By the time we were laughing loudly and heartily, the door opened. It was Ise-kun.
"Ara, you came."
"Hey Ise-kun."
We greeted him with smiles. He gave us head tilts each.
"Are you two friends now?"
We both nodded at him.
""We are friends now.""
Saying that at the same time, we laughed to one another. But then Ise-kun came and sat between us.
"How's the wound from the Fallen Angel?"
"Yes, it's completely healed thanks to that healing power."
"Is that so? It seems like that girl's healing power is something you can't ignore. I can see why a single Fallen Angel would desire it, even by keeping it a secret from her superiors."
Asia-chan's healing power is a good power. Healing will be a good thing to have around here. I can worry about Ise-kun a little less with Asia-chan around.
"Umm Buchou? If there is the same number of Evil Pieces as in chess itself, then it's possible to get 7 other Pawns besides me, right? So will there be a day when another Pawn besides me will join us?"
"No, my only Pawn is you, Ise."
She's right. I saw the ritual myself. He took 8 Pawn pieces. So that means he has a good amount of potential, yes?
"When reincarnating a human to a Devil we use the Evil Pieces, but depending on the ability of the person being reincarnated, more Evil Pieces will be consumed."
So I was right. It did depend on Ise-kun's ability huh. Or more like it depended on his Sacred Gear.
"There's a saying like this in the world of chess. Queens have a value of 9 Pawns. Rooks have a value of 5 Pawns. Knights and Bishops have a value of 3 Pawns each. Like this, there are standard values that also apply to the Evil Pieces. A similar phenomenon happens to those reincarnated. If there are those who can only be reincarnated with 2 Knight pieces, then there are also those who need 2 Rook pieces to be reincarnated. There's also the compatibility with the pieces as well. You can't use 2 separate pieces to give them different roles, so it's important to think how to use the pieces. Once you use it, Devils won't be given a new Evil Pieces."
"How is that related to me?"
"Ise, I used all of the Pawn pieces when I resurrected you. If I hadn't, I couldn't have made you into a Devil."
I know this isn't to do with the Pawn thing but I heard she only has a Rook left now. I heard from Yuuto-kun that the Bishop is called Gasper-kun… hmm, I want to meet him.
"When I found out, I decided to definitely make you into my servant. But I couldn't find the reason for a while. But now I'm convinced. The Sacred Gear that is said to be supreme. Because it was you, Ise, who possessed the Boosted Gear which is said to be one of the supreme Sacred Gear, the Longinus, therefore it had that much value."
His Sacred Gear is a Longinus. According to that voice, it has the power to slay a God.
"When I was trying to reincarnate you, the only pieces I had left were 1 Knight, 1 Rook, 1 Bishop and 8 Pawns. To make you into my servant, I could only use all 8 pieces of Pawn. And your compatibility with the Pawn was also good. The other pieces didn't have the power to reincarnate you. To begin with, the value of Pawn is still a mystery. Also including its promotion. That's why I gambled on that possibility. As a result, you were the best."
He's the best as a Pawn. I don't want to be a Devil… well, maybe if Yuuto-kun ever got Evil Pieces… I wonder if he would ever reincarnate me as a Devil? Maybe as his Queen? That way, we'd be together indefinitely. Well… me and Yuuto-kun are… lovers now. Still a strange thing to say but it feels right right now. Saying Yuuto-kun is my boyfriend feels amazing.
"Our matching is also great since it's crimson and red, Crimson Hair Ruin Princess and Boosted Gear. Ise, first of all, aim to become the strongest Pawn. If it's you, you can definitely do it. After all, you are my adorable servant."
She then stood up and placed a kiss on his forehead.
"This is a good luck charm. Get stronger."
His face turned bright red at the kiss. Uu, I want Yuuto-kun to kiss me right now. I don't know why either. Well, I always do want him to kiss me but right now, I feel extra kissing happy… if that's even a term?
"I probably should stop adoring you here. The new girl might get jealous of me."
Jealous? She isn't talking about me is she? Because I'm not jealous at all! I'm happy more than anything… jealous?
"Ise-san...?"
A voice came from behind us. When I turned around, Asia-chan was standing there looking all pouty. Aah, she must like Ise-kun a lot.
"A-Asia?"
You really need to learn the ways of the female heart Ise-kun. We are delicate people.
"It has to be… R-Rias-buchou is very beautiful, so even Ise-san will also like her… No, no. I can't think like that! Oh, lord. Please forgive my sinful heart."
Asia-chan then prayed, but got a headache. It's due to her being a Devil. She can't pray to God anymore.
"I have a headache."
"Of course. If a Devil makes a prayer to God, of course you will receive damage."
"Uu, that's right. I turned into a Devil. I can't face God any more."
She seems troubled. I guess I would be if I was her also.
"Do you regret it?"
"No, thank you very much. No matter what situation I am in, I'm happy as long as I am with Ise-san."
How sweet! While that was happening, the door opened to reveal Yuuto-kun, Koneko-chan and Akeno-san.
"Good morning, Naruko-chan, Buchou, Ise-kun, Asia-san."
"… Good morning, Buchou, Ise-senpai, Naruko-senpai, Asia-senpai."
"How are you all doing, Buchou, Ise-kun, Asia-chan, Naruko-chan."
Everyone greets us. I went over and hugged my boyfriend who hugged me back. We're in that new stage of a relationship. A place where we don't want to keep our hands off one another.
"My, so affectionate Naruko-chan."
"Well, you know. I like being affectionate… with my boyfriend."
… When I said that, the room went quiet. This is weird. I looked around to see nearly everyone's eyes on us. Rias-senpai already knew so she looks normal. Akeno-san and Koneko-chan have tilted heads as does Asia-chan. Ise-kun on the other hand… is looking at the ground? What's wrong with Ise-kun all of a sudden?
"Ara ara. This is surprising. Yuuto-kun and Naruko-chan are dating?" Akeno-san asked with a smile. Both of our faces went red and Yuuto-kun and I just looked at one another. I then buried my face into his chest! I'm not good with people looking at me!
"... That's correct, Akeno-san. Naruko-chan and I are da-dating."
Then everyone started congratulating us! But, I then noticed that one person wasn't congratulating me and Yuuto-kun. That person was Ise-kun. I thought he would be the first one to congratulate me. I know that I would be the first to congratulate him when he gets a girlfriend. But all he is doing is looking at the floor. What's wrong with Ise-kun?
I went over and smiled sweetly. However, Ise-kun doesn't even seem to be acknowledging my presence.
"Ise-kun. What's wrong?"
"What?"
He looked up at the floor to me...with a face I've never seen before on him. Sadness? Is he sad about something?
"I-Ise-kun? What's wrong?" I asked, concerned. He's never like this. I don't understand what's going on.
"N-Nothing! I'm fine! Don't worry about me! I-I just need to go… I forgot to get something for class."
He stood up from beside Rias-senpai, and then started walking away. He went past me, Akeno-san, Koneko-chan without really looking at anything. But when it came to Yuuto-kun he stopped. Ise-kun then pointed at Yuuto-kun and spoke to him.
"Don't hurt her or I will kill you."
Saying that, he left seconds later. Did he really have to say he was going to kill him? Yuuto-kun wouldn't hurt me. He's done everything in his power to keep me safe from these threats so far. But when he said it… it was almost like there were no emotions in his voice. Like… something devastating had just happened...
"What was that about?"
Rias-senpai wondered aloud. I haven't got a clue to her question. Ise-kun...?