This is part two to chapter 6. Please leave your daily Power Stones to boost viewership.
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"T-thank you for having me. I-I look forward to studying w-with you." With a polite, nervous bow, Asia hurried off to her seat. The manipulations done by Rias had placed her right next to Issei, something she had known after being told but relieved her anyway.
Her introduction went well, all things considered. It was brief, but it was all planned beforehand. Thanks to Rias yet again, she didn't have to speak much and wouldn't be targeted for questions from the teacher. Hypnosis magic could be used in many ways and the subtle influence it held was powerful over humans ignorant to the supernatural. It couldn't be understated just how easy such an ability could be abused by a malicious person.
What it didn't extend to was the natural way people behaved. Though an advanced spell cast by an upper-class being could control people directly, Hypnosis magic could only coerce and suggest things and ideas, essentially forcing them to be tricked. The magic might clear Asia from being called on, but it didn't mean the students didn't notice or weren't curious of her.
Specifically, there were several of them who noticed the blonde foreigner sending consistent looks at the degenerate boy next to her. A couple of them being the boy's perverted friends who were more than a little miffed. The moment break was called, the two had booked it over to his desk.
"Yo, bro?! What gives?!" Matsuda whispered in a not-so-quiet manner as his bald head gestured at Asia next to them. "Why is blondie-londie givin' you heart eyes? You hittin' on my future wife?!"
"Uh-uh, this is Issei we're talking about," Motohama adjusted his glasses, giving Issei credence. "If he ever found himself in the lenses of a girl, he would let his two friends get first dibs."
"Say what?!" Issei jerked away. "If I had a million chicks giving me the biz, I wouldn't let either of you nail or even so much as glance at a single one of them!"
The two other perverts looked horrified, faces dropping before heating up with madness.
"Hell nah! Ain't no way I just heard that!" Matsuda clenched his fist.
"Traitor! The brotherhood won't forgive this!" Motohama easily lost his loose composure.
"Better find a new crew after school, cuz we gon' beat yo ass!"
Issei rolled his eyes. It had also been like this after rumors went around about him coming to school with Koneko. It was ironic for the self-proclaimed loli-lover Matsuda to call him out deviously 'stealing' her away from him. It had been more ironic to find out that half of those rumors had come from them two themselves.
Pushing Matsuda away after he'd gotten too close amidst his rant, he saw Asia surrounded by a few other girls in class. She was discernably nervous and he could hear her quietly stumble over her words, but the other girls simply smiled in understanding. They could tell from her introduction that she was still learning Japanese and kindly accepted her struggles. A few other students at their desks looked her way, having the desire to approach and speak with her, but choosing not to out of consideration because they didn't want to overwhelm her.
A small smile crossed Issei, even as he was being shaken by his friends. He was grateful his school was a good one with good students overall. It used to be an all girl's school, so the fact there were more girls might help Asia integrate easier.
If only they treated him that nice, too. What gives?
"Sorry, guys. I'm a bit busy, so I can't stick around." Standing up, Issei brushed past his friends and went over to Asia. Gaining her attention - and the disgustful gazes of the other girls - she smiled up at him cheerily. "Doing alright so far?"
His casual greeting of the Italian girl had everyone around shocked. None could believe the pervert had known Asia, much less speak to her in Italian, but couldn't do anything to refute as she replied, "I-I'm okay... I think..."
"Good," He nodded, smiling back. "I have to go to the student council office, so I won't be around until classes start again. Will you be okay?"
She became downtrodden, not wanting to be left alone. Glancing up at the other girls who had welcomed her politely, she tentatively nodded. "I... think so... Everyone seems nice..."
"I'm glad to hear it. If anything does feel like a problem, you just let me know when I'm back, okay?" He told her boldly. Asia agreed quickly and he headed over to the doors, ignoring all the eyes following his back.
"Mo' fucka!" He heard his bald friend call out across the room.
"This isn't the end, Issei!" His bespectacled friend followed up. Sliding the door closed behind him, he began making his way towards the student council room.
Thinking back to their conversation this morning, Issei couldn't help feeling anxious as he walked past other students and teachers. Most of them were headed down to the cafeteria, but he was headed upwards. Going against the crowd had isolated him all alone, exacerbating his feelings.
He anticipated this anxiety. Not that it was heavy or unbearable - he always felt this way when talking with authoritarians. Their earlier talk had also been unusual, leaving him confused as he left. He didn't think he could ever get used to meetings with Sona. They were just too different from one another. Like oil and water.
Standing yet again in front of the wide door, Issei mustered up his courage and knocked, hearing her strict voice permitting his entry. Least he'd get a good meal out of this. He could feel his stomach rumble as he carefully entered the room.
"You're late. I expected you here a couple minutes earlier," Sona spoke, her clasped hands resting on her desk. There were several closed bento boxes laid out across it in many different colors. She had waited to begin until he arrived.
"Sorry, I had to tell Asia that I wasn't going to be around. I didn't want to leave her there all alone confused, you know?" He explained.
"I see. Very well," Sona nodded her head in acceptance. She then gestured at the chair across from her desk. "Please, take a seat."
As he sat down, she began opening each of the bento boxes one by one. Steam permeated off most of them, heating the boy up as he took in the magnificent sight with a hungry gulp. Meats, veggies, rice, anything he could ask for was all laid before his eyes calling his name.
Sona smirked at his telling expression, sliding a pair of chopsticks and porcelain to eat from. "You may begin whenever you wish. Help yourself to anything you like."
With measured hesitance and eagerness, Issei picked up the chopsticks and picked out his favorites; white rice, beef in the form of finely cut steak, chicken with sauce, pork, basically any meat he could grab. He then picked out some napa cabbage after feeling awkward for only choosing proteins. The older girl didn't seem to mind at all, shortly picking out her own items from the bento. She chose much more healthier options with only a single protein. Her helping was also smaller, leaving him to feel even more awkward.
"Is there something not to your liking, Hyoudou-san?" She asked after his hesitance to begin, moving to pour him a cup of tea and elegantly returning to her chair.
"N-no, I'm just surprised by all the food. It's even more than last time," He said truthfully, eyeing all the opened bento boxes. "Do you always eat like this?"
"I do not. This is more food than I can eat. However, having guests requires me to be prepared," She answered promptly.
"Thanks, but you didn't have to go out of your way to do so much. I promise I'm not worth going the extra mile. I'll eat just about anything."
"Nonsense. You are my guest, therefore I'll treat you hospitably." Her stance was resolute, as if her way were simply common sense. She was definitely an overachiever who lived in a different world than he. It made him feel much smaller in comparison.
Small or not, he was still getting his grub on.
They each began to eat silently - allowing them a moment to enjoy the food before she asked him questions.
"Is it to your satisfaction?" Sona inquired, finding a good moment to speak up.
Issei quickly downed the food he were chewing on, feeling himself salivate. "It's Godlike!"
Her violet orbs winced behind her glasses almost unnoticeably as she remained poised. "Not the phrasing I was expecting, but I do appreciate the sentiment."
Raising his chopsticks for another bite, he froze as her statement finally dawned on him. "Oh, shit. I forgot I'm not supposed to talk about God around devils-" His hand clamped over his mouth.
Other than the small furrow of her eyebrows, there weren't any signs of disturbance in her demeanor. "It's quite alright, Hyoudou-san. You are still learning and adapting to devilkind. These sort of slipups are expected."
He relaxed a bit, rebuking himself for getting too comfortable and making an obvious mistake. He didn't want to agitate the girl, knowing from experience how easy it could be. In fact, she would definitely be busting his chops if it had been their former selves interacting.
"Did Shinra-san help you make all this?" Considering the vice president had helped make the food last time with a smaller amount, he naturally thought so. This was a lot of work for one person to do."
"She did. Your memory serves you well."
"Naw, it's nothing." His insides turned mushy. She could have any guy getting all tingly with such a simple compliment, and he was no different. He had to resist, or he'd be finding himself barking on his knees in front of her. "Tell her I said thanks. For real, she gets two big thumbs up from this guy."
"I'll do just that," She replied succinctly.
"Sooo, what did ya wanna talk about?" He figured now would be good to segue into it, if only to ignore his own blunder.
She showed miniscule surprise that he were the one to take initiative. "There are a handful of topics I wish you to fill in for me." She straightened up and became more austere. "To be frank, what is your relationship with Rias, and her white-haired underling?"
He remembered her mentioning something along those lines in the morning and felt confused. "I'm pretty sure I already answered this. We're friends, and Koneko and I have a contract together. You figured that out earlier, remember?" Addressing her politely, Issei didn't want his response sounding rude like an insult to her intelligence.
"I understand that. What I am referring to is the nature of your contract. What kind of deal did you make?" Her chopsticks were set down, her attention now solely focused on the conversation. "You mentioned training?"
"No... err, yes, but that's not what the contract is for." His indirect answer only had her sit in silence, waiting for more. That stern look would never not be able to crack through him. "It's a contract of protection... Rias thought it would be a good idea for me to have a temporary bodyguard while the fallen angels were around."
Her violet eyes crinkled ever so slightly. "A protective contract... a reasonable one, but I've been made aware that the fallen have retreated for now. There shouldn't be anymore in Kuoh Town. With the circumstances changing, is there any reason for it to continue being upheld?"
"Actually, the contract was extended yesterday..." That answer caught her off guard, having her silently urge him to continue. "Even though the fallen are gone, Rias-senpai thought it would be fine for Koneko to stick around. Just in case, you know?"
An outright scoff left Sona, her stoic countenance finally being moved. "Not even trying to be subtle..." She muttered. It would have been comical, had it not been so infuriating. Of course her pretenses were dropping now that the boy was more powerful and she became more desperate. How pitiful.
"Is something wrong, Sitri-san?" Issei didn't like the look that appeared over her. Even his one-track mind could tell she was plotting something.
"No, of course not," She easily dismissed, masking herself calmly. "Is there anything else about this contract you would like to share? If it's too much, then I won't push you."
"It's fine," He answered. Leaving it open for him worked in her favor as he continued, "Asia was also included in it. That's kind of why it was made in the first place."
Sona frowned. "The former nun, too?"
He flushed a bit. "To be honest, I know the contract wasn't really necessary, but I thought having Koneko around for a little longer would be nice. When Rias-senpai suggest it be for her, I kind of just took it."
Her complexion threatened to break yet again, holding a frustrated thumb under her lower lip. The tactics Rias deployed were so egregious and obvious, yet she seemed to be getting away with them. It was irritating to no end.
After receiving the nun's transfer papers from the red head, Sona knew the girl was likely a target for Rias to add into her peerage. Making direct contact with the blonde, she confirmed it after sensing the Sacred Gear stowed within her. This was fine, as Rias found the girl first and she didn't mind giving up certain quarry. The real issue lied in the fact that Rias was also using the nun as a pawn to capitalize on Issei and get closer to him. That's also why she had the girl stay at his place and join her club.
Have the nun become more desensitized to devils by being around them, as well as around the boy who trusted and had been protected by them. Then use that same girl as another gateway to affirm hers and her servants relationship to him so he could open up and join her.
Rias was trying to have her cake and eat it like a newlywed pig, all while knowing she too held great interest in Issei. The gall she had to act so openly and carelessly...
"Sitri-san?"
"It's nothing, though I do appreciate your enlightenment." It was thanks to him that her eyes were opened. She understood just how far behind she was and what measures needed to be resorted to, but she wasn't done quite just yet. "If it's alright, might I continue with some more questions?"
"Yeah, sure." Issei moved a piece of steak next to his chicken, eating his meat-combo for maximum satisfaction. He thought everything was going pretty well so far.
Giving him some time to buffer, Sona reached into a drawer and took out a handkerchief, slipping off her circular glasses and carefully cleaning at the lenses. Delicately placing them back onto her nose, she could see him happily going in for seconds. She felt herself warm up inside, a small smile twitching across her before being concealed.
"The next topic I would like to delve further into..." Her orbs danced across his toned body and arms. "Your power... the rate of growth is unfounded. I'm utterly astounded by your improvements," She spoke honestly.
Once again, Issei was reminded of this morning when she brought up his blossoming strength. He knew to be careful with his words whenever the subject was brought up. Thanks to Ddraig, he knew just how deep he really was in comparison to other supernatural. "Thanks... I've been training a ton."
"No training in such a short amount of time can yield such results. You must be talented," Sona complimented acutely.
He let out a practiced chuckle. His growth rate wouldn't be slowing down, either. He suspected he'd be hearing that much more often.
Her violet orbs held a curious glint inside them, keenly interested in what he could do now. "I'm sure all of your natural abilities have vastly improved. What I would like to know is how far you've improved with your Sacred Gear."
"The Boosted Gear?" Receiving a nod, Issei felt like something was off. Other than the time when it evolved with Rias during his second day awakened, he couldn't say he made any progress with it. Not that he and Ddraig weren't tight now, but the gauntlet just wasn't something he had the opportunity to use often.
Wouldn't she be more interested in hearing about his new abilities?
Sensing his hesitance, Sona calmly leaned back in her chair - a nonverbal tactic to ease his tension. "I'm not asking you to demonstrate or give any specific details. I simply wish to know if you can call upon your Balance Breaker freely or not."
Hearing her continue only confused him more. This wasn't the line of conversation he expected her to go down. He remembered that something called Balance Breaker was connected with his Boosted Gear and it was currently locked. Ddraig had mentioned during his training with Koneko that it was a power he couldn't tap into yet because he wasn't strong enough. Since then, he hadn't thought of it.
'Does she not know about my other powers?' Issei thought. He thought she would have because everyone in Rias's group did, but he remembered that the two of them had different peerages. They were friends and allies, but that didn't mean they were around each other and talked all the time.
With how hectic last week had been, he just assumed Sona would have learned inevitably, or even snooped around to figure it out herself. She probably didn't even know he could fly - something he obtained relatively quickly.
"Why do you think I can use the Balance Breaker?" Issei returned. She didn't just say if he unlocked it, but if he could use it by will.
Her lips thinned temporarily, dissatisfied that he didn't give the answer she wanted. "The mountainous crater in the forest... I've been informed the culprit is you..." Sona answered smoothly, though she still wasn't quite sure of this fact. "If this is believed to be correct, then you must have used your Balance Breaker. There can be no other explanation for the massive leap in power."
She lived at home in the devil world and teleported to school every day, so she didn't know for herself. However, her servants had urgently informed her that the attack unleashed had apparently shaken the entire town. The canyon left over had flattened most of the forest on the far side of town and was still smoldering by the time she got there. After contacting Rias, she was told that it had come from Issei Hyoudou and the situation was under control.
Unbelievable. That attack had to come from an elite. It was on the level of the Four Great Satans.
"I promise you're not in trouble for the destruction, Hyoudou-san. The forest will be amended soon enough and the memories of the people have already been altered. You are free to confess." Though it had been a real pain - taking over a day - they were able subdue the acknowledgement and concern the humans in town had by casting a collaborative charm in front of the area of the attack that led into the forest. Any normal human looking that direction would feel disinterested and ignore it, despite the damage still being clearly visible.
Issei understood now that she was unaware of the powers he held and chose to remedy it. Rias and the rest already knew, so she should too. Soon enough, so would everyone. "It was me, but I didn't use the Balance Breaker or anything like that. I haven't unlocked it yet."
"You have not?" Caught off guard by his response, Sona was at a loss for words. Her initial thought was to deny his claims. His strength had improved remarkably, but not enough to where he could cause such devastation without a Balance Breaker. "What are you trying to say, Hyoudou-san?"
"I didn't use my Sacred Gear... I used something else."