[Ikki POV]
After parting with Issei, I headed home and briefly updated Kuroka on the situation.
"So yeah... apparently a fallen angel tried to make contact with Issei under the guise of a confession. If something happens, I might have to jump in."
"Hmm... they're probably after his Sacred Gear, right? Are you sure it's okay to leave him alone?"
"She hasn't made any definitive moves yet. And if she confessed, then it probably means she's not certain about his Sacred Gear. They'll probably go on a date soon. I plan to observe... Just in case it is a genuine confession."
"...But the way he is now, that Sacred Gear's halfway awakened. If she's been watching up close, she'll figure it out soon."
Wait, what!?
"Wha!?"
"You've been whining for a while now, haven't you? About how those three pervs are getting stronger. They were literally wall-jumping between buildings to peep on the girls' changing room. If the Gear is battle-based, it'd make sense for it to awaken as his physical specs improve."
Seriously!? That's all it takes!?
Then again... one of the heroines, Asia Argento, had her Gear awaken just from praying to save a hurt puppy...
How did I miss this!?
I quickly cast a detection spell. Issei and "Raynare" are at the park near school.
Should I head there now?
But before I decide, I sense a spike in her power, and then a barrier goes up.
Damn! I was too late!
Grinding my teeth at my own carelessness, I shout, "Kuroka! I'm going!"
Concealing my presence, I dash toward the park faster than any car.
I can't see what's happening inside the barrier, but the fact that it's still active means I'm probably not too late. Still, there's no guarantee Rias Gremory will appear like in the original...
Heart racing, I arrive and smash through the barrier.
"Issei! Are you alright!?"
Scanning the scene, he seems unharmed.
Rias Gremory is shielding him, standing protectively in front.
Raynare glares at me cautiously. After a moment, she flies off.
Good... Issei's safe.
Now... what next? Rias-senpai is glaring at me. I should probably explain myself.
"You're third-year Rias Gremory-senpai, right? I'm Arima Ikki, a second-year in Class B, and a freelance Taoist. I sensed Issei was in danger and came as fast as I could. It looks like I was a little late, but thank you, for protecting him."
"I see. You seem to understand the situation quite well."
"However, that guy over there, Issei, is just an ordinary person. Still, since he got caught up in all this, I think we owe him an explanation."
"Agreed. In that case, could you both come with me?"
"Sure. Issei, I know you're probably confused, but I'll explain everything, so just come with us."
Issei looked completely bewildered, but still nodded and replied, "Alright."
Then, instead of using a magic circle, Rias-senpai led the way to the old school building on foot, probably also to show us the route to the Occult Research Club.
This actually worked out in my favor. I silently summoned my pipe fox, Izuna, and had it possess me. A moment later, I heard Koneko's voice inside my head:
[Ikki-senpai? Is something wrong?]
Pipe foxes are spiritual beings that can possess others. Of course, to possess someone stronger, you need their permission... But this ability also allows for silent telepathic communication. I'm glad I gave one to Koneko.
[My friend got attacked by a Fallen Angel. When I arrived, Gremory-senpai had already been summoned, and my friend was safe, but since I broke through the barrier to get in, I couldn't just pretend to be a normal person. I introduced myself as a freelance Taoist and now we're heading your way.]
[I see... And by contacting me, you're asking me to pretend we're meeting for the first time, correct?]
[Exactly. I want to sever as many threads connected to Kuroka as I can.]
[...Understood.]
Not long after that exchange, we arrived at the Occult Research Club.
"Here we are. Go."
Rias-senpai opened the door, stepped inside, and Issei and I followed.
The room was filled with unnecessarily luxurious furniture, eerie statues, and magic circles carved here and there. There was even a shower room for some reason. The candlelight only made the atmosphere more mysterious.
On the couch sat Koneko-chan, eating an entire block of yokan, as gluttonous as ever. Her Kuroka-nee's a big eater too.
Across from her, a black-haired girl with a ponytail, Himejima Akeno-senpai, sipped tea gracefully, while Yuuto Kiba stood by the wall, reading a book.
Wow... Seeing all the main characters like this, it's kind of moving.
"Everyone, let me introduce them. These two are second-years: Hyoudou Issei and Arima Ikki. I was summoned by Hyoudou-kun just in time to save him from being killed by a Fallen Angel."
"U-Um... I'm Hyoudou Issei... Wait, did you say Fallen Angel?"
"We'll go over that later, Issei. And this is Arima-kun. He seems to be involved in the supernatural world and is apparently friends with Hyoudou-kun. Right after I was summoned, he broke through the Fallen Angel's barrier and rushed in."
"Nice to meet you all. I'm Arima Ikki. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
"Since Hyoudou-kun seems to be a normal human, I brought both of them here to explain the situation and also to figure out how much Arima-kun knows. Everyone, introduce yourselves."
At Rias-senpai's prompting, the other three came over to greet us.
"Oh my, fufu~ I'm Himejima Akeno, third-year and the vice-president of this Occult Research Club. Pleased to meet you."
"I'm Yuuto Kiba, second year. Nice to meet you both."
"First-year. Toujou Koneko. Nice to meet you."
Once everyone had introduced themselves, we all sat down around the table in the middle of the room.
"Before we start the explanation, let's drop the formalities. Mind if I call you two 'Issei' and 'Ikki'?"
Rias-senpai asked with a smile. Issei, thrilled that such a gorgeous upperclassman would call him by name, straightened up like he was on cloud nine.
"Y-Yes! It's an honor to be called by name!"
"I don't mind either... What should we call you all, then?"
"Just use our names. Right, Akeno?"
"Fufu~ Yes, that's fine."
"Then I'll call you Rias-senpai and Akeno-senpai."
"Alright, let's get to the main topic."
With that, Rias-senpai's expression turned serious, and Issei also sat up straighter.
"Just to confirm, Issei, you have no idea what's going on, right?"
"Y-Yeah... So much has happened, I honestly don't know what to think..."
"Let's start with the one who tried to kill you, the girl with black wings. She's a Fallen Angel. Originally an angel who served God, but after succumbing to her desires and committing sins, she fell into the Underworld, or what some might call Hell."
"Umm... Rias-senpai? That sounds like a joke..."
"You can treat it as one if you like. But if so, you'd have to deny the fact that you were nearly killed by a black-winged girl."
Rias's words silenced Issei.
"May I continue?" she asked. Issei nodded, resigned. "Good. Now, do you remember the Fallen Angel mentioning something called a 'Sacred Gear'?"
"Sa... Sacred...?"
"Sacred Gears are extraordinary powers bestowed by the God of the Bible upon certain humans. Not all of them are powerful, but a few are dangerous enough to threaten even beings like us. That Fallen Angel approached you out of fear that your Sacred Gear might be one of those. She tried to eliminate the threat before it could manifest."
"J-Just for that...? And wait, 'beings like us'?"
Rias stood up, and the other three followed.
"That's right. We are... devils."
As she spoke, they all unfolded their demonic wings.
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