Several days had past, and one morning Issei just woke up in his bed with his arms wrapping around Asia's almost naked body, as she only wore a pair of underwear. Issei's body froze up at the proximity he had with the former Holy Priestess, and he swallowed a lump along with his nervousness. Fortunately for him, the girl in question was still sleeping soundly, with an expression as if she was having a wonderful dream. The boy pulled his arms away carefully from Asia without waking her up, and once he made sure that his arms were no longer around her anymore, he sighed, only to be reminded again of another denizen whom ended up on the same bed with him last night.
Sweats started to form on his forehead, with his eyes widened in fear he carefully turned his head around to see his master's face who was really not amused. Rias however, quickly regained her composure and smiled lightly at her pawn.
"Good morning, Ise."
"Uh… Yeah… Good morning, ojou-sama…" Issei replied with nervous smile. "Um… This is…" Issei tried to explain about his current situation with the other blonde girl.
"Shh… Let's not wake her up, okay? You have to do your morning training, right?" Rias whispered, receiving an affirming nod from her pawn.
The two of them got out of bed carefully without making too much noise. After days of seduction, temptation and mental training, Issei finally managed to get used to the view of his nude master. As long as his master or other girls would not do anything too daring, Issei could just wave it off like everyday occurrence.
Rias was actually upset that her pawn did not end up embracing her like the last time when she moved into Hyoudou Residence. However, having a fit over things like this would only ruin her chance to be alone with the boy who she ended up falling for. Rias used to be the one to watch over Issei's morning training by herself, until Asia started to get used to wake up early to join the morning session as well, saying that she did not want to be left out like always. This time, while Rias did not really like to see Asia in Issei's arms for the whole night, there was a bright side. Having embraced by the person you like, you became more comfortable, thus slept more heavily.
As long as Rias remained collected and knew how to play her cards, she would be able to have more time with Issei alone, eventually leading her to have more of his attention. After all, all is fair in war and love.
However, things would never go as you wanted. Just when Rias thought that she finally could have Issei for herself for that morning, they were met with a sight of three familiar people, clad in jerseys like their own, were waiting outside of the house. The said people were a girl with blue hair, a boy with blonde hair and handsome face, and the other was a little girl with short white hair.
"Good morning, Rias-buchou, Hyoudou Issei."
"Good morning, buchou, Ise-kun."
"Good morning, buchou, Ise-senpai."
Xenovia, Kiba Yuuto, and Toujou Koneko sent their morning greetings.
Issei blinked at the three. "Uh… Good morning, guys. What are you all doing here?"
Looking at her knights and rook's attire, Rias inwardly sighed in disappointment as she had a hunch what the three were implying.
(Scene Break)
"So you've been doing this since childhood? No wonder you've already pretty strong when you joined us",
Yuuto, along with Koneko and Xenovia, was running behind Issei whom also was running ahead with a giant boulder mounted by Rias strapped on his back.
"Yeah, the fruits of this training really came in handy", Issei said with a grin.
"But this kind of training is so simple…" Koneko commented.
"It never hurts to go back to basics, Koneko", Xenovia quipped in. "In fact, most of sports activities, even martial arts start from running, building up your stamina is vital, after all."
"But still, I guess with our devil-hood this kind of training would be too easy", Issei pondered. "So let's take the detour to train more over that hill, shall we? I remember there's a clearing that we can use", Issei said pointing at a hill at the outskirts of the town.
Rias on the other hand, only sat on the boulder on Issei's back while making a troubled expression. Rias actually admired her knights and rook's will to get stronger, but she could not help but felt disappointed that the three ended up interrupting her quality time alone with her pawn.
"Just when I got a chance to be alone with him…"
Everyone nodded in agreement, while Rias only sighed slightly. Issei glanced at Yuuto who tampered with his cell-phone while running.
"Kiba, what are you doing?"
Yuuto put his cell-phone back to his pocket and looked back at Issei.
"Ah, actually I also invited Akeno-san earlier, and she said she will catch up with us after preparing some treats. I just texted her the venue of our training."
"And she's coming too…"
Issei took a glance upwards to his master, feeling that he heard something.
"Ojou-sama? Did you say something?"
"No, nothing", Rias denied with a small huff. "And is it just me, or you're getting slower? If you're training you shouldn't slacking off like this. Go faster!" Rias vented a bit of her frustration.
"Y-yeah!" Issei picked up his speed as he was surprised at his master's sudden outburst.
Yuuto, Xenovia and Koneko, who were oblivious, picked up their pace as well to keep up with Issei.
(Scene Break)
The venue of the morning training, a wide clearing of grass in the middle of forest region of the town, and the training/spar between Issei, Yuuto, Xenovia and Koneko in summary: The former beat down the latter three almost mercilessly. While the past fights and battles had made them stronger, but the difference was still too distinctive. Koneko might not had too much growth, but she still grown stronger since the battle with Kokabiel. Yuuto had gained his own Balance Breaker, Xenovia was trying to get more feeling of her Durandal, but Issei's power had leapt even further than them. The pawn could tell that the knights and the rook had gotten stronger, given that Issei had to step up his game compared during their spar in the training camp, but Issei still managed to defeat both of them, either on one on one even in 3 vs 1 without too much effort. In the end, Issei acted as a mentor for the three while Rias only stood on the side-line as a supervisor.
Akeno came later on, clad in jerseys like the other three, with a picnic basket and a thermos in her hands. The queen ended up having Rias as her sparring partner, and sometimes each of the devils will switch their partners to measure each other growth over past few days.
In the end, Issei was still the strongest overall compared with the others. The others had indeed gotten stronger, but the same goes to him. Exhausted, everyone sat together under a tree at the edge of the clearing.
"Everyone had gotten stronger."
Issei said as he wiped off his sweat. Everyone else had worked out quite a sweat, but Issei was the only one who looked the least exhausted compared to the others.
"Thanks", Yuuto said while trying to regain his own breath. "But we're still so far from you."
"Nothing betrays hard work, Kiba", Issei replied, with Xenovia and Koneko nodded in agreement. "Someday you guys will be able to beat me, but I won't make it easy for you, either", he finished with a grin.
The others smiled back at Issei's words. Then Akeno decided to bring up the refreshments. However, suddenly Issei felt someone else arrived at their place. Turning his eyes towards another edge of the clearing, a man with a bald head, clad in plain white T-shirt and a jersey pants came out from the trees with a girl with blonde hair sitting on his shoulder. The girl was wearing her own set of jerseys and bringing a thermos bottle.
"You…" Issei widened his eyes for a second before narrowed them at the sight of the man. His voice sounded annoyed rather than surprised for a second.
However, before Issei could have finished, Xenovia beat him first when she set her eyes on the blonde girl who jumped down from the man's shoulder.
"Asia! Saitama-dono!"
The others stood up at the Saitama's arrival with Asia, with Akeno had somewhat conflicted expression, but she quickly replaced it with neutral one before anyone could notice.
"Thank you very much, Saitama-san", Asia bowed down politely to Saitama, whom nodded in reply before she turned towards Issei and the rest of the gang.
"You're so mean, Ise-san! Buchou-san too… Leaving me alone in the house…" Asia said with teary-eyes.
The girl approached the group rather hastily, with Saitama followed with slower pace behind her. After few quick greeting and apology with her, Issei's eyes laid on Saitama while Asia conversed with the others and offering the thermos that contained barley tea. For some reasons, Issei still felt somewhat annoyed when he saw his father.
Saitama only looked back at Issei with his poker-face expression.
"…What?"
"Nothing…"
Issei huffed as he looked away.
Before the situation could have gone any further; Akeno, Yuuto and Koneko walked up passed Issei towards Saitama. Koneko, however, appeared to be on the edge when she followed Akeno and Yuuto from behind.
"Good morning", Akeno was the one to take the initiative as she mustered the best smile she could get. Fortunately, her expression was enough to be called pleasant.
"We haven't known each other properly before, have we? My name is Himejima Akeno, a devil, and your son's senpai from Kuoh Academy. It's nice to meet you, Saitama-san."
Then Yuuto and Koneko also gave a light bow and introduced themselves.
"I'm Kiba Yuuto, Ise-kun's friend, also a devil. It's a pleasure to meet you, Saitama-san."
"… Toujou Koneko… Nice to meet you…"
As a matter of fact, Koneko almost stuttered and was sweating a bit more than before, there was also a hint of fear in her voice. However, she did well on putting up a polite and fearless front.
"Yeah, nice to meet ya all." Saitama returned the courtesy with a nod before he turned to Akeno.
"Yes?" Akeno asked with a small tilt of her head, noticing Saitama's eyes on her.
"No… It's just that I've heard your name somewhere before…" Saitama rubbed his chin. Few seconds later, he put his fist on top of his palm.
"Ah, I remember now. So you're Baraqiel's girl, right?"
Akeno flinched at the word, her hands clutching together so tight for a second, her lips twitched downward as she tried to control her emotion.
"… Yes, I'm… His daughter", Akeno said as neutrally as she could muster.
She wanted to at least thank him properly for saving her in the past, but hearing Issei's story about him reminded her of bad memories about a certain man.
Issei noticed the change on his senpai's face, while the others seemed troubled about what to make out of the current mood.
"How did you know Akeno-san's father?" Issei asked, as the boy also had a slight curiosity about his father's acquaintance.
"Well… We've been drinking buddies ever since we first met at Azazel's place", Saitama replied nonchalantly.
"Yeah, about that. How did you know someone like Azazel in the first place?" Issei pointed out.
Saitama rolled his eyes before replying.
"Basically… He treated me dinner back in somewhere in China… Was it Shanghai? Beijing…? Anyway, we've been keeping in touch ever since."
"And what were you doing at… Ugh, you know what? I don't care anymore", Issei shook his head and held his hands up in resignation.
"But still, an errand boy? You've been a Grigori's errand boy all this time?" Issei asked again.
"Who said I'm an errand boy?" Saitama denied. "I'd rather to be called a Jack of All Trades! Well, most of the jobs came from Azazel, though…"
"That's basically what an errand boy is!" Issei retorted harshly.
"Well, this errand boy had been working hard for your sorry little ass! And for your information, I used to be a hero, you know? Helping people is part of my job!"
"Ha! Hero!? Then what's your stage-name? The Caped Baldy? The Bald Errand Boy!?"
"Why you…!" At this point, Issei and Saitama were casually glaring at each other and clashing their foreheads together.
The quarrel between Issei and Saitama somehow managed to levitate the heavy atmosphere as the others started to smile awkwardly and giggled.
"Now, now…" Rias decided to be the peacemaker. "The sun is starting to get higher and we don't want to be late for school, do we? Let's have breakfast and go back."
The others nodded their heads in compliance, except Issei. When everyone were preparing to eat, Issei only stared at Saitama again, which the latter noticed by staring back.
"Ah Saitama-san, would you like to…"
Whatever Asia was about to say was cut-off when the girl noticed another tension between father and son.
"Say, dad…" Issei asked in neutral tone. "Wanna spar before we eat?"
"Ise!" Rias said in slight reprimanding tone.
"It's alright, ojou-sama", Issei glanced at his master before turning back to his father, whom raised an eyebrow, presumably at how Issei addressed Rias. "Whoever drew the first hit wins."
Others turned their gazes at Saitama who seemed to regard his son's challenge coolly. The wind blew between them, and after few moments of thinking and looking at Issei's eyes, Saitama released a small sigh and rubbed his head.
"Fine."
The others' eyes wide opened with few gasps, while Issei's body tensed and tightened his fists.
"But just one hit, okay?" Saitama said as he walked more towards the centre of the clearing, followed by Issei.
As father and son stood facing each other again, the others were reminded of the outcome of the previous stand-off. Rias and Asia could only hope that things would not go as bad as the last time. The others only silenced once again as the match began to unfold.
Issei, Boosted Gear at hand, and Saitama only stood on their position for a minute, and when a nearby bird flew from a tree, the sound of flapping wings was the cue that the match had begun.
[Boost!]
Issei immediately vanished from the spot, leaving a small crater from the force of his legs.
"Ise-kun went full speed right away!" Yuuto muttered in comment.
The others also impressed that Issei had moved even faster than during training earlier. Issei as a matter of fact however, could not afford to go all out since he did not want to deal any more collateral damage, so he had to refrain himself from using his Scale Mail or some of his more destructive attacks. And since the rule only said about first hit, Issei decided to keep moving while looking for opening.
[Boost!]
Another 10 seconds had past, but it felt much longer for everyone as Issei kept moving around Saitama at high speed while the latter simply stood his ground. Even after another 10 seconds, Issei with his further boosted speed and strength still maintained his actions without attempting any attack whatsoever.
"What the hell's with this guy?" Issei started to feel frustrated. "All he's doing is standing there… But I can't find any opening!"
Some of the spectators swallowed a lump in nervousness, waiting for any party to make another move.
Tempted by the urge to attack, Issei finally made a decision to do something bold: charged straight from Saitama's left side. However, when Issei had almost closed the distance…
"Okay, kid. You're gonna be late for school if this keeps up", Saitama suddenly said and turned his head to look straight at Issei's direction.
Issei's eyes shot open in surprise.
"What-! He's been following my movement all this time!?" Issei reflexively skid on the ground to stop, but the distance was already closed enough for Saitama to launch his left jab.
Not being able to stop completely, Issei clicked his tongue and chose to jump over to dodge. However, just when Issei reached a certain height from his jump, Saitama's fist managed to make a contact at Issei's lower region.
THUD!
Saitama had reduced a great deal of power in his fist so his son would not pass out like last time. After all, being berated by his wife was bad enough for him. But still, his punch this time was still strong enough to make Issei's eyes shot open and made a pained expression.
That morning, a cry of pain and agony echoed through out the hill, startling the birds to fly away from the forest.
X
"Dear, it would be unpleasant if Ise were not able to give me a grandchild…"
Haruka said with a smile that seemed to be too sweet, considering a dark aura surrounding him as she sat on the dining room chair with Saitama across her, sitting with his head hung low.
"Yes, I'm sorry. I'll reflect on my actions…" Saitama said with the sincerest tone he could muster.
However, in his mind, Saitama contemplating about how things turned out to be like this. He admitted that he was the one who had done the hit, but in the end, when your son was the one who started it all, what could he do or expect at such circumstances? But still, from experience Saitama had learned from living with his wife, the best course of action now is to never go against Hyoudou Haruka, especially if things were not in your favour from the start.
Meanwhile, Issei and devils from Occult Research Club were having breakfast together living room, since the table in dining room was not big enough to accommodate the guests who decided to come along since they were also worried of Issei's condition after his 'vital' was hit by Saitama. Issei and Yuuto chose to sit on the carpet set while the girls took a seat on the couches, with breakfast served on the table.
Issei, sat with crossed legs, was having a pack of ice resting exactly on his crotch, the area where Saitama accidentally struck him. While the boy glad that both of them were still there and intact, the pain still remained and Asia's Twilight Healing could not do much about the pain.
"So… How is it? Are those still there?" Yuuto asked Issei as he ate his portion of breakfast.
Issei moved the icepack away and rubbed the cloth of his pants that covers his 'jewels'.
"Yeah, fortunately they're still attached well", Issei replied with relieved tone.
The girls only giggled in awkwardness. Since they were girls, they could not really fathom what kind of pain Issei was going through. They only knew that it hurt a lot.
"Oh, Rias-chan!"
The girl in question turned her head to Hyoudou matriarch, whose face was beaming.
"Thank you so much for the contact you gave me the other day! He is such a wonderful child!"
"Fufufu, glad for him to be of service… Please don't hesitate to contact him whenever you're in need, okay?" Rias replied with a pleasant, satisfied smile.
Seeing the interactions between two women, Issei became intrigued.
"Ojou-sama? What are you talking about with mom?" Issei asked.
"Ah, do you remember about my other bishop?"
Issei nodded and the others who were considered as new in the peerage were paying attention as well.
"Your mother once told me that she tends to get lonely at home, so I decided to recommend my bishop to be her talking partner. My bishop was kind of shy, but he has been doing excellent jobs through his computer, and he didn't seem to have much problem on socializing though internet…" the Gremory king explained.
"And his blog forum is so cute! I really had a good time talking with him", Haruka chipped in.
"Right, come to think of it… This is the first time that there's another bishop besides Asia here", Xenovia voiced her thoughts.
"And speaking of, when will you going to introduce him to us?" Issei added his two cents.
"I know that I've said that I'll introduce you to him... But unfortunately, it's not the time yet. So can you wait a little longer, please?" Rias replied with an apologetic look.
Issei, Asia and Xenovia looked at each other, but then they shrugged as they chose to obey for now.
(Scene Break)
"Well, we'll be going ahead. We'll see you all again at school",
Rias, who already clad in her school uniform along with Issei and Asia, spoke to the others who wanted to make a quick visit to their homes to prepare themselves.
They turned to see Saitama and Haruka who were sending them off.
"We'll see you later, Haruka-san, Saitama-san!" Asia said with a bow.
Haruka only giggled with her hand covering her mouth.
"Ufufu, Asia-chan… I told you to call us father and mother, didn't I?"
"I-I'm sorry! …Father and… mother…" Asia said meekly with flushed face.
Haruka giggled even more, while Saitama let out a faint smile while sighing through his nose, as he extended his hand to ruffle on Asia's head, much to the girl's embarrassment.
However, Issei on the other hand was showing a slight anxious face.
"Ise? What's wrong?" Haruka turned to her son.
"Well, it's just…" Issei rubbed the back of his neck. "You two won't do anything funny while we're away… Right?"
Those who knew about 'that' day flinched at the question. Ever since Issei had caught his parents in action, the boy seemed to react at the idea whenever his parents would be alone in the house.
Sometimes, Rias and Asia saw Issei being hesitant whenever Issei was about to step into the living room. The boy would carefully take a peek first, then he would unconsciously let out a relieved sigh if nothing out of ordinary was happening. They managed to convince Issei that what he saw 'that' day was nothing but a nightmare, but the effect on Issei's mind was so strong that it left a mark.
However, Haruka only replied with an innocent smiling face at her son's question.
"Oh, what are you so worried about, Ise? We get along well and we'll be fine. Isn't that right, dear?"
Haruka turned to her husband, who was giving her a deadpanned look.
"Did she even learn anything?" was what went through Saitama's head.
For some reasons, Saitama felt that what happened that day would happen again sooner or later.
The others, who were intrigued at Issei's question, sent Rias and Asia questioning looks, which was replied by a light shake of the head from Rias, asking not to speak anything, and flushing face from Asia.
"Well… If you say so", Issei said after sending one last sceptical look. "Then, we're leaving."
The others also sent their farewells as Haruka and Saitama sent them off. Even after the kids had gone far enough, Saitama and Haruka remained standing at their position.
Saitama could feel Haruka was sending her 'that' look. As if reading her thoughts, Saitama spoke in advance.
"Err… Haruka, can you stop giving me that look? I felt bad enough for Ise as it is…"
"Oh, whatever you're talking about?" Haruka turned around, but she tiptoed a bit and she whispered to Saitama's ear.
"I know that you love it…"
Then she strode inside the house. Saitama only grumbled with a sigh as he ran his hand through his face. With his wife teasing him much like this, he always wondered why he ended up living with this kind of woman.
"Well, if you're asking me like that. I guess I'll just introduce you to Gya-chan. Come on, dear", Haruka motioned her husband to follow her into the house.
Saitama only furrowed an eyebrow before he followed his wife into the house.
"Gya-chan?"
X
On that late afternoon, Issei was heading towards his client's house by jumping and running around the buildings. The boy actually could have used teleportation, but he decided to take the scenic route. Old habits became hard to die after a while.
However, while maintaining his pace and balance as he leapt to the air, Issei's thoughts were somewhere else as the boy sometimes gazed into the distance.
[Mind to share something with me?]
Issei blinked at the voice from his Sacred Gear then he shook his head lightly and put on a faint smile.
"No, it's nothing… I'm fine."
[I didn't ask you if you're fine or not. I only asked if you have something to share with me. So… What's up?]
Issei only let out a sigh at Ddraig's reasoning.
"Well, only some mundane stuff. No biggie."
[And this mundane stuff happens to be your old man?]
…
[I'll take that silence as a 'yes']
Issei grimaced as a faint flush adorned his face.
[Come on, you can tell me what's going on. It's not like I can tell anyone else even if I wanted to]
Issei gave the dragon's words a thought for a moment while his body still perfectly maintained its balance and speed from his instinct and reflex alone, then Issei sighed.
"Well… He's back. And even until today, I still feel… uneasy…"
[Oh? How so?]
"I mean, how long will he stay? Is he coming home for good? Is he going to leave again? You saw what he is capable of… I'm totally out of his league. If he were to leave again, who knows how long it'd take for me to catch up with him?"
Ddraig remained silent at Issei's dilemma for a minute, taking in what his host was pointing at.
[You know, your father is actually the type of man who doesn't get bound in one place]
Issei raised his eyebrows at what Ddraig just said.
[I'm serious. Strong beings just don't settle down. They take breaks sometimes, but eventually, they will keep moving from place to place to find more new places or people to fight, to destroy, or to protect. And your old man's case is most likely the latter]
Issei remained silent this time, taking in the dragon's words.
[I've seen some of my past hosts going through similar situations like yours, partner. And what I can tell you now is that you should just come to terms and have faith in him]
"… Faith?"
[You heard me. I mean, he returned to you in the end, didn't he? If he didn't care about you or your mother at all, he should've just be gone right after he knocked you out that time]
Issei could not help but chuckled in agreement that Ddraig had a point.
"Heh… You know, Ddraig? At this point I won't be surprised if you're actually my long lost father all this time."
[Kukukuku… As much as I'd like to admonish you for that… Thanks, partner] Ddraig replied. [Actually, here's another thing. Why don't you just convince him to stay?]
"… And how am I supposed to do that?"
At the question, Ddraig put on a teasing smirk.
[For starters, why don't you start being honest with yourself and just say right to his face that you missed him and want him to stay?]
Issei flabbergasted at Ddraig's suggestion as he skidded on the ground to stop his trek.
"W-w-w-what are you saying!? Rather, even if it's you, why am I talking about my privacy this much? And in the beginning, ever since that night, my new goal now is to become stronger so I can give him a payback!"
Due to his emotional state, Issei ended up barking at his left arm with blushing face.
[Again, let's be honest, partner… Ever since I've awakened inside your body-]
"…Can we talk about this later?" Issei suddenly regained his cool and interrupted, wanting to say something.
However, the dragon kept on pressing.
[I've noticed from time to time when you went pass other children playing together with their fathers in a park-]
"Ddraig, really-!" Issei tried to relay his point but the dragon pushed through to the point of annoying.
[-And you were looking at them with longing and slightly envious look. Face it, partner, you've been longing to spend more time with your father, even now]
"Ddraig…"
[Just admit it]
"Ddraig."
[Admit it!]
"Ddraig…!"
[ADMIT IT!]
"DDRAIG!"
[WHAT!?]
"… We're here", Issei said as he was looking at the same mansion where he dealt with his last client.
Ddraig blinked twice and he finally noticed that Issei had indeed arrived at the destination.
[…Oh]
At the same time, a random mother with her son passed nearby Issei and the child was pointing at teen with curious looks.
"Mom, mom… That guy just shouted to his left arm…"
The mother only hushed her son up and told him not to look, as she quickly pulled her son away from the scene.
Issei's eyes twitched in annoyance and he only shook his head in resignation as he felt that his mind had exhausted already.
After a minute, Issei finally regained his composure and he walked towards the large doors of the mansion. However, Ddraig interrupted him again when Issei was about to knock on the door.
[Just for the record, this is far from over]
Issei only rolled his eyes at what Ddraig was implying. He proceed to knock the door with him announcing his introduction like last time, and stood there to wait for the door to be opened, followed by a feminine voice.
"Yes, who is it...?"
Moments later, the door opened and revealing a woman in a victorian-style maid outfit, complete with the white apron and head piece. However, Issei's eyes narrowed at the woman's face, whom widened her eyes in fear as soon as she recognised the boy's face. The maid wanted to shut the door, but her body had frozen in fear as she kept trembling at the sight of Issei.
Issei glared at the terrified maid who opened the door until he closed his eyes and let out a sigh.
"Well, can you lead me to your master…" Issei opened his eyes again at the familiar face of a fallen angel. "…Raynare?"
X
Issei was walking through the mansion's hallway, following Raynare towards the room where the 'master' was supposed to be waiting for him. The maid was terribly scared to look behind her, while the boy looked calm on the outside, Raynare could not help but to be on her edge. Ever since that night in the abandoned church, the fallen would react every time she heard the word 'dragon'. The word reminded her of the one she angered that night, and after she suffered that humiliation and despair, her wings had been reduced into one wing only, causing her to be pulled back from the front lines.
Fallen angels, just like angels in Heaven, had their worth and power being determined from the number of wings they possess. The more wings an angel possess, the higher standing and status he/she held among their peers. Having only a pair of wings was the lowest position one could have, and Raynare, having one of her only two wings ripped off by Issei that night had put her in the lowest position anyone could imagine in the Grigori's hierarchy.
Fortunately for her, Azazel was merciful enough not to toss her aside, even he decided to pick her as his personal aide to deal with small paperwork and his personal maid during his stay in the human world.
Issei on the other hand, while remained calm, he could not help but feel angry at the sight of his ex-girlfriend. His first girlfriend had toyed with his feelings, after all. Indeed, the boy was yet in love while he dated her, but he did everything he could to gain her affection. Knowing that the fallen was only putting up a cute act all along, every guy in his shoes would've had their hearts broken. Additionally, she also had killed Asia, but in the end, Issei chose to stay civil and finished his business as soon as possible with the master whose identity he had an idea of.
"My master is beyond this door. He's attending another guest apparently, but he has been expecting you to come as well."
After what it seemed to be forever, Issei finally stopped as Raynare gestured the two doors before him. The fallen stepped aside and bowed down respectfully, making a path for Issei.
The boy took a glance at his ex, then he immediately pushed the doors open and stepped in, only to twitch his eyes when he saw his previous client was sitting on the floor with an awfully familiar man. Both of them were sitting facing each other with game portable at hand.
"Damn it, Saitama! Why did you never tell me about this secret lair!? This place is a bloody gold mine!" Issei's client, garbed in his green yukata was squealing in excitement as he looked intently at the game before him.
"I know, I know", the man now identified as Saitama replied with calmer tone. The man was wearing a yellow polo shirt and brown trousers.
"I really owe that kid one. If I never made a contract with him I would've definitely passed these bonuses."
Issei remained on his spot, watching the two adults playing games together, until the door behind him was shut close. Then, he let out a breath as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"…What the hell are you doing here, dad?"
The adults(?) turned their heads and the man in green Yukata was the one to stand up first.
"Yo, devil-kun! Thanks again for coming… Actually, can I call you Sekiryuutei?"
Issei only snorted a bit at the gesture.
"Nah, just call me Issei… Azazel, I presume?" Issei asked with a quirked eyebrow.
As if on cue, six pairs of jet-black crow wings sprout out from the man's back.
"So you finally figured it out?"
Issei shrugged. "I've already felt something was off about this place ever since the first time I came here. But my suspicion was confirmed just now when I met your 'maid' earlier. You know that she and I had a little history, right?"
Azazel only snorted in return and Saitama only raised his eyebrows at the word 'history' from his son. Issei then tilted his head to take a look at his father again.
"And you", Issei pointed out. "Again, what are you doing here?"
Saitama blinked, then he held out his game portable and waved it awkwardly.
"Uh… MonHun?"
"No, no. Seriously, what the fuck are you doing, lounging around with the governor of fallen angels?"
Azazel simply laughed to ease up the tension.
"Hahaha, your dad here is just here to update me about the incident with Kokabiel before, since I'm his employer in a way. He's also here as my gamming buddy from time to time, isn't that right, Saitama?"
Saitama, while he did not deny it, he did not show it. Instead he only shrugged, followed by a nod.
"Speaking of that incident, how did it end up? What happened on your side after that battle?" Issei asked.
"I'll talk to you about about it later. For now, I need to use a bathroom. Why don't you talk with your old man while I'm away? I'll send your ex-girlfriend to give you something to drink. Water for you just like last time, correct?" Azazel strode off towards the door.
"Wait, hold on..." Saitama jerked slightly on his seat. "His what?"
Issei only looked dryly at Saitama's interference, while Azazel only chuckled in amusement, resulting a glare from Issei.
"Just ask your kid here, Saitama… Well, I'll be back in a moment", Azazel finally went out from the room.
For a minute Issei only stood on his spot while Saitama remained seated on his previous position. Then the door opened, revealing a nervous Raynare holding a tray with a glass and a jar of water.
"U-um…" Raynare fidgeted, trying to look anywhere but Issei's eyes. "I-I brought your drinks…"
Issei let out another sigh. If he were to deal with all this crap, he would want to have his body relaxed while he could.
"Just put it over there…" Issei gestured coldly as he moved towards a sitting spot not far from his father.
Raynare quickly did as Issei said when the boy sat down, after putting the tray of drinks on the spot Issei pointed at, the fallen gave a quick bow and left the room in haste.
Another silence filled out the room as father and son waited for Azazel to return from his business. Without the other knowing, both of them were actually trying their darnest to break the ice, but nothing came to mind.
"Come on, me… It's been a progress since that dinner… You need to say something, don't you?" Saitama thought to himself.
Meanwhile, Issei inwardly was as nervous as his father.
"Come on… think! It's not that I want to talk with him or anything, but this silence is killing me! There must be a thing or two worth mentioning!"
After another moment that felt like forever, Saitama finally started to talk.
"Uh… It's a nice weather out there, isn't it?"
Issei only looked dryly at how cliché his father started a topic.
[Hey, at least that's a start. Just say yes!]
"Y-… Yeah…" Issei looked away as he followed Ddraig's lead.
Then another silence fell upon them.
"So…" Saitama began again after few minutes, "That's your ex, huh? She's actually a fine gal, if I say so myself…" Saitama trailed off as he remembered Raynare's appearance. "She seemed terrified of you. What did you do?"
Issei narrowed his eyes as bad memories started to come up to his mind.
"That's none of your business, pops…" Issei shot back after a moment.
[Damn, way to go to kill a conversation, partner…]
"Shut up, Ddraig"
"Well, I guess it's not…" Saitama replied as he looked away awkwardly.
Silence fell upon them once again. Few minutes later, it was Issei who spoke up.
"Say, dad…" Issei trailed off. "Why… Why did you leave back then?"
Saitama remained stoic, if there was any expression from such question, the man was hiding it well. Looking at Saitama's unchanging expression for a minute, Issei pushed on.
"Answer me!"
However, just when Saitama opened his mouth to answer, Azazel returned to the room.
"Heya, sorry for the wait", Azazel walked towards the two before he stopped for a second. "I hope I wasn't interrupting anything."
Issei only deadpanned at the fallen, while Saitama himself only raised from his seat as if on cue.
"Well, I guess I'll take my leave. I got to do some shopping for Haruka, anyway." Saitama walked towards the door. "I'll see you later, Azazel", Saitama said as he walked pass the fallen.
"Yeah, I'll give you a call if something came up", Azazel replied as he patted Saitama's shoulder in friendly manner. "Raynare!"
At the call, the maid immediately appeared.
"Can you show the way out to our guest?"
"As you wish, Azazel-sama." The maid replied with a curt bow. "Saitama-san... This way, please…" Raynare gestured and Saitama followed her.
"Wait!"
Saitama halted just when he was at the door. He turned his head a bit to see that his son just stopped him.
"You still haven't answered my question." Issei said as he stood up from his seat.
Saitama only turned his head back and rubbed the back of his head awkwardly before he replied.
"I… simply left for my own selfishness."
Then Saitama left as the door shut. Issei only stayed silent with wide eyes before he narrowed them, his clenched fist and jaw tightened when he took in his father's answer.
X
For Raynare, the trip to the front entrance was as silent as when she was guiding Issei. Although not as bad as earlier, the fallen still had a certain extent of wariness when she was walking in front of the father of the man she afraid of.
"So… I heard you used to date my son."
Raynare flinched at the sudden words from the man behind her. A sweat trickled down her temple, as she tried to remain composed.
"Y-yes, I did…"
Behind those words, Raynare wished that she could walk faster so she could send Saitama off sooner. At the beginning, she used to have a low opinion about humans, but she could not help but feel pressurized under the strange atmosphere that came out from the man known as Saitama, the father of current Sekiryuutei. If she had to describe the atmosphere around Saitama, she could only feel the atmosphere as calm, yet deadly. As if her life could end at any moments of notice.
As they had already half way towards the front entrance, Saitama spoke again.
"How did he treat you? I hope both of you had a good time together."
At this question, Raynare swallowed a lump as she tightened her grip on her apron. The fallen was trying her best to push back the memory where a dragon slaughtered her comrades and tore off one of her wings.
"I-it was a pleasant one. Your son is a good man…"
Raynare felt slightly proud of herself for being able to come up with that answer. After all, it was true that she and Issei had gone on a decent date. Finally much to the fallen's relief, they finally arrived at the front door. She swiftly opened the door for Saitama to go through.
"Well, good to hear that…" Saitama trailed off as he walked pass the entrance before he stopped. "But still, tread lightly around him from now on, okay?" Saitama said as he looked at Raynare.
The fallen angel maid flinched once again at the word. Despite the neutrality in Saitama's tone, Raynare could not help but to take those words as a warning, as she saw that Saitama's expression became sharp, unlike the plain expression he showed earlier.
Without saying anything back, the fallen simply gave a polite bow and Saitama finally walked away. As soon as Saitama's figure was out of sight, Raynare quickly shut the door and her legs gave in. She collapsed onto the floor and she released a breath that she had been holding for who knows how long. Sweats finally poured down freely from her head, her body was trembling from fear, and the poor woman had to force down the content of her stomach to rise up to her throat. She had finally realised that she just set off not just one dangerous man, but a dangerous pair of father and son.
In the end, it took a few minutes for her to found a new strength in her legs before she returned to her duties.
X
Azazel only looked back and forth at the atmosphere. Even a seasoned leader of fallen angels was not sure what to make out of the situation. However, he had a guess of what just transpired during his absence.
"Okay, seeing that whatever you talked about with your dad did not end well, do you want to talk another time? I'm totally fine with that." Azazel chose to be considerate for now.
"Nah, I'm fine. Let's get to business", Issei said after a small sigh as he returned to his seat, followed by Azazel sitting in front of him.
"First of all…" Azazel immediately began. "I'd like to apologize about four of my subordinates."
It took few seconds for Issei to know what the fallen angel governor was implying before he replied.
"Oh, err… It's already in the past, but… I thought you're gonna be more upset about me killing your subordinates, not to mention I made one of them being crippled."
Azazel only waved his hand in dismissive manner.
"Those folks were aware of the risk once they decided to act without my permission, and it can be said that they're acting against my first orders. My orders to them are only to keep an eye on Sacred Gear wielders and contact me if they were awakened, not some crap like extracting them for my sake or anything like that. But again, I'm kind of glad that you spared one of them."
At Azazel's last sentence, Issei only scoffed.
"Actually, considering that she had broken my heart both figuratively and almost literally, as well as hurting Asia, I'd say that even death is too good for her."
Azazel snorted in return. "Well, look at her now. She's really scared of you. It's gonna take a while for her other wing and her pride to grow back after what happened", Azazel looked away at the distance, as if he could see the figure of Raynare at the other side of the mansion.
"Anyway, going back to your question earlier…" Azazel returned his gaze at Issei. "I was planning to talk about it during the peace conference, so I won't tell you now. But I can assure you that he's been taken care of."
Issei nodded in return, then he looked up again. "So there will be a meeting, after all?"
X
"This is completely outrageous!"
Rias slammed her desk as she shouted. Apparently, when Issei returned to the clubroom and reported his findings, the devils especially his master did not take it very well.
"I know that there is going to be a meeting between leaders of devils, fallen angels, and angels, but to think that the Governor of fallen angels intruding our territory and interfering with our business…!"
According to Azazel, as Issei recalled, it had been decided few days earlier that due to the stunts Kokabiel had pulled, the relations between the three factions had been affected to a certain extent. As a result, the leading members of each faction would gather together and discuss the future.
The devils from Occult Research Club and Student Council would have to join, as well as giving a detailed report, since they were involved during the incident. It was said that the exorcist who was sent during the incident to give their testimony as well. That meant that Irina would also come to the conference.
"And to top it off, to try and lay a hand on my cute Ise, the price is death!" Rias added with furious tone.
"P-please calm down, buchou… it's not like he meant any harm in the first place. I'm totally fine…"
True, having someone like Azazel to make a contact with devils as a client was not a joking matter, no matter how mischievous Azazel known to be.
But strangely (or not) enough, Rias' family were not bothered when they got a hold of it.
"And Saitama-san… He didn't even bother to do anything when his son was called into such dangerous place…" Rias continued on, as if she was not listening to Issei.
At the complaint, Issei's mind was reminded again at the time when he was about to left Azazel's mansion.
(Flashback)
"Well, if that's all then I'm leaving", Issei said as he rose up from his seat. "Ah, don't need to show me the way out. I'll manage."
Or rather, Issei was not in mood to spend more time with his ex-girlfriend. Besides, he had come to the place once, so he was familiar if it was just looking for the front door.
"If you say so. Besides, I think Raynare would be too scared to show you the way out, anyway. So thanks for coming", Azazel replied.
However, when Issei was about to go pass the door, Azazel stopped him as the fallen remembered about something else.
"Ah, one more thing, Issei-kun…"
Issei stopped and turned his head around.
"About your father… There's never been a day where he didn't think about you and your mother. So I suggest give some thought about it."
(End of flashback)
Thanks to the words Azazel spoke of, Issei furrowed his eyebrows slightly as he felt that his daddy issue just got more complicated. However, suddenly a hand was placed on his shoulders.
"No need to worry, Ise-kun…"
It was Yuuto. "While there's a possibility that Azazel will try to get his hands on you, since he is well known for his fascination for Sacred Gears, especially something like your Boosted Gear, I'm assure you it's going to be alright…"
It seemed that Yuuto misunderstood the meaning behind Issei's frowning face.
"Because I will protect you."
The knight said those words with eyes that as if he was afraid of loosing the pawn. The latter only blinked at the former's words and expression; while Issei appreciated the concern, he could not help but feel that the knight was creeping him out, but he chose not to say it out loud.
"Err… What's with those eyes? I mean, it's completely normal to worry over a comrade, right? It's not that he's swinging the other way or anything…" As Issei thought in his mind, he suddenly remembered about the recent BL doujin about him and Yuuto being distributed among the girls in the academy.
"Hahaha, he's not swinging the other way, right? Those disgusting books are merely out of fantasy, right? Hahaha, no way! No way we're into that kind of relationship, we're just good friends, no more, no less! Ahaha, hahahaha…"
Issei tried his best to convince himself in his mind about the knight. But his body instinctively took a step back, resulting a confused look from Yuuto.
"Back to things with Azazel…" Rias chided in. "I wish to investigate more about what he's plotting, but we don't have much intel about Grigori's side. That governor is way too slippery…" the Gremory heiress contemplated about her next move.
"Azazel has always been like that, Rias."
Suddenly a new voice came in, followed by two figures appeared from a teleportation magic circle in the room. At the sight of the guests, almost everyone immediately bowed down to their knees. Issei however, remained wide-eyed first as he took in the two guests entering the room.
"It's…!" Issei's eyes widened even more as he finally recognised the man with red crimson hair, handsome face, charismatic aura, and a maid with twin-braided silver hair standing beside him.
"IT'S THE FRIGGIN' MAOOU!"
To be continued…