(2 Years Later)
~The Human World~
(Hachiman POV)
There is a saying that life is a journey.
It sounds beautiful, like a poem written by someone with far too much free time who has never had to travel with their shoelaces untied.
Even so, I won't argue with it. Because in a way, it's true.
Every journey has three inevitable things: a beginning, the things you encounter along the way, and the people who started walking with you but didn't continue to the end. I don't know what the destination of this journey is, but I know it's not yet. If it were, I wouldn't be sitting here narrating this to anyone.
Along the way, there are obstacles. That is a truth I accepted long ago.
Some obstacles come in the form of the uncontrollable: situations you didn't choose, people you didn't ask for, and events that happen simply because the universe decided that today was its day. These kinds of obstacles, I can accept. They aren't anyone's fault.
Other obstacles come in the form of other people: those with or without intent whose actions impact our path. These, too, I can accept. At the very least, I can shift the responsibility elsewhere.
But the hardest obstacle to accept is the kind created entirely by oneself.
There are two types of mistakes in life.
The first type is the forgivable mistake—things done out of ignorance, haste, or a decision that seemed reasonable at the time before the results proved otherwise. These mistakes hurt, but they teach you something. Over time, most people learn to live with them. I used to be like that. I made mistakes, acknowledged them, lowered my head, and moved on without caring about anyone else.
It never looked cool or impressive, but it worked.
The second type is the mistake that is hard to forgive yourself for. Not because the action was intentionally evil, but because it happened in a situation where I should have known better. It happened when my guard was too low, while I thought I had everything under control. It's the kind of mistake where, even if I could go back in time, I'm not sure I could stop it—because it didn't happen in a predictable way.
It happened in a way that was too simple, too natural, and in a moment that was far too quiet.
And then, it actually happened. That very mistake is what brought me here.
If I had to explain what happened... I wouldn't even know where to start. Partly because it's complicated, partly because just thinking about it gives me a headache, and the remaining part—the part I don't want to admit—is that I'm not even sure I fully understand it myself.
To put it simply: something that shouldn't have happened, happened.
"Hikigaya."
And in a situation like that, the remaining choices are rarely pretty.
It has been one year since I returned to the human world, after living in the Underworld for five years.
The human world remains the same. It's vast, crowded, and everyone is too busy with their own lives to care about what the person next to them is hiding. I blend into the mundane without effort because acting like an ordinary person is what I've practiced my whole life—my previous life—even if there are certain points that are difficult for me.
I didn't come here because I wanted to.
"Hikigaya..."
I came here because, out of all the choices available at that split second, it seemed like the one that would minimize further damage. It sounds like the reasoning of a sane person, but in reality, it was the decision of someone who didn't know what else to do.
Perhaps there isn't much of a difference.
I'm not ready to face it head-on yet. Not because it's painful or scary, but because some stories are better told at the right moment, and the right moment isn't now.
What I can say is that something happened. Something I didn't plan, didn't intend, and still don't know how to handle the consequences of.
Some say time is the best medicine. I'm not sure I believe that, but I have no choice but to try.
"Hey! Hikigaya!"
"—!" I flinched slightly before turning toward the source of the voice.
"...What is it?"
"Sigh... I've called you three times already."
"Sorry, I was just lost in thought," I replied dismissively.
"I think you should let me give you a physical check-up," he said in a teasing tone.
"In your dreams. Unless I'm literally on the brink of death, don't expect me to let you examine me," I answered firmly.
"Hehe~ Are you still suspicious of me? It's been a year already. You could at least trust me a little."
"No way!" I shot back instantly. "Especially knowing you're the world's number one research maniac."
"Hahaha! I wouldn't go that far." The man placed his hands on his hips, tilted his chin up slightly, and laughed with pride.
"That wasn't a compliment, damn it!"
You're probably wondering who this man I'm talking to is.
Externally, he appears to be a man in his early middle age. His jet-black hair is left moderately long and slightly disheveled, like someone who just rolled out of bed or never bothered to style it even once.
His face is sharp and mature. His narrow eyes, slightly squinted, often glint with amusement as if he sees the world as a constant joke. A faint smile never leaves the corners of his mouth. It isn't exactly a warm smile... but it isn't cold either. Rather, it's the smile of someone who "knows too much."
The small goatee on his chin further emphasizes his age and experience. His aura is a perfect blend of maturity and lack of seriousness, making it hard to guess exactly what kind of person he is.
The long, dark coat he wears flutters slightly with his movements. Underneath is just ordinary clothing that doesn't stand out, as if he places no importance on his outward appearance at all.
Though he looks like just a laid-back guy... it's people like this—the more ordinary they seem, the more untrustworthy they become.
But if you get to know him for a while, even if you don't want to admit it—he is a man you can rely on.
Allow me to introduce him: this is the Governor General of Grigori—the Boss of the Fallen Angels themselves.
If you're asking why I ended up hanging around this crow... we have to go back to when I first arrived in the human world.
(Flashback)
...Sigh...
I sat leaning against the cold, damp brick wall of an alleyway, watching the stream of people passing by outside. Not a single person turned to look into this alley.
Which was for the best.
It's been two days since I stepped foot in this city. Two days of sleeping fitfully in public spaces, two days of wandering around trying to find a footing for myself, and two days of discovering the painful truth: the human world, which I thought I understood well enough, turned out to be much more difficult in practice than I expected.
In theory, I knew what to do. Find a job, find a place to stay, create a new identity, and start over.
In practice, everything stalled from the first step.
This is the first time in five years that I've returned to the human world after living in the Underworld.
To cross over to this side, or vice-versa, there are two main methods most commonly used, based on what I've learned.
The first method is the Transportation Magic Circle. Its function is simple: you just need to clearly visualize the destination, or have coordinates recorded at both the origin and destination. Another case is the 'Summoning Leaflet.' I heard that if a human has a strong desire while touching a leaflet engraved with a magic circle, no matter where that devil is, they will instantly warp to that human.
The second method is the Inter-dimensional Train. This one is special because it's the Gremory family's private train.
I used the first method to cross over to this world by asking Sirzechs to authorize access to the Gremory crest.
Of course, before coming here, I left a message—a reason that sounded good enough not to make them worry.
But that reason wasn't necessarily the truth...
In reality, I was just running away... and trying to avoid something.
On the first day I arrived, I intended to find a job, a place to stay, or anything that could be called a "normal life."
But the problem was... no matter where I applied, no one would take me.
"We have to wait and see the company policy first."
"We're currently fully staffed."
"Your documents are incomplete."
They sounded polite enough... but the real meaning was just "No."
If I had to guess the reasons, there were mainly two.
First—my appearance.
Normally, my face looks stern and somewhat like a delinquent. Combined with one golden eye and the white streaks in my hair, it made my image even worse.
Second—my background.
I had no certifications, no evidence, no origin. I just suddenly appeared like this.
It would be strange for anyone to hire me.
...If it were me, I wouldn't hire someone like that either.
I pushed myself off the brick wall, deciding that no matter how long I sat still, the situation wouldn't improve. Then, I just started walking, choosing a direction that wasn't too crowded.
After wandering for a while, until—
"Hmm... a river?"
I didn't think a city like this would have a river.
The water flowed slowly, a deep blue with a faint greenish tint. It looked ordinary—not strikingly beautiful, but not bad either. Along the banks, trees were scattered, casting patches of shade on the ground. A light breeze blew through, making the leaves rustle softly.
The surrounding atmosphere was peaceful... peaceful enough for me to take a full breath.
And right now—that was enough.
I walked aimlessly along the riverbank, watching the current flow by.
Then, I noticed a fishing rod left behind.
From its condition, it looked like it had been abandoned for quite some time.
I picked it up to check it briefly... the hook was still there and functional.
After successfully finding bait, I looked for a place to sit.
Under a large tree near the riverbank, there was a bench. I chose to settle there.
"But... are there even any fish around here?" I muttered to myself.
It was almost 2:00 PM.
If I was lucky, I might get a fish to grill for dinner.
"To increase the percentage a bit... I guess I'll use a little power."
I focused my concentration on my left eye.
Power awakened silently—the scope of my perception expanded to a radius of about twenty meters.
It functioned like radar; every living thing within range was clearly detected.
The image that appeared in my vision was like a faint hologram layered over the real world.
"Whoa... there are quite a lot of them. I guess I won't go hungry tonight."
What I saw wasn't just fish.
Every life—no matter how small—appeared within that scope.
A cool breeze brushed over the water again, creating small ripples that sparkled in the afternoon sun.
The faint scent of grass and damp earth drifted on the wind.
"...Sigh."
I let out a soft sigh.
"To be honest... how long has it been since I was surrounded by nature like this?"
That's right... it must have been nearly seven years.
The last time... before I was taken away for experiments.
The wind continued to blow gently, just as before.
The surface of the water rippled slightly, reflecting the afternoon sunlight in a shimmering glow.
At a glance, one might think it's beautiful.
...But in reality, it's just water flowing along its path.
It has no special meaning.
The sound of leaves rustling was a rhythmic, uneven white noise.
Listening to it, it felt like a familiar noise that eventually became silence by default.
The world is just like that.
No matter how much happens, in the end, it's swallowed up by "familiarity."
I cast the fishing line into the water without haste.
I wasn't expecting to catch a fish anyway.
Because if you expect too much... in the end, there's only disappointment.
...And I've had enough of that.
The shadow of the tree stretched across the water, swaying with the wind.
The reflection distorted, broke apart, and then merged back together.
It didn't look much different from me—
"Oh, looks like someone already reserved this spot."
Suddenly, a middle-aged man appeared from the right.
I glanced at him with my right eye for a moment before turning back to the water.
"Would you mind if I joined you?" He walked closer and asked.
"This bench isn't mine. Do as you please."
I replied without emotion before casting the line again.
"Then I won't hold back~" He sat to my right where there was space, then lowered a fishing rod like a professional.
30 minutes passed.
"Sigh... This world is just so unfair, don't you think, kid?"
A lazy, deep voice came from beside me. I glanced over with one eye. A middle-aged man in an unbuttoned floral shirt, wearing an old straw hat.
"I went through the trouble of preparing a specially researched bait, but these fish ignore me like I'm just roadside trash," he grumbled.
"Expecting justice from irrational creatures like fish is a mistake from the start, oji-san..." I replied almost without thinking. "Besides, if fish were seduced by bait that looks too good to be true, tomorrow they'd be sizzling in a pan. That is their true justice."
"Hahaha! You sure have a cold way of speaking! You're getting more interesting by the second!" The man laughed heartily while turning to look at me. Those narrow eyes seemed to scan me from head to toe. "But... wandering around this city for two whole days like a wandering spirit that can't find a shrine to haunt... aren't you tired?"
Those words made me freeze for a moment... He noticed me?
"Are you some kind of creep who likes to stalk high schoolers, oji-san?" I asked, preparing to move away.
"Not at all. I just happened to see you sitting there sighing at the park yesterday, and today you're sitting here with a sour face at the river..."
It's impossible that I wouldn't have noticed him—! No, even just now, his appearance was sudden.
Did I let my guard down? That shouldn't be it. My sixth sense, developed from solitude and enhanced with magic... why couldn't I sense his arrival while I could sense everyone else normally?
There are only a few reasons. I've dealt with a case like this before. Her appearance always startled me. If you have so much magic power that the system errors and you are a grandmaster level mage...
...I swallowed hard... I slowly turned toward him and observed with my left eye while focusing my mind.
What appeared was a wave of energy around him that I had never encountered among devils. And there was a lot of it, even if it was less than hers. It was as if he were from another race entirely.
I immediately jumped back away from him.
"Who are you? And what do you want with me?" I asked cautiously in a flat voice, though it carried a slight tremor.
"Whoa~ No need to be that guarded with me." He raised his hands slightly as if to say he was harmless.
"I was just curious about your identity. One day, a strange boy appears in this city, and when I looked him up, there was no information at all... It's only natural to be suspicious, right?" he asked casually.
"It's been suspicious since you 'specifically' targeted me, oji-san."
I replied instantly, my voice laced with a hint of sarcasm.
"Thousands of people enter and exit this city, but you tracked my data in two days... That's not normal at all."
"Hahaha! You're right about that, kid. But I singled you out because the aura around you is stranger than others... it's too volatile to identify exactly what it is."
I went silent.
"And..." He paused briefly before giving a faint smile.
"One of those fluctuations... even feels similar to the Silver-haired Queen."
—!
My heart skipped a beat.
That name.
It shouldn't just slip out of a stranger's mouth this easily.
"..."
I didn't answer immediately.
I just stared back at him in silence.
But in my head—I began processing rapidly.
Someone who knew "her."
And could even sense power of that level.
This wasn't just some ordinary dangerous person.
"You..." I said slowly, my voice turning noticeably cold.
"Seem to know a lot of things you shouldn't know."
"Hmm... you could say that."
He shrugged slightly as if he didn't care.
But the smile on his face deepened a little.
"Then let me ask you back."
He stared straight at me, no longer acting playful.
"Kid."
He stood up from the bench and turned toward me.
"Just how exactly did you get 'entangled' with an existence of that level?"
I remained silent for a moment before throwing back the same question.
"Answer my question first. Who are you, and what do you want with me?"
"Oh? I forgot to introduce myself." He smiled.
"Just call me Azazel."
—!
My eyes widened involuntarily.
My heart raced immediately, as if my body responded before my brain could even process.
That name—
Even if I had never met the real person.
There was no way I wouldn't know it.
The Governor General of Grigori... one of the highest-ranking beings of the Fallen Angel faction.
"...You're joking, right?"
I muttered softly.
Even though I already knew the answer.
"Do I look like someone who likes to joke?"
He raised an eyebrow slightly.
...Not at all.
That was the problem.
—
I took another step back without realizing it.
The distance between us increased only slightly.
But the pressure... seemed to increase manifold.
"Then... what business does the Governor General of Grigori have with a stranger like me?"
I tried to keep my voice steady.
Even though my fingertips were starting to tense.
"Hmm... I guess you could call it business."
Azazel scratched his head casually.
"But to be more accurate... I'm just 'interested' in you."
Short words.
But heavy enough to make the surrounding atmosphere stand still.
"A mysterious boy..."
He counted on his fingers one by one.
"With a strange aura..."
"And then happened to have a fragment of the Silver-haired Queen clinging to him."
He stopped, then smiled a bit wider.
"How could I not be interested?"
...This is bad.
Instinct was screaming a clear warning.
The person in front of me—
Wasn't an enemy I could easily run from.
But he absolutely wasn't someone I should make an enemy of. I wasn't strong enough to fight him yet.
"And if I said... I don't want any trouble with Grigori?"
I said slowly, staring at him without blinking.
Azazel laughed softly.
"Haha, rest easy. I'm not here to start a fight."
He raised a hand slightly, as if to reassure me.
"On the contrary..."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"I might offer you an 'opportunity.'"
"An opportunity?"
"That's right," he replied casually.
"As I said, I've been watching you for two days... Come work for me."
He counted off his fingers unhurriedly.
"I'll provide housing and money for you to use."
"And that question from earlier... you don't have to answer it if you accept my offer."
He smiled faintly.
"How about it?"
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
His tone... didn't have a hint of a joke in it.
The offer itself wasn't bad.
Housing, money... and most importantly, not being interrogated.
It sounded almost like too good of an escape.
...Which was exactly why it was suspicious.
But at the same time, what if I refused?
I didn't even know what kind of person he was.
And from his demeanor, this wasn't just a simple "invitation."
From the start... I barely had a choice.
...Then I'll just have to go along with it for now.
"I'll accept that offer."
"A wise decision—"
"But on one condition."
I cut him off immediately, my gaze locked on him.
"The work I do... must be something I can accept."
A moment of silence.
"Hmm..."
Then he smiled.
"Don't worry about that."
His smile didn't change much.
But the atmosphere around him... felt a bit heavier.
"By the way, kid, I still don't know your name."
"...Hikigaya."
I answered shortly.
"Hikigaya Hachiman."
"Is that so..."
He repeated the name softly as if memorizing it.
Then he stepped closer and held out a hand.
"Then, I'll be in your care from now on, Hikigaya."
I looked at that hand.
The hand of the "Governor General of Grigori."
Just a simple handshake... but its meaning was anything but simple.
This wasn't just agreeing to a job.
It was stepping into an entanglement... that wouldn't be easy to withdraw from ever again.
"..."
I hesitated for a moment.
Before reaching out.
And taking it.
"Glad to be working with you... sir."
My voice was as faint as a breath.
But in my heart, it felt like I had just stepped into a new problem... one that was many times larger than before.
(End of Flashback)
The story went something like that.
If I were to explain it simply:
It was just a relationship of mutual benefit.
He gave me a place to stay, money, and created a new identity in this city.
As for me... I just did the work he wanted.
The work he gave me wasn't much, just disposing of the "trash" that wandered into the organization's territory.
The first time I killed, I thought I might hesitate or my hands might shake. But no. It was nothing. Those feelings had vanished I don't know when.
Or maybe I was just finding excuses—that they were just threats to society, and removing them would make people safer.
Or maybe not.
To be honest, I felt a little afraid of myself for having that kind of response. No matter how cynical my personality was, for a first experience, normally... I should have felt something. But I felt 'absolutely nothing.'
This abnormality made me feel afraid.
"So, what is it this time? Why did you call for me?"
Right now, I was sitting in a bar that served as one of the secret bases in the human world for the Grigori organization.
Only a few people knew of my existence. When I received a job, it was usually handled privately.
Across from me was Azazel,
sitting back comfortably while holding a wine glass.
"Ah, I have a new job for you."
"Hmm... Another disposal?"
I sighed softly.
"Why don't you try using that White one? Seriously, lately he's starting to annoy me. Always looking for a fight... Is he a descendant of the God of War or something?"
"Hahaha! Are you two still at it?"
Azazel laughed amusedly.
"Can't be helped. That guy has been like that for a long time. He lives for the fight."
He took a small sip from his glass before continuing.
"And... it's not a disposal job."
"Then what is it?"
Azazel then slid a photograph toward me.
"I want you to keep an eye on this kid."
I picked up the photo to look.
And in that split second—
"This boy's name is Hyoudou Issei. He's 17, same as you. A second-year student at Kuoh Academy."
"..."
I didn't answer.
I just looked at the photo in my hand... frozen.
"The reason I want you to watch him is that I suspect he might have a Sacred Gear."
Azazel continued explaining.
"If he does... we need to see what kind it is and if it's a threat. Actually, I've already sent my own subordinates, but I can't quite trust them yet. So I'm sending you as well for peace of mind... Hmm?"
"..."
The silence stretched on.
"Hikigaya?.."
My shoulders shook slightly.
"Heh..."
A soft laugh escaped.
"Hehehe..."
I raised a hand to cover my face.
"Hehehe... Hahahaha...!"
The laughter grew louder.
Even though it wasn't funny in the slightest.
"Hey, hey! What's wrong, Hikigaya? You're starting to creep me out." After seeing my response, Azazel broke into a slight sweat, thinking to himself, 'This guy's laugh is bone-chilling.'
"What kind of madness is this? I should have noticed this a while ago. How did I miss this?" I muttered to myself like a madman, ignoring the person in front of me.
That's right. Why didn't I notice?
There were many things that piqued my suspicion, but in the end, I didn't pay them any mind.
From the names... the Gremory family... Rias Gremory... Kuoh.
And finally, the key piece that finally made everything click: Hyoudou Issei.
Fate sure has a twisted sense of humor. I never thought I'd be reincarnated in a world like this. You're probably wondering what I mean by "a world like this."
I'll give you the answer...
That's right... the world I mean is the world of an cartoon.
It's titled 'High School DxD.' It's an action-fantasy, harem, and most prominently, ecchi .
Yes, you heard that right. It's an ecchi.
Whoa, whoa. Don't get me wrong and think I liked reading this. The reason I know about it is because of a friend of mine.
Zaimokuza... I once went to his room. There was a time when I was bored and noticed a manga volume, and I tried to keep an open mind and read it. But after just a few pages, I closed it immediately. 'What kind of protagonist is this? His head is filled with nothing but girls' breasts. Oppai on the left, oppai on the right, oppai everything.'
.
.
.
Once he noticed I had calmed down, Azazel began finishing his explanation, fearing my condition might worsen if he waited.
"Er... continuing from just now. I'll create an identity for you to enroll at Kuoh Academy. Then keep a close eye on him—oh, almost forgot."
He handed me a piece of magical equipment. It was a black wristband.
"This is a magic tool I created myself. It can perfectly conceal the magic power leaking from your body so that the daughters of the two great families managing that school won't notice anything unusual about you...." He continued rambling on.
"Ah..." I responded dismissively.
I wasn't listening to what Azazel was saying at all. Right now, my head was filled with thoughts of novels... cartoon... this shitty world... and that idiotic protagonist...
"...Well then, that's all your work. Good luck, Hikigaya."
(Break)
On the Street
After leaving the bar,
I was walking aimlessly along the street.
But in my head right now—
What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? I've gone and gotten involved in a huge mess. I was so focused on other things that I didn't have time to refuse the job. By the time I realized it, the one who gave the order was already gone.
Has my position already interfered with the story? As I said, I only read a few pages. I only know the names of the protagonist and heroine, Kuoh Academy, and a confession—so I don't know what happens after that.
Ah... should I feel bad for not finishing reading it?..? Damn it!
Sigh.
Stay calm, Hachiman. Stay calm.
This isn't the first time I've encountered a crappy situation like this.
Let's reorganize these thoughts.
First of all, tomorrow morning I have to go to school and act inconspicuous.
Keep an eye on him from a distance... right?
Wait!—Hold on. Sirzechs' little sister also studies there. Does that mean there's a chance I'll run into 'her' there too? No... that's unlikely. She's busy with her duties all the time. Unless there's a major incident, she probably won't show up. Plus, Sirzechs' sister has never met me. That's lucky. I just need to not stand out enough to be reported to the other side.
Yeah! Let's go with that.
(Break)
~3rd Person POV~
In the Morning
A house in Kuoh Town
In a teenage boy's room
[WAKE UP! WAKE UP! IF YOU DON'T WAKE UP I'M GOING TO KISS YOU...]
"...Umm."
An alarm sound that would be strange for a normal person.
The figure of a young man on the bed moved slightly, then went still again.
[WAKE UP! WAKE U—]
A groggy hand reached out and turned off the alarm with precision, even before his eyes opened. It was as if he had done it so many times it had become instinct.
Silence returned to the room.
But it didn't last long.
"Issei~! Wake up! You're going to be late!"
A woman's voice called from downstairs, followed by the faint scent of breakfast drifting up.
"...Five more minutes,"
A voice, unusually deep and gravelly for a seventeen-year-old, groaned softly before its owner rolled over on the bed.
Hyoudou Issei.
A second-year male student at Kuoh Academy.
Short brown hair, slightly frizzy from a night of sleep. An ordinary face that still held traces of grogginess. An ordinary body, not particularly outstanding in any way.
If there was anything particularly noteworthy about him, it was his eyes. Even while groggy, they held a certain deep spark. A spark that wasn't intelligence, nor ambition, but the kind of dream that ordinary boys often have.
A dream he was never ashamed to admit.
"Maybe something good will happen today..." he muttered to himself while stretching his arms toward the ceiling.
No one answered, as he was the only one in the room.
But that didn't dampen his hope in the slightest.
Issei sat up and looked out the window. The morning sky over Kuoh was bright and cloudless. The soft sunlight shone down on the rooftops of the nearby houses. The atmosphere seemed so peaceful and ordinary it was almost boring.
The kind of ordinary that he didn't know was about to come to an end very soon.
"Alright, my new morning! My desire! Today as well, I'm going to try my best to get a girlfriend!"
"So that I can touch her oppai! Heh heh, Oh~!"
He declared loudly to himself while thrusting a hand into the air, stepping out of bed with newfound energy.
"Issei! Hurry up! Your breakfast is getting cold!"
"Coming, coming!"
He answered his mother while grabbing his school uniform.
An ordinary morning, in an ordinary life, of an ordinary boy.
Who didn't yet know that his ordinariness was going to end today.