After school.
"Ow… Everything hurts… I'm definitely gonna be sore tomorrow…"
I walked home alone, stiff all over.
Matsuda and Motohama had work, and Miyu was going home with classmates.
Of course, I was monitoring Miyu's aura. If anything happened I'd be there in a flash.
She knows about it and gave the okay.
Honestly, I'm happy she's making close friends.
…Motohama was right. When did I become such an overprotective Oniichan?
At that moment, my phone rang.
Judging by the ringtone, it was Mom.
"Hey, Mom? What's up?"
"Ah, Issei. Sorry, honey, but could you pick up some eggs for me? I forgot to buy them."
"Got it. Just eggs, right?"
"Right. Thanks, sweetie!"
"Sure thing!"
Eggs, huh? I'll stop by the supermarket where Matsuda works. Maybe I'll get that friend discount nonsense going.
Unlikely, though.
As I turned around to head out—
There she was.
A girl in an unfamiliar school uniform stood before me.
Long black hair. Beautiful features.
She was staring straight at me, and I instinctively raised my guard.
Normally, I don't get jumpy around random people.
But this wasn't some normal person.
There was something… different.
Not a Devil, not like Kiba. Something else.
On top of that, I realized she'd been tailing me.
Is she after something? My Sacred Gear, maybe…?
No way to know unless I ask.
"You need something from me?"
She fidgeted nervously before answering.
"A-Are you Hyoudou Issei from Kuoh Academy?"
"Yep. That's me. What's up?"
"I'm Amano Yuuma. A-And um…"
…What's with the nervous energy?
And then—
"Please go out with me!"
"…"
Wait, what?
Yeah, no—I didn't see that coming.
I've never been confessed to twice in one day before.
(Still not sure Miyu's counts…)
While I buzzed internally, Ddraig spoke up in my mind.
[Partner, sorry to kill the mood, but that girl is a Fallen Angel.]
A Fallen Angel!?
That's one of the species that sealed Ddraig before, right?
[Correct. Beings once angels, cast down for being consumed by desire.]
Got it.
So why would a Fallen Angel want anything from me?
[Most likely, she's sensed your Sacred Gear. The Three Factions are obsessed with Sacred Gears. They'll recruit or… if necessary, eliminate the user to claim it.]
Eliminate!?
They'll kill me over this!?
I don't want to believe that sweet-looking girl is planning something like that!!
[It's unlikely she can kill you. She's not that powerful.]
Good. Yeah, not to brag, but I'm no pushover.
Still, I need intel.
[What are you planning?]
I'm… going to accept her confession.
Who knows? Playing along might give me some answers.
I looked straight at the girl—Amano Yuuma.
"Of course! I'd love to. Nice to meet you, Yuuma-chan."
"Yaaay! Thank you, Issei-kun!"
She looked so genuinely happy…
Anyone else would've thought she meant it.
But I saw it.
That sadness, buried behind her smile.
The fake joy. The pain hiding in her eyes.
I couldn't ignore it.
What happened to her…?
▽
Saturday. No school.
Today, I had a date with Yuuma-chan.
Miyu wanted to tag along at first, but calmed down once I explained.
That was the hardest part, honestly…
Anyway, I arrived at the train station ten minutes early.
Even if she's a Fallen Angel, I'm not making a girl wait.
That's just gentleman code!
[You really just said that.]
Shut it.
[You're only here for lewd reasons, admit it.]
What's wrong with liking pretty girls!?
Yuuma-chan's got the perfect combo of cute face and sexy figure!
While mentally bickering with Ddraig, I saw Yuuma-chan running up.
She caught her breath and gave me an apologetic pose.
"Hey, Issei-kun! Sorry for the wait!"
"Nah, I just got here, too."
"Oh good... I came early, but didn't see you, so I got worried."
"No worries. It's a guy's job to wait. Anyway—shall we go?"
"Yeah!"
So, off we went into the city.
----
We went to the movies, played games at the arcade, visited a trendy café—it was awesome!
Yuuma-chan seemed to genuinely enjoy herself too.
Until…
Evening.
We found ourselves in a quiet, empty park.
If we were a normal couple, this would be the moment for a first kiss or something.
Just as that thought crossed my mind, Yuuma turned to face me.
"Issei-kun… Today was really fun."
"Yeah, I had a great time."
"…Hey… Issei-kun. Can I ask… a favor?"
"…Sure, what is it?"
A harsh wind swept through the trees, rustling the leaves ominously.
"Will you… die for me?"
With that, Yuuma's expression turned solemn.
Black wings erupted from her back. Her cute outfit morphed into dark battle garb.
"…So you really were a Fallen Angel."
I asked, and she looked shocked—
"You… knew?"
"…Kinda, yeah."
"You accepted my confession just to sniff out my intent?"
"That was part of it. But not all. When you asked me out, you looked… sad. That bothered me."
"I see…"
She raised her face—
And she was crying.
Tears fell as a glowing lance formed in her hand, made of pure holy light.
"I'm sorry…!"
Sobbing, Yuuma threw the spear right at my chest.
If I didn't move—it'd pierce my heart and I'd die.
But—
"…"
I caught the spear mid-flight.
With one hand.
Then, gripping tightly, I crushed it into light particles.
Yuuma's jaw dropped.
"A-Are you serious…!?"
"Sorry, Yuuma-chan. I get that you have your reasons. But I've got people waiting for me. I can't die here."
My dad. My mom. Miyu.
People I'm sworn to protect.
I've made that promise.
So I won't die so easily.
"Tell me, Yuuma-chan—why are you targeting me?"
"I… that's…"
Right as she opened her mouth—
"Tch. Can't even handle a worthless human? Utterly useless."
Another voice cut in.
From above.
A middle-aged man with black wings descended, glaring at me.
"…Dohnaseek-sama!? Why are you here...!?"
"You took too long. I came myself. Be grateful."
So this guy's Yuuma—no, her real name's apparently Raynare—her boss?
He sneered down at me.
"That human has a Sacred Gear. He may interfere with our plans. Therefore, he dies here."
He hurled a light spear without warning.
"Yeah, no—like that's gonna work."
I wrapped my fist in chi, and punched the spear into dust.
"Impossible… A mere human shattered my attack!?"
"If you wanna kill me, come back after some serious training. You're not strong enough."
"Don't get cocky, you damn human!"
Tension filled the air as we squared off.
But sensing my strength, Dohnaseek didn't rush in.
Just then, a red magic circle appeared behind me.
A Devil teleportation sigil.
"…Tch. A Devil? I've no desire to cross them here. We're withdrawing, Raynare."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
With that, the two spread their wings and disappeared into the night sky.
So her real name is Raynare, huh?
Next time we meet…
Anyway, I'd better retreat too.
Don't wanna get pulled into any more trouble here.
I turned and took off—unaware that I dropped my wallet on the way.