Lesson time. Yay!
Dance class...Wait what? Sports hall…The hell's going on here?
To say he was uncomfortable would be an understatement. He was the only guy in a class full of girls, in a dance class. Not only were his classmates hot, but his dance teacher was too. Not only were they all wearing criminal sports wear, but he was the only guy in there! He gulped, totally out of his comfort zone. He could be confident and charming but this was pushing it. He was still a teenager after all.
"Alright everyone, I'm Ms. Shinogawa, and I'm your dance teacher for the year. I hope we get along everyone!" the bubbly teacher said. The way she she moved around made everything jiggle, making Haru gulp again.
"Question." Haru said, keeping an even tone though still on the edge of freaking out. "Since when was dance a thing?" Ms. Shinogawa cast her crimson gaze over to him. She smiled sweetly, noting he was the only male in the group.
"Oh, well it's been part of the curriculum since before Kuoh was co-ed. Must be awkward for you though, right?" she said in a softer tone.
"Awkward isn't adequate for this but I guess. If we're going with partners, you mind if I go solo?" asked hopefully. With a smile still on her face, she shook her head.
"Nope, sorry. I'm sure you understand that this is designed so that you can connect with people in a new way as well as keep fit, so if you partner up, you might just make a friend or too. Good deal, no?" she said in her ever upbeat tone.
Haru hung his head dejectedly. "Yes miss," he said with a loud sigh. Now he wasn't against partnering up with a girl, it's just that… well it's dance class! He didn't know how to dance. Well, he did, but it was one dance in particular that he had spent years learning and mastering that he one day hoped to unleash upon those who beheld him.
"I'm sure he wouldn't mind if one of us went with him." Rias interjected, confidently pushing some of her crimson locks behind her ear. Haru flashed her a "What's your angle?" look.
"I'm sure he'd prefer if I was his partner though." Akeno said with that ever present smile. Haru could already see where this was going, and it didn't look pretty for him.
"Oh my, you seem like a popular man..." Shinogawa trailed off so Haru could introduce himself.
"Name's Haru. Sorry for the delayed introduction but you know, circumstances n' all." he replied, dodging her comment.
Near the end of dance class
"Alright Haru it's your turn. Present the class with your solo routine!" she said excitedly. Haru breathed deeply. If he could handle Akeno's admittedly hot, but sadistic flirting, he could handle this. And by some divine will or sheer dumb luck, next to the CD player at the top of a stack of CD cases was, that album. Haru grinned widely, realising his dancing destiny would be fulfilled this day.
"Miss Shinogawa, I have a request. I would like the CD at the top of the pile to be played, and a specific song, selected by my hand alone, to be turned on while I do this." he said with a renewed confidence. Shinogawa nodded and she allowed him to do his thing. Then silence filled the room as Haru's dream would be realised any second now.
The song was none other than "It's not unusual" by Tom Jones. Haru sprung into action, unleashing his ultimate dance. The legendary Carlton Dance from a long since finished American sitcom about one man's rise to become the Fresh Prince. His body moved of its own accord, going with the rhythm of the song, surrendering to the music and all anyone could do was stare as he danced with the biggest grin they'd ever witnessed upon his face.
Soon all was silent save for Haru's panting as he began to recover from the dance. No one moved or said a word. What could they say? Haru, in a state of euphoria, hopped, skipped and jumped out of the sports hall, looking incredibly pleased with himself. Everyone left in silence, still not sure what to say or think.
Later that day…
The door slammed open as an incredibly happy Haru waltzed through into his house, twirling and kicking his door shut. "Honey I'm home!" he called happily. Rossweisse poked her head around the living room doorway.
"You seem… happy. Who the hell are you?" she said with sarcasm, lacing her tone. Haru skipped merrily into the living room, grabbed Rossweisse in a hug, spun her around, put her on the sofa and sat down in his chair. He let out a contented sigh as his face was still one of immense triumph and satisfaction.
The Valkyrie was blushing madly but refused to acknowledge it. "The hell was that about Haru!?" she squeaked in embarrassment. He just let out another happy sigh.
"I did it Rossweisse. I finally did it!" he cheered as he raised his arms to proclaim his victory.
"What did you do that would leave you.. like, well… this?" she asked. He flashed her a smile and laughed loudly.
"The Carlton Dance. For years I've been studying it and mastering its moves, and finally in dance class, I managed to perform it for all to see. It was glorious." he said. Rossweisse didn't know what this dance was or where it came from, but for some reason it intrigued her.
It was dark out now. The ORC was busy with contracts and all seemed right with the world. For now anyway.
Summoner's residence, night time
Issei arrived at his destination on his bike (tragic I know) still bitter about having to use a bike to get around while the others could teleport. What kind of bullshit was that? He approached the house to find the door ajar. It was dark inside and the atmosphere felt odd.
"The door's open. Isn't that a little dangerous?" Issei thought as he stepped inside. He wandered through the hallway and decided to announce his presence. "Don't be freaked out but I'm coming inside." he said as he walked into the living room. It was dark with a little bit of candle light. "Well at least they set the mood."
He stepped further inside but stepped in something, warm, wet and sticky.
"Eww!" Issei yelped as he hopped back from the puddle. He checked his foot with his hand and pulled it away. His fingers were covered in blood. Fresh blood.
"Punish the wicked. A good saying to live by. Especially coming from a holy man." A man with white-silver hair looked around at Issei from his seat on the sofa with his tongue out and a wild look in his blood red eyes.
"Who are you? Did you do this!?" Issei questioned as he tried to calm his nausea.
"Yes. And what of it?" the red eyed man asked nonchalantly. He stood up and faced him.
"They were innocent. Why would you do this!?" Issei asked angrily. It bewildered him how someone could just admit to killing as if it was insignificant.
"They weren't innocent. They're just as corrupt as the shitty Devils I do so enjoy cutting to pieces." he said, excitement creeping into his voice. Issei tensed up, sensing an imminent fight. "I am Freed Sellzen, Stray-Exorcist and killer of Devils like you. What about you fuckface, got a name?" he said, not really caring whether or not the Devil had a name.
Issei said nothing but summoned his Boosted Gear. If Haru had taught him anything, it was to be ready for anything from anyone. In a flash, literally, Issei was down on one knee as Freed had fired a round into his leg. The blessed round tore and burned through the flesh just above his left knee, spraying blood and bits of tendon across the floor.
"Gaaah!" Issei cried as the burning overwhelmed him. Freed grinned wildly and stuck his tongue out.
"Blessed rounds. Burns doesn't it? It's just what you fucking Devils deserve! But not only do I have a totally badass gun that fires blessed rounds, but also," he pulled a sword hilt from his side and it erupted to life in its true form as a sword of light. "A fucking lightsaber!"