"School Days" Jason muttered as he stood in front of gates of Kuoh Academy.
The building loomed before him, all polished stone and pristine windows, the kind of place that screamed "elite private school" with every architectural choice. It was a far cry from the underfunded public school he'd attended back in Detroit, where half the lockers didn't close properly and the cafeteria smelled like a biohazard.
*At least this place looks like it won't collapse if someone sneezes too hard,* he thought, adjusting the strap of his school bag.
Students were chatting in groups or hurrying to their classes. Jason watched them with detached interest, comparing this scene to his old life. Back then, he'd been invisible—just another face in the crowd that nobody bothered remembering. He could count on one hand the number of times someone had actually acknowledged his existence outside of classroom roll call.
It had been... peaceful, in its own way. No expectations, no pressure, no need to perform for anyone.
But that wasn't his reality anymore.
"Kiba-senpai!"
The high-pitched squeal cut through his thoughts like nails on a chalkboard. Jason turned to see a group of girls in kendo uniforms rushing toward him, their faces lit up with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for boy band concerts.
*Oh, right. I'm the school pretty boy now. Fucking fantastic.*
"Good morning, Kiba-senpai!" The lead girl, a brunette with her hair tied back in a practical ponytail, beamed at him. "Are you heading to the Occult Research Club?"
"We were hoping to see you at kendo practice today!" another chimed in, practically vibrating with excitement. "You said you'd give us some pointers on our form!"
*Did I?* Jason searched through Yuuto's memories and, sure enough, found a vague promise made a week ago to help the kendo club with their training. *Great. Can't back out of that without looking like an asshole.*
He arranged his face into what he hoped was Yuuto's trademark polite smile. "Of course. I'll stop by after my club activities."
The girls erupted into delighted giggles, and Jason felt something inside him die a little. This was going to be his life now—constantly performing, always being "on," never allowed to just exist without someone expecting him to be charming and accommodating.
*I miss being invisible,* he thought bitterly as more students began to notice him and wave. *At least when I was nobody, I could tell people to fuck off without consequences.*
"Kiba-senpai, your hair looks so good today!"
"Did you do something different with it?"
"You're so cool, senpai!"
The compliments kept coming, each one making his eye twitch. He nodded and smiled and said all the right things, but inside he was screaming. This wasn't him. Jason Mitchell didn't do fake pleasantries and constant politeness. He was the guy who told it like it was, consequences be damned.
But Yuuto Kiba had a reputation to maintain, and until Jason figured out his game plan, he couldn't afford to break character.
*One day,* he promised himself as he extracted himself from the group with practiced ease, *I'm going to tell everyone exactly what I think. But not today.*
He made his way across the courtyard toward the old school building, where the Occult Research Club had set up shop. The structure stood apart from the main campus, older and more Gothic in design, with ivy crawling up its walls and windows that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it.
*Appropriate for a bunch of devils, I guess,* Jason mused as he climbed the steps.
More students waved at him along the way. More smiles that didn't reach his eyes. More polite greetings when all he wanted was five minutes of peace to think.
*Being popular is fucking exhausting,* he realized. *How did Yuuto do this every single day without losing his mind?*
The answer came from the memories—Yuuto had genuinely enjoyed making people happy. He'd found satisfaction in being helpful, in being the person others could rely on.
Jason was... not that guy.
*Well, they're going to have to get used to disappointment,* he thought as he reached the club room door. *Because I've got bigger things to worry about than being everyone's perfect pretty boy.*
He took a breath, centering himself. Inside this room were devils—his supposed comrades, his peerage members, his... what? Friends? Allies? People who would kill him without hesitation if they knew what he was really thinking?
*Time to find out which one it is.*
Jason pushed open the door.
---
The interior of the Occult Research Club room was exactly as pretentious as he'd expected—dark wood paneling, vintage furniture that probably cost more than his entire life back in Detroit, and enough occult paraphernalia to make it clear this wasn't just a name. Candles flickered on various surfaces despite it being broad daylight, and the scent of incense hung in the air like a velvet curtain.
*Subtlety is clearly not a priority here,* Jason thought.
"Ara, Yuuto-kun! Good morning!"
The melodious voice drew his attention to the tea station, where Akeno Himejima stood with a teapot in hand. She was exactly as the memories depicted her—long black hair tied in a ponytail with an orange ribbon, violet eyes that seemed to see right through you, and a smile that could either mean "welcome" or "I'm planning your torture" with equal probability.
She wore the Kuoh Academy girls' uniform with an elegance that seemed effortless, moving with a grace that reminded Jason she was more than just a pretty face. The uniform consisted of a white long-sleeved shirt with a black ribbon, a black shoulder cape, and a magenta skirt with white accents. On her, it looked less like a school uniform and more like something designed specifically to remind everyone she was completely out of their league.
Akeno was dangerous, a sadist who genuinely enjoyed inflicting pain, and one of the strongest members of their peerage.
*And she's looking at me like I'm a particularly interesting specimen,* Jason noticed, feeling those violet eyes assess him with unnerving intensity.
"Morning, Akeno-san," he replied, keeping his tone light and friendly. *Don't give her any reason to suspect something's changed.*
"Would you like some tea?" she asked, already pouring a cup. "I made your favorite—Earl Grey with a touch of honey."
*Of course she knows my preferences. She probably knows everyone's preferences, along with their fears, weaknesses, and what makes them scream.*
"Thanks," Jason accepted the cup, noting how her fingers brushed against his for just a moment longer than necessary. *Yeah, definitely being analyzed right now.*
His gaze shifted to the couch, where a small figure sat curled up with a box of chocolates in her lap. Koneko Toujou looked even tinier in person than the memories suggested—petite with short white hair that framed her face in a way that was almost impossibly cute, and amber eyes that held all the emotional depth of a brick wall. She wore the same Kuoh Academy uniform as Akeno, though on her smaller frame it looked less elegant and more adorable, like someone had dressed up a particularly grumpy kitten in school clothes.
*Except she's not,* Jason reminded himself, accessing Yuuto's knowledge. *She's a Nekomata—a cat yokai with strength that could probably turn me into paste if she wanted to.*
Currently, that terrifying strength was being used to delicately select a chocolate from the box with the kind of focus most people reserved for defusing bombs. Her expression remained completely neutral, as if the fate of the world depended on choosing between dark chocolate and milk chocolate.
"Morning, Koneko," Jason ventured.
The white-haired girl's amber eyes flickered toward him for a brief moment. "...Senpai," she acknowledged, then returned her attention to the chocolates with the dismissiveness of someone who'd already spent their daily quota of social interaction.
*Wow. Such enthusiasm. I can barely contain myself,* Jason thought sarcastically, though he couldn't help but appreciate her economy of words. At least she wasn't fawning over him like the kendo girls.
"Yuuto-kun."
The voice came from behind the ornate desk at the far end of the room, and Jason turned to face the woman who was technically his master. Rias Gremory sat in a high-backed leather chair that looked more like a throne, her crimson hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall of blood. Her blue-green eyes regarded him with the kind of attention that made it clear she was used to being the most important person in any room she entered.
She wore the standard Kuoh Academy girls' uniform, but like Akeno, she somehow made it look like haute couture. Everything about her screamed nobility—from the way she sat with perfect posture to the way her fingers rested elegantly on the armrests of her chair. This was someone who'd been raised from birth to command, to rule, to expect obedience.
*The Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess,* Jason thought, feeling a mix of emotions that were both his and Yuuto's. *Heir to the Gremory clan, one of the remaining pillars of devil society, and my ticket to not being dead.*
She was beautiful in the way that supernatural beings often were—too perfect, too symmetrical, like someone had taken the concept of "attractive female" and dialed it up to eleven. The memories told him that Yuuto was grateful to her, loyal to her, would die for her without hesitation.
Jason was... significantly less enthusiastic about the whole "dying for nobility" thing.
"Morning, buchou," he greeted, using the club president title that served as a cover for her actual position as his King.
"Please, sit," Rias gestured to the chairs arranged in front of her desk. "We have matters to discuss."
*Here we go,* Jason thought, taking a seat. Akeno glided over to stand beside Rias's chair like some kind of elegant attack dog, while Koneko remained on the couch, still focused on her chocolates but clearly listening.
Rias steepled her fingers, her expression serious. "I've received word from Sona that Fallen Angels have entered our territory."
The room's temperature seemed to drop several degrees.
*So it's starting,* he thought. *The whole Raynare situation. Which means Issei's about to get himself killed by a crazy bitch in bondage gear.*
"Fallen Angels?" Akeno's voice took on an edge that hadn't been there before, her smile becoming something sharp and dangerous. "How many?"
"Three confirmed," Rias replied. "Possibly more. They're being subtle about their presence"
*Someone like a kid with a Sacred Gear that could kill God,* Jason filled in mentally. *Though they don't know that's what they're looking for yet.*
Koneko finally spoke up, her voice flat and emotionless. "...Trouble."
"Indeed," Rias agreed. "Which is why I'm instructing all of you to be vigilant. If you sense Fallen Angel presence, report it immediately. Do not engage unless absolutely necessary."
*Translation: Don't start a war I'll have to answer for,* Jason interpreted. Devil politics were complicated, and unauthorized combat between factions could have serious repercussions. The last thing Rias needed was to explain to her family why one of her peerage members had started an international incident.
"What about our contracts?" Akeno asked, tilting her head slightly. "Should we suspend summoning circles in the affected areas?"
"No," Rias shook her head, her crimson hair swaying with the movement. "That would only alert them to the fact that we're aware of their presence. Continue as normal, but be prepared for complications."
Jason leaned back in his chair, his enhanced perception picking up subtle details he wouldn't have noticed before. The slight tension in Rias's shoulders suggested she was more worried than she was letting on. Akeno's smile had become sharper, more predatory—she was looking forward to potential conflict like a kid anticipating Christmas morning. And Koneko had stopped eating her chocolates, which probably meant she was actually concerned.
*So everyone's on edge,* he observed. *Good. That means they're taking this seriously.*
"Do we know why they're here?" Jason pressed, wanting to see how much Rias actually knew. "I mean, Kuoh Town is their enemy's territory. What could possibly interest Fallen Angels enough to risk operating here?"
Rias's eyes flickered with approval at the question. "That's an excellent point, Yuuto. I believe they're searching for a Sacred Gear user, though the specifics are unclear. The Grigori have been collecting Sacred Gear users for decades, so it's not unprecedented."
*Sacred Gear user,* Jason thought. *So they know that much. But do they know about the Boosted Gear specifically?*
"If they're looking for a Sacred Gear user, shouldn't we be doing the same?" Akeno suggested, her violet eyes gleaming with interest. "Beat them to the acquisition, so to speak?"
"We will," Rias said firmly. "But carefully. I don't want to tip our hand too early. If the Fallen Angels realize we're competing for the same target, they might act rashly."
*And by 'act rashly', It's the death of their target,'* Jason translated mentally.
"There's one more thing," Rias continued, apparently satisfied that she'd adequately briefed them on the Fallen Angel situation. "We have a Stray Devil that needs to be dealt with. It's been hiding in the abandoned building behind the shopping mall, and I've heard rumours from the local residents about strange noises and disappearances."
"A Stray?" Jason raised an eyebrow. Strays were devils who'd abandoned or killed their masters, usually going insane in the process and becoming monsters that needed to be put down. They were also perfect training exercises for peerage members.
*And a great excuse to test out my new abilities,* he realized, feeling a surge of anticipation. *I need to see how Mist Breathing works in actual combat, not just theory.*
"For this, I'm assigning Yuuto and Koneko to handle it," Rias announced, her gaze moving between them. "Consider it a routine extermination mission. Akeno and I will remain here to monitor the Fallen Angel situation and continue our contract work."
Koneko finally looked up from her chocolates, her amber eyes meeting Jason's. There was a question in that gaze—*Can you handle this?*
*Oh, I can handle it,* Jason thought, suppressing a grin. *The question is whether I can handle it without revealing that I'm not exactly who everyone thinks I am.*
The real problem was going to be testing his Mist Breathing techniques without making Koneko suspicious. She was perceptive as hell despite her emotionless exterior, and any significant deviation from Yuuto's normal fighting style would raise questions he wasn't ready to answer.
*I'll have to be smart about this,* he decided. *Maybe I can pass it off as a new technique I've been developing with my sword training. Devils are always trying to improve their abilities, so it wouldn't be that strange.*
"Understood, buchou," Jason said aloud. "When do we leave?"
"After school," Rias replied. "The Stray is nocturnal, so it will be more active once the sun sets. That should give you both time to prepare."
"Prepare for what?" Jason asked, genuinely curious. "It's just a Stray, right? We've handled plenty of those before."
*Or at least Yuuto has,* he mentally corrected. *I've never even seen a devil, let alone killed one.*
"This one is different," Rias said, her expression darkening. "According to the reports, it's a former Bishop piece—someone who specialized in demonic magic. That means you'll be dealing with ranged attacks and possibly defensive barriers. Don't underestimate it like the strays we've exterminated."
"A Bishop," Jason repeated, his tactical mind already working through the implications. Bishops in the Evil Pieces system were magic specialists, which meant this Stray would have access to powerful spells even in its degraded mental state. Close combat would be dangerous if it could blast them from a distance.
*Good thing I've got enhanced speed and reflexes now,* he thought. *Mist Breathing specializes in rapid movement and evasion. If I can close the distance fast enough, its magic won't be too much of a problem for me.*
"Don't worry, buchou," he said with more confidence than he felt. "Koneko and I will handle it."
The white-haired girl finally set down her chocolate box and slid off the couch with surprising grace for someone so small. "...Hm," she nodded simply, making it clear she considered this mission beneath her notice but would do it anyway because orders were orders.
*That's the spirit,* Jason thought dryly. *Nothing says 'team motivation' like overwhelming apathy.*
"Excellent," Rias smiled, apparently satisfied with their readiness. "Yuuto, Koneko, I'll expect a full report once the mission is complete."
Jason stood and gave a respectful nod, watching as Koneko shuffled back to the couch to reclaim her chocolates. Akeno was still smiling that unsettling smile, and Rias had already returned her attention to some paperwork on her desk.
*Just another day in the life of a devil,* Jason mused as he headed for the door. *Kill monsters, attend school, pretend to be someone I'm not. Totally normal.*
But as he left the Occult Research Club room and stepped back into the hallway, a different thought occurred to him. Tonight would be his first real test—not just of his new abilities, but of whether he could actually kill something.
Jason Mitchell had never hurt anyone in his life. He'd gotten into maybe two fights total, both of which had been pathetic shoving matches that ended with everyone involved getting detention.
But Yuuto Kiba had killed before. Had cut down enemies without hesitation, had ended lives because his King commanded it.
*Can I do that?* Jason wondered as he walked through the old school building's corridors. *Can I actually take a life, even if it's just a mindless monster?*
The answer would come soon enough.
---
The rest of the school day passed in a blur of classes Jason didn't care about and social interactions that made him want to scream. Every period was the same routine—sit at his desk, look attentive, smile when people talked to him, and resist the urge to tell everyone to shut the fuck up and let him think.
Math class was particularly excruciating. Not because the material was difficult—Yuuto's memories included a solid education, and Jason's enhanced cognition made understanding the concepts trivial—but because every girl in the class kept finding excuses to talk to him.
"Kiba-kun, can you help me with this problem?"
"Kiba-senpai, I don't understand this formula."
"Do you have plans after school, Kiba-kun?"
*I have plans to kill a monster and hopefully not die in the process,* Jason thought but didn't say. Instead, he smiled and helped with math problems and politely declined invitations while dying inside.
The worst part was that he couldn't even zone out. Yuuto's reputation was built on being attentive and engaged, always willing to help, never showing frustration or irritation. If Jason suddenly started acting like he wanted everyone to leave him alone, questions would be asked.
*This is torture,* he decided during lunch, surrounded by students who wanted to eat with the popular pretty boy. *I'd rather fight the Stray Devil right now than sit through one more conversation about someone's weekend plans.*
By the time the final bell rang, Jason was ready to commit violence. The constant performance had worn him down, leaving him mentally exhausted and craving the simplicity of honest combat. At least when you were fighting something, you didn't have to smile and nod and pretend to give a shit about trivial gossip.
*Finally,* he thought, gathering his things and heading for the old school building. *Time to do something that actually matters.*
He found Koneko waiting outside the Occult Research Club, her small form leaning against the wall with her hands in her pockets. She'd changed out of her uniform at some point and now wore casual clothes—a simple white hoodie and black shorts that somehow made her look even younger.
Those amber eyes tracked his approach with the same expressionless gaze she always wore. Jason couldn't tell if she was bored, annoyed, or completely indifferent to the upcoming mission.
*Probably all three,* he guessed.
"Go?" she asked simply, tilting her head slightly.
"Yeah," Jason confirmed, stopping in front of her. "Let's get this over with."
Koneko nodded and extended her hand. A magic circle materialized beneath their feet, glowing with the crimson light of the Gremory family crest. The intricate designs rotated slowly, and Jason felt the strange sensation of teleportation magic taking hold—like his body was being pulled in multiple directions at once while simultaneously staying perfectly still.
*Still not used to this,* he thought as the world dissolved into red light.
When reality reasserted itself, they were standing in front of the abandoned building behind the shopping mall. The structure loomed against the evening sky, a skeletal frame of rusted metal and shattered windows. Graffiti covered the lower walls, and the entrance had been boarded up multiple times, though someone—or something—had repeatedly torn through the barriers.
*Charming,* Jason observed, his enhanced senses picking up details that would have escaped normal notice. The smell of decay and something distinctly not-human hung in the air. Scratch marks on the walls that were too deep and too regular to be animal. And underneath it all, the faint pulse of demonic energy that made his skin crawl.
The building itself was maybe five stories tall, probably an old warehouse or factory that had been abandoned when the economy shifted. Nature had begun reclaiming it—vines crawled up the sides, and weeds pushed through cracks in the concrete. But there was something wrong about it, something that made Jason's instincts scream danger.
*This is where we're hunting a magical monster,* he thought, feeling a mix of anticipation and genuine fear. *No backing out now.*
"Senpai," Koneko said, drawing his attention. She was staring at the building with that same neutral expression, but Jason thought he detected a hint of caution in her eyes. "Go in."
It wasn't a question.
*Right,* Jason thought, taking a deep breath. *Time to see if I'm actually capable of killing something.*
His hand instinctively went to his side, where Yuuto's Sacred Gear would normally manifest swords. But tonight he'd be relying on something else—breathing techniques designed to slay demons, enhanced physical capabilities that pushed him beyond normal limits, and tactical instincts honed through battles he'd never actually fought.
*First kill,* he realized as he and Koneko approached the building's entrance. *This is going to be my first time actually ending a life.*
The thought should have bothered him more than it did. But as they pushed through the damaged boards covering the doorway and stepped into the darkness beyond, Jason found himself oddly calm.
Maybe it was Muichiro's memories bleeding through, or maybe it was just acceptance of his new reality. Either way, there was no turning back now.
The interior of the building swallowed them whole, darkness pressing in from all sides. Jason's enhanced vision adjusted quickly, revealing corridors lined with debris and doorways leading to unknown horrors.
Somewhere in this building, a monster was waiting.
*I'm ready for this* Jason thought as they ventured deeper into the abandoned structure.