Chapter 11: A Not-So-Fantastic Past (R&E)

With the atmosphere now more relaxed, Issei and Chris began their meeting with Rias and Sona.

—Alright. Yes, we are demons. So, if you already know what we are and practically believe the details, we can speak freely among ourselves. Chris, Issei… I can call you Ise, right? —Rias said with a playful wink directed at Issei, who blushed, while Chris looked confused. There was something more to that playful interaction.

—Rias, before that, I believe it would be better to establish an agreement with them… a deal. —Sona intervened. —Given what recently happened, we have yet to fully earn Yukine-san's trust, and Hyoudou-san's trust will likely follow her decision. Therefore, it would be most appropriate not to demand anything beyond what both parties seek from each other, symbolizing a safer way for both sides to build trust.

—Fine…—Rias said, puffing out one cheek in mild annoyance.

—Therefore, Yukine-san, you seek our knowledge about the supernatural world that exists in the shadows, as well as an understanding of our legal reasoning for stopping you, especially regarding the fallen angel's attempted murder of Hyoudou-san. Do you agree to this?

Chris nodded seriously.

—In return, with your approval, we would receive a detailed explanation regarding the origin and capabilities of the weapon you used to fight and defeat a supernatural being. The reason you were immediately included in this meeting was to understand any possible future repercussions if those abilities cannot be controlled in a confined environment.

—And there's also a question or proposal we'd like to make to both of you… —added the redhead.

—Rias… —Sona looked at her with slight irritation.

Despite the suspicious way Rias phrased the offer, the proposal didn't sound bad.

—...

Chris pondered for a moment before nodding.

It was time to make sense of the story she had been planning, not just for Issei but now for the demons as well. How do you deceive demons? Simple answer: by doing what she had been doing all along, telling half-truths. "Though I doubt they'll get much from this, so they're definitely planning something."

—Alright… I think I can work with a deal. We're not betting our souls or anything, right?

Sona shook her head.

—Not at all. I suppose to clarify things with an extra detail. Demons stopped making soul contracts a long time ago. It's true we used to, but that was before Rias and I were even born. Nowadays, our services or work are compensated through an equivalent trade, whether it's money or objects of the same value. More details will be revealed when the time comes.

Chris and Issei let out a sigh of relief.

—Well, if that's how it is, I have no problem explaining my part first.

—You're going to tell them first? —Issei asked.

—Why not? It's about time I told you my version of the story too. Plus, it's the best option because it'll be the shortest. Alright, let's start with this.

She moved her hand and grasped the cord of the necklace she wore, which held a red hexagonal prism-shaped crystal.

—This is a Symphogear.

—A sympho—?

—Gear? Like a Sacred Gear?

Both girls finished each other's sentences in confusion.

—Yes… and no, I don't think so, Rias. A Symphogear is a powerful armor used to fight against Noises. It activates when its user sings a song to harmonize with a fragment of an ancient relic installed in the pendant. Quick summary: I sing, and that transforms into power in weapons. Symphogear users are called candidates, and I am the candidate of the Symphogear SG-r02 Ichaival, Odin's bow. And from time to time, I fought to save the world.

Most of the room was left speechless—partly because they didn't understand what she was talking about, but it definitely sounded impressive. Probably because Issei's excited expression made it seem even cooler.

Chris found it amusing.

—Noises?

—O-Odin?... Wait, are you with the Norse?

—I don't know what that means, Rias, but I'll keep explaining so it makes sense. You can explain that part to me later. To answer your question, Sona. They're strange beings that attack people under someone's command. At first, they were believed to be aliens, but after a certain discovery, it was understood that they were actually a weapon created by ancient humans. They can turn any living being into carbon or simply dust with just a single touch. Normal matter passes through them as if they weren't even there. They're very strange creatures overall.

Everyone was processing the information. Tsubaki had a question.

—A single touch… I've never heard of a human weapon that powerful, not from any faction—not the Church, nor any organization. Do you think it would be dangerous for us if these Noises were unleashed upon the supernatural world?

—As far as I know, maybe. Nothing can stand against them except a Symphogear, and even that took many failed attempts to make possible. But you don't have to worry about that, Tsubaki.

—Why not, Yukine-san? —Sona asked.

—Because there are no Noises here, thank God.

—Argh!

Everyone in the room, except for Issei and Chris, clutched their heads in pain. They looked at them in confusion while Sona raised a hand, as if suffering from a migraine.

—Y-Yukine-san… Try not to say that name near us as a blessing. Just mentioning it as a thanks or blessing us causes intense pain.

—Oh… Sorry, guys. —Chris said with a bit of guilt. "Noted: Blessing a demon... could use that if we ever get attacked by demons."

—I-It's fine… J-Just try to get rid of that habit if you can. —Rias added.

—Alright, continuing with the explanation. The reason there are no Noises is the same reason there are no records of the Symphogear. It's because they're not from here. By that, I mean this world.

That statement made most of them widen their eyes, though Sona remained skeptical.

—Yukine-san. What you're saying is beyond what common sense allows us to believe. And that's coming from a perspective that acknowledges the existence and use of magic. This would already be considered fiction.

—Oh… Believe me, I know. But that's the truth. I was in another world for a long time before returning here to a normal life.

—So, you went to an isekai? —Issei asked with a half-smile, though he found it odd.

—Something like that… and I—!

Before Chris could continue, the girl who seemed the most suspicious of all suddenly grabbed her hands, her eyes shining with excitement.

—Kya! Yukine! No—Chris-chan, please, tell me everything!

Chris was stunned by the girl's sudden change. Just moments ago, she had been acting calm and flirtatious with Issei. Sona quickly grabbed Rias by the shoulder, pulled her back, and sat her down again with the rest of the Occult Club members, all of whom had their mouths open. Both from the revelation and their leader's behavior.

—That's why I can't believe you so easily, Yukine-san. We need as much explanation as possible. And forgive Rias. It's because of her… hobbies.

Chris, confused, came to a single conclusion: "Hobbies? What does she mean by that? Is she an otaku?"

—O-Oh, sure. Well, yeah… It was because of a strange man who turned out to be a red-eyed mage. I handed him a ticket he had dropped while traveling on a train once, and in return, he gave me a ticket that said 'To Another World.' And after that, everything changed. I found myself in a world where the Noises terrorized people, where Kuoh didn't exist in Japan, and most of all, where the supernatural didn't exist… or at least, not beings like you. No offense.

—None taken, though that raises a lot of questions. Especially about the existence of a mage capable of world travel. And since you're saying it so plainly, I can only assume you don't know anything else about the man.

—That's right, Sona. I have no explanation or way to justify how that old man did it, just that he sent me to another world on a whim.

—On a whim?

—Yeah, it was strange in every sense, starting my life like that in another place. And though it didn't last long, the experience was unpleasant for the most part. And I'm not just talking about the Noises.

—What could be more dangerous than that weapon?—Akeno asked.

—Well, the worst part wasn't just dealing with Noises along the way. I ended up in the conflict on the opposite side… meeting some of the worst people imaginable… No, mainly one horrible woman called Fine.

—Fine?—Issei asked.

—Remember when I told you I met someone with the same fake smile as Raynare? That was her. A priestess who reincarnated over and over again in the world, a lunatic who wanted to destroy the moon, shatter the Earth, and unite the world under her 'guidance.' I…

Chris shook her head, realizing she was saying too much. She was revealing more than she had planned. If she wanted to confirm Fine's atrocities, she would have to bring up her own as well. "What would you think of me?"

—She tricked me into helping her destroy human civilization in that world at first, claiming it was to save them… to unite them, supposedly. But she lied to me until the very end. A lot of people died because of me, and if it weren't for the people there, the other candidates, it would have been even worse… much worse. I don't want to go into detail, but that's the truth.

A part of her was weaving the perfect lie, while another part was finally letting out some of the frustration and anger she had kept bottled up toward Fine, but most of all, toward herself. Even though her friends had always forgiven her, there were moments when she just wanted to explode. The demons were stunned by her explanation, but without thinking, she crossed her arms around herself, seeking comfort in something or someone.

Issei placed a hand on her shoulder. He believed her, at least in part, but that hand was comforting. A small anchor to hold onto as she took a deep breath to bear the weight of her guilt.

—Yukine-san…

—Thanks, I-Issei, but yeah… I went through things that no 15-year-old girl should ever have to experience.

—Fifteen years old… but… we've seen you for the past two years at school. You lived a normal life. I can confirm that. —Momo objected, not out of disbelief but seeking an explanation.

—That's the strange part, I suppose, Hanakai-san. Unless we're dealing with something beyond my understanding, the only way I can describe it is… magic.

—That's magic far more complicated than what we understand, Yukine-san.

—Well, I guess I'm not the only one who doesn't fully understand it, then. Anyway, like I said, it was thanks to the other candidates that I found my path and helped stop the end of the world… or rather, the ends of the world, because it didn't stop with just the crazy priestess. No. There was also a terrorist organization, a scientist with a hero complex, and a genocidal alchemist. Each one worse than the last.

While the others were left speechless by the story, Kiba made a comment.

—That's truly incredible, Yukine-san. It sounds like you were heroes to that world.

—Yuuto-san, while I appreciate it… the person who called us that the most was a mad scientist. And believe me, he made us hate that term just because we stopped the moon's destruction. I think the only one who actually enjoyed it was Hibiki. But yeah, we went through a lot.

Chris took a deep breath and looked at Sona.

—Tell me, Sona. At this point, I don't think anyone would believe me, I have no proof. But I have enough trauma not to sit around waiting for the impossible to happen. What you choose to believe depends on your imagination or the words I said today. But if you need proof, you can believe in the armor I wear and what I'm capable of… though activating it right now won't be possible.

Chris held her breath. That could have gone badly, but she focused on the bright side, this was the perfect lie. And the effect was evident on everyone. It worked.

Sona let out a sigh.

—...How did you come back?—Sona finally asked.

—The mage brought me back, but that was a surprise. Turns out, to him, we're more or less entertainment. He liked the show and brought me back. He's probably watching us from here right now, but we can't do anything about him. Though honestly, I'd just shoot him the next time I see him. And well, here I am, back. I woke up with little memory of my own past, a high fever at 17, but still with my Gear for safety.

—As for the details of my Symphogear, think of it like a firearm, Sona. I can create any firearm imaginable, from crossbows to missiles.

—Any weapon? —Issei asked, intrigued, though Chris just looked at him with irony.

—Yes… You know, I can even fly while riding one of those giants missiles.

—That's insanely cool.

—Out of my entire traumatic story, the only thing that impressed you was my weapons?

—Ah… Well. It's just that they looked really awesome in action. You were awesome.

Chris smirked at Issei, "Not with the same innocence Hibiki would give, but with a touch of that friendly personality, for a pervert."

—Idiot… —Then, suddenly, she remembered something. —As for why I fought the Fallen Angel out in the open, well, it's simple: my battles were never a secret to keep. It's not like knowing my identity would change anything. We were always in plain sight. So I never really thought about stealth. I can only apologize for not keeping it hidden better. I just wanted to protect Issei.

Sona nodded in acknowledgment.

—Then I suppose that's enough.

—Wait… I—

—Rias… —Sona growled.

—Fine… —Rias replied.

—Alright then. It's not like this can surprise us any more than your story already has, but I think this will be enough to inform the council and take some weight off our shoulders. Thank you, Yukine-san. Now it's time for us to tell you about our world. You're about to learn everything we can share with you.

Chris simply nodded. The club presidents spoke among themselves, deciding how to proceed, while the others whispered to each other as well. At least now, she felt like she could face this life with a bit more peace of mind. Soon, both she and Issei would learn more about the supernatural and understand things much better. She couldn't imagine anything escalating further after this not-so-fantastical story.

Slap!

But Issei had no idea that things were about to get even worse.

Especially between two people who might have become friends. Except Chris couldn't stand seeing anyone treat her friends like they didn't matter, and she find out.