The next day, Issei arrived at the academy with renewed energy. He was no longer the boy who hid in the hallways to avoid trouble; he walked with a relaxed posture that attracted respectful glances, even from those who had previously ignored him.
During lunch, instead of going out with his usual friends, Issei headed to the back garden, where he knew the Occult Research Club often hung out. There he found Kiba practicing some moves with a wooden sword and Koneko sitting under a tree eating her ever-present sweets.
"Good day," Issei greeted with a calm smile, approaching them without invading their space.
Kiba stopped and looked at him curiously, lowering his weapon.
—Hyoudou-kun. I didn't expect to see you here. Are you looking for the President?
"Actually, I just wanted to spend some time with you guys," Issei replied, sitting down casually on the grass. "Sometimes the classroom feels a little cramped, don't you think?"
Koneko watched him silently for a long minute, analyzing the aura of calm that now surrounded him. Finally, she extended her bag of sweets toward him in an almost imperceptible gesture.
—Do you want one? —she asked in her usual monotonous tone.
—Thank you, Koneko-chan—Issei accepted one and gave her a small nod of thanks.
Shortly after, Rias and Akeno appeared from the school building. Rias stopped, taken aback by how seamlessly he'd integrated with his pieces, a spark of satisfaction flashing in her eyes. She sat beside him, setting aside protocol for a moment.
"I'm glad to see you're comfortable with us, Issei," Rias said, observing him from the side. "Yesterday you left me with many questions, but today... today you just seem like a student enjoying the sunshine."
"That's just who I am, Rias," Issei replied gently. "The power one possesses shouldn't define who one is in front of their friends. Yesterday I was clear about what I know, but today I prefer to talk about normal things. For example, Kiba, you have excellent technique, although if you relax your left shoulder a little more, your thrust would gain more speed."
Kiba opened his eyes in surprise. Issei had not only detected a technical glitch, but he had done so with the precision of a master.
"How... how did you know?" the blond man asked, intrigued.
"Observation," Issei lied kindly, concealing the years of combat etched in his memory. "Akeno-san, the tea I smell from here is Earl Grey, right? It's my favorite."
Akeno let out a melodious giggle, pouring a cup for him.
—Wow, Hyoudou-kun, you're quite the gentleman, full of surprises.
The afternoon passed pleasantly. Issei joked subtly, listened to everyone's stories, and avoided any conflict. Rias, for the first time, didn't feel the need to "mark" Issei as her property; his mere presence and kind manner made her genuinely want to be near him.
When recess ended, as everyone was walking back to class, Rias leaned close to her ear and whispered:
—Thank you for trying to reach out, Issei. It means a lot to us.
"You don't have to thank me, Rias. We're colleagues, after all," he replied, giving her a look that made her blush slightly.
"You're doing it, mate," Ddraig said. "You're earning their trust without giving up your freedom."
"That's the plan, Ddraig. An alliance based on respect is stronger than any demon contract," Issei thought as he entered the hall.
The school atmosphere was interrupted by a murmur that spread through the hallways like wildfire. A foreign girl, dressed in a nun's habit and with an almost angelic beauty, was walking through the main courtyard timidly asking for someone.
Issei, who was finishing lunch with Rias and the others at one of the outside tables, immediately recognized the commotion.
"Hyoudou-san!" Asia exclaimed upon seeing him, her face lighting up with such pure joy that it caused several students to stop and stare.
She ran towards him, holding his hat so it wouldn't fall off. Issei stood up with a warm smile and greeted her naturally, ignoring the shocked looks of his companions and, especially, Rias Gremory's expression of utter surprise.
"Hello, Asia. I didn't expect to see you at the academy so soon," Issei said gently, helping her catch her breath. "Did something happen?"
"Oh, no, nothing bad," she replied, blushing at the attention. "It's just... I forgot to thank you properly yesterday for the crepes and your kindness. I also wanted to bring you this."
Asia held out a small bag of handmade cookies, decorated with a simple ribbon. Rias, Akeno, and the others slowly approached, sensing the sacred aura emanating from the girl.
"Issei..." Rias interjected, her tone a mixture of curiosity and a hint of suspicion. "Who is your friend?"
"Rias, this is Asia Argento. We met yesterday in the city," Issei explained calmly, introducing them elegantly. "Asia, this is Rias Gremory, the president of the Occult Research Club, and these are her friends."
Asia bowed deeply, nervously, before Rias's imposing presence.
—It's a pleasure to meet Hyoudou-san's friends. He helped me a lot when I was lost.
Akeno narrowed her eyes, noticing something that the others also perceived.
"She's a nun with a very special healing power, isn't she?" she whispered so only the group could hear.
Issei subtly positioned himself next to Asia, in a protective but relaxed posture.
—Asia is an exceptional person. In fact, I'd like to ask you a favor, Rias. As President, do you think you could help her get to know the city a little better or offer her support if she needs it? She's new here and doesn't know anyone.
Rias looked at Issei and then at sweet Asia. She knew that having a nun near demon territory was dangerous, but the way Issei asked her—as an equal and with such sincerity—disarmed her.
"Any of Issei's friends are welcome," Rias replied with a diplomatic but kind smile. "If you need anything, Asia-san, you can find us in the old school building."
"Thank you so much!" Asia exclaimed, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Hyoudou-san was right, you are a very kind person."
As Asia said her goodbyes to return to her duties, Issei accompanied her to the main entrance. Upon rejoining the group, he found four pairs of eyes fixed on him, awaiting an explanation.
"She's a girl with a heart of gold, don't you think?" said Issei, resuming his place at the table as if nothing had happened.
"Issei, you know perfectly well that she's connected to the Church," Rias said, crossing her arms but showing no anger. "It's dangerous for you to get involved like this."
"I know," Issei replied, looking Rias in the eyes with unwavering serenity. "But the supernatural world shouldn't be a barrier to kindness. Besides, as long as I'm around, nothing bad will happen to her."
After Asia left, the atmosphere at the table changed. Kiba and Koneko subtly moved away to give them space, while Akeno poured some more tea, observing the scene with her characteristic enigmatic smile.
Rias remained silent for a few seconds, looking at the place where Asia had disappeared, and then fixed her eyes on Issei.
"Issei, we need to have a serious talk," Rias began, softening her voice but maintaining a firm tone. "That girl... Asia Argento. She's not just some lost nun. Her energy is purely holy, and her Sacred Gear, Twilight Healing, is extremely rare."
Issei nodded calmly, taking a sip of his tea without showing any surprise.
"I know, Rias. It's a beautiful ability, but also a very heavy burden for someone as fragile as her," he replied calmly.
Rias leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table and interlacing her fingers.
"Then you understand the danger. Fallen angels covet that kind of power. And we, as demons, are naturally incompatible with their presence. Tell me the truth... What do you intend to do? Are you planning to protect her alone from everything that's coming her way?"
Issei put down the cup and looked at Rias with a look full of wisdom that she still couldn't decipher.
"My intentions with Asia are simple, Rias: I want her to be happy. She's spent her entire life being used for her power, first by the Church and now possibly by the Fallen. I don't want her to be anyone's pawn."
"But you can't keep her in limbo," Rias insisted, with a hint of genuine concern. "Sooner or later, she'll have to choose a side or she'll be destroyed. Why are you risking so much for her?"
Issei smiled melancholically, an expression that made Rias's heart skip a beat.
"Because sometimes, what's right isn't what the laws of demons or angels dictate, but what the heart dictates. She's my friend, Rias. And if the supernatural world tries to hurt her, I'll stop it. I'm not trying to recruit her or use her; I just want her to have a home where she feels safe, for once."
Rias was speechless. She had expected a strategic response or even a denial, but Issei's honesty and chivalry left her disarmed.
"You're a very strange man, Hyoudou Issei," she whispered, relaxing her posture and allowing herself a smile. "You have the power of a dragon, but the compassion of a saint. That's fine... I won't interfere for now. But if things get ugly, I hope you'll trust us to help you."
"I already do, Rias. That's why I introduced you," Issei concluded, standing up gracefully. "Thank you for understanding."
"I know," Issei replied, looking Rias in the eyes with unwavering serenity. "But the supernatural world shouldn't be a barrier to kindness. Besides, as long as I'm around, nothing bad will happen to her."
After Asia left, the atmosphere at the table changed. Kiba and Koneko subtly moved away to give them space, while Akeno poured some more tea, observing the scene with her characteristic enigmatic smile.
Rias remained silent for a few seconds, looking towards the place where Asia had disappeared, and then fixed her eyes on Issei.
"Issei, we need to have a serious talk," Rias began, softening her voice but maintaining a firm tone. "That girl... Asia Argento. She's not just some lost nun. Her energy is purely holy, and her Sacred Gear, Twilight Healing, is extremely rare."
Issei nodded calmly, taking a sip of his tea without showing any surprise.
"I know, Rias. It's a beautiful ability, but also a very heavy burden for someone as fragile as her," he replied calmly.
Rias leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table and interlacing her fingers.
"Then you understand the danger. Fallen angels covet that kind of power. And we, as demons, are naturally incompatible with their presence. Tell me the truth... What do you intend to do? Are you planning to protect her alone from everything that's coming her way?"
Issei put down the cup and looked at Rias with a wisdom that she still couldn't decipher.
"My intentions with Asia are simple, Rias: I want her to be happy. She's spent her entire life being used for her power; first by the Church and now, possibly, by the Fallen. I don't want her to be a pawn in anyone's game."
"But you can't keep her in limbo," Rias insisted, with a hint of genuine concern. "Sooner or later she'll have to choose a side or she'll be destroyed. Why are you risking so much for her?"
Issei smiled melancholically, an expression that made Rias's heart skip a beat.
"Because sometimes what's right isn't what the laws of demons or angels dictate, but what the heart dictates. She's my friend, Rias. And if the supernatural world tries to hurt her, I'll stop it. I'm not trying to recruit her or use her; I just want her to have a home where she feels safe, for once."
Rias was speechless. She had expected a strategic response or even a denial, but Issei's honesty and chivalry left her disarmed.
"You're a very strange man, Hyoudou Issei," she whispered, relaxing her posture and allowing herself a smile. "You have the power of a dragon, but the compassion of a saint. That's fine... I won't interfere for now. But if things get ugly, I hope you'll trust us to help you."
"I already do, Rias. That's why I introduced you," Issei concluded, standing up gracefully. "Thank you for understanding."