"Hey, Issei, why're you moping first thing in the morning?"
Yo, it's Issei. Like Matsuda said, I'm slumped over my desk.
Reason? I lost my wallet yesterday. Noticed before bed, searched this morning no luck. That wallet was a birthday gift from Miu, my favorite.
Oh, I told Miu, Dad, and Mom about the fallen angel thing. Didn't want to worry them, but they needed to know. Ddraig said Sacred Gear wielders' families can be targeted too.
Still slumped, I ask Matsuda, "Hey, seen my wallet?"
"Nope."
Figures. Guess I'll hit the police station later. Maybe someone turned it in. Please, I'll pay 300 yen!
The classroom gets noisy girls squealing.
"Kiba-kyun!?"
"What's he doing here!?"
I can't see from my desk, but sounds like Kiba's here. Kyun, huh?
"Is Hyoudou-kun here?" Kiba asks.
Seems he's looking for me. Rare for him to seek me out.
"Yo, Kiba. I'm here."
He spots me and walks over.
"What's up? This is new."
"Yeah. My club president wants to see you. Come to the clubroom after school."
"Your club's the Occult Research Club, right? So, Rias-senpai?"
"Yup. She found your wallet and wants to talk."
"—!"
I bolt upright, grabbing his shoulders. "For real!?"
"Y-yeah. She wants you to pick it up and answer some questions…"
Rias-senpai wants to talk? Do we know each other?
Ddraig chimes in. "Probably about the fallen angels."
Makes sense. I must've dropped my wallet in the park. She likely knows I fought them.
"Got it. Lead the way after school."
"Cool. I'll come get you."
Kiba leaves. What a hassle. But my wallet's safe, so that's a win.
I wait for Kiba after school.
After school, Kiba shows up.
"Hey, Hyoudou-kun. I'm here."
"Kiba! That's bad timing!"
The girls in class explode.
"IT'S HAPPENING!"
"Kiba-kun x Hyoudou-kun!"
"No way, it's Hyoudou-kun x Kiba-kun!"
"Neither, it's—"
Doesn't matter! We're not like that!
"Kiba, let's go!"
"Huh? Something wrong?"
"You don't get it!? This place is dangerous!"
We need to escape before the fujoshi devour us! I grab Kiba's collar and bolt. Grabbing his hand might spark worse rumors.
Kiba leads me through the campus forest.
"The Occult Research Club's in the old schoolhouse, right?"
"Yup, just past here."
We reach a white-walled building the old schoolhouse. Following Kiba, we arrive at a door labeled "Occult Research Club."
"President, I brought him," Kiba says through the door.
"Come in," a voice replies.
That's Rias-senpai! I'm kinda excited. She's the school's top beauty, and the club's got Akeno-senpai, another stunner, and Koneko-chan, the cute mascot. All devils, but who cares? A dream team of beauties!
We enter.
"Hyoudou-kun, sit here," Kiba says, pointing to a sofa.
The room's creepy candles everywhere, magic circles on walls, floor, and ceiling. Lives up to the occult name.
A teacup is set before me.
"Here's tea," says Akeno Himejima-senpai, smiling gently. Her black ponytail screams yamato nadeshiko. Gorgeous, and… those massive I mean, explosive assets! My eyes can't help but wander!
"Thanks."
I sip. "This tea's amazing, Himejima-senpai."
"Glad you like it."
"Where's Rias-senpai?"
I feel her presence, but…
Kiba leans against the wall. Akeno's in front of me. Koneko-chan's next to me, munching yokan. Our eyes meet.
"…I'm not sharing," she says.
"…Not taking it."
Quiet girl.
"The president's showering," Akeno says.
"Showering? That sound's the shower?"
So, Rias-senpai's naked right now! A perfect body just beyond that door! I wanna peek so bad!
Can't do that, so I fantasize then Rias-senpai emerges, wrapped in a towel, and starts changing in front of me!
For real!? Is this okay!? I'm staring hard! Gotta burn this into my memory! Kiba's politely looking away.
"Your eyes are lewd, senpai," Koneko glares.
Sorry! But Rias-senpai's changing is too much!
"Sorry for calling you here," Rias says. "I'm Rias Gremory. This is your wallet, right, Issei Hyoudou-kun?"
"Nice to meet you. Issei Hyoudou, second year. Thanks so much I looked everywhere for it."
"No problem. As Yuuto probably mentioned…"
"Right, you wanted to talk?"
"Yes. Straight to it you fought fallen angels yesterday evening, didn't you?"
Knew it. Should I be honest or dodge?
I pause, then ask, "Why do you think that?"
"First, about us. We're all devils."
Rias sprouts bat-like wings. So do Kiba, Akeno, and Koneko.
"I have a friend who can read objects' memories," Rias continues. "We checked your wallet. Sorry for the privacy invasion, but it's part of our devil duties."
"That's fine, but…"
Reading object memories? No dodging this.
Rias's expression turns serious. "We saw you fighting fallen angels. Issei Hyoudou-kun, tell me honestly about yesterday."
No way out. My wallet was at the scene, and they read its memories. I can't claim I'm uninvolved.
I sigh and spill. "Like you said, I fought fallen angels yesterday evening."
"What was their goal?"
"They said I have a Sacred Gear and could disrupt their plans, so they wanted me dead."
"You have a Sacred Gear!?"
"Yeah, kinda."
"Can we see it?"
Show it? Ddraig, what do you think?
"No issue," Ddraig says. "You can handle an attack if it comes."
Fair enough.
"Come, Boosted Gear!"
I summon the gauntlet on my left arm. Rias and the others gasp.
"The Boosted Gear! One of the thirteen Longinus, sealing the Red Dragon Emperor…" Rias marvels.
Kiba and the others stare, wide-eyed.
Guess the Boosted Gear's a big deal. Only thirteen Longinus exist, huh?
"Of course," Ddraig says. "Master it, and you could surpass gods or Demon Lords. Though you already beat a Demon Lord…"
How strong was Sirius in this world?
"Likely equal to or stronger than current Demon Lords. Strength isn't just raw power, so it's hard to compare exactly. I don't know the current Demon Lords' power."
Right, the four original Demon Lords died in the ancient war, and new ones were chosen from survivors. Sirius was on their level or above. Anyway, back to the talk.
"So, I'm the current Red Dragon Emperor. The fallen angels didn't see the Gear, so they don't know."
"You fought them without it!?" Rias exclaims. "Who are you?"
"Just… a guy."
Can't say I was a hero in another world. Isn't being the Red Dragon Emperor enough?
As I ponder my answer, Rias speaks. "Issei, want to join my peerage?"
Peerage? Ddraig never mentioned that.
"What's that mean?"
Rias pulls a red chess piece from her pocket. "Joining my peerage means becoming a devil using this Evil Piece, serving as my subordinate."
"Any benefits? Or downsides?"
She explains. Benefits: universal language comprehension (voice only), enhanced physical abilities, sharper senses at night, magic to manifest mental images (based on skill), and a lifespan of about 10,000 years.
Downsides: increased damage from light, holy items like Bibles, holy water, or crosses. Headaches near shrines or churches. Also, low birth rates.
The holy damage is a big deal angel or fallen angel light could hurt bad. Just don't get hit.
"That's the gist," Rias says. "What do you think?"
I get the pros and cons. But one thing bugs me.
"Can I ask something?"
"Of course."
"If I join, can you protect my family? My dragon says Sacred Gear wielders' families can be targeted."
"Absolutely. I see my peerage as family. Their families are mine too. I'll protect them."
That's a relief. I got strong in the other world, but I'm not confident I can protect my family alone. Even there, I needed allies like Alice. I know the value of comrades.
Ddraig, what's your take?
"Not a bad deal for backup," Ddraig says. "Your dragon power draws big forces, like those fallen angels. You've had peace since returning, but trouble's coming. You're fated to attract power."
Strong power pulls stronger power my fate as the Red Dragon Emperor.
If that fate endangers Dad, Mom, or Miu… Ddraig's right. Allies could help.
"Gremorys are known for deep affection among devils," Ddraig adds. "Better than joining other devils or factions."
Rias speaks again. "Issei, can I call you that?"
"Sure, friends do. It's easier."
"Okay, Issei. You don't have to decide now. Becoming a high-ranking devil's subordinate means getting involved in our affairs, maybe fighting. It's a big decision for your one life. Think it over. And don't worry even if you don't join, I'll protect your family. It's my job as this town's overseer."
Her honest eyes show she means it.
Becoming a devil means following their rules, maybe fighting. But if it protects what matters…
Still, I say, "I'll take your offer and think it over."
She smiles. "Good. Take your time."
As I prepare to leave, Rias adds, "Hey, Issei, want to join the Occult Research Club?"
"Me? The club?"
"Yes, as a student, not a devil thing."
Good idea. Joining as a student, no devil baggage. I'm not in any clubs, so no issue. Plus, joining a club full of gorgeous girls? Jackpot!
But… "What does the club do?"
"We research cryptids like UMA, present findings, visit places like kappa habitats or Loch Ness. On slow days, we enjoy tea and snacks."
Interviewing kappas!? Checking out Nessie!? Sounds awesome!
"Alright, I'll join."
"Great! Sign this form and bring it next time."
I tuck the form into my bag.
It's past 7 p.m. Gotta get home or Mom'll be mad. My phone rings Mom.
Crap.
"H-hello?"
"Issei! Where are you!?"
"School stuff…"
"School? Call if you'll be late!"
"Sorry, I'll be careful…"
I hang up, pocket my phone, and smile wryly. "Mom's pissed. Gotta go."
"It's late," Rias says. "We'll wrap up too. Think about the peerage thing, okay?"
"Will do."
I nod and leave the clubroom.