Chapter 21: Trouble’s Brewing!!

Yo, it's Issei.

I'm in a bind, unsure what to do. Why?

"Mmm…" A sultry moan escapes as Rias, the captain, sleeps beside me. Naked.

Since the Raiser incident, she's been living at my house, part of our daily life. Right now, she's using me as a body pillow, her bare chest pressed against me, my arm trapped between her thighs.

What do I do? First, I burn this into my brain. Gotta memorize every detail!

Fifteen minutes until training, but I want to stay like this. Who wouldn't savor this moment?

Her eyes flutter open. "Oh, Issei. You're awake."

"Uh, yeah. Captain, why're you in my bed?"

"Sorry. I wanted to use you as a pillow. You were asleep, so I slipped in. Was that… bad?" she asks.

"N-No! Sleeping with you is awesome!" I blurt.

"Good," she says, hugging me tighter.

Whoa! Her chest! Her thighs!

She whispers in my ear, "Isn't staying like this until we have to get up nice? Maybe a little naughty servant bonding?"

That whisper! Since Raiser, she's been bolder—walking beside me to school, joining me at lunch. I love it, but it makes Matsuda and Motohama try to jump me.

"Captain… I'm a guy, you know…"

"Feeling frisky?" she teases, cheeks faintly red.

"It's fine. I'd do anything for you, Issei."

My thoughts dive into pink territory when—

"Issei-san, are you up? It's time for morning training!" Asia's voice calls.

Since Raiser, Asia's joined training to strengthen herself. The captain and Asia focus on stamina, so we run together mornings. She's here to wake us.

Wait, this scene is bad if she sees!

"Issei-san? Still asleep? The captain's not up either…" Asia says.

"I'm up! Wait downstairs!" I shout.

Since the captain moved in, Asia's been acting competitive toward her. Not sure why, but the captain plays along. They're usually close, though.

"Wait a bit, Asia. Issei and I need to get ready," the captain calls.

Captain, why!?

Bang! The door flies open. Asia sees us, tears welling, cheeks puffed.

The captain presses closer to me. Captain!?

"Good morning, Asia," she says.

Oh no! Asia's trembling!

This feels familiar…

"I'll get naked too! I won't be left out!" Asia cries.

Another lively day.

"Thanks for breakfast," I say, eating after training.

"Onii-chan, you look exhausted. Something happen?" Miu peers at me.

Miu, you didn't hear the chaos next door? Better than her seeing it, though.

"I'm fine. You look sleepy, though."

"Hehe, I stayed up reading manga…" she admits.

Been there. Did that a lot in middle school.

"Don't overdo it. Lack of sleep's bad for your skin."

"I'll be careful next time."

"What'd you read?"

"Your Dragon Soball collection. It was awesome."

My fault!? She read all fifty volumes?

"This is delicious. Rias-san, you're a great cook. Even Japanese dishes," Miu says.

"Thank you. Living in Japan so long, I've learned all sorts of chores," the captain replies.

She made some of breakfast after training. It's amazing.

"Seriously tasty, Captain," I add.

"Thanks, Issei."

Asia's pouting again.

"When Asia-chan and Rias-san wanted to live here, I was shocked, but their help with meals and chores is a lifesaver," Mom says.

"It's only natural, Mother," the captain says.

"Asia-chan's cleaning and laundry help so much too," Mom adds.

"It's the least I can do," Asia says, blushing, thrilled by the praise. Her mood's fixed. Nice one, Mom.

While I train with Tia, the captain and Asia handle chores, easing Mom's load.

"Oh, Mother, can I have the club members over after school?" the captain asks.

"Of course."

News to me. Miu and Asia look surprised too.

"Why here, Captain?" I ask.

"The old schoolhouse is getting its annual deep clean, so no meeting there."

Got it. Occult Research Club and devil business at my place.

"Club at home sounds fun!" Asia beams.

"I'll prep tea and snacks!" Miu adds.

They're pumped.

"Please do," the captain says.

After school, the club gathers in my room. We handle Occult Research Club business first, deciding to investigate kappas next. Miu's hyped.

Now, devil business. The captain reports this month's contract numbers.

"First, contracts: Akeno, eleven. Koneko, ten. Yuuto, eight. Asia, three."

"Nice job, Asia-san," Kiba says, impressed.

"Great for a newbie," Koneko adds.

"Thank you!" Asia bows, beaming.

Asia's a natural. Her clients seek her healing presence. Just talking to her soothes.

"And Issei… nine," the captain says.

Not bad, compared to Kiba and Koneko.

Wait, why's everyone staring?

"What? Something weird?" I ask.

"Well…" Kiba trails off.

"Expected something crazier," Koneko says.

That's the reaction!?

"Knowing your over-the-top nature, we thought your numbers would be wild," Kiba explains.

Everyone nods.

You thought that!? Sorry for disappointing! Not my fault!

"It's early in your contract days. Nine's solid. Keep it up, Issei," the captain says.

"Hell yeah! I'll rack up more and aim for high-class devil!" I vow.

"With your strength, you'll get there fast. You already surpass high-class devils. Why not aim for Demon King? A hero turned Demon King's ironic, though," Ddraig teases.

Demon King? Nah, not my style.

The door's knocked, then opened. "Here's tea and snacks," Mom says, entering with Miu.

Perfect timing. I'm parched.

"Thank you, Mother," the captain says.

"No trouble. Just school club and devil work talk, right? Easy," Mom says.

Mom and Dad are totally chill with the devil stuff. No surprise anymore.

"Oh, I brought something special," Mom says, pulling out an album.

Oh no.

"Mother, is that…?" the captain asks.

"Issei's growth record," Mom confirms.

The captain's eyes light up. Gotta stop this!

"Yuuto, hold Issei," the captain orders.

"Sorry, captain's orders," Kiba says, grabbing me.

"Traitor! You think you can hold me!?" I counter, locking him in a cross-arm hold.

"Issei-kun, I give! It's locked!" Kiba taps out.

"Shut it! Betray male friendship, and this is what you get!"

Kiba's down for now.

"Too soft, Captain. Kiba stop me?" I smirk, villain-style.

"You're the soft one, Issei! Now, Miu!" the captain calls.

"Got it!" Miu tackles me onto the bed.

"Captain, that's dirty!" I yell.

"Even you can't peel Miu off," she smirks.

Damn, she knows me too well. Worthy of a king!

"I've been curious about little Issei since Miu told me," the captain says.

Wait, Miu saw it too!?

Miu, clinging to me, nods with a grin. "I saw it with Mom! So cute!"

"I decided I'd see this album, no matter what," the captain declares, cool as ever.

Why's she so epic about it!?

My album's opened! The whole club sees my embarrassing past!

Miu's grip keeps me pinned. I can only watch…

"Here's elementary-school Issei!" Mom says.

"So cute, all naked," Akeno-san coos.

"Akeno-san!? Mom, stop!" I plead.

"Issei-senpai's bare past," Koneko deadpans.

"Koneko-chan, don't look!" I wail.

Worst day ever. The whole club's seen it!

"Little Issei, so adorable!" the captain squeals.

"I get why you're obsessed, Captain!" Asia adds.

"I'm so glad you understand, Asia!" the captain says.

They're in their own world, hyped. The captain's panting! Is kid-me that great!? Damn, even Kiba's grinning!

"Kiba, stop looking!"

"Haha, let me enjoy it, Issei-kun," he says.

"Then we're having a full-power spar. You'll taste what hit Raiser," I threaten.

"…I'll pass. It'd kill me," Kiba says, paling.

Don't chicken out, Kiba.

"But your mom's great," he adds, flipping through.

"Yeah, but I wish she'd skip this. It's killing me… mentally."

"Issei-kun, what's this?" Kiba asks.

"Can't see from here," I say, still pinned by Miu, who's now asleep, drooling.

"Snooze… snooze…" Miu's out cold.

Kiba shows me a photo: kid-me, another kid, and a man, probably his dad. We played hero games a lot. He moved overseas before elementary school. Haven't seen or talked since.

Kiba's pointing at the sword the man holds. "Recognize it?"

His tone's off, sharper than usual. Something about this sword?

"Nah, no clue. It's been ages," I say honestly.

"Didn't expect to see it here…" Kiba mutters, bitter, his eyes burning with hatred.

"Kiba, that sword?"

"It's… a holy sword," he says.

A bad feeling hits. Trouble's coming.