When Asia and I stepped into the clubroom, I immediately sensed something was off. The usual warm atmosphere was replaced by a colder, more formal air.
The reason sat on the room's velvet sofa with pristine posture: the student council president.
"Student President…" I muttered under my breath.
Shitori Souna—known publicly by that name. But I knew her real identity now: Sona Sitri, heiress of the Sitri family and Rias's childhood friend. She was a third-year student like Rias, with an icy aura of intelligence and control.
Everything about her exuded order. Her beauty was distinct from Rias's fiery charm or Akeno's sultry elegance. It was sharper, like glass—clear, cold, and impossible to ignore.
She gave me a polite nod, her violet eyes briefly scanning over me like an appraiser gauging a product.
Beside her stood a male student in the student council uniform—broad-shouldered, short-haired, with a smug glint in his eyes.
"Ah," I remembered him. Saji.
Actually, that wasn't quite right. His name was Saji Gen—something. He'd recently joined the student council and served under Sona Sitri as one of her Devils—her Pawn, specifically.
"Oh? So you didn't tell him, Rias-senpai?" Saji said with a smirk. "Kinda weird he didn't sense us. We're Devils too, after all."
I didn't appreciate his tone. Something about him just rubbed me the wrong way.
Sona turned her gaze toward him with a slight shake of her head. "Saji. It can't be helped. Hyoudou-kun only recently became a Devil. It's natural he wouldn't recognize our presence. And we're not supposed to interact during school hours anyway, unless necessary."
Rias stepped in smoothly. "Ise, Asia. Let me introduce them formally. The student president, Shitori Souna, is in reality Sona Sitri, heiress of the House of Sitri."
Asia's eyes widened. "A noble…like Buchou?"
"Yes," Rias nodded. "She and I are from similar standings in the Underworld. Though our methods differ, she's someone I respect deeply."
Saji folded his arms, looking at me. "I'm Saji Genshirou. Second year. I serve as Kaichou's Pawn."
Yes, Genshirou is his surname. It's kind of hard to remember.
I looked him over and responded simply, "Hyoudou Issei. Also a Pawn."
Saji's eye twitched. "Tch. It really damages my pride to be compared to you. You, one of the infamous pervert trio, being the same piece on the board as me? It's a joke."
My eyebrow raised. "Oh? You've got a problem with me?"
"I've got four pawn pieces inside me. You think I'd lose to someone like you? Get real."
Before I could open my mouth to reply, a sharp chill swept the room.
Sona's voice was calm, yet cold enough to shut both of us up. "Saji. That's enough."
"But Kaichou—!"
Her gaze hardened. "We're not here to squabble. This is a formal introduction between our peerages. As Devils who use Kuou Academy as a base, it's important that both our groups are acquainted. That includes Hyoudou-kun and Asia-san."
Saji looked like he'd swallowed something bitter. "Understood…"
Sona turned her attention to me fully then. Her stare was analytical but not unkind. "And besides, Saji, you can't beat him right now. Not even close."
"What?"
"This is the one who defeated Riser Phoenix, the third son of the House of Phoenix." Her voice didn't rise, but the impact landed like a blow. "The Pawn who consumed eight pieces. The one who walked into a hopeless fight and dragged victory from it through sheer force of will."
Saji gawked at me. "Wait… You're that guy? The one who fought Riser? I thought it was Kiba or Himejima-senpai who saved Rias-senpai…"
"No," Sona said, cutting through the doubt. "It was Hyoudou-kun. I watched the match myself. You should too—it's recorded in the Rating Game archives."
Saji fell silent, visibly struggling with that fact.
Sona, meanwhile, kept her eyes on me. "I must admit, Hyoudou-kun, I didn't expect that performance from you. To willingly wield a Holy Cross against a Phoenix… that was unprecedented."
"Thank you, President," I said quietly.
She offered a slight nod. "It still gives me chills thinking about it. I've seen brave fights, but that one… that was closer to madness. You used your own pain as a weapon. It reminded me of something old devils used to say: The one who endures pain the most is the one you should fear the most."
I didn't have a good response to that. That fight had taken more from me than I wanted to admit. I still felt the phantom burns on my skin at night.
Saji looked at me again, less angry this time—more confused. Maybe a bit of reluctant respect.
"...Yes, let's get along. Still don't like him," he muttered.
"Duly noted," I said dryly.
"Yes. Let's get along."
Asia replied back with a big smile. Asia sure is a good child.
"If it's Asia-san, then I am very happy!"
Saji grabbed Asia's hand and made an attitude opposite to the one he gave me. Thi...this bastard! I took Saji's hands off Asia's and shook his hand while gripping it hard.
"Hahaha! Saji-kun! Please look after me as well! Also, I'll seriously fucking kill you if you lay a finger on Asia. Okay, Saji-kun!?"
I said it with a fake smile. Then he also smiled and held my hand stronger.
"Yes! Yes! Let's get along Hyoudou-kun! To have the blond bishoujo for just yourself. You really are a Brute-kun! Man, I wish there was a divine punishment that would fall on you! I wish you would die when lightning falls on you while you are on your way home!"
We made negative comments against each other. It must have looked weird. But I couldn't forgive this guy! He was different than Kiba, but I couldn't stand guys like him! Actually, I seriously wanted to hit him! I seriously won't let him walk alive if he touches Asia!
"You must have a hard time."
"You too."
Rias and Sona both made a sigh while looking at us.
~~~
(Volume 1: life as Issei is over in my Patreon and Vol 2: Rise of God has started. If you are interested check it out.)
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