Chapter 15: So much joy

The moon was up, and he was still quiet.

I was starting to get worried. After explaining everything to him, how he was now involved. He just sat there with a distant look in his eyes. It was strange compared to the usually bright expression he had in the anime. 'Did I break him?'

"Did you really have to kill Yuuma?" he finally asked. I raised an eyebrow. What did he mean? Of course I had to.

"I mean, you knocked me out so quick. You could've just done the same to them, right? Then you could've talked to them," he continued. 'Where is he going with this?' "Then Yuuma and I could've continued going on a date, and I would've been able to feel her boo—"

"Issei." I cut him off. He started to sweat. Did he think I was going to do something to him?

"If I hadn't done anything, they would've called for help from more Fallen Angels. And Raynare didn't love you. She was using you to fulfill her own selfish desires," I explained. He got that vacant look again. 'This isn't my area of expertise.'

"Look, I know it's hard to accept right now, but you've gained something from all this, haven't you? A Sacred Gear. The power to be what you've always wanted t—"

"The Harem King!" he shouted, cutting me off. Hearing it in person felt... gross.

"Yes, that," I muttered. "But for now, we need to get some sleep. There are blankets in the bathroom shelf. Tomorrow, we have a big day dealing with a stressed and possibly pissed Redhead."

With that, today came to an end, hopefully marking a change for the better.

-Issei POV-

I hoped everything was a dream that there was no Ryou, no Yuuma, and no supernatural.

When I woke up however, there he was, Ryou. He made it seem so normal to kill people.

I didn't know who this "Redhead" was. The only redhead I knew was the one with some of the biggest boobs in the school, Rias Gremory, one of Kuoh Academy's Two Great Ladies.

But why would we go see her? And how did Ryou know where she lived? Are they dating?! No! I refuse to believe she's with this psycho!

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Ryou asked. Oh no, I had been staring at him the whole time!

"Why are you wearing that kimono from yesterday?" I asked. The front was covered in dried blood, it was disgusting.

"Got to dress up when seeing a princess. Her fault it's bloodied. Now let's head out," he said casually.

Great, I couldn't believe I'd be walking with a psycho. But...

"Where are we going?" I asked as we left the door. Without warning, he walked over, picked me up, and threw me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing.

"W-What are you doing?! Put me down!" I flailed, completely humiliated.

"Calm down. We're taking the rooftops. Can't have people seeing me covered in blood, as funny as that would be." 'Psycho.' I calmed down, only to scream again as he jumped and landed on a roof, running from one to another.

"W-Where are we going?!" I shouted over the wind. He seemed to think about whether to tell me or not.

"To the Occult Research Club," he finally said. "I told you, didn't I? Redhead is not only a devil, she's also one of the two that oversee Kuoh."

Oh. He did say that.

-Ryou POV-

I knew she would be there. I knew she had to be aware of my presence. But whether she saw me as a threat? I don't know.

It took barely thirty minutes to arrive at the clubroom, a place that brought back both good and bad memories. After setting Issei down, I walked over to the door.

Knocking, I heard a faint "come in." Like I said, I knew she'd be here. Opening the door and stepping inside, we were greeted by all of them. It seems Redhead didn't take a shower like last time.

Koneko sat on a couch, her fluffy white hair and dull yellow eyes locked onto mine. Standing by what I assumed was Redhead's desk was the Sadist, Akeno. Her long black hair and violet eyes gazed at me with barely hidden joy. Right, she's got daddy issues.

Leaning against the wall behind Koneko stood Yuuto Kiba, his short blond hair and blue eyes sharp. I wonder how his swordsmanship compares to mine?

Rias broke the silence. "Sasaki-san and Hyoudou-san, welcome to the Occult Research Club. Please, have a seat." She gestured to the vacant couch on the other side of Koneko.

Once seated, she continued. "I take it you know what's happening, Sasaki-san, so I assume you've told Hyoudou-san?"

I just nodded. Issei hasn't spoken a word yet.

"I see. Then you must know that what you've done could lead to a war, killing Fallen Angels in a Devil's territory."

What? Is she... is she trying to blackmail us? Glancing at Issei, I can see it's working he's looking pale. She's smarter than I thought.

Akeno steps forward, and almost purposefully, her breasts have an extra bounce. "However, we have a proposition for you two," she says, her smile widening.

Rias takes over the conversation. "You see, after the Great War, the devil population was at an all-time low. So, one of the four Satan's, Created a system."

'Oh wow' she really is going to ask us.

"A system that allows devils to reincarnate anyone who is alive or has recently died, granting them a long life, power, and magic." She looks directly at Issei. "It's even encouraged for devils to have harems."

'She's a smart cookie, I'll give her that.' But I already told Issei about this, minus the harem part.

"In exchange, the person reincarnated gives their servitude to the one who reincarnates them." She pulls out a red chess set. "The system is based on chess pieces, which are called Evil Pieces, I have a question for the both of you."

The room falls silent as she speaks the words that will change everything.

"Become a devil and join my family."

Issei seems shocked. Me?

Not so much. I was stuck looking at the Evil Pieces.

Each one gleamed under the light, and I couldn't help but feel a connection of some sort. I knew their weight, what they represented.

I looked at Redhead, then back at the pieces. They wanted us to join them. 'Issei's probably already imagining the harem part' I thought with a sigh.

Issei and I exchanged a glance. He was probably weighing the idea of power, the promise of a harem swirling in his head. Meanwhile, I was focused on something else.

We both nodded, our silent agreement clear.

Issei spoke first, his voice shaky but filled with resolve. "I... I'll do it. I want to become a devil and create a harem." 'expected'

Then it was my turn. I looked Redhead dead in the eye, my voice steady. "No."

The room went silent.