My whole body still hurt from fighting Vali.
Seriously, it felt like I'd been hit by a truck. Or ten.
The moment Buchou and I popped into the old school building with Castling, he was already there — white armor glowing, that stupid "I'm having fun" grin on his face like this was all just sparring practice.
[Divide!!]
Yeah. I'm gonna be hearing that in my nightmares.
Every time I Boosted, he just Divided it away. Over and over. The ground cracked under us. The walls exploded. My ribs felt like they were auditioning for a horror movie.
But I didn't stop.
I couldn't.
Not with Gasper trapped somewhere in here, being used like a tool.
In the end, Vali didn't even beat me. He just… got bored.
Before I could throw another punch, a new voice cut through the air—cheerful, almost mocking.
"Yo, Vali! Time's up, man. Boss lady says we're done playing."
A monkey-tailed figure dropped from nowhere—Bikou, the descendant of Sun Wukong, staff already over his shoulder like he'd been watching the whole thing from a tree.
He grinned wide, gold eyes glinting.
Vali clicked his tongue, aura fading.
"Tch. Already? Fine."
He shot me one last bored look.
"You're interesting, Hyoudou Issei. Next time, try not to bore me."
With that, he turned, white wings snapping open. Bikou gave a lazy wave, hopped onto Vali's back like it was nothing, and the two of them shot off into the distance, vanishing before anyone could give chase.
And the worst part?
A tiny part of me wants a rematch.
Ugh.
Anyway — Gasper. He was safe. That's what mattered.
He was curled up in the corner, shaking, knees to his chest. His eyes weren't glowing anymore, thank God.
The bracelet Azazel gave me was on his wrist, and it seemed to be working.
"Buchou…" he whispered.
Buchou knelt down and put a hand on his head. "It's okay, Gasper. You're safe now."
I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. My legs felt like jelly. Balance Breaker really takes it out of you, even with Azazel's cheat bracelet.
Seeing Gasper like that — scared, used — made something hot twist in my chest.
Those magicians… they didn't care he was just a kid.
Never again.
The doors creaked open behind me. The whole VIP squad walked in — Sirzechs-sama, Azazel, Michael-san, Serafall, Grayfia… and Kokonoe.
Kokonoe came in last, hands in his pockets like he'd just gone out for snacks. Suzuka was holding onto his sleeve. Haruka was on his other side, trying to look tough but kinda pale.
Azazel whistled. "Damn. You kids really went all out."
Sirzechs-sama looked around, then nodded at us.
"Well done, Rias. Issei-kun."
Rias stood, still keeping a hand on Gasper's shoulder. "We barely made it in time. They were using Gasper's time-stop to freeze everyone outside. If we hadn't used Castling…"
Yeah. I didn't want to think about that.
I scratched my head. "We couldn't just leave him."
Sirzechs-sama tried to say words to make up for it in another form, but Azazel held him back with his hand and showed that it 'wasn't necessary'.
"I also...caused trouble with Vali," I said.
"...So he betrayed you."
"From the start, he was a guy that pursued only power. If you look at it from the results, it's possible to understand and say 'Ah, I see'. —However, it's my responsibility that I didn't stop it from happening."
Azazel's eyes seemed lonely somehow. Did he feel something for the time he was with Vali?
Kokonoe leaned on the doorframe, smirking at the Governor.
"Told ya," he muttered, before his gaze shifted to Gasper.
"Nice work, pervert," he said. Not even insulting — just… Kokonoe. "Didn't think you had it in you."
I grinned. "Hey, I'm the Sekiryuutei. Gotta act like it sometimes."
Suzuka stepped closer, voice soft. "Gasper-kun… are you alright?"
He nodded a little, still hiding behind his knees.
Haruka crouched beside him. "You did good holding on. We've got you now."
Then Kokonoe spoke up — in Romanian.
"Ești bine, copile?"
And thanks to the devil language thing, I understood it perfectly.
Are you okay, kid?
Gasper peeked up, surprised. "Da… sunt bine, cred…"
Yeah… I'm okay, I think…
His voice sounded different when he answered Kokonoe. Softer. Like he actually believed it.
I don't know much about Romania, but… something about the way they talked felt personal. Like they were speaking the same language in more ways than one.
For a second, everything felt calm.
Then Azazel clapped his hands. "Alright, kids. Fun's over. We've got a dead Old Satan, a rogue Syndicate boss who just ate her power, and a whole lot of questions. Back to the conference room."
Sirzechs-sama nodded. "Grayfia, secure the area. Rias, bring Gasper."
Everyone started moving — except Kokonoe. He stayed still for a moment, staring at nothing.
Suzuka tugged his sleeve. "Kokonoe-kun?"
He blinked, then smirked a little. "Yeah. I'm coming."
But I saw his eyes before he turned.
It wasn't fear.
It wasn't anger.
It was colder.
Like he'd already decided what he was going to do the next time he saw LaVey.
And it wasn't going to be pretty.
I swallowed hard.
Whatever was coming next… Kokonoe wasn't just involved.
He was right in the middle of it.
But that was his fight.
I gotta get stronger. I can't fall behind.
I still want to be Harem King, after all…
And…
I'll protect Asia. And Buchou. And everyone else.
No matter what.
______________
[Kokonoe POV]
"And so, starting today, I'll be the advisor of this Occult Research Club. You can call me Azazel-sensei… or Governor, if you're feeling respectful."
The governor stood there in a politician suit like he owned the place, hands in his pockets. He grinned, way too relaxed for someone who shouldn't be allowed near a high school.
…Yeah. That tracks.
"…Why are you here?" Rias pressed her fingers to her forehead, already regretting every life decision that led to this moment.
Azazel spread his arms like he was unveiling a masterpiece.
"Hah! Got personally requested, didn't I? Serafall's little sister put in a good word. Guess being a ridiculously charming, good-looking genius finally paid off. I do pretty well with schoolgirls, you know."
"Absolutely not!" Rias snapped. "And more importantly—why would Sona ever approve of this?"
"You're as stiff as ever, Rias Gremory." He waved her off like she was missing the point. "Orders came from your dear big brother. Sona just handled the paperwork."
…Of course it did.
Sirzechs really looked at this walking red flag and went, yeah, perfect fit for a school.
Well, this could work out in my favor. If I play my cards right.
"The condition for me staying at this school," Azazel went on, scratching his chin like he was talking about a part-time job, "is helping the Gremory bunch here get their Sacred Gears to grow. Can't blame them. I'm basically the world's leading Sacred Gear enthusiast."
Of course he is.
"You've heard the name already," he continued, tone dropping just a notch. "Khaos Brigade. Nasty little group. As a future countermeasure, the Welsh Dragon—and by extension, your whole circle—has gotten pretty famous."
Fame. Great. Just what you want when lunatics start organizing.
"More importantly," Azazel smirked, "I specialize in the other guy. The Vanishing Dragon. From what I've gathered, Vali's put together his own crew. We're calling it the Hakuryuukou Team for now. So far, confirmed members include Vali… and Sun Wukong."
…Yeah. That's not concerning at all.
"Are Vali and the others going to attack here again?" Hyoudou asked, a bit too quickly.
Azazel shook his head.
"Not happening. That last stunt? Rare chance to take out the leaders of the Three Great Powers in one go. Failed, obviously." He shrugged. "Right now, their attention's on Heaven and the Underworld."
Makes sense. Go for the bigger targets first.
"In the Underworld, all my Fallen Angels have teamed up with the Devils. It's not collapsing anytime soon. Heaven's the same—those Seraphs aren't the type to sit still. Plus, you've got those freeloading sacred beasts up there, and the demonic ones down below."
So, everyone's arming up. Quietly.
"…So it's a war?" Hyoudou asked.
Azazel snorted.
"Not yet. Call it… skirmishes. Buildup. Both sides are still getting their pieces in place."
He glanced around the room, grin creeping back in.
"Relax. Full-scale war? Not happening anytime soon. You've got time—finish high school, maybe even university if you're lucky."
Right. Because that's reassuring.
"Enjoy your school life while you can," he added, almost mockingly. "But yeah—this is the long-awaited prep phase. So naturally, you'll be getting ready too, right?"
Hyoudou froze.
I could practically hear the gears in his head grinding to a halt.
"…Well…"
Nothing. Blank.
Yeah. Thought so.
Azazel clicked his tongue.
"Sekkiryuutei, don't overthink it. Actually—don't think at all. It's not your strong suit."
Ok, that was brutal. Accurate, but still brutal.
"Your enemy is the Hakuryuukou, Vali. That's it. Keep your eyes on that and you'll be fine."
I leaned back against the wall, arms crossed, watching the exchange play out.
"Maybe it's not a war for you," I cut in, voice flat. "But Hungary's got elections coming up."
I pulled out my phone, scrolling for a second before stopping on the article.
"And the frontrunner?" I tilted the screen slightly. "LaVey."
A few of them glanced over. I didn't bother translating right away.
Let them sit in it.
"Gábor LaVey. Hungarian Unity Party," I continued, tone dry. "On irredentism: 'Slovakia and Croatia are artificial states. Transylvania was stolen at Trianon. I will restore Hungary to its historical borders.'"
Yeah.
Take the most radical Jobbik politician and give him an army of reincarnated devils ready to wipe out humanity.
Silence settled in for a beat.
I lowered the phone.
"So yeah. Maybe not a war for you." I shrugged. "But where I'm from? It's starting to look like one."
Azazel let out a low whistle.
"Well, I'll be damned…" he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Guy's not even trying to hide it, huh?"
His eyes turned towards me, sharper now. He was actually thinking it over.
Good.
"Mix politics with supernatural backing, stir in a nationalist agenda…" he clicked his tongue. "That's not just some loudmouth candidate. That's someone setting the stage."
He shoved his hands into his pockets again, expression turning more serious than before.
"This isn't just a human election. It's infiltration."
He exhaled slowly.
"And if he wins?" Azazel glanced around the room. "Then congratulations—you've got a frontline forming right in Eastern Europe."
I just looked at him, blinking once.
"He's got the Holy Nail, you know?" I said flatly. "Orbán doesn't stand a chance. And what's worse? Those pigs in suits?" I let out a dry breath. "They can't stop him. Not anymore."
A humorless laugh slipped out.
"I come from a timeline where the EU and NATO kept pushing east, and Russia answered by invading Ukraine." I shrugged faintly. "War. Right on our doorstep."
My gaze shifted across the room.
"This?" I tapped my phone lightly. "This is a lunatic trying to hijack an EU and NATO country with a nationalist, irredentist agenda."
A beat.
"That's how world wars start."
Silence lingered for a moment longer than it should've.
Azazel didn't laugh this time.
"…Yeah," he said quietly, rubbing his chin. "That tracks a little too well."
He exhaled through his nose, eyes narrowing just slightly.
"Difference is, this time you've got more than politicians playing chess."
He glanced at me. "With artifacts like the Holy Nail? It's one push in the right place, and the whole board tilts."
He straightened, tone shifting back to something more deliberate.
"But don't mix things up. Human conflicts escalate because people believe in them."
He tapped his temple. "Supernatural ones? They escalate because someone wants them to."
A faint smirk returned, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.
"And LaVey sounds like the type who wouldn't mind lighting the match."
Well, yeah. That's the problem.
I stayed quiet.
The discussion shifted to power levels—and that's where things got interesting.
At Azazel's prompt, Kiba casually mentioned he could maintain Balance Breaker for an hour. Hyoudou, a bit embarrassed, admitted he could only hold it for ten minutes.
Gasper stayed hidden in his box, mumbling about his monstrous power.
Hyoudou's face shrinking like a kicked puppy when Azazel mentioned Vali can keep it for a month.
The usual comedy pack.
Yeah…
It's funny.
I started off weaker than all of them. And yet, I've already survived two sieges—and the Phoenix heir.
I'm probably stronger now.
Azazel's gaze shifted to Akeno.
"You still hate us, don't you… Baraqiel?"
…Right. Her father.
Akeno's expression hardened.
"I have no intention of forgiving him. It's that person's fault my mother died."
"When you fell and became a Devil, he didn't say anything."
"Of course not. He's in no position to."
Azazel exhaled lightly. "Yeah… maybe it's not my place to get involved."
"I don't consider him my father," she replied coldly.
"…I see. Still, joining the Gremory family wasn't a bad outcome."
She did taste leadership thanks to my stunt. But the Governor acting like the outcome excuses things, that didn't sit well with me.
Akeno didn't respond. Just that quiet, complicated look.
…Yeah. We're not touching that.
Azazel moved on. Straight to Hyoudou.
"Hey, Sekiryuutei. Your dream's a harem, right?"
"Yeah, that's right..."
Of course it is.
"Shall I teach you about harems? Even though I look like this, I've formed hundreds in my time."
…Oh no.
"...What!? Governor!?"
"S-S-S-S-S-S-S-Seriously!?"
"Yeah. Are you a virgin?"
"Y-Yes!"
"Good. I'll teach you about women too. Better to properly ensnare them. Hell, I fell because I couldn't keep my hands off human women. No compromises when it comes to ero."
"Y-You fell for such a thing!? Eh? Seriously!?"
Rias sighed, looking completely done with life.
"Really. According to legend, the leaders of the Grigori were tempted by human women and fell for teaching them knowledge from Heaven."
Azazel laughed.
"We were young. Thought God was everything—while being painfully virginal. Then temptation won. We had sex… and lost our place in Heaven."
…Unbelievable.
"Ah, somehow, I'm suddenly feeling sympathy for the Fallen Angels."
…Yeah. No.
I'm feeling envy.
Especially when this celestial grandpa's out here bragging about his conquests—while I managed to let the one woman who chose me slip through my fingers.
…
Fuck you, perverts.
"Ooh, sensible. If you're a man, live with desire. Devour women! Strength follows confidence. I'll even handle your graduation—introduce you to some beautiful Fallen Angels."
Yeah. This is a disaster.
"Uooooo! Seriously!? I can graduate!? I will follow you, Sensei!"
Of course he would.
"All right, then. Virginity-graduation tour."
…That's a phrase I never needed.
"That's way more fascinating than an all-you-can-eat-crab tour! I'll participate! I'll certainly participate! If there is an annual participation fee, I'll collect and pay it! Please let me participate on that tour for eternity!"
Hyoudou looked like he'd reached Nirvana. And Kurt Cobain would shift in his grave.
"P-Please wait, Azazel! Don't give Ise strange ideas!"
Rias grabbed him like she was saving his soul.
"It's fine, isn't it? At this age, it's healthy."
"I'm the one who manages Ise's chastity! Ise, what do you mean by getting rid of your chastity somewhere else!?"
…She what?
"Seriously!? My virginity is being managed by Buchou!?"
"Ise-san, do you mean to leave me and go somewhere far away...?"
Asia looked heartbroken.
"Ara, ara, Ise-kun, I'd be lonely if you went."
Akeno wasn't helping.
"...Ise-senpai is the worst."
And that was Koneko in her usual anti-pervert jihad mode.
"If Buchou is managing it, it won't be easy to produce a child... Muu."
Xenovia was taking this way too seriously.
"You sure are popular, Ise-senpai! As a hikikomori, I admire you!"
"Now you can't speak ill of me anymore, can you?"
Gasper and Kiba joined in like this was an achievement.
I rubbed my temple.
War brewing. Dragons moving.
…and this is what I'm stuck with.
"Y'all a bunch of kids," I muttered under my breath.
Rias sighed, long and tired, glancing at me.
"Don't encourage them," she muttered.
Hey. I'm talking about you too, in case you didn't know.
Akeno smirked. Koneko popped a biscuit with her usual flat expression, muttering a quiet "…Facts."
Gasper shrank in his box.
Hyoudou spun, chest puffed.
"HEY! I'm a MAN! A future harem king!"
I leaned back, arms crossed, eyes locked on him.
"A man, huh? Ever worked a corporate job just to pay your bills? Been dragged in cuffs to the station? Lost your woman because you were too stubborn to change—and chose danger over a future?"
The room shifted. Koneko patted the spot next to her, eyes just a shade sad.
I sat. She leaned her chips bag towards me, letting me eat in silence.
Asia and Kiba watched with soft, sympathetic eyes. Rias and Akeno both seemed lost in thought, while Azazel grinned like the universe's most irresponsible grandpa.
And Hyoudou? He just blinked.
"C'mon, dude… I'm sorry that happened to you… b-but this is different, okay?"
He leaned forward, eyes narrowing.
"And… you've got Haruka and Suzuka! You're already half-living my dream! And you're still hung up on the past? Seriously?"
I sighed, rubbing my temples.
"That's… narrow-minded. I just… gave them what's left of me, never knowing if it was enough," I admitted quietly.
Yeah. Not the right time.
Azazel laughed at Hyoudou's expense, leaning back in his chair like he owned the room.
"Yo, Ise, you do realize you just made a few girls here jealous, right? Congratulations — you're technically halfway to living your little harem dream. Dragons are naturally polygamous, so don't even bother asking me to teach you."
Then his gaze shifted to me.
"And you… Mihai, stop dragging yourself through the mud over what happened twenty years ago. If you've got a new life, there's a reason for it — and it ain't just the universe screwing with you."
…That was the first time he called me that name.
And it got the point across. Halfway.
I'm trying.
Azazel didn't pause.
"Well, this place has turned into a gathering for the three-way alliance: Fallen Angel Governor, the Maou's little sister, Angels, a legendary Dragon, and a certain reincarnated Romanian Yuki‑otoko. Play nice.
Sekiryuutei, perfect Balance Break. The rest of you? Power up. Summer vacation is training time."
Summer break, huh? I had other plans. Of course I'd train. I'd get stronger.
But my mind wasn't on that. It was home. And with LaVey closing in on Transylvania, going back isn't optional — it's mandatory.
After the meeting ended, I was heading home when I felt a light poke at my sleeve.
I turned.
Koneko was standing there, expression neutral as ever.
"Senpai…" she said softly. "Buchou and the others are going to move with Ise-senpai, but… I want to go with Kokonoe-senpai… if that's okay."
Her eyes didn't waver, but there was a quiet determination behind her words.
I blinked.
Sure, Haruka and Suzuka stayed with me before — but their homes in Nagano were destroyed.
This is different.
And yet… I could see why Koneko would choose me over that perv.
"I guess you can… if Prez is okay with it. I'm sure Mom wouldn't mind," I said, shrugging.
The walk home was quiet.
Koneko kept pace beside me, her bob swaying lightly in the wind.
When we reached the house, she stopped at the entrance and bowed her head.
"Thank you… for letting me stay," she said.
I shrugged, unlocking the door.
"It's fine. Mom likes you. And Haruka and Suzuka won't mind."
Koneko stepped inside like she'd done it a hundred times, slipping off her shoes and placing them neatly beside the others.
She didn't look around—she already knew the place.
Mom was sprawled on the couch, still in her work clothes, half‑watching TV. She stirred when she heard us.
Her eyes lit up instantly.
"Ah, welcome home, Takkun—oh? And you brought Koneko‑chan too~" she chimed, sitting up straighter. "My, my, you're becoming a regular guest."
Koneko bowed politely. "Good evening, Chisato‑san."
Mom's smile softened into something warm and genuinely pleased. "Aww, you're always so polite. Come in, come in. You must be tired too."
I raised a hand in greeting and got straight to it.
"Uh, Mom, we need to talk."
She blinked, then pressed a hand to her cheek in exaggerated surprise.
"Oh my. That sounds serious," she said, but her tone stayed light—like she was already bracing herself for whatever chaos I was about to drop on her.
Then she glanced between me and Koneko, her eyes narrowing in that "mother radar has been activated" way.
"…This isn't a 'we broke something expensive' talk, right?"
I sighed. "No."
"Good," she said, relieved. "Because I don't have the emotional strength for that today."
Then she turned to Koneko again, her expression softening all over.
"Sweetie, if you're staying the night again, that's perfectly fine. Just let me know if you need anything, okay? Extra blankets, snacks, a place to study—whatever you want."
Koneko nodded quietly. "Thank you."
Mom smiled like she'd just been handed a kitten.
When I told her that Koneko needed a place to stay, she froze for a moment, like her brain needed a second to start buffering. She wasn't shocked, though. She was just running through every possible implication at once.
Her eyes moved between us and I could practically see read her mind: Is she safe? Is she eating enough? Is she running from something? Is my son okay? Do I need to buy more groceries?
Then the tension melted out of her shoulders. She let out a soft breath, the kind that always comes right before she decides something important.
"Oh, sweetheart…" she murmured, her voice warm in that way she only used when something truly touched her. "Of course she can."
She turned to Koneko with a gentle smile, the kind that made people feel safe without even realizing why.
"You're welcome here anytime, Koneko‑chan. If you need a home… then this is your home."
Koneko bowed her head, murmuring a soft thank‑you, and Mom's expression melted even further.
She stepped closer, brushing a bit of dust from the girl's shoulder like she'd already adopted her on the spot.
"There's plenty of space," she continued, already slipping into planning mode. "We'll figure out a room for you, and if you need anything—just tell me. I'll take care of it."
Then she glanced my way, and for a moment her eyes shone with something like pride.
Sometime later, Koneko stood in the entryway for a moment, hands behind her back, eyes scanning the living room like she was taking inventory of a new territory.
She looked every bit as much like a cat settling in a new home.
"Where should I put my things?" she asked, turning to me.
"Upstairs. Guest room's free."
She nodded and climbed the stairs with her small bag — light enough that it barely made a sound when she set it down.
I followed a moment later.
She was already unpacking her stuff.
She didn't bring that much. Just a few clothes, some makeup tools and a plush cat placed on the pillow.
Koneko paused when she noticed me in the doorway.
"…Is this okay?" she asked quietly.
What do you think?
"Yeah," I said. "It's fine."
She nodded once, satisfied.
Then she walked past me, heading downstairs.
Then she walked past me, heading downstairs.
When summer break rolled in, I'd probably be fighting Oblivion in Transylvania, while she'd be training with Rias and the others in the Underworld.
But for now, we just had dinner—Mom nagging me about school, Koneko quietly asking for seconds, the TV murmuring in the background.
And for once… that was enough.