Chapter 10: Meeting the Occult

Chris slowly regained consciousness. The ceiling light irritated her eyes, making it difficult to open them completely. Her body felt weak, especially when she tried to move her legs. Turning her head to the side, she saw Issei, who looked drowsy, but the moment their eyes met, he straightened up immediately.

"Yukine-san!" Issei smiled.

"I-Issei…" Chris glanced around: the white walls, the curtains, the bed she was lying on. "Are we…?"

"We're in the infirmary, Yukine-san. The academy's infirmary. They brought you here after helping you. Were you attacked by the Fallen Angels?"

"Helping me…? Yes… no, well, I— #cough# #cough#"

Chris felt an awful itch in her throat, forcing her to cough several times.

"Hyoudou-san."

The sound of his name made Issei turn his head toward the young woman with black hair and violet eyes standing behind them.

"Souna Kai— #COUGH# chou."

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

"Huh? Ah… yeah."

Issei filled a glass from the pitcher on the table, but Chris could barely move. She felt embarrassed that Issei had to help her sit up, though she still hesitated to accept the water.

"I could swear there's nothing weird in this water. You have my word, just like last time. You can still feel it in your right hand, can't you?"

Chris did as she said, and sure enough, her Gear was still in her hand, the thread wrapped between her fingers.

"If keeping it made you feel safer, I didn't mind you having it, as long as it wasn't something that kept harming your body. With that, I hope you understand that you have my support, and that's why I can assure you the water is fine."

" … " Chris didn't argue further and drank the water. It embarrassed her to let Issei help, but she wasn't in a position to refuse. He gently laid her back down. "Thank you, Issei. And you too, Kaichou."

Souna smiled in satisfaction.

"The fact that you still call me that, Yukine-san, I hope it means we can speak more openly, if you'll allow it. And not just here, but in the future as well."

"I suppose so, Souna. Either way, I don't think I could resist."

"Yukine-san?" Issei asked uneasily, instinctively stepping between Chris and Souna, just in case.

Souna was surprised, but after a moment, she smiled.

"You have a very loyal friend, Yukine-san."

Even Chris couldn't help but be surprised, a slight blush creeping onto her cheeks.

"C-Calm down, Issei. Even if she's not human and is part of the supernatural, she hasn't harmed us. In fact, I think you're more than you appear to be, but we're not entirely wrong in saying you're still the Kaichou."

"Excellent observation, Yukine-san. Yes, even with my connection to the supernatural world, it doesn't change the fact that you are students of Kuoh, and therefore, your well-being is my responsibility. It seems Rias wasn't able to explain things to you properly. Isn't that right, Hyoudou-san?"

Issei swallowed nervously.

"Y-Yeah."

"Don't worry, Hyoudou-san. We are not Fallen Angels like the one who deceived you. We are something different, but we will discuss that in the meeting… with your consent this time, Yukine-san. I admit that we made poor choices in how we approached you, and fear of your abilities led us to take extreme precautions in case you turned out to be one of our many enemies. If you still need time before speaking with us and decide not to accept, there will be no repercussions, and I will arrange for both of you to return home safely. The decision is yours and no one else's."

"…"

Chris considered her options for a moment before sighing.

"No, Kaichou, that won't be necessary. Though our parents… that might be a problem…"

"If you're worried about finding an excuse for them, don't be. After confirming that you were safe, I contacted them and told them that tonight you'd be working on something for the club. Otherwise, you'd be home early. Nothing more."

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

Souna gave her an ironic look before nodding, while Issei still looked uncertain. Chris understood how scared he probably was, but now she knew that even if she couldn't protect him, he still wanted to protect her.

We're dead weight, but we're in this together.

"Issei." Chris called him with a shy smile. "For now, let's move forward. We need information. We don't have much to go on, and with more informed minds, we'll be able to understand what's happening better. Trust me."

"…Alright." He returned her smile.

"For now, let's focus on what's important. Yukine-san, can you walk?"

Chris tried with all her might, but her legs hurt too much to move. She let out a frustrated sigh.

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

"Your legs are just recovering. There was no spinal damage, so you don't have to worry about paralysis. We have a wheelchair ready."

"Isn't there another way? I don't want to…"

"I think you can stop trying to act tough, Yukine-san. No one here is going to hurt you, you have my word."

Always giving me her word… she wants me to feel safe.

"Alright…"

After settling her in, Issei pushed Chris's wheelchair, followed by Souna and the three other members of the student council. They made their way to the Occult Research Club building. After walking down a hallway, they stopped in front of a door, knocked, and waited. Souna turned to them.

"Before we go in, I want to insist on something: everything said here must stay within these walls, or at least between the two of you. We won't be able to handle the situation if more people get involved. I also ask that you keep an open mind about who we are and what we do. We don't always have the best reputation, and you might even feel afraid. If any terms confuse you, you can come to me, and I'll explain and help you interpret them if needed."

Both teenagers nodded, taking deep breaths. Suddenly, a voice came from the other side of the door.

"Come in, you may enter."

… MARIA?! The white-haired girl in the wheelchair thought in astonishment.

Her voice and tone sounded exactly like one of her fellow members from SONG. A part of her even wished that when the door opened, she would find her pink-haired older friend waiting for her inside.

However, instead of María, there was a group of young people in a lavishly decorated room, as if it belonged to a Victorian mansion. The space was illuminated by candles, and a pentagram was drawn on the floor.

It looks like a cult's lair… Ah… Oh… Chris had already drawn her conclusions.

At the center of the room were two sofas. The student council members positioned themselves just behind Souna-Kaichou and the red-haired girl sitting on the first sofa, along with others who chose to remain standing. Issei placed Chris next to the second sofa before sitting down alone.

Before anyone could speak, a girl—I think her name was Akeno Himejima. Chris thought—knelt down and placed teacups in front of them. The scent of chamomile filled the air, and the rising steam reached Chris's nose. Though she didn't want to be rude, her arms barely moved, so she had to pretend she was still too wary to accept it.

Then, the red-haired girl began to speak, once again startling Chris by how much her voice resembled María's.

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

"…"

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

I still can't believe how much her voice sounds like María's…

"… A pleasure."

Chris analyzed her from head to toe. The girl had the air of a proud princess, her blue eyes studying Chris the same way she was studying her, though with a more amused expression. Her crimson red hair was so intense that Chris could almost compare it to blood. And her figure… Well, Kaori and Yui were right. Even as a girl, I find her incredibly beautiful, but…

The redhead gestured toward the others.

"Akeno Himejima."

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

Chris felt like she was scheming something with that giggle. There was something different about her compared to her teammate. She had a more suggestive, almost teasing demeanor rather than a reassuring one. But Chris also sensed a certain falseness in that smile. "She's not entirely happy right now… Maybe because I haven't taken the tea?"

"Yukine-san, Akeno was the one who healed your wounds and made sure you were alright." Souna said, making Chris glance at the ponytailed girl, feeling a bit embarrassed for being so paranoid and distrustful.

"Thank you, Senpai…"

"Oh, there's no need to thank me, my sweet Kouhai~. Tell me, did you wake up the way I imagined you would?"

"The way I would wake up…?"

Chris was confused, but when she looked at Issei, he had stopped drinking his tea, coughing violently, his face completely red.

"I told Hyoudou-san about it. So? Did it happen?"

"N-No."

"Did what happen?"

Chris eyed her companion suspiciously, instinctively bringing her hands to her chest. Now, her own ally was under suspicion.

"I didn't do anything! I swear I didn't do anything! I wouldn't kiss you while you were sleeping… Ah…!"

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

Suddenly, a shoe smashed against his cheek with great force, knocking him to the floor with a loud thud. Chris was as red as a tomato and remained silent, now gripping the teacup with her recovering hands out of frustration. Bit by bit, she was regaining control over her body.

Some members from both clubs seemed amused by the scene, and even Rias stifled a few chuckles before continuing.

"Kiba Yuuto."

"A pleasure to meet you, Yukine-san."

Chris returned the greeting to the "prince." He seemed like a perfectly normal guy—I guess girls must really like blondes. —but she also noticed red marks around his neck, as if someone had grabbed him forcefully, like he had been attacked.

Issei, looking embarrassed, barely had time to open his mouth before he was interrupted.

"I…"

"Hyoudou-san." Kiba cut him off. "It doesn't matter. We do what we must do."

The young man gave him a thumbs-up. Chris didn't fully understand, but Issei simply nodded, calming down, as if there was a silent respect between them. Guys, I guess.

"And lastly, from my side, Koneko Toujou."

The so-called mascot of Kuoh. Just as Kaori and Yui had described, she was an incredibly cute girl, like a little kitten. Despite her indifferent attitude, reminding Chris of Shirabe, she occasionally stole furtive glances at her while nibbling on her sweets.

"Hello." She said simply. She only raised her hand and nodded. Chris wasn't going to ask for more from such a small girl.

Now it was Souna's turn. Adjusting her glasses, she directed her gaze at Chris and Issei.

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

"Sitri… Isn't that—?"

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

She made a gesture, and the vice president stepped forward.

"Tsubaki Shinra… the vice president of my club."

"I'm glad to see you're well, Yukine-san. I apologize if I startled you with my naginata, but I had to protect Kaichou in case you turned out to be hostile toward us. I couldn't help it… and I…"

"Tsuba—"

Before Sona could finish, Chris intervened.

"You were just trying to protect someone important to you, right? As a companion and a friend, I suppose. In a dangerous world you supposedly come from, carrying weapons must be the norm. There's nothing wrong with that. Besides… I think it was partly my fault too."

"Wait. Yukine-san, they…?"

Issei was beginning to realize that it hadn't been the fallen angels who attacked Chris, and he was about to lash out in frustration, but she stopped him.

"Issei. I messed up too, forgive me. I didn't want to tell you. I wasn't in any condition to fight, so I couldn't even transform without hurting myself. No one is really to blame for this… not even them."

"Oh… I… I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Like your childhood friend said, Hyoudou-san, It was partly, so I will take the other half. I'm really glad your friend is ok and please forgive me."

Issei just nodded and sat back down.

Sona looked pleased and grateful. Tsubaki simply bowed before stepping back, also somewhat relieved, leaving the two remaining members to introduce themselves.

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

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Hyoudou-san, Yukine-san." said the brunette, Reya, bowing politely. Meanwhile, the silver-haired girl, Momo, handed Chris her bag.

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

Chris accepted the bag and gave a half-bow from her seat. Her hip was already feeling better.

"Thanks."

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

"Alright. Now that both groups have introduced themselves, let's get straight to the point about what we are. I hope this doesn't scare you too much."

Issei and Chris exchanged glances for a moment, their expressions turning serious.

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

"We are…"

"You're demons." They both said in unison, cutting her off.

"…"

Silence filled the room as the duo stared at them as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Wait, what?"

"Well, just simple logic, I guess?" Issei said with a calm expression, shrugging his shoulders.

"I mean, if fallen angels exist, what's stopping us from thinking demons exist too? Plus, you were trying a little too hard to soften the reveal, but the names Sitri and Gremory almost spoiled the surprise. I mean, you might as well put up a sign that says, 'Definitely not a demon hideout, even if our president has the name of a duke of hell. I mean please'"

The group stared at them as if they had put on an entire performance for nothing, with two people analyzing everything with precision. Soon, laughter began to spread through the room, starting with Rias and even reaching the normally serious Sona, who struggled to contain her amusement. Koneko was smiling a little. Kiba and Akeno were clutching their stomachs.

On impulse, everyone's wings emerged, momentarily surprising the duo but also making them feel a bit more at ease with the atmosphere, rather than keeping things so serious.

Demons really did have a rather obvious sense of humor and a very bad way to hide their identities.

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