Japan, Kouh Town
Issei Hyoudou was a very simple teenager. Sure, his desires and lust were higher than most, but he couldn't help it. For as long as he could remember, there had been a warmth burning inside his chest. If left alone, it became unbearable—an ache that gnawed at him until he thought he might go mad.
Giving in to his desires dulled the fire, if only for a while.
Issei knew that if he couldn't find another way to soothe the burning, he would never live a normal life. He would never get a girlfriend. And he was painfully aware of the way his classmates saw him: a hopeless pervert. But restraining himself wasn't an option. He was seventeen, and lust was the only true desire he had ever been able to express.
All of this made it even more shocking when a flaxen-haired beauty in an unfamiliar school uniform asked him out.
The surprise hit him so hard he agreed without thinking. He had a date. On Sunday.
In a daze, Issei walked home, the thought spinning around his head like a dream he couldn't quite believe. Yet even then, the burning pain in his chest kept worsening, as if mocking his fragile hope.
*(It's getting worse… if this keeps up, even a girlfriend won't be enough. I need to find another way…)*
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Kouh Town – Old School Building
A crimson-haired girl sat on a ledge, gazing at the scenery below.
"Rias, are you really going to let the Fallen Angels kill him?" Akeno asked, her black hair swaying as a faint smile crossed her face.
Rias Gremory didn't answer immediately. Her sharp blue-green eyes stayed fixed on the horizon. "That boy, Issei… he has a Sacred Gear. And by the feel of it, a strong one—maybe even high-tier. With my engagement to Riser drawing near, I can't afford to waste time. If he survives the Fallen Angels, he'll already be halfway convinced to join us. If not…" She frowned. "Then he wasn't worth the effort."
Akeno's smile faltered, her face shifting through several troubled expressions. "Sona won't like this. And neither will the boy, if he ever finds out."
"I know," Rias admitted. "But Sona will understand. As for Issei…" her lips curved slightly. "It's no secret he's lustful. A little teasing here and there, plus the promise of a harem, will be more than enough compensation."
Akeno's smile returned, though her eyes told a different story. She bowed politely, handed her King a cup of tea, and excused herself.
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Kouh Town – Two Days Later
Issei stood on the familiar bridge, clutching a small flyer covered in strange symbols. A white-haired girl in cosplay had handed it to him the other day.
"Probably just some weird prank," he muttered.
"Issei," a soft voice called.
He turned, startled, to see Yuuma in a short black dress with a light purple jacket. His chest flared with heat at the sight of her, but he forced himself to stay calm. This was his chance—his only shot at not being alone. Maybe the fire would finally go away.
"Shall we go?" Yuuma asked with a bright smile.
"Yeah," Issei answered, awkward but eager, and together they headed toward the plaza.
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Hours Later – Nature Park
On a quiet bench sat Issei and Yuuma, their date nearly at its end. For Issei, it had been the best day of his life. They had gone shopping—though nearly dying of embarrassment when girls from school spotted him in a lingerie store—but Yuuma's laughter made it worth it. He had even bought her a bracelet.
Now the sky above them shifted from orange to deep purple as the sun dipped below the horizon. The park was empty, too quiet. A knot of unease formed in Issei's stomach, but he forced it down. He wouldn't ruin this. Not now.
"I had fun today, Issei," Yuuma said with a soft smile.
"Yeah," he replied, heart pounding. "Me too. I'd love to do it again sometime."
Yuuma stopped walking, turning to him with a strangely intense gaze. She leaned closer.
*(Is this it? My first kiss?)*
"Will you die for me?" she whispered.
"…Huh?" Issei blinked, hoping he had misheard.
Her smile widened. "I said, will you die for me?"
A flash of purple light engulfed her body. When it faded, her appearance had changed—her outfit now a revealing black leather suit, her figure even more voluptuous, and from her back stretched a pair of black wings.
Pain exploded in Issei's chest. He gasped, looking down to see a gaping hole where his heart should be, blood pouring out like a fountain. He collapsed, vision fading, the warmth in his chest now a blazing inferno consuming him.
Above him, Yuuma hovered with cold indifference. "I really did enjoy our date. But if you want to blame someone, blame God for putting a Sacred Gear in your soul. Or the Devils, for letting us do as we please."
With that, she flew into the night.
Issei's thoughts drifted back to the flyer in his pocket. *A wish, huh? Then I wish… I wish to survive.*
The paper glowed crimson.
A beautiful girl with flowing red hair appeared beside him, her presence overwhelming. She frowned as eight glowing chess pieces fell onto his chest, merging into his broken body. The wound sealed itself shut.
"How much potential do you truly have, Issei Hyoudou?" Rias murmured.
With that, she teleported them away, the park falling silent once more.
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