Chapter 12 - Reunion

It happened one day after my meeting with Rias and Ravel. I was on my way to the roof to eat lunch by myself -or with Koneko since I was sure that she's already waiting there for eating the food I made-. I got called by a familiar voice which made me to turn around and see someone was approaching me.

The girl in front of me was someone I knew. Brown hair that tied into twin ponytails with red ribbon, fair skin, bangs that frame her forehead and both sides of her face and wearing Kuoh Academy uniform.

She was Katase Mahiru, a second year student just like me, and she was also captain of Kendo club.

"Hyoudou-kun!" She greeted me as she stopped in front of me.

"Hello Mahiru-san." I greeted back with a grunt. "What is it?" I asked politely.

"Well!" Katase paused and took time to catch her breath, she was running to approach me before. "You know there will be a Ball tournament later, right?"

Ah... So it was about that...

Yeah, one of the school's biggest events, the "Ball Tournament" was closing in. Overall, it was an event where we played ball-related sports, such as baseball, soccer, basketball, and tennis. These matches included contests between classes, genders and obviously, there were also some between clubs. Whether or not you belonged to a sports club, it's club mandatory; naturally, that included the clubs that were not in sports category too, Cooking club for example.

I already had an idea what she wanted to ask now. "I know." I said with a nod. "So do you wish for me to rejoin Kendo club?"

"Yep!" Katase admitted with a grin. "You were ex-member of Kendo club! The only male in fact, but you're rock! We're going to need your help!"

"And you don't have any problem with that? Me, a male entering your club?" I asked with furrowed eyebrows.

"Nope!" Katase shrugged her shoulders. "Come on, Hyoudou-kun... You were in fact a candidate of the captain in the club!" She said and then she gave me a small scowl. "And because you suddenly quit from club the choice fell between me and Murayama! And we know Murayama has no motive to become one!"

What she said was true, during the first year I joined Kendo club and it was actually hard to get in, seeing that I was the only male in the club but I was quite adamant about it. Of course I also got treated quite badly being the only male, which meant I might become a pervert, a wolf hiding in a sheep clothing, but in time they came to accept me.

It wasn't like I cared about their opinion, as long I entered and followed the rules it was fine. True, they tried to bother or pranked me but I kept dodging or ignoring them that time.

"Well, I pulled back because few people did not agree with my existence there." I simply said and it was true, despite there were being few who tolerated my presence, but there were also quite many that did not like me. What could I say? I'm not a guy with much charisma after all.

"It's only minority!" Katase replied while waving her hand in dismissive manner "Come on, Hyoudou-kun... You can rejoin if you want! We could use some help here!" She said with pleading eyes that began to shimmer due to unshed tears.

I only could sweatdropped seeing this. Great, a woman and her puppy eyes. Why did they always do this whenever they were cornered?

"You could stop that pathetic attempt to seduce him, Katase... Issei will join Archery club."

Oh great, just what I needed... Another one.

Tilted my head behind me, I saw another familiar woman stood firmly after walking to us. She was a pale-skinned girl that had a long, flowing violet hair, styled in hime cut that ran down to her waist, followed by her eyes that mimicked color of her hair. She was one of the girls that entered top 10 beauties in this school and I admitted that her face actually looked good too.

"Shouko!" Katase's personality somehow changed, she almost growled at her like an animal. "What do you mean by that?!"

Everyone, meet Shouko Kirishima, nicknamed Elven Sniper due to the reputation on her Archery skill. Ever since she entered Kuoh Academy, no one had seen her shot missed, she was even rumored to enter national tournament.

And she was also one of the people that were aware about supernatural beings in this school.

Kuoh City was not a big city, but the people that lived in it were not few. It was quite a lot for a small town; However, few only knew the truth about this city being a territory of a devil and most of them were clients of the said devil. And only minority of them that were not related to them nor knew they existed.

What for were those people staying in this city?

Protection and training.

What did you mean by that? Simple, this territory was owned by not ordinary devil. It was owned by a Maou family, Gremory and Sitri, family of the ruler of the Underworld. And the one that watch over this place was their sisters and Heiress of each family.

I didn't think I needed to explain any further, but only a fool or a very strong person that dared to make a move on them. If someone who lived in this city already had permission from the Devil in here it meant that the person must had done something for the Devil or at least their presence had brought some advantages to the Devil.

I didn't know the details about Shouko, but I heard the other who lived here, Kiyome Abe was working to become a familiar master, she helped devils to pick their familiars. Those people were also falling under devil's surveillance, just like me who was being watched by Sona and Rias, we were counted as potential allies or threats.

Then what did it mean by protection and training?

Well first, true, maybe Devil wouldn't interfere our business. If someone were to come and try to kill us they wouldn't bother to help, but if our fights and problems became so big to the point it couldn't be ignored by the devils, then they would interfere.

And seeing these Devils were related to Maou very closely and Heiresses in fact, especially one of those Heiresses was related to Sirzechs Lucifer, who was rumored to be stronger than the original Lucifer.

Simply to say, it was safe to not create any mess in this place unless you want the Lucifer's wrath to be brought down to you.

"Issei will join Archery club in the Ball Tournament, he's already agreed on it." Shouko turned to me, her face stoic and reminded me of Sona's expression. "Right?"

The face and the tone she used was completely and perfectly just like Sona when she demanded things and she had to possess it no matter what. Her violet orbs that almost like Sona, except darker in color, stared at me as if she was daring me to deny her request.

Had I been a normal man I would have nodded immediately and obeyed her, but I was not. I had faced Sona many times and she had also used this look to me many times, but not once I had ever obeyed nor I submitted to her.

So, I only stared back at her with dull eyes.

"No..." I declined instantly.

If Shouko was offended or shocked, she was clearly hiding it well in that stoic face of hers. Katase who was on my side instantly put a smug face when she heard my rejection and she puffed her chest out.

"See?! Hyoudou-kun here has declined you so-"

"I'm also not going to join Kendo club either." I cut her too, prompting to make her snapped her neck to me with a gawk. "I won't join any club, I'm not going to participate in Ball Tournament since I am busy with my work now. If you would excuse me, I have someone to feed on the roof." I began to continue walking but when I just few steps away I felt my arm got tugged, and I turned to see it was Shouko, and she was still giving me that look. "No... I'm not joining-" and I was being cut off when Katase also latched to my side with her puppy look.

"Please Hyoudou-kun! We can't win if you're not joining! Please consider it, at least!" She exclaimed while having her lips wavered and eyes glowing in unshed tears.

"No, Issei... Join mine." Shouko said with a deadpan tone and stoic face.

I stared at both girls with flat looks, ignoring glares of jealousy from male students and giggles from female ones before I tilted my head to the front again and let out a deep sigh.

This was the reason why I always wished to be alone, especially in this school, seeing it was previously all girls school. I, by any means was not a racist but I knew a woman could be very troublesome and this was an example of that, really.

Bloody women and their affections.

_____________________________________________________________________

Later

"Onii-chan! You promised me the figurine!" Shizune whined cutely at me.

I only gave her a smile while ruffling her brown hair. The little girl squirmed slightly under my touch and I found it adorable.

Today, I was supposed to train actually, I had planned to master my archery more, seeing that I'd need it but Misaki called me, she had an urgent matter and requested me to accompany Shizune since the woman could not do so.

So I agreed, I couldn't let my adorable and cute little sister to be left untreated now, could I? Besides, it was not like I didn't like spending time with her. I brought her to one park in the city and bought some ice cream for both of us.

"Oh, don't worry Shizune-chan. Onii-chan had bought it for you!" I declared proudly and she blinked.

"Really?!" She asked eagerly with a cute face and I nodded while giving a big smile to her.

"First, you have to check your bag first." I told her and she blinked before she did what I told her. "Make sure to check every part." I said and she let out a grunt, indicating that she heard me. After a moment she stopped searching before tilted her head to me cutely.

"What do I check Onii-chan?" She asked.

"Is there a figurine inside?" She shook her head at my question and I only smiled before extending my hand. "Give your bag to me." She did as I said and I took the bag. "You've already made sure that there's nothing in here except your stuff right? Then let Onii-chan show you a small magic!" I stated while grinning before jamming my hand to the bag and focused. "Trace On." I whispered while having my mouth covered with the top part of her bag so she did not see it.

Judging the concept of creation...

Like usual, blue energy flared from my palms and swirling like a wild flame that just being unleashed.

Hypothesizing the basic structure...

The flame stopped from being wild, it slowly flowed like water and took shape as a small figure I imagined.

Duplicating the composition material...

It was only a simple plastic that had been polished well, there was some kind of ceramic too. This artifact's class was quite moderative.

Imitating the skill of its making...

Sympathizing with the experience of its growth...

Reproducing the accumulated years, complete...

Excelling every manufacturing process, complete...

When I pulled out my arm, Shizune let out a gasp while having her eyes widened. On my hand now was a perfect replica of Madoka figurine that Shizune wished to have.

"W-Wha!"

"Tadaa!" I said in a sing-sang tone while presenting her the figurine I was holding.

Shizune slowly raised her hands, her fingers grasped the figurine carefully as if it would break just by a mere touch. She finally took the doll I had made before bringing it to her eyes and her golden-brown eyes peered down at it with an analytical look before she showed a happy smile at me.

"Onii-chaaaan! You're so cool!" She squealed happily "You just used a magic that was blessed by Goddess Gaia and created this figurine!" She exclaimed "I knew my Onii-chan was special!" She shouted as she lunged and hugged me.

I only let out a laugh at what she declared about me. Like I said, she was a chuunibyo, she often spouted nonsense or things like that- though what she said sometimes was right or very close one to the truth, which was quite terrifying-.

What? Don't give me that look! It wasn't hard to create a simple figurine with tracing! I knew, I knew it was wrong but hey! It wasn't that bad! I meant I didn't steal and I didn't do anything illegal! Though I had to admit this is clearly something that was very amusing.

"Onii-chan! Can you create another one?" Shizune asked me with sparkling eyes.

"Of course I can!" I said proudly, I even could make a better one if I wished! "But I only will give it to you if you get a perfect score in your next exam." I told her and she pouted. Instantly, letting out a cute whine of disappointment while doing that. "Come on, it's not that bad!" I laughed at her who was only mumbling under her breath.

"She's an adorable one isn't she?"

!?

I turned my head when I heard some soft and gentle voice being spoken. I had to say, I was completely surprised; The park, while not empty but there were only few people here currently, perhaps because school just ended after all and most of the kids had either gone straight to their homes or to the nearby shopping center while most of the adults were still at work like Misaki.

But it was not the presence of this man that surprised me, but how he sneaked up towards me without my notice. True, I maybe too focused on Shizune, but I kept my senses being alert at least and even I should have been able to notice Sona or Rias if they were trying to sneak up on me.

When I saw the man, I instantly held my breath.

He was clad in a simple black buttoned up shirt with expensive looking dark red trousers. Around his neck was a simple silver chain, -and yes, its chain was the real one except for it was made from pure and expensive chain material- it looked gleaming in his dark outfit, turning it almost looked like perfect.

And then his face...

"Wow..." Shizune muttered. "Onee-san?"

Yes, his face was beautiful, very beautiful that it was enough to think of him as a woman, heck, even Kiba was nothing compared to this one! His black raven hair that almost looked like dark in the night was flowing down, his body wasn't muscular like most men, but looked slim and healthy, added with the cerulean blue eyes and his pale milky smooth skin were clear enough to make him look like a girl! It wasn't surprising that Shizune mistook him as a woman due to his beautiful appearance.

The beautiful man let out a laugh, his laugh was soft and Angelic, almost like some famous idol singer. "I'm a man sadly, little one." He said in amused tone.

"Oh!" Shizune mumbled, blush adorned her face due to embarrassment for accusing him to be a woman "Sorry sir."

I meanwhile kept focusing on him while narrowing my eyes at my surroundings. We were still in public, there was no Boundary Field or anything that could cover us. I didn't know either to decide this as a bad situation or a good one. How couldn't I notice him? This man was no ordinary person!

What did he want? With Shizune currently with me this could be dangerous.

"Do not need to be alert young man, I didn't come here to harm you by any means, I promise." He said as he noticed my wariness. "I just came here to talk, if I were to come here to strike, surely it wouldn't be openly like this, right?"

He was right. Like I had said before, if he were to attack me out of blue like this without any Boundary Field covering us, the devils would have noticed and probably would come to check and I didn't need to say again why most people were avoiding such things.

"Eh? You want to hurt Onii-chan?!" Shizune, still at my side, exclaimed with wide eyes.

"No, little one, I don't." He spoke to her gently like a father admonishing his daughter softly. "I just want to talk, you could listen too if you want."

I only kept silent, my eyes never left him and in my mind, I had already prepared Kanshou and Byakuya to appear. My body also got closer to Shizune just in case if a fight would break, I couldn't just believe he wouldn't attack, there's no guarantee about that.

"Okay!" Shizune chirped happily and the man smiled before he looked at me.

"I've heard about you, Hyoudou Issei... About what you did to my men and what you did to the Church in Italy." He said and my eyes widened in small fraction. As far I knew, only Ewald and Vasco who knew about my relation to their mission! And I had no doubt that they would keep it as a secret, even Ewald had sworn it while holding the Bible to emphasize that he trusted me! And for Cardinal Deacon that meant something!

So how did this man know?! Was he there watching me and Ewald?! But how?! I might not have a strong Presence Detection skill and only could sense if there was someone nearby or included hundred meters, but by any means we even had set a Boundary Field there that was able to alert us! So how the hell-!?

This man was dangerous...

"And before you make a comment, no. I actually did not hate you, but I'm truly amused at what you've done!" He said in a tone that filled with joy, making me blinked.

"Huh?" was the only thing I could blurt out when he said that.

"I'm absolutely amused and happy for what you've done!" He repeated with a small grin "Let me tell you, in the eyes of people who knew, it was perhaps only about where you brought the justice but it was not that simple! It was to whom you brought the justice to! Surely you know that, right?!"

Well... ... Actually if he said it like that... Now that I thought about it, what I had done was quite something if you looked at it closely. Diodora was not a simple devil, he was a high-class and he was also a brother of Ajuka Beelzebub, the current Maou who according to Zelretch was a genius in their race and the creator of those Evil Pieces.

Let me tell you, what I did was a very big crime to devils. Killing a high-class devil had already going to make you labeled as a criminal and enemy for them -except if you have a good reason, then the Maou probably would pull back, but I assure you there would be few devils who would act by themselves to get rid of you-, it's probably because devils, while many, but the ones with Pure-blood were rare due to them being quite infertile in that aspect.

And I did not just kill a supposedly endangered species but also a brother of their Maou, their Leader, a Ruler, a Royalty even without caring so much the consequence and I did it easily, unassured and with a plain plan.

Now, if I put it that way... I realized I'd just avoided having a nuke aimed to me... No wonder Ewald was very flabbergasted when I explained my plan... Ouch...

My face somehow must have been giving it as the man in front of me let out another laugh that was filled with amusement. "You realized it just now, didn't you? No, you're already aware but you just saw the big picture, and now you looked at it in detail as you found out about it!" He let out another wave of laugh and I had decency to blush slightly. To be laughed like this... Finally, after a moment that almost like forever, he calmed down and smiled at me. "But really, young man... If I may ask, had you known the details ever since the beginning, would you still withdraw your plan?"

"No." I instantly answered. "I'm not, I would still going to do it."

"Even if it sounded so simple?" He inquired with furrowed eyebrows.

"Yes. That plan might be simple, but it's straight and actually only had few flaws."I continued and it's true. In that plan, Diodora had limited options, but the biggest one was that he couldn't call reinforcement save for his own Peerage. Because I was sure that he didn't want other devils to know about his fetish, even if he did, I doubt there would be a devil that was crazy enough to try 'rescuing' Asia.

The man was staring at me before letting out another laugh of amusement, his eyes were filled with mirth and he gave me a smile. "Magnificent! You are trully a rare case in this era, young man!" He praised me again, but I only put an impassive face at his praise.

"Onii-chan, Ojii-san. What are you two talking about?"

I almost forgot that Shizune was here with us the entire time we were talking. Tilting my head down, I granted by the sight of Shizune who had a cute confused face.

"It's nothing, Shizune-chan, just some business we're talking about. Now, why don't you go and buy some drinks for us?" I asked as I gave her some money.

"But I want to hear what you two are talking about, too!" She whined cutely.

"We're going to have an adult talk and-"

"I'm already an adult! I want my cherry to be popped by you!"

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

There was a dead silence appeared between me, Shizune and the man. The only girl was staring at me with determination in her eyes and her face was dead serious. For someone at her age to say something like that, she just spoke about the end of the world.

It was broken by the man. He brought his hand to his mouth, his expression curled to that of amusement, his cheeks puffed and he seemed to hold his laugh but he couldn't, so a snicker left his mouth. Then, the snicker grew into a chuckle and it grew into a laugh where he pulled his head backwards, holding his side with one hand and fell to the ground while banging the floor with his other hand. I could have sworn that laugh would attract a horde of zombies from several miles away if we were on Left 4 Dead dimension.

My mind meanwhile, was blank after hearing that. My jaw was wide open and I was sure as hell that maybe my eyeballs were popping out for a moment before they re-entered my eye sockets again. I swear I even heard there were grinding sounds and 'error, error' voice came out from my brain that alerted me that my mind was currently in progress to reboot itself.

[I told you, right? It's just a matter of time before she's going to ask that.] Ddraig deadpanned yet, filled with amused voice, came and told me [This is not just because the influence of that Aika girl, but it's also because of you-]

Not. A. Word. Ddraig...

I... I... I will pretend the last few seconds never existed. I will ask Zelretch to perform some magecraft on me and erase that memory later.

[In denial right now? I don't think you will be this pathetic... Beside, it's not like you didn't like it! You're practically-]

Shut up! Nothing happened few seconds ago! We're just talking normally and-

"Hahahahahahahaha! Oh! I knew incest is still live in this age but I never thought a normal civilian will bluntly declare it!" That man gasped before fell to another wave of laugh.

I started to hate this man now...

"Onii-chan I-"

"Shizune, I promise I will give you a new figurine of Magical Girl if you leave for moment now, okay?" I cut her quickly before she could have spoken another thing that might going to traumatize me in future.

Shizune's face set into a pout again, for a moment I had already feared that she was going to be persistent and stay, but she actually nodded. "Fine! I will leave for now!" She huffed cutely before bobbed down from her bench and walked away.

As soon she left, I let out a groan and a sigh. The man however, was still laughing and I was really tempted to smack my shoes to his face now. Speaking about this man, I still hadn't gotten his name.

"That was one of comedic scene I've ever seen. And here I was thinking such a thing only exist in anime." The man gasped as he finished his laugh and got back to his seat.

"Trust me, sometimes life is more comedic than anime." I grumbled. "Where did you think those scenes came from? They are from real life sometimes..." I said while rubbing my temple and he let another chuckle out.

"That is the wonder of human, isn't it?" He stated, grinning slightly and I narrowed my eyes at that. The way he spoke about human was strange.

"You seem quite fascinated to humans. Aren't you a human, yourself?" I asked.

"Oh, surely you jest!" The man answered me with a snort. "You know I'm not a human, son of Adam." He told me in admonishing manner.

"Son of Adam... You are a believer of Bible." I concluded, my eyebrows furrowed. "What are you? An angel? Has the Heaven heard about my feat?" I asked.

"Was an Angel." He corrected me and my eyes sharpened at that. "Oh? What's this? Do you hate me instantly, young man? Just because I'm a fallen angel?"

"No, I won't hate you because of that. I know well there is another line exists between black and white, but I can't help to be wary, right?" I answered him back with another question and he nodded.

"You are indeed correct in that part, but do you truly not despise me?" He asked once again, his blue orbs stared at me, trying to dissect me and find any lie in my words.

But he found nothing.

"Yes, I don't harbor any ill feelings to your kin, neither I harbor any ill ones to devils or angels."

"Oh? Really? That was a surprise, surely you're aware what devils have done to your kin and yet you do not hate them?" The fallen angel asked me once again.

"I'm aware of that, but they're willing to change. Those changes maybe small, but they at least have the will. They're maybe not innocent, but aren't we as well?" I asked as I made gestures to my surroundings, few people were only in here but they were quite far from us. "Take example of my little sister. Even if she looks innocent but she has a sin isn't she? She ever lied to a person, she ever tricked people by using her cuteness even if she never intended to. Surely those count as sins, right?"

"Indeed they do..." He agreed with me while nodding. "No living being could escape from Sin, immortal or mortal. You know that quite well for someone at your age..." He chuckled. "But unlike humans or other creatures, devils are creature of Sin. They are born with it even if they are children, and even if they were tamed, there is no guarantee that they won't bite once again. Diodora Astaroth had surely shown you that, right?"

I only remained silent, still staring at him as he continued to speak.

"Let me tell you, young man..." He said to me. "The devils you currently know have nothing compared to old ones, the old stories where devils would even trick an innocent child to murder his parents, where devils corrupted even the brightest man into the darkest one are not lies. They are the truth, legends perhaps, but you must know that sometimes legends are telling the truth, those are one of them. What Diodora Astaroth did to those nuns in Church wasn't a rare case in the past, it could be counted as daily routine for their race."

He narrowed his eyes at me again, his smile still there even when he talked about devil's nature in the past "You are a human, your kin are the prey for them, more than half of your current population numbers were once their slaves. And yet, you do not harbor any ill feelings toward them?"

"The sin of the Father does not fall to his child." I said firmly, my steel gray eyes bore to his cerulean blue orbs. "Devils are brutal creatures, I know that. Even if they were tamed they still commit sin to every creatures. However, if they're willing to change and tame themselves, what right do I have to deny them?" I asked rhetorically "And they proved themselves that they're able to change, they're willing to. The current generation was the proof of that, none of them tried to eat or drag a human to Hell anymore." I pointed to him before my face curled to a bitter smile. "But you must know humans are not all that great you know. I have seen some committed sins that even the most cold hearted of devils would shy away from them. Atrocities so horrifying, that it would make you lose all hope in humanity."

The man did not show any sign of disturbance from hearing that, he only made a gesture with his hand for me to continue, all while still had a smile plastered to his face, so I did what he wished.

"Some humans blamed the sin they committed to devils but sadly, sometimes they were wrong. The devils did not make them did it, they only showed the path and the human knew he could still go back, he could just turned his face away from the path but he didn't. He took the path willingly, committing the sin that would make devils cackled in glee or even called them the devil itself." I finished with a heavy sigh before letting out small humorless chuckle. "Kinda ironic isn't it? The creature of sin call us humans, devils. And I'm not surprised if even some humans were able to corrupt a devil."

He nodded at my words, his smile also slowly curled to a slightly bitter one. "I won't deny those words, I have seen what you mean by that." He let out a hum while saying that. "And yet, knowing about all of this... You still fought for your kin, you still refused to slay all other devils?"

"Yes..." once again, my answer was instant and firm. "I fought not to kill, neither I did it for revenge, but I killed it because they deserve it. And the one I didn't kill was because their existences are still needed, they still have not cross their lines, they know what they did wrong and they're willing to change. However, if they crossed the line once again..." I narrowed my eyes sharply and my voice became heavier. "I will kill them..."

"Even if they are one of Maous or Archangels of Heaven?" He asked me, there was no malice or any killling intent in his tone, save for curiosity.

"Yes. Even if they are Archangels or Maou, they will meet my blade if they crossed the line." I answered, once again my tone was firm and my eyes held nothing but steel and pure determination.

The fallen angel stared at me with his smiling face, it was clear that he was very amused when he heard that. He let out a soft and gentle chuckle, his voice was soft, unlike the fallen angel Raynare, Dohnaseek or Kalwarmer, it was as if he was an angel instead the fallen one.

"You are different." He told me. "You are one of rarity among your kin. Yes, it seems I can trust you." He stated as he began to stand up.

"Trust me? About what?" I asked him, my eyes bore to him, watching every movement as I also stood up.

"You will find out soon, young hero..." He said, prompting my eyes widened in a small fraction. "It was pleasant to meet you Issei Hyoudou, I'm looking forward for our next meeting."

"You know my name, and yet ever since the beginning never you told me yours." I pointed and he blinked like an owl at that.

"Ah, forgive me for my rudeness." He apologized before he stood firmly, wind breezed his feature, blowing his hair and reveal long pointed elf-like ears. Then, they sprout out from his back, majestic black wings that were able to install fear to their enemies, not just one pair, two, three, and it continue until five pairs of wings, showing his status of might and power that prompted my eyes to widen. "I'm Kokabiel, Angel of Stars, one of the Lord of Grigori. It is a pleasure to meet you, Issei Hyoudou, Son of Adam." He said before he gave me one radiant smile then flutters of black feather appeared from his wings, and in an instant, he was gone.

I stared at the empty space in front of me where the fallen angel was there before. Kokabiel, Angel of Stars, the one that taught humanity about astrology and stars, one of the Cadres and best fighters in Grigori, that even capable to slay a Maou or fight with one of them as equal, one of commanders in Heaven before he fell and took command in Grigori ever since his downfall.

And he's here, in this city. One of leaders of fallen angels was here, in the territory of Sisters of Maou. When I said there were only few people dared to mess in this place they were either stupid or very strong.

Kokabiel clearly falls to second option.

"Well... Shit." I blurted out.

"Onii-chan! I brought you some ice cream! It's a new flavor and strange one too! It's Natto flavoured!"

_____________________________________________________________________

"K-Kokabiel?!" Mittelt squeaked as she straightened on her seat like out of nowhere when her favorite movie started on TV. "K-Kokabiel was here?!"

I could tell that Mittelt now was nothing but panic, her body trembled slightly. It was clear. She was very disturbed knowing Kokabiel's arrival.

"Do you know why he's here?" I asked.

"N-No! I have no idea! I-I mean, I'm just a grunt on his army! He is quite a strange one actually, he has a strange way of thinking, so there are not many who tried to understand him." Mittelt answered in slightly nervous tone, I could tell from her reaction that she was not lying and probably was nervous, because Kokabiel had arrived which surprised her.

"You seem quite afraid of him. Why?" I asked. "I mean, I did have some small talk with him and he seems not bad."

It was true, when I talked with him I didn't feel any malice or intent to harm from him. He was quite nice in fact, and quite a philosopher too.

"He's nice when he's not angry, but there still are reasons why I'm afraid of him." Mittelt said to me and I narrowed my eyes.

"I don't mean to pry but if I may ask, why do you fear him so much? What did you do wrong to make him brought his wrath on you?" I asked again.

I noticed Mittelt's body was stiff for a moment, it was clear that whatever she did had made Kokabiel quite mad. I wanted to press her to tell me but I held back, it wasn't my right to pry after all.

"I'd rather not talking about it actually, but knowing Kokabiel he would have told you anyway." Mittelt grumbled, she leaned back on her sofa, she was wearing a plain blue tank top that loosened a bit and a pair of green short pants. Really, this girl had almost no modesty if she were at home. "Listen, as far as I know Kokabiel was a part of Azazel's workers. Kokabiel's job was to make sure Sacred Gears would not go out of control, the order was to recruit or dispose of them if they can't control their powers." She took a breath then stared at me seriously.

"Believe it or not you must know, even if a Sacred Gear level were only to be weak but if it reached Balance Breaker and can't be controlled, it could be dangerous to the point that it could kill even an Ultimate-class Devil. Take example of Flaming Shake, a simple low-class Sacred Gear but when it reaches Balance Breaker, Breath of Salamander, the user will be able to produce flame that rivals flame of Phenex family, who was rumored to possess flame of Hell itself."

I only narrowed my eyes at that. I'd already asked Ddraig about Phenex clan and how capable they are. Their flames are capable to harm even scales of a flame Dragon, Dragon that specialize in flame arts. Dragon scale was rumored to be pretty hard, very hard to the point it won't have a mark or scratch even if you keep shooting flamethrower on it for hours. And each elemental Dragon possesses immunity to their own element.

So imagine just how hot and strong flame of Phenex if it was able to harm a Flame Dragon, it was without a doubt going to reduce a human to nothing but ash once hit, not even an atom would be left.

In this world, it was absolute that the strongest beings were mostly dragons, they are embodiment of power, even a low-class one could kill a High-class Devil level creature if one not to be careful. Sure, God is stronger than Dragons but the God of Dragon, Dragon God, the Uroboros Dragon, were counted as the strongest beings in this World.

And to think such powerful level of flame was in control of a human, that meant something and clearly dangerous. And that was only a low-level Sacred Gear that reached Balance Breaker, who knew if it was a high-class one.

"And what about me, then? Your order was to eliminate me before, right?" I asked.

"Yeah, it was a direct order from Kokabiel. We didn't know what you possess actually, we just received an order and being told that your Sacred Gear was still not awakened." Mittelt said to me. "And imagine my shock when out of nowhere you suddenly pulled out the Balance Breaker, and it was a fricking Longinus of all things." She added with a grumble while shuddering at the memories, and I couldn't help but to give a smug smirk.

"As amusing as it sounds, can we return to the topic? Why was he angry of you?" I asked again and she threw a small glare at me before nodding.

"Well... It's probably because I failed my mission three times in a row." She said while grimacing. "The... First and second... I did it intentionally while the third was purely accidental..."

"You failed them intentionally?" I asked and she lowered her gaze, avoiding my looks for strange reasons.

"I... I'd rather not talking about it, let him tell you if he wishes to." She murmured and I blinked.

"If you say so, then." I said to her with a nod before slowly I gave her a smile. "I don't think I need to say this, but you know I won't be mad at you without any reason, right?"

Hearing that, Mittelt flinched. I could feel that her body was tensed, as if she was just caught stealing something precious.

"I won't press you to tell me, but you must know that I already think of you as my close friend. True, we only know each other for a short time but that short time was quite precious." I told her genuinely.

Mittelt slowly rised her face again, her expression displayed nothing but fear and shame, her blue eyes also gleamed with regret.

"I won't promise not to be angry, that was a lie. However, I could promise that I will try to understand why you did it at least." I continued to speak, a reassuring smile adorned my face as I said this to her.

Mittelt only silenced hearing my words, she bit her lower lip slightly before nodding. "Our mission... Like I said was to either recruit or dispose the Sacred Gear users. Simply put, I was assigned to eliminate the target, but I didn't..." She paused and shook her head. "No, I did kill him but he came back to life, as a devil." She said and my eyes narrowed, making her to swallow a lump. "The devil that reincarnated him was quite cruel, I know that. The devil was unlike Gremory or Sitri, but the one that treated his Peerage like slaves and..." She trailed off while putting a sad look and I instantly understood what she meant.

"You let it happen." I said softly. "You knew he would be reincarnated as a devil and the one that treated their Peerage badly. Yet, you didn't do anything and let it happen." I spoke what she didn't manage to say and she only nodded with a sad face. "Why?" I asked, my tone still soft and unchanging.

"I hate him..." Mittelt said. "He's not a bad guy... He did not use his power in evil way but he's a hypocrite... Lying to people, arrogant, selfish and else... So-"

"Speak no more." I cut her while raising one hand and she stopped. I shouldn't be surprised at this and should have known about it. Mittelt harbored heavy feelings towards humans, even now it was still there, though it had been tamed. You couldn't heal the trauma and wounds that scarred her life, she was a happy girl who lived with her parents until humans came and killed them. Then she had to spend her days living in fear, eating from trash or rotten food while every night praying to whatever deity so she would still live and able see the morning sun before going to sleep.

But what she did to those humans was wrong. She couldn't just blame the whole race because she suffered from few. Then again she was what, a child... She was nothing but a child who was forced to live in such tragedy, not to mention her environment after that was filled with adult fallen angels, which certainly not helping.

I stared at Mittelt with impassive face before rising one hand. She instinctly grimaced before closing her eyes, expected to feel pain but she did not, because I only patted her head softly.

"Huh?" She responsed as her blue eyes were opened and stared at me.

"I won't say that I'm not angry. I was disappointed with you, I really am." I said with disapproving tone and I saw a grimace on her eyes. "But at same time I can't blame you. You are a child who lived in a harsh area and grew in one too..." I muttered while closing my eyes "Just promise me, Mittelt... That you're willing to change, okay?" I asked with gentle and soft tone.

"H-Hai!" Mittelt stuttered and I opened my eyes again then gave her a smile, prompting her to blush as I ruffled her hair.

"Now smile, your cute face was wasted on that expression." I told her and this time her face turned to full red, making me laughed. Realizing I just messed with her, Mittelt sent me a glare and swatted my hand away while crossing her arms and huffed her cheeks like a 6 year old child that was sulking.

I really found it adorable, and I clearly did not try to hide it as I immediately glomped her from behind, making her let out a loud "EEP!"

"You're really adorable! Goddamn! I wish I could've met you sooner!" I said happily while swinging her around like a doll.

Mittelt was only able to sputter incoherently while demanding for me to release her, but I paid her no mind! She was being a tsundere! Awww, that was an increasing point in my book! Really! Kuudere, tsundere was very cute! Even yandere sometimes had their moment too!

[You are a sick person. Don't be shocked when this one demand you to pop her cherry too in future.] Ddraig deadpanned at me and I sweatdropped at that. Maybe I acted too much?

Slowly, I put Mittelt down and the girl let out another huff while blushing and turned away from me while mumbling something under her breath.

I turned my head and noticed it was already evening, bordering night time. "Where's Asia? Has she still not come home yet?" I asked.

"She said she has an extra training, learning about magic or things like that." Mittelt answered me while shrugging.

"Magic?" I blinked. "What Magic is she learning? You all never told me about your training."

"Neither did you." Mittelt shot back "Beside, you said we just need to hone our skills, and when time comes then we'll show each other our skills, and we want it to be surprise for you when you told us about your ability in coming journey!"

Well, I did say that. It was not a lie or secret for them that I will leave one day from here. After I had more control on EMIYA's most skills and Ddraig's power, I will leave. Originally, I planned to leave in next few weeks but due to Asia's condition I extended it. She still needed to control her power and trained herself, so I turned it to two months.

Until that time I told them to hone their skills and practice as much as they can. Afterwards, I would have a small spar session with them to determine wheter they were ready or not, Mittelt here had already aware of Heroic Spirits implanted to us and she swore that she would never reveal them, she was bounded by Geis to show that she really meant it.

I was sure that she knew what kind of Heroic Spirit inside Asia, but she didn't know about me. It was because when I was training I had only been accompanied by Zelretch since it would always be a destructive session. True, sometime I just practiced my sword skills or archery by trying to remember how the previous wielder of the sword I created to fight.

One of the moves that I was interested in was Tsubame Gaeshi. Oh yeah, I really did. That was quite an awesome ability! I meant, creating the impossible just by swinging your sword! Sasaki Koujiro was truly someone to be respected.

Though until now I had only been able to produce two slashes instead of one, it was not that special if you compared to the real one, since there were few people who would be able to get two slash if they were willing to learn it.

"Good point. But still, it's almost dark. And she left this morning right along with you, didn't she? Why did you go home first?" I asked.

"Well, I wished to stay too actually, but I've already reached one of my objectives so I decided to take break, but Asia was..." Mittelt paused and let out a hum before putting a flat look. "To put it bluntly, she sucks..."

Well... That was rude...

"No, I really mean it, Issei. Asia sucks, really sucks. She may has the strength and power, but the skill was almost zero! It's almost like watching a kitten who possess overgrown fangs and claws." She said to me with exasperated sigh.

"That bad, huh?" I asked with a grimace and the response I got was another deadpanned look. Well it couldn't be blamed seeing Asia was not a fighter in the first place, she was akin to be like a White Mage, after all. And changing her into a Red Mage or a Black one was something that was not easy to do.

Asia never had any experience in fight. True, she would probably get it from the Heroic Spirit in her card but it would take time. Even if she got it she's still need to accustom herself with it too. You think why did I always practice straight for 12 hours every time? It was because I couldn't just stop, my muscles and reflexes needed to be maintained until EMIYA's battle experiences really planted into my mind.

I was given EMIYA skills, yes. But it was only as soon as my card had been activated, in time it would fade away and quite soon too. According to Zelretch, it was because Class-cards originally were not cards that affect the users for long period, they were only used as devices that worked like Kamen Rider or the one from Sailor Senshi.

Of course, now that it had been altered, there would be side effects of it, I didn't know how and what it was, but this was one of them. So if I didn't wish to lost my skills, I needed to keep honing the skills I inherited until it truly became mine.

How to put it, eh... It was like I had to keep training while trails of EMIYA skills were still there, and if I stopped training that skills' trails could be gone and I would be left behind.

Asia must have been working very hard so her body would be able to withstand the future training in order to follow the trails of her Heroic Spirit when the fusion progress had been done.

"Still, you're right. Asia may had gone quite far today, there were even letters for her this morning." Mittelt said as she gestured to letters that were placed on the table.

"How about yours then?" I asked to her and she smiled, puffing her chest proudly.

"My training went well, of course!" She declared. "When you see my skills you will be surprised!"

I only gave a small smile at that, this girl was quite proud of herself, wasn't she? Despite how bad her past, she was still acting tough, perhaps it was because she wished not to look like a weakling anymore after what happened to her. She knew if she was weak in her past she would die, she was being hunted when she was still a child, after all.

It was then my senses suddenly alerted me. Part of my mind that instantly works almost like an alarm, suddenly screamed. What the? What was the meaning of this?

"Issei?"

"Stay here!" I said to her instantly before I dashed to the door, my legs were already Reinforced and I also had casted small illusion magic around me so no one could see me. It was almost like you entered a spirit form, but it was slightly different. It was just a spell to make you invisible to naked eye of the public.

"Oi! Issei, wait!"

I ignored her and had already gone. The Boundary Field was not just placed in this place but also at mine, so the moment some supernatural beings were approaching my house, my mind would instantly click in. True, it was only able to detect the person who wish to come in when they entered the field, but the fact there was someone came today when no one informed me was enough to set me alarmed.

Who is it? Who was coming?! Was it Kokabiel? Damn, what did he want?!

____________________________________________________________________

It didn't take more than five minutes for me to arrive at my house, my speed when I was reinforcing my legs increased to the point that even a High-class Devil would be astonished enough from seeing it alone.

And without any obstacle due to jump on the roof of houses like a ninja, it was not surprising if I was already there this fast.

As soon I arrived, I cancelled my magic and checked around the field, my senses inside here also sharpened to the point that I could detect three persons inside and each of them was holding some artifacts that radiated holy presences that were enough to make Sona or Rias to be on their edges.

There were no malice or dark intent from them, but I could tell that they were quite wary, since they must have been aware of the Boundary Field I had set around. Well, they probably had sensed it when they entered the house.

Slowly, I took a breath and opened the door. When I entered, I could hear laughter of my mom from the living room, indicating she was talking to the guests.

"I'm home!" I yelled.

I moved calmly in order to not making those three unknown persons suspicious. As soon as I entered the living room, my eyes fell on the group of people.

"Ara? Issei, you're home! Welcome back! You are early!" She said and I smiled in return.

"Misaki-san had finished her job faster than she thought and went back early, so I didn't need to stay there." I replied and it was true, Misaki did go back early, but usually I spent time with Mittelt and Asia so I went back late.

After saying that, my eyes moved to the group that were sitting in front of my mother. There were three of them, they were young foreigners with rosarios hanging around their chest. Two of them looked around my age but the other seemed had already reached her twenties.

The first girl was around my age with chestnut colored hair that was tied into twin ponytails and violet eyes. The second was also at my age, she had blue hair with a green mesh and dark gold eyes. The last one was the one who looked older, she had long blonde hair that turned into braid down to her back, her front hair is quite spiky and her eyes were purple.

The three of them were quite beautiful, especially the one with blonde hair. They were wearing white robes that were similar like Ewald when he came here before.

Church... What did they want with me?

"Issei-kun!" The chestnut haired one chirped happily instantly as she stood up when she saw me.

I blinked, the way she spoke was almost like she knew me. Did I meet her somewhere?

"Not mean to rude, but who are you ladies?" I asked politely and her face scrunched to pout at that.

"You don't remember me? Well, I guess it is not a surprise, I've changed quite a lot just like you. If you didn't send that picture I probably would not recognize you." She said sheepishly, making me blinked again.

Sending picture? The only person I sent picture to the Church was...

"Irina?" I gasped in surprise, my eyes clearly widened at that.

"Yep! Its me! Your buddy!" Irina happily admitted and grinned.

I couldn't help but gobsmacked instantly the moment I saw her. Irina was still standing there as if she was waiting for me to speak more, and I did. "You are a woman?" I asked in shock.

Whatever she expected clearly wasn't that, since I saw her somehow tripped over nothing and almost fell to the floor while planting her face on. I could see the blue haired girl who remained stoic had her lips twitched and the blond haired one meanwhile was not hiding her amusement as she giggled.

"Of course I am!" Irina yelled at as she approached me while stomping the ground with a pout. "How could you not know that?! I was thinking that you know it when you sent me that letter!" She asked as she jabbed my chest with her index finger.

"Of course I'm not! I mean, you were quite a troublesome child and often get us into trouble!" I defended myself instantly.

"I was not!" She denied my exclamation. "If I recall correctly, you were also quite a troublemaker!"

"Excuse me? Who gave the idea to hide your father's luggage in my mother's room before you departed to England?" I asked flatly and she blushed slightly at that.

"Wait! That was you two?!" My mom demanded but we ignored her.

"You're not innocent as well! You're the one who gave me the idea of prank as the last gift for my dad!"

"And it could be avoided had you denied my idea in the first place. Beside, when you're a child you always dragged me to problems and it influenced my mind! It's your fault!"

"No, it's not!"

"Yes, it is!"

"No, it's not!"

"Yes, it is!"

"No, it's not!"

"Yes, it is!"

"No, it's not!"

"Yes, it is!"

"No, it's not!"

"No, it's not!"

"Yes, it is!"

Irina stopped after she blurted out the last part and I crossed my arms then shot her smug look while smirking like a King that owns the World. "Ha!"

"You're cheating!" Irina accused me instantly while blushing.

"No, I'm not!"

"Yes, you are!"

"No, I'm not!"

"Yes, you are!"

"No, I'm not!"

"Yes, you are!"

"No, I'm not!"

"Yes, you are!"

"No, I'm not!"

"No, you aren't!"

"Yes, I'm not!"

Irina face brightened and I could tell she about to yell, "Aha!" but she blinked and stopped when she noticed that I did not fall to her trick. And once again, I shot her a smug look while my smirk turned to a grin.

"You mad?" I asked.

Irina's response was deepened her pout and she crossed her arms, huffing her cheeks as she turned away from me, refusing to meet my face "Muuu! I hate you!" She said in a child-like manner as if she was a child that did not get her candy.

I only laughed at that, clearly I was very amused with her antics. Oh God, really, I never thought I would have a conversation like this to someone. Deciding perhaps the best was to apologize, I grabbed her shoulder with one hand and spun her, forcing her to see me.

"I miss you." I said softly the moment I spun her before she could say anything.

Irina blinked at my comment, she blushed slightly and showed that she was clearly taken aback by my sudden words. But she did not stutter nor she showed any shy behavior. Instead, she smiled back at me.

"Me too, Issei-kun..." She replied in the same tone.

We stared at each other, my steel gray eyes met her violet orbs. We were grinning to each other just like when we were children and let out chuckles at the same time.

FLASH!

We blinked when suddenly a flash of light appeared and sound of something snapped echoed. It was at this moment I realized that we were not alone the entire time. Mother was the one who took a picture, the blond haired of Irina's companion was staring at us while munching cookies that Mom gave as if she was watching a movie, the blue haired one had a smile of amusement on her face.

"Don't mind us dear, just carry on." Mom said while waving her hand in dismissive manner.

"MOM!/MRS HYOUDOU!" I and Irina shouted in unison, blush adorned Irina's face and even I couldn't hold mine.

Mom only laughed and waving her hand at us while staring at the picture she just took with her camera. Irina lowered her head, mumbling something I couldn't hear and I only could shake my head in exasperation. I clearly didn't expect that I would encounter things like this when I was rushing on my way here.

Oh well, at least I knew the ones came here were not enemies.