Chapter 7: Fried Chicken
The school day goes on normally, and the final bell rings, signaling the end of the day. As Jiro leaves the class to go meet with Irina at the front gate, he senses four unknown demonic presences nearby for a split second before they vanish. Jiro's curiosity peaked, he decides to investigate before meeting with Irina at the only place he could think to look: the old school building housing the student council.
On his way there, he walks quickly, hoping to investigate quickly so as not to keep Irina waiting for too long. Jiro walks to the back of the school, to the old school building. As he walks down the dirt path and approaches the building, he is able to feel four demonic presences again, along with four others, making eight. He is now able to properly assess them. Four of them are Rias and her peerage, whom he is familiar with, while the other four he does not recognize. One is the most powerful out of all of them, one is slightly beneath the strongest one, and two are strong but much weaker than the other two.
Jiro entered the building, walked down the main hallway to the main room. As he approached the doors, he could hear the familiar voice of Rias yelling clearly, arguing with someone else. Jiro reached the door, knocked on it a few times, and the yelling stopped.
Jiro enters the room, making everyone in it look at him. He looks around, sees Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko standing off to the left side of the room, behind one of the couches while Rias sits in it. On the other couch sits a young-looking blonde man wearing a red suit and a white dress shirt. Behind the couch stands a young girl who looks to be about Koneko's age, with long blonde hair tied into two curly twin tails with blue ribbons and dark blue eyes. She wears a light purple dress with dark purple accents and a blue bow at the front. At the back, three feather-like extensions mimicking a bird's tail protrude from the dress. Judging by her appearance, aura, and scent, he could tell she was related to the blonde man in the red suit.
The ones who catch Jiro's attention the most are the ones standing in the far left corner of the room, who had the strongest presence out of everyone in the room. One of them was a tall man with crimson-colored hair, blue eyes, and wearing an armor-like cloak. He was the most powerful there, and again judging by his appearance, aura, and scent, Jiro could tell he was related to Rias. The other one standing next to him was a beautiful woman with silver hair, silver eyes, and wearing a maid uniform. She was the second strongest there.
Rias and her servants looked at me with some surprise, but slight relief. Rias was the first to speak up, breaking the silence. "J-Jiro? Is that really you? What are you two doing here?" Rias said, a small relieved smile playing on the corner of her lips.
"Well, I sensed quite a few unfamiliar, strong demonic presences here, so I came to see who it was," Jiro said, turning to her. Rias smiled, glad to see him there.
"I see, your senses are as sharp as ever. Those presences you sensed belong to some of my guests. They're here to discuss...important matters." Rias said, gesturing to the four unfamiliar devils.
"I see, so who's this scrawny puke?" Jiro asked, turning to the blonde-haired man in the red suit on the opposite couch. The man bristled at Jiro's insult, not appreciating his tone.
Akeno giggles as she walks up next to Jiro. "Remember how Rias said she was being forced into an arranged marriage? Well, that 'scrawny puke' is her fiancé, Riser Phenex," Akeno whispers to Jiro.
"So that's Riser Phen? I've heard of him. Gotta admit, I was expecting more. And he's your fiancé? I pity you, Rias." Jiro said bluntly, already not liking this guy since his whole appearance screamed arrogant prick.
Riser's face turns red with anger, his eyes narrowing at Jiro's comment. Meanwhile, Rias smirks slightly, amused by his frankness. "Who the hell do you think you are? How dare you disrespect me like that? And don't you dare feel pity for Rias. She's lucky to have me as her fiancé!" Riser growls in anger.
Jiro gained an amused smile. "What's there to respect about you? And sorry, but I can't help but feel pity for her since she's stuck with a scrawny puke as a fiancé." Jiro said, making Rias, Akeno, Kiba, Koneko, and even the other three devils chuckle.
Riser growls in annoyance. "You ought to teach your servant some manners and respect Rias," Riser said, glancing at her.
"He's not my servant, just a friend. Anyway, let it go, Riser. He's obviously trying to get a rise out of you." Rias said, with a waving hand.
"Heh heh, so anyway, who are these two? I can't help but notice they're the strongest ones here," Jiro said, turning towards the red-haired man and the silver-haired maid.
Rias nods, shifting her attention to the two individuals he's referring to. "Oh, those two would be my older brother, Sirzechs Lucifer, and my sister-in-law, Grayfia Lucifuge. They're here on... let's just say official devil business." Rias said, gesturing to them.
"Oh, so that's the current devil king, and your maid, said to be the 'strongest queen,' " Jiro said to Sirzechs and Grayfia. Sirzechs looked at Jiro with a mix of surprise and recognition. He sized him up, his eyes widening slightly as he realized who he was.
A small smile forms on his lips as he speaks. "Ah, so you're that strong young man, Jiro, was it? It's an honor to finally meet you. You've made quite the name for yourself in the underworld, and I've heard a bit about you from Rias." Sirzechs said, sensing an immense amount of power from within him.
Hearing Sirzechs' words, Riser's eyes widened in disbelief, his expression shifting from anger to surprise. "So Rias wasn't joking earlier. This kid is actually the famous Jiro, who is able to take on high-class devils," Riser said in shock.
The blonde girl in the purple dress, who was silent the whole time, speaks up next, her voice filled with curiosity. "Jiro, huh? I've heard a lot about you, but never thought I'd actually meet you in person." Jiro turns to her curiously.
"Well, here I am. So, who are you?" Jiro asked her. The blonde girl bowed and introduced herself. "My name is Ravel Phenex. I'm Riser's little sister. Nice to meet you."
"So you're Riser's little sister, gotta say I pity you too," Jiro said, making Rias, Akeno, Kiba, Koneko, Sirzechs, and Grayfia chuckle again. Ravel chuckled as well.
"Hehehe, Thanks for the concern, but I can handle my brother just fine. He can be a pain sometimes, but he's family, you know?" Ravel said chuckling.
Jiro nods in amusement, then turns back to everyone else. "So, anyway, what are these four here to discuss exactly?" Jiro asked, gesturing to Riser, Ravel, Sirzechs, and Grayfia.
Rias sighed in annoyance at Riser's presence. "Riser's family and mine have set up a meeting between us to discuss the upcoming marriage. It's a formal event, more for political and strategic alliances than actual romance, but the thought of being married to Riser makes me sick to my stomach. I can't stand him."
Riser, fuming with anger at Rias's words, puffs up his chest and speaks up in defense of himself. "Hey, don't talk about me like that! I'm a catch, you know? I'm a well-bred high-class devil! Why wouldn't you want to marry me, Rias?"
Rias: Because you're cocky, arrogant, and insufferable. You think you're better than everyone else because of your status. But newsflash, Riser, that doesn't make you likable or desirable.
Riser: You've got some nerve, Rias Gremory. I'm the perfect catch. Any woman would be lucky to have me. You should feel honored that I've chosen you for an arranged marriage.
Rias was about to retort but then glanced at Jiro and had an idea. "Well too bad for you, Riser. I already have someone I want to marry, and that's him," Rias said, pointing at Jiro.
Everyone in the room was stunned into momentary silence. Riser's eyes widened in disbelief, his mouth hanging open. Even Sirzechs and Grayfia seemed taken aback by Rias's declaration.
"You...what did you just say? You want to marry... him?!" Riser said in shock. Rias looked at Jiro, and back at Riser with a determined gaze, her eyes filled with mock resolve.
"You heard me. I don't want to marry you, Riser. I want to marry Jiro. He's the one I've fallen for, not you." Rias said, definitely.
Riser's expression turns livid as he sputters with anger and disbelief. "Y-you can't be serious! You'd rather choose him over me? Have you gone crazy, Rias? I'm the better option, by far." Riser said in shock and anger.
Jiro looks at Rias with a "wtf" face and was about to speak up in irritation at her. Before he could, she gives him a pleading look as though she were silently begging him to play along. Seeing this, Jiro sighs in annoyance and plays along.
"You heard the princess we've decided to get married has a problem with that?" Jiro said to Riser. Riser looks like he's about to explode with anger, his face turning red with fury.
"Y-you-! You can't be serious! You and Rias? Getting married? That's absurd! I won't stand for it!" Riser said in pure anger. Jiro grinned in amusement.
"Then do something about it birdie. Let me see what you've got." Jiro said, smiling smugly while making a come-on gesture.
Riser bristles at his taunt, his anger reaching a boiling point. He clenches his fists and scowls at Jiro. "You want to fight me, is that it? You think you're better than me? Let's see if you can back up your bravado, Jiro Natsuo," Riser said, accepting the challenge.
Riser then lunges at Jiro, his fist cocked back, engulfed in orange flames, aiming to incinerate his head, and throws a flaming punch square in his face. Riser smiles smugly upon punching him. When his flames die down, it reveals that Jiro's head is completely unaffected by Riser's flaming punch, with his fist still in Jiro's face.
Riser's eyes widened in shock as he saw his flaming attack fail to have any effect on Jiro. "What the hell...? How did you survive that attack? No one should be able to resist my fire," Riser said, making Jiro smirk.
"Hmph, is that all you've got...?" Jiro asked, making Riser look at him in pure shock. He then grabbed Riser's wrist and slowly removed it from his face.
"Alright then, guess it's my turn," Jiro said, and then landed a devastating punch to Riser's stomach, tearing a hole in his shirt where he punched him, making him cough up blood, and sending him flying through the wall of the student council's room, and out of the old school building. Riser flew through multiple trees outside, and fell to the ground unconscious with a loud thud, and a large hole in his shirt that showed a large bruise on his stomach.
The onlookers are stunned speechless. Rias, Akeno, Koneko, Kiba, Ravel, Sirzechs, and Grayfia look on in shock and awe as they witness Jiro utterly demolish Riser with just one punch.
Aken: "That was unreal! I've never seen someone take Riser down like that."
Kiba and Koneko: "He didn't even stand a chance. He completely dominated Riser. That punch was downright brutal." They said in unison.
Sirzechs: "That was an extraordinary demonstration of power. I've never seen anyone, not even a young devil, display such strength before. And with just a single punch."
Grayfia: "That was... incredible strength. Only a powerful being could pack such a punch."
Ravel: "A-amazing"
Rias: "I can't believe you just did that. First, that stray devil we all struggled against, and now you took down Riser like it was nothing. You're... incredible." Rias said, staring at Jiro with a mixture of shock, awe, and a hint of attraction in her eyes, hardly believing what she had just witnessed.
"Yeah, well, he had it coming," Jiro said, putting his hand back down. Rias nodded in agreement while smirking.
"Yeah, you're right. He was asking for it. But did you have to hit him so hard? You could've killed him with that punch." Rias said, looking at him in admiration and slight concern.
"Relax, I held back a lot. So, is the engagement nullified?" Jiro asked, turning to Sirzechs.
Sirzechs looks at Jiro, his expression thoughtful. He seems to be seriously considering your question, weighing the situation in his mind. "Hmm, considering Riser's defeat and the display of power you just showed, it's clear that you're a force to be reckoned with. So I suppose the engagement is more or less nullified at this point," Sirzechs said, making Rias sigh and smile in relief.
"But I have to admit, that was a good plan, and the performance you two put on. Pretending that Rias wanted to marry Jiro in order to provoke Riser." Sirzechs said, making Rias look at him in surprise.
"Wait, you knew I was faking it? Both of you?" Rias said, to which Sirzechs and Grayfia nodded.
"Yes, we did. In fact, neither of us wanted that marriage to take place since we didn't favor Riser all that much, but our mother and father insisted on it. So now we can offer Jiro our thanks." Sirzechs said reassuringly, making Rias smile.
"Thank you, big brother, big sister," Rias said, making Sirzechs and Grayfia smile. "Anytime, Rias. We'll keep this a secret between us." Sirzechs said as he summoned a red magic circle beneath himself and Grayfia to leave.
"Now I believe we should take our leave. It was nice meeting you, Jiro. Perhaps we'll meet again in the future. And do look after Rias for me; she can be a handful at times. Farewell, everyone." Sirzechs said as he waved goodbye and teleported away.
The silence lasts for a few seconds, until Jiro breaks it. "Well, that was something. By the way, I'll have you know, I don't appreciate you putting me on the spot and using me like that, Rias." Jiro said, glaring at Rias in irritation.
Rias jolts slightly at Jiro stern tone, and piercing glare. She looks at you with a hint of guilt and fear in her eyes. "I-I'm so sorry, Jiro. I know I put you on the spot, but I couldn't think of any other way to get out of that marriage. I really didn't want to marry Riser." Rias said apologetically, not wanting to incure Jiro's wrath again.
"Alright, in any case, I did say I'd help you get out of it, so I'll let it slide this time, but you owe me for that one. Oh, yeah, and just to be clear, I played along because I was itching to knock that fried chicken's lights out and knock him down a few pegs, and you gave me the opportunity to do so." Jiro said matter-of-factly.
Rias nods in understanding, a hint of relief in her eyes. "I owe you one, I know. And believe me, I am thankful for what you did, not just for getting me out of that marriage but also for giving Riser the beating he deserved. But I hope you understand that I didn't mean any harm by using you like that. I was desperate to get out of the marriage, and you were my only chance. I'm sorry." Rias said apologetically.
"Hmph, whatever. By the way, Ravel, was it? Sorry you had to see that," Jiro said, turning to Ravel. She looked at him reassuringly, with a hint of admiration and awe, but also slight concern.
"N-no, it's fine, but J-Jiro... that was incredible. You just took down Riser with one punch. I've never seen anything like it. And if anything, I should be apologizing for my brother. He can be a real jerk, so I'm glad you took care of him." Ravel said in awe and reassuringly.
Ravel then picks up Riser, who is still unconscious, and waves goodbye to everyone as she teleports away with him.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Since I have plans after this, I'll keep it short because I've wasted enough time. I'm sure Rias told you all that I'll be training you all at some point?" Jiro asked, to which Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko nodded.
"Alright, then after my 'date' with that fallen angel, I'll look into those fallen angels hiding out in town and fish them out. Then, as your first lesson, I want to see how you do against them. After that, I'll see how I can whip you all into shape. Got that?" Jiro said as the devils listened intently and nodded.
"Alright, then I'm out. I hope you're all ready, because I don't pull my punches when it comes to training." Jiro said as he turned around to leave, looking at them over his shoulder.
The devils gulped nervously at his warning, but remained composed. "We're ready," they all said in unison.
Jiro smirked and started walking. "That's the spirit. Oh, and sorry about the wall," Jiro said as he walked to the door, left, and closed it behind him.
The devils looked at the door, chuckling, then at the wall he sent Riser flying through. "Fufufu, he really did a number on the wall, didn't he?" Akeno said while giggling.
Kiba: "Yeah, he did. I can only imagine what training with him will be like."
Koneko: "No matter what he throws at us, I'm sure we can handle it."
Rias smiles, seeing her servants' enthusiasm. "And it seems he's become more relaxed around us devils now too," Rias said, hoping Jiro could be real friends with them.
"Now then, everyone, let's wait a few days for Jiro to give us the go-ahead, and show those fallen angels what we've got." Rias said to everyone, and they responded, "Yes, ma'am."
With that said and done, Jiro goes to finally meet up with Irina to go to the cafe.
To be continued
Well, that was fun, right? ...Right?
Now then, to be honest, I was mostly going to skip over the Riser arc because, in the canon story, that arc was meant to fully kick-start the romantic relationship between Issei and Rias. Since Rias isn't the main girl in this fanfic, I thought that would be pretty pointless. But then I thought it over and decided to at least acknowledge it by simply glossing over it in this chapter to further Jiro's connection and slight friendship with Rias and her peerage. Plus, this also allowed me to introduce Sirzechs, Grayfia, and Ravel. I intended to have Ravel as part of the main cast in the story, so look forward to that.
Now then, to be honest, I was mostly going to skip over the Riser arc because, in the canon story, that arc was meant to fully kick-start the romantic relationship between Issei and Rias. Since Rias isn't the main girl in this fanfic, I thought that would be pretty pointless. But then I thought it over and decided to at least acknowledge it by simply glossing over it in this chapter to further Jiro's connection and slight friendship with Rias and her peerage. Plus, this also allowed me to introduce Sirzechs, Grayfia, and Ravel. I intended to have Ravel as part of the main cast in the story, so look forward to that.
Next chapter will be Jiro and Irina centered chapter see you then :)