It was during lunch a few days after we'd returned from the Familiar Forest. Issei was cornered by Matsuda and Motohama, both glaring at him from close range with intimidating looks.
"Hey, Issei. I still can't get over it, but I understand why your lunch matches Asia-chan's. You live together. Fine. But today... doesn't your bento look way too cute?"
"Exactly! Just tell us who made it, we won't get mad!"
"Hmph. Matsuda, Motohama, did you know? Just seeing Asia in an apron is enough to bring peace to your very soul."
Issei spoke with a nostalgic tone, as if reliving a fond memory.
Upon hearing this, the two burst into tears at the corners of their eyes and jumped to their feet.
"You bastard, Issei! That's it! We can't forgive you anymore!!"
"Hey! You just said you wouldn't get mad!"
"That's ancient history now! More importantly, don't tell me she's doing even more for you, like waking you up in the morning... or feeding you breakfast with an aahh~?"
Issei sighed, acting like they were hopeless.
"What, you guys have never experienced that kind of thing? Man, you're so behind."
"Grrrrgh! Unforgivable! Why the hell are all the cute girls always around you guys!?"
"Issei! Ikki! Come on, you could at least introduce us to one girl! Just one! Please, we're begging you!"
The two actually bowed their heads, eyes full of tears. But Issei casually dismissed them.
"Yeah, not happening. You guys remember how your reputation is literally in the gutter, right?"
Seriously, finding a girl okay with that level of infamy? Near impossible.
"We'll make it worth your while! If you hook us up, we'll lend you a super rare gentleman's three-disc DVD set!"
"...Deal! Give me a sec!"
Issei latched onto the offer like a shark, immediately pulled out his phone, and made a call. After a brief exchange,
"Alright, Matsuda, Motohama. One girl said she's down to meet you guys today. She's even bringing friends."
"Really!? You're the best, Issei! Truly a man among men!"
"So, what's her name?"
"...Mil-tan."
Hey, Issei, look them in the eyes when you say that.
====================
After School
The Occult Research Club had no major missions on the schedule today, so we were just hanging out. Right now, I was playing a game of chess against Issei, using the set in the clubroom.
I lost to Akeno-senpai and tied with Yuuto, so I really wanted at least one win today.
Asia sat next to Issei cheering him on, while Koneko sat by me, watching quietly.
"Check!"
"Damn it! I lost!"
That brings my record to 0 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw. Definitely a losing streak.
"That was amazing, Issei!"
"Heh! Lately, I've been playing chess a lot at home during downtime. Don't think I'm the same old Issei anymore."
He says, proudly puffing up his chest.
"Huh? At home? So you play with Asia-san? Or against a computer?"
"Nah, I play with Ddraig."
"...You play chess with Ddraig!?"
This guy's playing board games with the freaking Red Dragon Emperor!?
"Yes. I've played with him a few times too. He's very strong!"
Asia too!? Just as I was reeling from this, a green gem appeared on the back of Issei's hand, Ddraig was joining the conversation.
"I never expected to actually play chess, but some past Red Dragon Emperors were really into board games. So naturally, I picked it up too."
"Whoa. So there were hosts like that, huh?"
"Yeah. One of them eventually hit a losing streak, spiraled into despair, and destroyed everything in a rage..."
"That's not just losing, it's a full-on breakdown!!"
Issei looked shocked, and rightly so. That guy must've gone Juggernaut Drive over a board game! He probably incinerated his opponent in a Crimson Purgatory tantrum...
Just then, Koneko-chan leaned her head gently on my left arm.
"Koneko-chan?"
I called her softly, but she was already asleep. No surprise, considering we'd been up late training again last night. She must be exhausted.
Naturally, President Rias doesn't know I've been summoning Koneko for extra training. I mean, even Mil-tan, one of Issei's "special contacts", uses that alias on her surveys, so a fake name's fine, right?
"My, my. Koneko-chan dozing off while leaning on a gentleman's shoulder, now that's a rare sight."
Well, we've known each other for a year now, even trained together with Kuroka...
"Kuuu! So jealous, Ikki! Koneko-chan never lets her guard down like that around us!"
"If you're that envious, shall I lean on you next time? Or better yet, how about a lap pillow?"
"Seriously!? Akeno-san!?"
Issei lit up like a kid at Christmas.
"Akeno, pampering our familiars is my job. But fine, Issei did defeat a Fallen Angel on his first mission. I suppose a reward is in order."
"A reward!?"
Issei's goofy grin grew even bigger, until Asia yanked his cheek.
"Geez, Issei-san! I don't like that silly face you make when you're all giddy! And please, President, Akeno-san, don't tease him like that!"
"Hehe, in that case, Issei, forget the reward. Let's hold off until you secure your first contract."
"N-Noooooo!!"
With Issei's wail echoing through the clubroom, our day came to an end.
====================
The Next Morning
When I arrived in class the next day, Matsuda and Motohama were already there, surrounded by a thick, almost visible aura of rage.
Moments later, Issei entered the classroom and was immediately dropkicked out the door by the two in perfect sync.
"What the hell!? What's with the extreme greeting!?"
Issei forced a nervous smile, but it was clear he had a good idea what this was about.
"Don't screw with us, man! Mil-tan!? Are you kidding me!? That was clearly a heavyweight MMA fighter in gothic lolita gear! What kind of final boss were you trying to set us up with!?"
"Come on, her heart's in the right place, she's a maiden inside, right?"
"Maiden or not, who the hell wants to go on a group date with a man-woman warrior!? When we showed up, there were five of them... then another ten gothic lolitas showed up, totally jacked! There was no escape!"
"They wouldn't stop talking about Milky World and 'Magical World Therapinia!' Then they introduced us to some new magical mascot by dragging us to a river, where some musclebound freak called himself 'the water spirit Undine' while bathing! We didn't escape till midnight! It was hell!!"
...Wait, Undine-san became their new mascot after that!? Matsuda, Motohama... it's probably for the best that you didn't realize that "spirit" was actually female-shaped. You don't want to know.
Yeah... let's just leave it at that.
====================
That Afternoon
After the chaos that morning, classes ended. I waited in the hallway for Yuuto to join me. Just as he arrived, I sensed a powerful presence coming from the old school building.
President Rias, Akeno-senpai, and Koneko-chan were there too, and didn't seem alarmed, so I assumed it wasn't an enemy... which left only one possibility.
Yuuto noticed me freezing up and spoke up.
"Ikki-kun? You suddenly went stiff. Something wrong?"
"A strong presence just appeared in the old school building. The others are there but seem calm. Yuuto, do you have any idea who it might be?"
Yuuto focused, trying to sense it himself, but then shook his head lightly.
"It's impressive. I'm pretty sensitive to auras, but I don't feel a thing from here... whoever it is must be incredibly skilled at suppressing their presence. If someone like that is visiting this school, it can only be them. Let's head to the clubroom."
We picked up the pace and soon arrived. And as expected, a stunning silver-haired maid was already inside.
"Grayfia-san!"
Issei clearly knew her. So President Rias did barge into his room last night, huh...
"Everyone's here now. Before we begin today's club activities, there's something I need to tell you."
"If you'd like, Ojou-sama, I can explain it, "
"No, I'll do it myself. The truth is, "
Before she could finish, a magic circle suddenly appeared in one corner of the room.
"...Phenex," Yuuto muttered with a tense look.
Flames erupted from the circle, and a cocky-looking man with host-like vibes stepped out.
If that summoning spell goes off somewhere dry and dusty in winter, there's probably gonna be a dust explosion... Shouldn't there be rules about summoning devils in crowded places?
While I was drifting into strange thoughts, the man dramatically brushed back his hair and spoke.
"Phew! It's been a while since I've visited the human world. I'm here to see you, my beloved Ria~s!"
The voice! The smug aura! The full power voice actor energy, FOOOOOO!!
"Um... who is this guy?"
"Hyoudou Issei-sama. This gentleman is the third son of the noble House of Phenex, a pure-blood High-Class Devil, Riser Phenex-sama."
Grayfia answered Issei's question while I tried to stop myself from cringing out loud.
"Phenex...?"
"And also the fiancé of the next head of the Gremory household. In other words, Rias-sama's betrothed."
"Wha... Fiancé!?"
Issei's scream echoed through the clubroom. President Rias sighed in visible disgust.
=============
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