Today, I had my very first date with a girl.Now we're walking through a park. Romantic, right?
|• This is it—my first step toward becoming the Harem King! •|
Yuuma-chan suddenly stopped, giving me a shy look.
—"Issei-kun, can I ask you something?"
I nodded, totally clueless about her odd behavior.
Yuuma smiled… but it wasn't sweet. It was kind of... twisted.
—"Would you die for me?"
Ugh. This part always stings a bit.Poor Issei. All he wanted was a cheesy high school romance… and instead he got a spear straight through the chest.
Actually… wait.Why don't I feel any pain?
We're supposed to be skewered by that damn light spear. But only Issei's the one writhing on the ground.
[Yuuma… why?]
Was that Issei's voice? That's weird.
Until now, I haven't been able to hear his inner monologue.Does that mean something?
Now I'm curious.I was "revived," sure—but I still can't control this body.
[Blood… crimson…]
Is this guy seriously still talking? Damn, I get it—you're delirious from blood loss.
[Just like her hair… Rias Gremory…]
Yay, the crimson-haired bloodbomb is about to make her entrance.
|• Man, I wish I could move already. •|
A sharp tingle ran through my body—followed by a stabbing pain in my abdomen.
What the hell!?
----
—"HOLY SHIT!"
I bolted upright in bed, panting like crazy.
My hands instinctively flew to my stomach—No wound.
|• I can move… I can control this body. Why? •|
I climbed out of bed and stood in front of the mirror, unsure of what to do next.
Soon I'll meet Asia. I'll have to save her to keep the canon intact…
Although…
|• Why the hell should I follow some boring-ass story? •|
I'll save Asia, obviously.
Without her Sacred Gear, Rias's peerage is screwed.
Thanks to my knowledge, I might be able to awaken the Boosted Gear faster than Issei did.
But there's one problem: I don't feel anything.
Before, I could clearly sense something pulsing in my left arm—like a presence.
Now? Nothing.
That's… concerning.
I'm pretty sure Issei and I were somehow separate entities.
So it wouldn't be weird if I can't use the Boosted Gear…
—"DAMN IT!"
.
.
.
I left the classroom, ignoring Issei's friends.
No time to waste—I need answers.
Could Rias help? Probably.But going to her now, before I'm "aware" of the supernatural, is dangerous.
I want to act now, but I have to wait for her to approach me first.
Not a fan of that.
|• Hope I'm just being paranoid… •|
I sat down under a tree, staring into the void.
I feel someone watching me… Koneko, maybe?Doesn't matter.
Right now, she's an ally. Not a threat.
Huh. In a bit, Donashseek's gonna stab me with another light spear…
Well, I'll get rescued anyway.
----
Later~
—"For the last time, I don't want drugs. Keep your creepy code talk and get lost."
I glared at the trenchcoat-wearing creep in front of me.
He smirked, spreading his wings.
—"Oh, don't play dumb now, little puppy~"
Ugh. That voice. No way in hell I ever want to hear a man talk like that again.
—"Tch. You think you're some big-breasted Onee-san or something? Knock it off, weirdo."
I raised an eyebrow in disgust.Yeah, it's definitely Donashseek, that bastard.
—"Aw~ Did I hit a nerve?"
—"Yeah."
I may be talking tough, but internally?I'm shitting bricks.
This guy could wipe the floor with me—and I'm still mouthing off.
—"Hmm~ I'd love to play more, but I'm in a hurry."
He formed a light spear in his hand. My expression shifted to serious.
—"Really? I thought we were having such a lovely chat."
Obviously, he'll throw it in a straight line. I'll just sidestep it.
FWOOOSH!
—"Starting off aggressive, huh? At least let me take off my jacket."
I smirked as I dodged. Dropped my stuff in a bush and walked toward him.
|• THAT DAMN THING ALMOST GOT ME. •|
I swallowed hard.Sure, I'm used to fights—my old job was rough.
But I've never brawled with a fallen angel before.
—"Slippery rat…"
Donashseek wiped the blood from his mouth as he summoned another spear.
—"C'mon old man, just admit you've got shit aim~"
I could barely stand, but still grinned.
We've been "fighting" for a few minutes. I've landed two hits.TWO.
The Kuoh Academy uniform restricts my movement.If it weren't for the wings that decided to pop out, I'd already be dead meat.
If Rias is watching and doing nothing, I swear I'll be pissed.
—"Hey, what even are you?"
I stalled for time. He blinked in confusion.
—"Don't recognize a fallen angel when you see one? What a clueless demon."
—"Hey! It's my first day, alright?"
He hurled another spear. I hit the ground to dodge it.
Pushed off with my legs, spread my wings, and charged.
He's slower now—guess those spears take a toll.
—"Eat this, birdbrain!"
No punches. That's dumb.
I'll just use my whole body as a missile.
I don't think I can go on much longer...
My wings are killing me.The light-infused cuts are wearing me down.
—"Isn't this the part where someone saves me, or am I supposed to lose for plot reasons? Crappy tutorial if you ask me."
I muttered as I staggered toward him.
—"What the hell are you rambling about? This is real life, brat."
His hands lit up again.
Oh, this'll hurt.
—"Come on~ It's classic! Every protagonist unlocks their powers after some life-or-death fight where their future mentor swoops in!"
I tried to play it off like your average anime nerd—makes me seem less suspicious for knowing all this demon-world stuff.
BAM!
Took that one full force.Retaliated with an elbow to his face.
Something cracked.Don't know if it was him… or me.
Everything hurts.
—"YOU LITTLE DEM—"
He threw a punch. I dodged and elbowed him again.
—"Hey birdboy~ I was a karate champ back in school."
I kicked him in the gut.
He grabbed my leg—his hands glowing—and light shot into me.
Suddenly, my body gave out.
—"Hah… Looks like you can't take any more holy attacks, filthy demon."
—"Wha? Nah, I'm just… RESTING—AAAGH!"
He drove a spear into my leg. Bastard grinned like he'd won.
—"Tough little mutt, but you never stood a cha—"
CRASH!
A white-haired girl's knee smashed into his side, launching him through the air.
A magic circle flared beneath me.
Out stepped a crimson-haired bombshell and a dark-haired beauty.
—"HA! KNEW IT!"
It hurts like hell, but I gotta play the part of the happy anime nerd with new powers.
Can't let them think I'm too self-aware.
Now that I'm seeing it in person…Issei was right.
Rias really does pack some military-grade calcium cannons
[How does her back not hurt?]
No idea, buddy.
|• Wait... what? •|
The girls noticed my facial expressions shifting, each reacting differently.
|•Weird...•|Koneko's disgusted stare was piercing.
|•That looks painful… but not painful enough•|Akeno blushed slightly, eyeing my wounds.
|•He held his own against a fallen angel… I chose well•|Rias looked at me with newfound confidence.
Guess she thinks I might be the key to avoiding her engagement.
Anyway...I passed out from the pain and blood loss.