"This is no joke!"
The day after the pool cleanup, Rias snapped in the Occult Research Club room, unable to hide her frustration.
"An archangel-turned-fallen officer sneaks into my town and disrupts my activities! Worse yet, he lays a hand on my adorable Issei… it's unforgivable!"
Apparently, after the pool incident, someone important summoned Issei. There, Azazel exposed his identity, and revealed there'd be a summit of the Three Factions held in this town.
When Rias said "disrupting business," she didn't mean money, it was more like interfering with his work granting people's desires as a devil.
"President, is it true that there's going to be a summit?"
"Yes, I just heard it myself. It's certain."
Yuuto, Rias, and Xenovia all looked serious, considering what this might mean after the Kokabiel incident.
"He contacted me specifically… was he after my Red Dragon Emperor's gauntlets, Boosted Gear?"
"Don't worry, Issei. Even if it's the fallen angel overseer, I won't let him have you."
Rias scooped Issei into her arms, and his anxious look turned into delight.
"Presi…dent…"
The mood was about love, not fear.
Then, suddenly: "What a lively atmosphere. Is there an event going on?"
A magical teleportation circle opened as Greyfia and another red-haired man, who looked remarkably like Rias, appeared.
"Wha—!? O—Older brother!?"
"You're the president's brother… the Maou?!"
Rias, Akeno, Yuuto, Koneko, and Issei respectfully dropped to one knee, while Asia, Xenovia, and I stood frozen. Issei gently nudged us:
"Guys! He's the Maou! We should kneel!"
But I hesitated:
"It's Japan, not the Underworld. Xenovia and Asia, fine, but me? I'm human."
The hesitation ended when Sirzechs, presumably Rias's brother, spoke:
"He's right. And I'm here in private. Please, relax."
He took time to greet the club's new members: me, Asia, and Xenovia. Then he addressed me:
"You must be Arima Ikki. Thank you for your help with Kokabiel, and that rating-game with Riser. I hear it was your plan. Rias likely learned a lot. As your brother, I offer my gratitude."
He was warm and sincere, even praising the audacious plan to read the blasphemous Bible aloud.
"I only helped as a friend and resident of this town."
"That's reassuring. I hope you continue being close with Rias."
Then Rias asked the question on everyone's mind:
"Brother, why are you here?"
"I'm on the board of this academy. Matters like this always end up under my purview."
From his pocket, he pulled out a plain slip of paper titled
"NOTICE: Classroom Observation."
"Could it be…?" Rias whispered.
"Rest assured, sister. Father even cleared his schedule so he could attend."
Rias choked on her tea.
"Father AND brother!? You are the Maou! You cannot treat me, a mere demon, any more specially! And what about your duties?"
"Haha! For my dear sister, I can handle any duty! Besides, this counts as work."
Greyfia stood nearby, rolling her eyes.
"Work?" Rias asked, confused.
"Indeed. I plan to host the summit of the Three Factions at Kuoh Academy. I'm here to scout."
Everyone was stunned, summits are usually held in grander venues than a school.
"Why this academy?" Rias queried.
"Because extraordinary power converges here: a Maou's, I mean, Rias's, shadow, Sitri's, the Red Dragon Emperor, wielders of Excalibur and Durandal, a White Dragon Emperor, Kokabiel, a pure-form Cerberus, and a human who defeated him. This can't be a mere coincidence. There must be strong causality."
He paused, then wore a slightly awkward smile.
"However… I have another concern."
"Concern?" Rias repeated.
"I didn't arrive until late. Can you still check into a hotel in the human world at this hour?"
Realizing his predicament, I offered:
"If you like, you could stay at my place, Rias will be there too."
"Issei?!" Rias gasped, but Sirzechs responded with enthusiasm:
"Splendid! I'd be honored!"
Rias couldn't refuse the Maou himself, so with a heavy sigh, the club adjourned.
I couldn't help but think: your sister's pride is about to shine at my house tomorrow… Good luck, Issei.
====================
Early the next morning, as I practiced my spiritual arts, a familiar aura passed through the school.
"Ugh!!"
"Strange sound, what's wrong, Issei?"
Kuroka asked. A moment later, she recoiled too:
"That white lizard… what's he doing here?" She meant Vali, who seemed to be there for more than sightseeing.
"He's a battle-fanatic. Maybe he came for your Red Dragon Gear, Issei."
This didn't calm me. Then:
"Hmm, Kuroka, you should get to school early."
"Wha—!?" I balked.
But Kuroka pressed on:
"He's got a fallen angel collar. If it escalates, the Gremory familiars will step in, your safety matters too, Ikki."
I gulped, but then she straight-up sent me to face it alone.
====================
On the walk, I arrived to find Vali already at the gate.
"Ah, Arima Ikki."
"Yes, Vali. Why are you here?"
He chuckled:
"Don't look so tense. I'm not here for a fight, Azazel told me to lay low. Today, I've come to visit my rival: Ikki Ikki."
"You… mean me?" I asked.
He slid his finger into my gauntlet's aura port, and I readied to attack until he spoke:
"Unaware, and unprotected. If I were to manipulate you with magic…"
He pressed Durandal and Excalibur to heads of Yuuto and Xenovia but didn't attack:
"Now isn't the time. Aside from weakening charm, continuing to carry that sword taxes you. If you're okay with an uproar in the human world..."
Yuuto and Xenovia holstered their swords, and we all stepped in front of Issei.
"Ikki Ikki, how strong do you think you are?"
The white and red dragons inside us are among the world's strongest. Unique beings deserve careful guidance, Rias."
"White Dragon Emperor, you can't casually associate with fallen angels."
Rias tried to argue, but he interrupted:
"Those who've dealt with two dragons never lived peaceful lives. What about you?"
"I've been by his side, and never been unhappy!"
"That's good. But dragons attract power. If you wish to stay side by side… grow stronger. Right now, you're too weak. Even that small dragon, Koneko, doesn't quite make the cut."
Rias exploded with fury, but he merely shrugged.
"Missiles always make me smile. But right now, my interest lies not in Rias or others…but in you, Arima Ikki."
He stared at me, my heart pounding.
"I want to share again that hot, burning night we spent, hopefully, to the end this time…"
The way he said it, was deliberate? Or maybe honest. His eyes did linger on me too long. Rias looked conflicted… mortified… I froze.
"I will look forward to our next… encounter."
He vanished. I turned to my friends:
"Issei… you… have… that kind of taste?"
"Issei, don't ever come near me again."
"Ugh… disgusting."
They shuffled away, Asia, Xenovia, and Yuuto too innocent, unaware.
====================
I explained he was just remembering our fight against Kokabiel.
They asked why I hadn't told them, my answer: I'd completely forgotten.
No official report was required, so the day ended with me forced to kneel in apology. Eventually, I had nothing to do and started a chess tournament, which only made others angrier.
"Serves you right."
I was at a loss for words...
=============
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