Part 8

After school.

"Hi. How are you doing?"

I look at the male student, who came to see me, through half-lidded eyes.

The guy in front of me is our school's number 1 best looking prince, Kiba Yuuto.

He captured the hearts of the girls in our school with this smile of his. By the way, he's in the same year as me. Though he's from a different class.

You can hear girls screaming with joy from the classroom and the corridor. Shut up. It's so damn noisy in here.

"So what business do you have here?"

I reply to him in a dismissive tone voice, but Kiba responds without breaking his smile.

"I came here by the order of Rias Gremory-senpai."

—!

With that one statement, I immediately understand why he is here.

I see, so he's the person Senpai told me she would send.

"...OK OK, so what do you want me to do?"

"I want you to follow me."

NO!!

This time it's the girls' screams.

"No, for Hyoudou and Kiba-kun to walk besides each other!"

"You will get infected, Kiba-kun!"

"I won't agree with the Kiba-kun×Hyoudou pair!"

"No, maybe its Hyoudou×Kiba-kun pair!?"

They are saying some weird crap.

Shut up. Seriously shut up.

"Ah, all right."

I agreed to follow him.

I will say this beforehand. I hate good looking guys.

I followed Kiba, who is already walking ahead of me.

"H-Hey, Ise!"

Matsuda shouts my name.

"Don't worry, friend. I'm not going to have a fight."

That's right. You don't have to worry about me, pal.

"What are you going to do with this DVD, "Me, the Molester, and the Udon"!?"

Matsuda says it out loud while holding the DVD up high.

I then look out the window.

I followed Kiba, and the place we end up at is the back of the school building.

In this place, which is surrounded by trees, there is a building called the old school building.

Apparently it was used a long time ago, and there is no sign of people here. It's so creepy that it is listed in one of "the seven wonders of school".

The building looks very old and is made from wood, but there aren't any broken windows and it's hard to tell if there are any broken parts from its appearance.

It's old, but it isn't that bad.

"Buchou is here."[7]

Kiba says.

Buchou?

Is he talking about Senpai? Huh? Buchou?

Did Senpai belong to a particular club? Does this mean he is part of that club as well?

It's getting even more mysterious. Oh well, as long as I follow this guy, I will be able to meet with Senpai.

We entered the two story high building, and went up the stairs. We went further into the building.

Even the corridor looks clean. It seems like even the rooms that aren't used don't have a single speck dust in them.

When you think about old buildings, you expect it to be full of insects, spider webs, and dust. But I haven't seen any yet.

So they must be cleaning this building quite often.

While I was thinking about these kinds of things, we seem to have reached our destination. Kiba stops in front of a particular classroom.

I was shocked by the sign on the door that read—

[Occult Research Club]

Occult Research Club!?

Just reading that name makes me wonder. I'm not saying that the club sounds weird.

But thinking that Rias-senpai is the member of the Occult Research Club is...

"Buchou, I have brought him."

Kiba waits for the approval through the wooden door. Then Senpai replies.

"Yes, come in."

Looks like Senpai is inside here.

Kiba opens the door and I'm shocked when I follow him into the room.

There are weird signs and words in every area of the classroom.

The floor. The walls and the ceiling. They are all covered with weird signs.

And the one which stands out the most is the circle drawn at the center of the room.

It looks like a magic-circle that takes up most of the space in this room.

I can feel something creepy and weird from it.

There are also a couple of sofas and desks in the room.

Hmm? There is someone sitting on one of the sofas. It's a girl with a small build...

I know her. I know that girl!

That's the girl from 1st year, Toujou Koneko-chan!

She's from 1st year, but she looks like an elementary student because of her childish face and small body!

She's quite popular amongst a certain groups of guys. She's popular amongst the girls as well and is treated as a mascot for being cute.

She is eating youkan quietly.[8] She always has a sleepy expression.

If I remember correctly, she is said to be "very" emotionless.

She realises we entered, and our eyes meet.

"This is Hyoudou Issei-kun."

Next Kiba introduces her to me. Toujou Koneko-chan bows her head.

"Ah, nice to meet you."

I also bow my head. After the greetings, she continues to eat her youkan.

Hmm. It's just like the rumour says. Maybe she is a girl who doesn't talk much.

SHA-

This is the sound of water flowing coming from the back of the room. Is it the sound of a shower?

Then I realise there is a shower curtain at the back of the room. There was also a shadow on the curtain.

It's the shadow of a girl. There is a girl taking a shower.

Huh!? A shower!?

This classroom comes with a shower!?

KYU

Then there is the sound of the shower stopping.

"Buchou, take this."

Huh? There is someone else besides her?

I hear a girl's voice that doesn't belong to Senpai.

"Thank you, Akeno."

Looks like Senpai is changing behind the curtain.

I start to blush after remembering what happened this morning.

Senpai, you sure had an impressive body. Looks like I won't be needing porn for a while.

"...What a lecherous face."

Someone mutters. When I look in the direction of the voice, it's Toujou Koneko-chan.

I look at her, but the little first year student is just eating youkan.

...Is that so. So I have a lecherous face. I'm sorry then.

JYA-

Then the curtain opens. The one standing there is Senpai in her uniform.

She looks seductive with her wet hair. She looks at me, then smiles.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't take a shower last night because I stayed the night at your place, so I took a shower now."

Ah, is that so?

But what's bugging me is that there is a shower in this room.

Then I look behind Senpai.

There is someone behind her... Are you serious!

I'm so shocked that I lose my words.

Black-hair in a ponytail! The ponytail, which is said to be nearly extinct! The person who is said to be the last person with a ponytail at our school!

That pretty face, which is always smiling! The person with a Japanese atmosphere! The one who is called Yamato Nadeshiko even though she is a student, and also one of our school idols, Himejima Akeno-senpai![9]

The person who, along with Rias-senpai, is said to be one of the "Two Great Onee-samas"!

The person who is idolised by both male and female students!

"Ara ara. Hello, my name is Himejima Akeno. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

She introduces herself politely with a smile. Her voice sounds fascinating.

"O-Oh. My name is Hyoudou Issei. N-Nice to meet you too!"

Even though I'm nervous, I greeted her.

After Rias-senpai confirms that we finished introducing each other, she starts talking.

"Looks like everyone is here. Hyoudou Issei-kun. No, let me call you Ise."

"Y-Yes."

"We, the Occult Research Club, welcome you."

"Eh, ah yes."

"As a Devil."

—!

Dad and Mum. Looks like I'm in for something big.

"Here's your tea."

"Ah, thank you."

I'm sitting on a sofa, and Himejima-senpai has made tea for me.

I drink it quickly.

"It tastes good."

"Ara ara. Thank you very much."

Himejima-senpai starts laughing very happily by saying "Ufufu".

Kiba, Koneko-chan, Rias-senpai and I are sitting on the sofas surrounding the table.

"Akeno, you sit over here as well."

"Yes, Buchou."

Himejima-senpai sits next to Rias-senpai.

Then everyone looks at me.

W-What is it... I'm getting nervous if everyone looks at me in a small place like this...

Then Rias-senpai speaks.

"I will get to the point right away. We are all Devils."

Y-You definitely did get to the point right away.

"Your expression says that you don't believe what I am saying. Well, that can't be helped. You did see the man with black wings last night, didn't you?"

She's right.

If that wasn't a dream, then I did really see that.

"That's a Fallen Angel. They are former Angels who served God, but they are beings who have fallen to hell because they had evil intentions. They are also the enemy of us Devils."

So now we are talking about a Fallen Angel.

Looks like we are entering a fantasy genre.

"We, the Devils, have been at war with the Fallen Angels since ancient times. We have been fighting over the possession of the Underworld, which is also known as Hell in the human world. The Underworld is split into two areas, one for Devils and one for Fallen Angels. The Devils form pacts with humans and receive their sacrifices and increase their strength. The Fallen Angels on the other hand control humans to eliminate Devils. At this point the Angels come in to destroy these two races on God's orders, which creates the three forces. This has been going on since ancient times."

"No no, Senpai. That kind of story is hard to take in by a normal student like myself. Is this what members of Occult Research Club do?"

So this conversation has been the club activity then.

"Occult Research Club is just a camouflage. It's my hobby. It's actually a gathering place for us Devils."

...Hold on, this is part of the club activity right?

"—Amano Yuuma"

Hearing that name, I open my eyes in shock.

Where did she hear that name?

"That day, you were on a date with Amano Yuuma, right?"

"...If you are joking around, then can you please stop now? I don't want to talk about this here."

There is anger in my voice.

That's because that topic is like a taboo to me now.

When I talked about it before, no one believed me, and no one remembered her.

Everyone said it must have been a dream. That it was my hallucination. Nobody believed me and no one remembered her existence.

I don't know where she heard the story from, but I won't accept it if she says that it is all occult. Instead, I will be mad.

"She existed. For certain."

Rias-senpai says that clearly.

"Well, it looks like she tried to erase all of the evidence around you."

Rias-senpai clicks her finger, and Himejima-senpai takes out a photo.

I am speechless after seeing who is in that photo.

"This is her, right? Amano Yuuma-chan."

Yeah, the person on the photo is my girlfriend who I wasn't able to find anywhere.

I had taken a picture of her with my mobile phone, but it had disappeared.

The photo is a clear picture of her, and there are black wings growing from her back.

"This girl is...no, this is a Fallen Angel. She's the same kind as the one that attacked you last night."

...A Fallen Angel? Yuuma-chan is a Fallen Angel?

Rias-senpai continues.

"This Fallen Angel came in contact with you to accomplish a certain goal. After she accomplished it, she got rid of any record and evidence regarding herself."

"Goal?"

"Yes. To kill you."

—!

W-What the hell!!

"W-Why did she have to kill me!?"

"Calm down, Ise. It couldn't be helped... No, you were just unlucky. There are possessors who weren't killed..."

"What do you mean, unlucky!"

Is she saying that I was just unlucky to be killed by Yuuma-chan that day!?

Huh...?

Killed? But I'm still alive? I'm still here like before.

"That day, you went on a date with her and then went to the park, where you were killed with Spear of Light."

"But I'm still alive! More than that, why was I targeted!?"

Yeah. There aren't any reasons for me to be targeted by her.

Why do I have to be targeted by the Fallen Angels!?

"The reason why she approached you is so she could check if there is a dangerous thing inside you. She must have received a weak response from it. That's why she took her time checking you. Then she confirmed it. That you were a human who possessed a Sacred Gear —-"

Sacred Gear—.

I was familiar with that term.

—Sorry. You were a threat to us, so we decided to get rid of you early. If you want to hold a grudge, then hate the God who put the Sacred Gear inside you.

That's what Yuuma-chan said at that time.

So there's a Sacred Gear inside my body...?

Kiba then speaks.

"Sacred Gear is an irregular power that is bestowed to certain humans. For example, most of the people whose names are recorded in history are said to be possessors of a Sacred Gear. They used the power of their Sacred Gear to record their name in history."

"Presently, there are people who possess Sacred Gears within their bodies. You know those people who play an important role worldwide? Most of those people possess a Sacred Gear."

Himejima-senpai continues after Kiba.

Rias-senpai then continues to explain.

"Most of the Sacred Gears have functions that are only usable in the human society. But there are exceptional Sacred Gears that are a threat to us, the Devils, and Fallen Angels. Ise, raise your hand."

Eh? I have to raise my hand? Why?

"Do it quickly."

Rias-senpai urges me to do it.

So I raise my left arm.

"Close your eyes and imagine the strongest thing that comes to mind."

"S-Strongest being...? Son Goku from Dragon Ball...?"

"Then imagine it, and imagine that person in a particular pose where he looks the strongest."

"..."

I imagined Goku when he is shooting his Kamehameha.

Is this alright?

"Lower your arm slowly and stand up."

I get up from the sofa and lower my arm.

"Now mimic the pose of that person. You have to imagine it strongly, okay? You cannot hold back."

Crap.

There are people around me, and I have to copy Goku doing Kamehameha at this age!?

I'm too embarrassed to do it!

Just because I'm closing my eyes doesn't mean that no one will laugh at me!

"Hurry and do it."

Rias-senpai urges me again.

Ooooooi! Are you serious! Do I seriously have to do it!?

Shit! Then look! It's Hyoudou Issei's first and last time doing Kamehameha!

"Kamehameha!"

I said it while I had both my opened hands stuck together and pushed them forward at chest height. This is the Kamehameha pose.

"Now, open your eyes. In this place which is filled with demonic power, the Sacred Gear will be able to appear more easily."

I open my eyes just like Rias-senpai tells me to.

FLASH!

My left arm glowed.

Whaaaaat!?

What is this!? What is this!?

Can I pull off Kamehameha now!?

The light starts to take form and covers my left arm.

After the light disappears, my left arm is covered in a red gauntlet.

It's equipped with a flashy looking object. It looks like a very fine and realistic cosplay item.

The part that covers the back of my hand has a gem-like object embedded in it.

Actually, it looks more like a jewel instead of a just a gem.

"What the hell is thiiiiiiiis!!?"

I screamed. I'm really shocked.

Obviously! What is this!? I thought I did a Kamehameha, but instead I got an item on my arm that looks like something Henshin Heroes use!

Uwaah, what is this!?

"That's a Sacred Gear. And it belongs to you. Once it appears, you can use it anywhere and anytime as you will."

—!

T-This red gauntlet is a Sacred Gear...?

Eeeeeeeh...

I still can't believe it. I shot a Kamehameha and I...I...

"The Fallen Angel, Amano Yuuma, saw your Sacred Gear as a threat and therefore killed you."

...So the thing about Yuuma-chan and the Sacred Gear was all real.

Then the part where I was killed by her was real too....?

So how am I alive?

"You called me when you were on the verge of death. I was summoned through this paper."

Rias-senpai pulls out a single leaflet.

I know that leaflet.

When I was waiting for Yuuma-chan at the meeting spot, one of the people giving out leaflets gave me one.

It's a leaflet with a weird magic circle and a catchphrase that reads, "We will grant your wish!"

If I look carefully, the magic circle on the leaflet is the same as the big magic circle on the floor.

"This is one of the leaflets we give out. This magic circle is used to summon us Devils. These days there aren't many people who would draw this circle to summon us. So we give these leaflets to people who look like they would summon Devils. This magic-circle is safe and easy to use. That day, one of our familiars was disguised as a human and was handing them out in the business district. You got it at that time, Ise. After you were attacked by the Fallen Angel, you called me while you were on the verge of death. You wished so hard that it summoned me. Usually my servants like Akeno and the others would be the ones to be summoned."

That time I was impaled by the Spear of Light...so I wished really hard.

When my hand was covered in blood, the thing that came to mind was crimson.

I strongly craved for the girl with crimson hair, Rias Gremory.

So then, the person with red hair that appeared at the end of that dream—no, the one that appeared at the end of that incident really was Senpai.

"When I was summoned and saw you, I knew right away that you were a Sacred Gear possessor and that you were attacked by a Fallen Angel. But there was a problem. Ise, you were on the brink of death. Not just Devils, but humans also die if impaled by a Fallen Angels spear of light. Ise, you were in that kind of condition. So I decided to save your life."

Save my life?

So Senpai was the one who helped me?

So that's why I'm alive.

"Although, as a Devil. Ise, you were reborn as a Devil of mine, Rias Gremory's servant. As my servant Devil."

PA!

At that moment, wings sprout from the backs of everyone around me.

They're different from the black wings of Fallen Angels, their wings are like bat wings.

PA!

And with that I also feel some kind of sensation on my back.

Looking over my shoulder, I see the same black wings protruding from my back.

...Are you serious?

I'm a Devil? Did I quit being a human?

"Let's introduce everyone anew. Yuuto."

Kiba smiles at me after Rias-senpai calls his name.

"My name is Kiba Yuuto. As you already know, I'm a second year like you, Hyoudou Issei-kun. Umm, I'm a Devil too. Nice to meet you."

"...First year. ...Toujou Koneko. Pleased to make your acquaintance. ...I'm a Devil too."

Toujou Koneko-chan bows her head.

"My name is Himejima Akeno, and I'm in third year. I'm also the vice-president of this Occult Research Club. Nice to meet you. Even though I'm like this, I'm also a Devil. Ufufu."

Himejima-senpai bows her head very politely.

Lastly, it's Rias-senpai.

She waves her crimson hair and says it very directly.

"And I'm their master as well as being a Devil from the House of Gremory, Rias Gremory. My house holds the rank of a Duke. Let's get along from now on, Ise."

Looks like I'm in a really unthinkable situation.