The following morning at Kuoh Academy felt different. The sun was shining, but for Issei, the air was heavy with a tension only he could perceive. As he walked through the hallways, he noticed the glances: they were no longer the usual looks of scorn, but of a restless curiosity.
Issei entered the classroom and sat at his desk, maintaining a neutral expression. A few minutes later, the door opened, and the students' chatter ceased. Rias Gremory entered, followed by Akeno. Her eyes, like two intense sapphires, scanned the room until they locked directly onto Issei. He did not look away.
"Hyoudou-kun," Rias said in a soft voice that carried undeniable weight. "Could you join me at my club after classes? We have some pending matters to discuss regarding... your well-being."
The class's "two perverts" whispered enviously, but Issei only nodded with a calmness that caught the redhead off guard.
"She has her eyes on you, partner," Ddraig commented in his mind. "She feels the balance has shifted, but she can't explain how."
"I'll be there, Senpai," Issei replied simply.
Throughout the day, Issei felt Koneko's presence watching him from the shadows. Rias wasn't going to sit idly by. When the dismissal bell finally rang, Issei headed to the old school building, the Occult Research Club. Upon entering, the atmosphere was heavy; Rias was seated at her desk sipping tea, while Kiba, Akeno, and Koneko surrounded him like a specimen under study.
Rias set the porcelain cup on the table with a sharp click.
"We went to the park last night, Issei," she began without preamble. "We found a trail of destruction that doesn't belong to an ordinary human. And curiously, you were there with a Fallen Angel, yet here you are today, without a single scratch." Rias leaned forward, interlacing her fingers. "Tell me the truth... Who are you really, and what did you do to the Fallen who attacked you?"
Issei didn't flinch at the interrogation. Instead of being defensive, he maintained a relaxed posture and a kind, almost compassionate expression.
"I'm sorry for causing you so much worry, Rias," he said in a soft, steady voice. "I know the state the park was left in last night must have been alarming for you."
Rias blinked, taken aback by the kindness and maturity of the boy who used to be a bundle of nerves.
"So... you admit it was you?" Rias asked, softening her tone as well. "Issei, I don't understand how you know about us or how you were able to defend yourself like that."
Issei took a few steps toward the window, watching the sunset with a calm half-smile.
"Let's just say that, a while ago, my eyes were opened to the reality of this world. I know you are a high-class devil and that this club is your family," he explained, turning to look at her with sincerity. "I truly value what you do to protect this city. But I have also found my own path and my own way of fighting."
Akeno, watching from the side, chimed in curiously, "You seem like a completely different person than you were a week ago, Hyoudou-kun. Your energy is... warm, yet immense."
"I've learned to find balance," Issei replied with a kind gesture toward her. "I don't want you to think I'm a threat. On the contrary, I'd like us to be good fellow students, and perhaps, in the future, allies."
Rias rose from her chair, approaching him. "If you know who we are, you know the Fallen Angels will come looking for you again. You don't have to face this alone, Issei. Join my clan; let me give you the protection of my name."
Issei gave her a look full of gratitude but gently shook his head.
"I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the offer, Rias. It's an honor that someone like you would consider me for your peerage. But for now, I prefer to keep my freedom. I've worked hard to be the master of my own decisions."
He headed for the door, stopping before leaving to give them one last nod of his head.
"There's a math exam tomorrow, President. We should get some rest. Thank you for the tea and for worrying about me."
He closed the door quietly, leaving an atmosphere of peace in the room, though Rias and her group were still processing the radical change in the boy.
"You were very diplomatic, partner," Ddraig said with respect. "You left them with no weapons to fight you."
"There's no need to be hostile, Ddraig," Issei thought serenely. "Rias is a good person. I just need her to understand that this time, the dragon flies on his own."
Walking back from the academy, Issei decided to take a different route. He knew destiny had an appointment waiting for him. As he crossed the shopping district, he saw a painfully familiar silhouette: a girl with platinum blonde hair, dressed in a nun's habit that was a bit too large for her, looking around with a mix of wonder and disorientation.
She was trying to help a child who had fallen, but her difficulty communicating in Japanese was evident. Issei approached with a steady pace and a kind smile.
"It looks like you need a little help," Issei said in a warm voice.
The girl startled slightly and looked at him with green eyes full of purity.
"Oh... I... I'm sorry. I've gotten a bit lost," she replied in somewhat broken Japanese. "I was looking for the church in this city."
Issei felt a tightening in his chest upon seeing her. Asia Argento. In his past life, she was the first person who truly touched his heart with her kindness.
"Don't worry. I'm Hyoudou Issei," he introduced himself, extending his hand gentlemanly. "The church is a bit far from here, but if you don't mind, I can walk with you so you don't get lost anymore."
Asia looked at him with surprise. She wasn't used to strangers being so kind to her without asking for anything in return.
"Would you really do that for me?" she asked, and after seeing Issei's calm nod, she gave a deep bow. "Thank you so much, Hyoudou-san! My name is Asia Argento."
They walked together as the sun began to tint the sky orange. Asia talked enthusiastically about the little things she saw: a stray cat, the flowers on a balcony, people walking home. Issei listened with infinite patience, enjoying the peace that only she knew how to transmit.
"Hyoudou-san is a very kind person," Asia said suddenly, looking at him with admiration. "I feel a great sense of peace by your side."
"I simply believe that someone who travels from so far away to help others deserves to be treated well, Asia," he replied sincerely. "This world can be complicated, but there is always room for kindness."
Suddenly, Asia tripped on a small stone and nearly fell. Issei, with his dragon reflexes, caught her gently by the shoulders before she could hit the ground. In 그 brief contact, they both felt a spark.
"Partner... that girl possesses a healing-type Sacred Gear," Ddraig warned in his mind. "And there are Fallen presences nearby, watching her."
Issei's expression didn't change. He helped Asia regain her balance and smiled to reassure her, though inside, his senses were on high alert.
"Careful, Asia. I wouldn't want you to get hurt before reaching your destination."
"T-thank you... Hyoudou-san is like a guardian angel," she murmured, blushing slightly.
Issei glanced toward a dark alley they had just passed. He knew Raynare's subordinates were watching, but this time, he wouldn't let anyone lay a finger on her. He noticed Asia looking curiously at a nearby food stall and remembered that, in his past life, she had barely had a chance to enjoy life's simple pleasures.
"Asia, the church is still about twenty minutes from here," Issei said in a suggestive and kind tone. "Would you like to make a quick stop? I know a place nearby that makes delicious crepes. I think you could use some energy for the rest of the way."
Asia's eyes lit up with a mix of surprise and joy.
"Crepes? I've read about them in books, but I've never tried one," she admitted with charming shyness. "But... I wouldn't want to be a bother to you, Hyoudou-san."
"Not at all, it would be my pleasure," Issei replied, gesturing gently for her to follow him. "Consider it an official welcome to the city."
They walked to a small shop decorated with warm lights. Issei ordered two crepes: chocolate and strawberry for her, and a simpler one for himself. When Asia took the first bite, her face transformed into an expression of pure happiness.
"It's incredible!" she exclaimed, wiping a bit of cream from her cheek. "Thank you so much, Hyoudou-san. It's the first time in a long time that someone has treated me to something like this. At the church where I was... things were much stricter."
Issei watched her with a protective gaze. It pained him to know what she had been through, but he felt relieved to be able to give her this moment of peace.
"You deserve this and much more, Asia," he said sincerely. "Sometimes, the people with the most light are the ones who walk the darkest paths. Just remember that, from now on, you are not alone in this city."
Asia paused, moved by his words. She felt that Issei was no ordinary boy; there was something in his voice that gave her a sense of security she had never experienced before.
"It's strange..." she whispered, looking at her crepe. "I feel like I've known you for a long time. Thank you for being so good to me."
"She is a pure soul, partner," Ddraig intervened silently. "I understand why you want to protect her so fiercely."
"She is the reason I decided to change things, Ddraig," Issei thought as he calmly stood up.
"Let's go, Asia. It's getting late, and I promised to get you to the church."
As they walked the final stretch, Issei noticed the shadows in the alleys growing denser. The Fallen Angels were getting impatient, but he walked with his head held high, radiating a presence so dominant that any threat thought twice before jumping out.
Arriving at the doors of the old abandoned church, Asia stopped and looked at him with a certain sadness.
"We're here..." she said softly.
"That's right. Take care of yourself, Asia." Issei took her hand gently and kissed it respectfully. "If you ever need anything, anything at all, find me at the academy. Don't hesitate."
Asia waved goodbye as she entered the building. Issei waited until the door closed completely. His kind expression vanished instantly, replaced by a cold stare directed toward the treetops nearby.
"I know you're there," Issei said, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "Tell your boss that if they touch a single hair on that girl's head, what I did to Raynare will seem like a caress."
A couple of black feathers fell slowly as the presences fled at full speed, terrified by the dragon aura Issei let slip for just a second.