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The next day, after everyone had gathered at the Occult Research Club, Rias announced Gasper's imminent return.
Akeno smiled, recognizing this as a sign of Rias's growth as a leader, while Kiba and Koneko exchanged knowing glances.
They were, after all, familiar with Gasper's unique situation.
Only Issei and Asia, being new recruits, were unaware. Xenovia, having learned about it the previous night (as a resident of Mika's apartment, she had access to certain information before the others), maintained a neutral expression, as if she were a seasoned veteran, privy to such secrets.
Rias, seeing Issei and Asia's confusion, delegated the explanation to Xenovia, then led the group towards Gasper's room on the first floor of the old school building, its location rather obvious, thanks to the large "Do Not Enter" sign on the door.
"So, this is where Gasper been—" Issei murmured, recognizing the room.
The old school building was, after all, the Occult Research Club's territory.
They often wandered its halls, all the rooms accessible to them, except for this one. Its forbidden nature made it memorable.
"Indeed. It's convenient for delivering meals. After all, even Devils need to eat," Rias explained.
"Besides, the barriers are intelligent. They deactivate at night, allowing Gasper to move freely within the old school building, though he rarely does." She walked towards the door and began deactivating the seals.
"A hikikomori?" Issei asked, surprised.
Unlike Normal "otaku" – hikikomori were individuals who completely withdrew from society, refusing to attend school or work, confining themselves to their homes, rarely venturing outside except for essential errands, avoiding all social interaction, even with their own families.
Their only contact with the outside world was often to request food. And to be classified as a hikikomori, this self-imposed isolation had to last for at least six months.
"It seems so," Rias confirmed.
"Well, everyone has their quirks," Mika chuckled.
"Indeed. Gasper is quite the shut-in. But is also one of Rias's most productive peerage members," Akeno said with a smile, joining them, having finished the preparations for Gasper's arrival.
As they watched Rias deactivate the seals, Kiba and Koneko began removing the warning signs from the door.
"Really? The most productive? But how? " Issei asked, surprised.
"Gasper makes contracts with humans—through the computer. Some people prefer not to meet with Devils in person. For those clients, we use alternative methods. And Gasper's online conversion rate is among the highest of the new recruits," Akeno explained.
Issei and Asia were stunned.
They hadn't realized Devils could make contracts online. Even the flyers had seemed strange to them, but this…
Rias and Akeno finished deactivating the seals.
"Let's go inside." Rias opened the door, and a scream echoed from within.
"Nooooooooooooooooo!" The high-pitched wail startled everyone, except for Rias and Mika.
"It seems Gasper spirit hasn't been dampened by the confinement. Excellent." Rias and Akeno, their faces carefully neutral, entered the room, followed by Mika, who was actually quite interested in Gasper's power. Time manipulation, after all—was an intriguing ability.
"The seals are gone. You can come out now," Akeno said gently, her voice soothing, as if speaking to a child.
"No! I don't want to go outside! I want to stay here!" Gasper's voice was muffled, his cries echoing from within the room.
They exchanged exasperated glances.
"A terminal hikikomori," Issei commented, clearly familiar with the term.
"Indeed. Some challenges are unique," Mika chuckled, then, remembering Gasper's true nature, he turned to Issei, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Issei, this seems like a task perfectly suited to your talents. I've heard Gasper is quite the beautiful girl. If you can coax her out of his room and cure her shyness, you might even gain a new member for your harem."
"Really, Mika?" Issei's eyes lit up.
"Of course. When have I ever lied to you?" Mika looked towards the ceiling dramatically. "While I haven't met Gasper in person, I have seen the picture. A cute, blond, little girl. Surely Rias wouldn't give me a photoshopped image, would she?" He pulled out his phone, showing Issei a picture he had asked Rias for the previous night.
Issei, seeing the picture, was practically vibrating with excitement. "I'll do it! I'll get her out!" He rushed inside.
Kiba and Koneko, who had been watching with amusement, exchanged glances and turned to Mika.
"Are you sure this is a good idea, Mika?" Kiba asked, a hint of concern in his voice. He knew Gasper's secret.
"It's fine. Consider it—training. It will prevent him from freezing up every time he encounters a beautiful woman, potentially leading to his untimely demise," Mika said, pocketing his phone.
"Besides, I didn't lie to him. The picture is real."
———
"Why?! Why me?!" A wail of despair echoed from the room, startling them.
They exchanged amused glances; they understood the reason for Issei's cry.
"Argh! Why?!" Issei burst out of the room and rushed towards Mika, grabbing his shoulders.
"Why, Mika?!"
"Why what? I'm not sure I understand," Mika replied, feigning innocence.
Issei, seeing his seemingly genuine confusion, was momentarily speechless, then his earlier trauma resurfaced.
"How could this happen?? He looks like such a cute girl! " he wailed.
"What's going on?" Mika asked, wrapping an arm around his neck, as if trying to comfort him, though his eyes twinkled with amusement.
"He…Gasper…he's a boy," Issei confessed, defeated.
"Ah, you mean…he's a trap?" Mika's feigned surprise was perfect.
"Trap" was a slang term for a cross-dresser, a boy who dressed and acted like a girl.
It was a common trope in anime.
"I apologize, Issei. It seems my intel was incomplete. I didn't realize his true gender. I'm sorry for your trauma—"
"It's not your fault, Mika. I was deceived by his appearance," Issei said, his earlier anger fading as he began to blame himself.
"While your enthusiasm played a part, it was still my fault for not providing accurate information. We both made mistakes," Mika said, his words a mix of reassurance and…subtle manipulation. Issei, initially relieved by Mika taking responsibility, now began to question his own actions.
"However, Issei—"
"Yes, Mika?" Issei looked up at him, confused.
"—While you might be the victim in this situation, you still made a promise. Don't disappoint us by going back on your word." Mika's playful tone vanished, replaced by a serious intensity.
This was his true objective.
Issei's face paled, then turned red, as he recalled his earlier promises to Gasper and Rias: to care for him, to help him, even other, more… explicit declarations that his mind had mercifully blocked out. He was filled with dread.
"Can I…refuse?" he asked weakly.
"Of course not," Mika said firmly. "Gasper is our senior, a veteran of the Gremory peerage. And you, Issei, represent the new recruits. We can't let him think poorly of us." He fabricated an excuse, as long as Issei believed him.
And he did. Issei, his shoulders slumped, trudged back towards Gasper's room, his demeanor radiating an aura of defeat.
Mika, watching him go, couldn't help but smile.
"Pffft! Hahahaha!" He burst into laughter, the others quickly joining in.
"Keep it down! He'll hear us! Hahaha!" They covered their mouths, stifling their laughter as they left the clubroom, then, finding a secluded corner, they finally unleashed their amusement.
Issei's predicament was simply too entertaining.
———
"This is…Gasper," Rias announced, after returning with him, gesturing towards the androgynous boy standing beside her.
He had golden hair, crimson eyes, and delicate features that resembled a doll's. No wonder Issei had been so excited after seeing his picture. He truly looked like a beautiful young girl.
"He is my other Bishop. Before his reincarnation, he was a half-human, half-vampire hybrid, and a Sacred Gear wielder."
"His Sacred Gear is Forbidden Balor View, which allows him to stop time for anything he sees. Its immense power, however, is also its curse. He couldn't control it, accidentally freezing anything he looked at. That's why he was sealed away. That confinement was for his own safety, and ours,"
Rias explained, and the others, hearing this, nodded, finally understanding the reason for Gasper's isolation.
"Stopping time? That's practically a cheat code!" Issei exclaimed, envious.
He, too, wanted such an ability. After all, it was a classic power in certain genres of entertainment. He hadn't realized such a power actually existed, let alone so close to him.
"Your Boost and Vali's Divide are also incredibly powerful," Rias countered, not impressed by his awe.
"I don't think Issei is envious of its combat applications—" Mika said with a smirk, leaning back against the sofa.
The others instantly understood—when it came to Issei, any mention of unique abilities usually had unconventional implications.
They all looked at him with varying degrees of amusement and disgust.
"No! It's not like that!" Issei protested, covering his face with his hands.
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