Third Person
The evening sun cast Kuoh Park in molten gold, casting long shadows over the fountain's rippling water. The gentle gurgle of the streams, the quiet atmosphere—everything felt almost peaceful… almost.
Two figures stood in this desolate park: Raynare and Issei.
"Can I ask you a question? In honour of our first date, there's something I'd like you to do to commemorate this special moment~"
Issei gawked at her as Raynare walked closer, leaning in, waiting for him to answer.
I'm gonna get to kiss her… I'm totally gonna get to kiss her. This rocks! Issei thought as his heart started thumping louder.
"Sure, you can ask me anything at all," Issei replied earnestly. His tone carried anticipation and excitement. It was obvious he was looking forward to his kiss.
Raynare smiled and leaned in to his ear and said, "Would you die for me?"
Her words fell on deaf ears…
"Umm… could you say that again, please? I feel like I heard it wrong… uh hahaha," Issei asked nervously, wanting to know what she really meant.
She backed away from him and said it again:
"Will you die for me?"
The words hit Issei like a cold gust of wind. He froze mid-step, eyes wide, staring at Raynare, who held her hands together. His heart pounded in his chest like a war drum.
"W-what…?" he stammered, stepping back unconsciously. His instincts screamed at him to run away from her, as far as he could.
But how could he run when the girl he'd been dreaming about, his first girlfriend, was standing there, asking him to die?
"This isn't… supposed to happen," Issei muttered under his breath, clutching at his shirt. "It should've ended with a kiss… and then maybe going to a love hotel… at least that's what happens in porno."
Raynare tilted her head, her long hair catching the sunlight. A smile curved on her lips, almost genuine… almost sweet.
"Cute," she murmured. "You think this is funny?"
Her words sent a shiver down his spine. She was enjoying this. The date they went to, the gift he had given her… it had all been part of her act.
"And if I wanted, I could've ended you at home. And maybe even killed your parents too," she said softly, her voice like silk wrapping around a blade. "But where's the fun in that? No… I wanted to play with you first."
Issei's stomach churned. He wanted to yell, to argue at her for bringing up his parents.
"Yumma-san… you're joking, right?" he whispered, his voice cracking. His green eyes searched her face desperately for an answer.
Raynare's smile widened. Her fingers twitched. Then…
SNAP
Her clothes tore with a sharp sound. Her form morphed and shifted, taller, curvier, sluttier. Black wings unfurled from her back, the feathers catching the evening sunlight and turning it into darkness.
Her outfit… was that of a dominatrix and could even give a stripper a run for her money.
Issei's jaw dropped. Holy nipples! Those are boobs! I am looking at real boobs! My boy eyes have finally matured to manhood, and she is a super hot chick too!
What was that saying? This is a sight for sore eyes… no wait, no, it's not… She looks like a demon.
His knees weakened as he fell to the ground, his heart thumping, not just from fear, but… from pure shock at witnessing this supernatural scene unfold.
Raynare's voice cut through the pounding of his heart. "Do you love me enough to die for me, Issei?"
"I must say I did have some fun today… considering how childish and naive you are, things could have been much, much worse. Thanks a lot for the gift too~"
"Very sweet, but even so…" Raynare extended her hand as a metallic, jagged spear manifested in her hands.
Issei was horrified. He knew death was near but he did not give up. He reached out a hand to her, "Yumma… wait…"
Ignoring his plea, Raynare thrust the jagged spear at him. "It's time to die."
The weapon's tip glinted under the fading sunlight as she aimed for his gut. Issei braced for pain, for blood, but it never came.
"My my… Issei, you've got to be the unluckiest guy I've ever met."
The voice was masculine, soft, charming, soothing yet laced with an unmistakable authority.
And there he was.
Messy platinum blonde hair catching the last rays of the evening sun, a pristine white shirt tucked into black pants, tie perfectly straight, and that signature eyepatch covering his right eye. His left eye was plum red, beautiful yet deadly enough to send shivers down Raynare's spine.
The new teacher who had captured the hearts of countless students at Kuoh Academy in just a single day.
Rein Tsukumo.
"Rein Sensei!!!" Issei shouted, awe and relief flooding him.
Rein's lips curved into a cocky, effortless smile as he casually made a V-sign with his left hand. "Yo. The one and only."
Raynare froze, shock flashing across her face. How could a human move so silently, bypassing her senses entirely?
Anger flared in her eyes as she hissed, "You have some nerve, human! How stupid are you, walking into a murder scene like that?!"
Rein's laugh was low, smooth, and amused. "Well, what can I say? Thanks for the compliment~"
"I don't think that was supposed to be a compliment," Issei said nervously, eyes darting between his teacher and the spear still aimed at him.
Rein tilted his head, letting that red eye gleam as he replied calmly, "Yeah… but if I take it as one, then it's not offensive."
Raynare did not waste time. She used her light powers to conjure a spear, aiming straight at Issei, but…
Rein gripped the metallic spear in Raynare's hand tightly, breaking it effortlessly. Then he yanked her forward and delivered a devastating knee strike to her skull, sending her flying across the park with bone-shattering impact.
Issei's eyes widened in shock. He had no idea his new Math and PE teacher was this cool.
Wtf I didn't even see that coming…remind me to never forget my math homework, Issei thought, trembling at the scene he had just witnessed.
Rein placed a firm hand on Issei's shoulder, drawing his attention. "Issei, I know everything must be really confusing right now… like why a fallen angel is after you. But for now, you have to hide. There are others like her nearby, so don't leave my side, got it?" Rein assured him.
"Yes, Sensei!" Issei replied, with a salute, and then quickly scrambled to find cover.
"Now then…" Rein muttered, walking toward the two winged fallen angels.
Raynare felt as if she had the worst concussion of her life. Her head spun, her vision blurred, and her whole body reeled with disorientation.
She knew that if Rein hadn't held back, her skull would have painted the park red. Just the thought jolted her back to reality.
Tch, where are those idiots when I need them?! If I make it out alive, I'm murdering all three of them, Raynare thought with bitter bloodlust.
Then, she felt a strong hand grip her skull, jerking her head upward.
Her purple eyes met his red one. It was as if he could see straight into her soul, exposing every crime she had committed against humanity over her long existence.
"Tell me… why are you after him? What's so special about him? Who sent you? Refuse and I'll rip your head clean off." His voice was calm, almost gentle, but the words themselves were anything but that.
For the first time in her life, Raynare felt fear. Real, paralyzing fear. She knew she had no other choice. With a shaky sigh, she began to talk.
She told him everything, even her plan for Asia Argento, how she had lured the poor girl to Kuoh just to steal her Sacred Gear for herself.
Being honest was her only chance at survival.
Rein absorbed every word, carefully analyzing her tone and expression, ensuring she wasn't lying.
"I see… well, I can't say I'm surprised. Your kind has done nothing but bring trouble for humans."
He released her and stood, stretching casually. "Well then…I'll let you be. Have a pleasant evening, Raynare. Let's hope we never meet again."
He brushed the dust off his shirt and checked the grocery bag at his side, making sure the items he'd bought weren't damaged. If they were, he'd have to annoy himself by going back to the supermarket.
Raynare's eyes narrowed. This was her chance. With him walking away, his guard seemingly lowered, she raised her hand and aimed at his back.
One strike… that's all I need to kill him.
But just as she moved—
SPLURT
Her body froze while her eyes widened in horror. A dagger jutted from her forehead, blood snaking down her face before her body gave in. She crumpled to the ground with a lifeless thud.
Rein didn't even flinch. His gaze lingered on her corpse for a moment before his lips curled into a thin smile.
"A fallen angel should know better than to trust a hunter."
With that, he turned back to Issei.
***
First Person
We were walking back, away from that accursed park, the place where Issei's fate had changed.
Changed by me.
"So you're like… some supernatural cop or something? Protecting humans from monsters? Dude, that's so badass!" Issei's eyes practically sparkled.
I chuckled. "Well, you're half right. I'm not a cop. I'm a Hunter. A Supernatural Hunter, Special Grade, part of Division 1 of the Supernatural Public Safety Bureau."
He blinked at me, the words bouncing right over his head. I could almost see the gears in his brain seizing up.
"So you're, like… some top dog or something, huh? Then what are you doing here in Kuoh?" he asked again, curiosity written all over his face.
I let a small smile tug at my lips. "Well… that's classified."
…How did I get here? To this moment, in this city, walking next to Hyoudou Issei of all people?
A student at the academy I'd just joined as a new teacher?
Good question.
Why would I care about some horny loser obsessively lusting after women with big tits?
The answer is simple.
Because I had seen his future.
One of my Heavenly Restrictions, Temple of Time, lets me see two hours into either mine or someone's future. One of the most useful abilities, if you know when to use it.
I was just on my way back home when I saw Issei… on a date with a fallen angel. Normally, I wouldn't have given a shit. But something told me, like a nagging instinct. If I ignored it, I'd regret it.
So I looked.
And in those two hours ahead, I saw him die.
Stabbed by that fallen angel's spear, bleeding out in the park. His last breath would've been used to summon Rias Gremory with that summoning pamphlet he'd picked up by pure dumb luck.
And in that future, Rias spent all eight pawn pieces to resurrect him.
That's when I asked myself… what kind of power does a human have to be worth all eight pieces just to be brought back?
It was simple, Issei was a possessor of a Longinus Sacred Gear, even if it was dormant for now.
He could've become Rias Gremory's weapon.
And that… would've been a problem for me.
The last thing I want is her gaining another powerful ally. That would complicate my mission.
So I interfered.
Recruiting Issei into Public Safety is my primary choice now.
I'll train him. I'll mentor him. I'll sharpen him into a fine hunter.
And when the time comes… I'll use him.
Then discard him, like every other tool.
Just like my cute sister Nayuta, I have taken a liking to dogs.
I have come to like my fellow humans in the same way that humans are so fond of dogs.
All of this… for the sake of my goal.
Enlightenment.
***
"You sure you don't want to come in? I could tell my mom to make you something, you know? It's getting late, but I'd be a bad student if I didn't invite my teacher for dinner after he just saved my life," Issei said as I dropped him off at his house.
"Haha, I'm flattered, but I must decline. I have someone waiting for me… she must be hungry, so I need to cook for her," I replied, my tone calm, controlled, unshakable.
Then he did something I didn't expect. He bowed. And… he was crying.
"I appreciate your help, Sensei! If not for you… I'd be dead. My parents would've been heartbroken," he said, wiping at his tears before looking up at me.
Man… this is perfect. Never thought he was this naive.
I smirked internally, though my face remained impassive, indifferent.
"Issei… you don't have to thank me. After all… it's my duty as a Public Safety Hunter to protect civilians from supernatural threats."
"I must say, though… be prepared for tomorrow. I have much to explain about this world, and about your new… job."
The word "job" made him perk up. Confusion washed over his face, as if he hadn't the slightest clue what I meant.
"Job? What kind of job? I don't think I signed up for anything like that," he asked nervously.
For a moment, I let silence stretch between us, and then a grin crept across my face.
I extended my hand.
"Starting tomorrow, you will become my apprentice."
"Welcome to the Supernatural Public Safety Bureau, Hunter Issei Hyoudou."
***
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