issei inclined his head to indicate to her to continue.

"Would you die for me?"

Issei mentally sighed to himself. Well so much for that hope. He quickly took a defensive position. "How about no." He said snarkily.

The girl began to change right in front of him. Her body went from a high school girls to a more voluptuous adult body. Her clothes went from modest to black leather that barely covered the important bits. Jet black wings appeared out of her back confirming what Ddraig told him. She looked at him condescendingly.

"Your consent isn't necessary. You are going to die here. If you're going to blame anyone, blame God for giving you that Sacred Gear."

Issei made an annoyed "tch" noise at that. So that's what this is about. How annoying, but now I know other beings can sense me too. Gonna have to work on that later.

He made a mental note as the fallen angel created a light spear and threw it at him. Issei managed to dodge out of the way but was soon met with another spear heading for him. He was mid dodge so he couldn't avoid this one.

Guess I got no choice. It's either block or die.

He created a magic circle with his hand and deflected the incoming spear. The fallen was clearly not expecting him to be able to use magic, because now her posture changed from relaxed to wary.

"Tch. So you can use magic. Well it doesn't matter, you're still just a lowly human. Nothing you do will be able to harm me."

With that she put more power into her next spear throw. Issei blocked this one but the force behind it caused his gloves to rip off.

"Hey! I liked those gloves!" He complained half heartedly, trying to figure out a plan.

"Do I look like I care what a dead man thinks!" The fallen was getting more irritated.

What should I do? If I use more power then I will expose myself to whoever is watching me. But if I don't fight back I will only end up dead, and that's not an option!

He looked to his now exposed hand to see his command spells, still on his hand even after he returned from Chaldea. He had people who he had to see again no matter what.

Well, I guess it's do or die time!

He felt the power of it course through him still, but whenever he tried to summon his servants to him before it didn't work. But he was going to place all his bets on it this time, to prove that he was willing to risk everything for a chance.

"Here goes something!"

(Sometime earlier when the fight started.)

Rias rose from her seat so fast it startled the other members of the ORC in the room. She had been watching Issei to see how things would turn out, but she never expected a fallen angel to attack him. Before Akeno could ask what happened Rias spoke alarmed.

"Issei is being attacked by a fallen angel! We need to go help him immediately!" She ordered the others and they began preparations to save Issei.

(Meanwhile in Chaldea)

Mash was walking through the halls of Chaldea trying to be helpful. It had been a few weeks since Ritsuka returned to his own world and Chaldea had been busy explaining what happened during the Grand Order and how everything got solved. It had been quite hectic for everyone and Mash and the servants that remained were doing their best to help make things easier. She absentmindedly thought how her Senpai was doing although not that much time had passed. She was brought out of her thoughts when a communication came in.

"Mash! I need you to come to the Command Room immediately! It's urgent!" Da Vinci spoke in a somewhat distracted tone.

Mash was slightly taken aback but nodded.

"A-alright, I'm on my way!" She began running down the hall with Fou on her shoulder.

When she arrived she found Da Vinci as well as several other staff members working at their stations, completely focused on what they were working on. Mash went up to Da Vinci Who was furiously working on something.

"I'm here Da Vinci-san, what's happening?" Mash asked with a serious look on her face.

Da Vinci gave Mash a glance before returning to the screen in front of her.

"We got a signal just now. It's weak but…" Da Vinci turned her head fully to Mash. "We think it's Fujimaru-kun." She said seriously.

Mash was surprised, she wasn't expecting anything so soon. She felt the urge to jump for joy but the look on Da Vinci's face said that wasn't all there is to it.

"Is something wrong?" Mash asked, worried.

Da Vinci returned to the screen. "The readings are messy but from what I can tell Fujimaru-kun seems to be in danger, or at the very least under duress."

Mash looked shocked. She had hoped that once he had gone home he would have some time to relax before something happened, but now he was in danger and no one could seem to help him. She couldn't help him. For some reason after they returned from the Temple of Time, Mash hasn't been able to use her servant powers. Even if she could go to him she would be useless. She bit her lip in vexation.

"Isn't there anything we can do to help?" Mash asked.

"We're having a hard time just trying to establish communication. We won't be able to send anyone to help, especially without a summoning zone and he doesn't have your shield with him either." Da Vinci also seemed vexed.

Neither knew what to do in this situation and simply hoped that Ritsuka would come out ok but suddenly Mash felt something. She put her hand over her chest as something was calling out to her.

"Senpai?" She said out to no one in particular.

Da Vinci looked at her perplexed but then started getting a signal from Ritsuka. It was the same readings as when he would try to summon a servant. It was then that she realized that Mash was responding to him.

"Mash, keep focusing on whatever you're feeling right now! I think Fujimaru-kun is trying to summon you!"

Mash's eyes went wide at what she was told. Senpai wanted her help, despite how useless she was right now? No, she couldn't think that way! No matter how bad things got, her Senpai kept moving forward. Now it's her turn to move forward and help her Senpai! Her and Fou's body began to glow and a magic circle appeared beneath her.

"Master, I'm coming!" In a flash of light, Mash and Fou were gone.

The fallen was trying to comprehend what just happened. She was certain that the spear she threw was going to kill him but then someone else appeared out of nowhere and blocked it. Such an ability was not part of her information about her target. He should have been just some ordinary high school student with a Sacred Gear. Yet nothing had gone as planned.

"What is this?! What did you do?!" She yelled irritated at the human.

Issei didn't seem to hear her because he was completely focused on his Kouhai who he successfully summoned in front of him.

"Mashu…. It's really you." He was so happy but did his best to hold back his emotions. Now wasn't the time for happy reunions.

"Yes Master, I heard your call so I came as quickly as I could." She repositioned herself ready for a fight. "What is the situation?"

He refocused himself and stated. "That fallen angel is trying to kill me."

That was all he said, he had to keep in mind that he was still being watched and now they know he can summon people to help him. He exchanged a look with Mash that said he would explain more later.

"Understood. Let's defeat her together Master!"

"Don't think that adding another person will change anything I'll still-"

She was cut off mid sentence as she had to deflect a bolt of destruction energy fired at her with her light spear. Everyone turned to see who fired the attack and they saw Rias there with her peerage.

"Who are you and what do you think you're doing attacking someone in my territory?!" Rias demanded from the fallen.

The fallen let out an annoyed "tch" noise.

"You got lucky this time, human! The next time we meet will be your end!"

A magic circle appeared beneath her and she vanished. With the fallen angel gone everyone there relaxed a bit.

"Everyone spread out and make sure there aren't any surprises nearby." Rias told her peerage and they went to do so.

Rias approached Issei and his new companion. She was about to address them but Issei started talking first.

"Phew, that was close. Thanks a lot Ma-"

He was tackled to the ground by Mash who was hugging him with all her might. Fou who also appeared with Mash jumped to his shoulder, rubbing against his cheek.

"Senpai! I missed you so much, even though it hasn't been that long since we parted ways it felt like an eternity!" She was crying and pouring her heart out to her important person who she thought she might never see again.

Issei was surprised at how Mash was acting. He had never seen her this way before, although he would be lying if he said he wasn't happy.

"I'm sorry it took me so long to get in touch. Although considering it took me only several months, maybe I should be grateful it only took this long."

Mash removed her head from his chest and looked up at him confused.

"A few months? It has only been a few weeks." She said, confused.

"Eh?" Issei was confused now too. "Is there some kind of time discrepancy between here and there?" He was trying to figure out where the disconnect was.

Unfortunately he didn't have time to ponder it too much as they were inevitably interrupted.

"Ahem!" Rias cleared her throat to get their attention and so that she could stop feeling like air. Upon realizing that there were other people there Mash immediately moved between Rias and company and Issei and deployed her shield to protect her Master. Rias was taken aback by this, not expecting her to be on guard against her after she came to save them.

"There is no need to be alarmed. I came to help." Rias said in as friendly a tone she could, trying to ease the girl's suspicion.

"It's ok Mashu. She is my Senpai from school." Issei said, standing up from the ground and dusting himself off. Mash relaxed a bit and moved her shield to the side, although it didn't go unnoticed by Rias that she didn't dismiss it like before when she didn't notice them.

"Thank you for your help Rias-senpai. I wasn't expecting to get attacked like that today. So that was a fallen angel huh? Honestly I wasn't expecting my first interaction with the factions to be like this." Upon saying that Rias' eyebrows raised as she was staring at Issei. Issei gave her a small smile and lightly said "I'm vaguely aware of the supernatural."

"Well, it could have gone better." Rias gave him a discerning look, trying not to miss this opportunity. "Why don't you come to the Occult Research Club after school tomorrow. I would be glad to help inform you on the things you don't know about the supernatural. I'm sure it will be enlightening for both of us."

Issei pondered this for a moment. "All right, that sounds like a good idea." He gave her a slightly suspicious look. "As long as information exchange is all that's happening."

Rias was being surprised again and again today. She had never been treated like this before, it was quite new to her. That aside she frowned at the subtle accusation that Issei threw at her.

"I understand that you were just attacked Hyoudou-kun, but believe me when I say that I would never do something like that." She responded frostily.

Issei stared at her a bit longer before responding.

"Well like you said I just got attacked. You can't exactly blame me for being wary." He relaxed a bit, then his expression changed as if remembering something. "Oh right, it should be fine for me to bring her along to this meeting as well right?" He asked nonchalantly, his eyes indicating who he was talking about.

Rias gave an affirmative nod. "It shouldn't be a problem. I can see how having someone with you would make things more comfortable for you." She brushed her hair aside, trying her best to look refined.

"I will have someone from my peerage come to pick you up tomorrow after class."

Issei gave an affirmative nod to Rias and she took that as her queue to leave. "I will see you after school tomorrow Hyoudou-kun." Once her peerage had gathered together they all left for the clubroom. Rias was pondering what she was gonna have to do to prepare for tomorrow.

I should probably tell Sona what happened and invite her to join the meeting. With those thoughts in her head she went home for the day.

As the members of the ORC left, Issei and Mash were left alone. Mash dismissed her shield and turned to face Issei.

"What do we do from here, Senpai?" Mash was in a completely unknown place and was relying on her Senpai to know what to do next.

Issei pondered for a bit before smiling.

"Well, I was planning on going on a date today, but seeing as how the other girl tried to kill me I guess that means I'll have to take you instead."

Issei had a mischievous smile on his face as he was talking to his kouhai. Mash on the other hand was having a brain overload.

A d-d-date?! Me and Senpai?! He wants to go with me?! Wait! He was going to go on a date with someone else?!

Mash's mind was in chaos. Many emotions and thoughts were fighting for control over what to do. Eventually one made it to the surface.

"If… If you're fine with me Senpai, then I will go with you." Mash's face was blushing to the max.

Issei had to stop himself from bursting out laughing at how adorable Mash was being. He recollected himself then addressed her.

"Hey, do you think you can change into your normal clothes? It would be kinda weird to walk around town with a girl in armor."

"I will try." Mash focused her mind on trying to turn back to normal. After a few moments her outfit changed back to her casual clothes she always wore around Chaldea.

"Much better." Issei said, looking at a nostalgic sight. He extended his elbow out for Mash to take, which she took nervously. "No need to be so nervous Mashu. I plan to make this the best date you'll ever have. Plus I promised you before I would show you around my hometown, so there will be no better opportunity than this."

Mash nodded in understanding and leaned on Issei's arm. And thus their date began.

Now were getting into the meat of the story. I had to change Mash's circumstances a bit so she could be a more active member of the story. Those of you who play FGO know what I mean. I'm looking forward to what everyone thinks of the next chapter and onwards but for now I'm still thinking about what to do with certain characters, but that's for next time.