Kouh Academy
The student council office, normally a place of quiet authority, felt almost suffocating with the weight of bodies and clashing presences inside. On one side of the room, a long leather sofa creaked under the pressure of its unusual occupants.
Issei sat dead center, shoulders hunched awkwardly, a bead of sweat trailing down his temple. To his right, Kaguya sat with the elegance of royalty, her crimson eyes sharp and staring at the devils as if that alone could drill a hole. To his left lounged Evangeline, legs crossed, chin propped on her palm, her aristocratic smirk daring anyone to question her.
On his lap, however, sat Nyaruko and Run—one clinging with unrestrained enthusiasm, the other draping herself with smug possessiveness. Their narrowed eyes clashed like swords as they pressed closer to Issei, effectively pinning him in place.
"Uh, hey," Issei whispered nervously, tugging at his collar. "Could you two… y'know, maybe move? Hard to talk like this…"
"Nope!" Nyaruko chirped, tightening her grip on his arm and glaring at Run.
"Absolutely not," Run countered sweetly, though her hot-pink eyes flashed with challenge as she leaned closer. "I'm perfectly comfortable right here."
Their voices overlapped in hissing glares, both refusing to yield an inch of space.
Standing behind the sofa like guardians were Priscilla with her calm, golden-green eyes, Furina puffing up dramatically like she was about to announce a stage performance, Lala looking at the devils confused, Karura with arms folded and gaze sharp, and Kalawarna in her neat maid attire, her expression polite but alert.
Across from them, on a matching couch, sat Souna Shitori,no, Sona Sitri, her back perfectly straight, her violet eyes cold behind her glasses. Behind her stood her peerage, the tall and elegant Tsubaki Shinra, the quiet Momo Hanakai, gentle Reya Kusaka, fiery Tomoe Meguri, athletic Tsubasa Yura, and petite Ruruko Nimura. Each girl's gaze sharpened as it swept across Issei's harem, the air between the two groups thick enough to cut with a knife.
Sona's gaze lingered longer than most on Run and Nyaruko's brazen posturing. Their spoiled refusal to move, their possessive grips, their blatant competition for Issei's attention… it was ridiculous, yet it gave credence to the claim that these girls had indeed come here to be his wives. No other explanation could account for such shameless behavior.
The heiress sighed quietly through her nose before setting her pen down with deliberate care. "Very well. Let us begin." Her voice was calm, crisp, and measured.
She folded her hands in her lap and inclined her head ever so slightly. "My true name is Sona Sitri. Heiress of the Sitri Clan. Student council president of this academy. And a devil."
Her words hung in the air, her gaze carefully sliding from one strange girl to the next. She studied them intently, waiting for some flicker of recognition or surprise. But to her subtle irritation, none of them reacted strongly. Some blinked, others tilted their heads in idle curiosity, but none looked shocked.
With a faint frown, Sona gestured behind her. "This is my peerage. My Queen Shinra Tsubaki, and my Rook Tsubasa Yura, my Bishops Momo Hanakai and Reya Kusaka, my Knight Tomoe Meguri, and my Pawn Ruruko Nimura." One by one, the council members gave slight bows of acknowledgement, their eyes never leaving Issei's group.
Lala was the first to break the silence, raising her hand to ask a question. "Excuse me… but are you truly devils? You look no different than ordinary humans."
The Sitri peerage bristled, but Sona raised a hand to silence them. Before she could reply, Evangeline smirked, her eyes narrowing with amusement. "And why this obsession with chess metaphors? Queen, Rook, Bishop, Pawn… What's the point of such theatrics?"
Sona adjusted her glasses, her expression impassive. "Very well. If words are not enough, then proof."
At once, Sona's back split open to reveal a pair of elegant, leathery wings. Her peerage followed suit in perfect unison, wings of varying shapes and sizes unfolding behind them.
The atmosphere in the room shifted palpably.
"There," Sona said evenly. "You wished to see devils. Now you have."
A murmur rippled through the newcomers.
Furina's mismatched eyes widened slightly before she crossed her arms, trying to mask her awe. "Hmph. Interesting. I suppose that's one way to keep mortals entertained."
Karura tilted her head, her golden pupils flickering with interest. "So they really are another race. I expected… more menace."
Run smirked faintly, leaning on Issei's shoulder. "Still not impressed."
Lala blinked, utterly fascinated. "So subtle… demons who live like humans. How strange."
Sona's gaze sharpened, her patience already strained. She continued regardless, her voice measured. "We devils are not what the myths make us out to be. In truth, we are an endangered species with our population having dwindled with our birth rates being alarmingly low."
The room quieted at that revelation.
"To preserve our race, a system was devised. A set of fifteen chess pieces, known as the Evil Pieces, are given to High-class Devils. With them, we may reincarnate other beings into devils, expanding our ranks and preserving our existence. The girls behind me," She gestured to her peerage, "were once human. For one reason or another, they accepted to be reincarnated and now they stand as part of my family, power and my responsibility."
The Sitri peerage straightened at her words, their pride evident even in their silence.
Across from Sona, the newcomers exchanged glances, their reactions spilling out in a mess of contrasting voices.
Karura's lips curled downward, her arms folding tightly across her chest. "Hmph. Reincarnating into another race? Only weaklings would choose such an option." Her golden pupils glimmered with disdain. "If you can't survive as you are, then you don't deserve to continue. It's as simple as that."
Her blunt words made several of Sona's peerage tense immediately. Tomoe leaned forward slightly, fists clenching, while Ruruko's eyes narrowed.
Before anyone could snap back, Furina raised a hand dramatically, her mismatched eyes shimmering as she pressed the back of her glove to her forehead like a stage actress. "Oh, the tragedy! To sell away your humanity, your true essence, for power. How dreadful! How utterly heartbreaking! Are you even yourselves anymore, or hollow echoes bound in service?"
Sona's glasses glinted as she suppressed the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose.
And then—of course—Nyaruko popped up like an overeager child in class, waving her hand. "Ooh, ooh, I've got a question! Why are you so uncreative with your name? 'Souna Shitori' to 'Sona Sitri'? That's, like, barely even trying. Did you just roll letters around until they looked cooler?"
"Nyaruko…" Issei groaned, burying his face in his hands. Why does she always do this at the worst possible time?!
Sona's jaw tightened, the faintest twitch betraying her irritation. But she exhaled slowly and made the choice to simply ignore the cosmic gremlin. Instead, she turned her gaze deliberately toward Evangeline, who had been leaning back with sharp curiosity gleaming in her blue eyes.
"You claim your people reincarnate others," The vampire said, her voice smooth and aristocratic. "Very well. Then tell me the benefits. And the price. What does one gain… and what does one lose?"
At that, Sona adjusted her glasses and spoke in her calm, even tone, as though reciting from a practiced script. "The benefits of becoming a devil are numerous from an extended lifespan of 10,000 years that borders on immortality, greater magical power, a body that is strengthened and refined. You gain territory, influence, and protection under your King. And with that, if you raise up the social hierarchy, power, both personal and political."
She paused, letting her words hang before she continued, her tone softening but firm. "But there are drawbacks. A reincarnated devil is bound to the one who remade them. Loyalty is expected. Disobedience has consequences."
Her peerage behind her straightened subtly at those words, their expressions unreadable.
"And there are weaknesses," Sona added. "Holy artifacts and blessings can wound us far more than they should. Angels, church exorcists, even gods of other faiths—they despise or distrust us. We live with that hostility, always."
The room was heavy with her explanation, the atmosphere thick with the weight of her honesty.
Kaguya, seated primly beside Issei, let out a sharp, disdainful laugh behind her fan. "So in truth, reincarnated devils are nothing but glorified slaves. Shackled to their master, hated by the world and living only by borrowed grace. How… pitiful." Her words landed like a whip crack.
The effect was immediate. Tomoe's fists slammed onto her knees, her eyes blazing. "What did you just say?!"
Ruruko flushed with anger, stepping forward before being halted by Reya's hand. "We chose this! You think you can sit there and call us slaves?"
Even calm Tsubaki's eyes narrowed, her lips pressed into a thin, hard line.
The air between the two groups shifted, hostility sparking like static.
Just as Sona was about to draw breath to rein in her angered peerage, another voice cut through the room.
"That's enough." Issei's voice wasn't loud, but it carried. His tone lacked its usual sheepishness—there was a firmness that made even Nyaruko blink in surprise.
He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, staring at the girls beside him and those standing behind him. "That's enough. You don't know why they became devils. You don't know what choices they had… or didn't have. Judging them like that without knowing anything? That's wrong."
His gaze moved across them—Kaguya's haughty crimson eyes, Evangeline's amused smirk, Karura's scowling defiance. "If they agreed to it, then there must have been a good reason. I don't want to hear any more insults."
The weight of his words settled heavily in the room. His harem shifted uneasily under his firm gaze.
"And more than that," Issei added, scratching the back of his head, but keeping his tone sharp, "You need to apologize. You were being rude."
For a moment, silence.
Kaguya snapped her fan shut with a pout, turning her face aside. "Hmph. Very well, I will remain silent on the matter."
Evangeline arched a brow, lips curling in a faint smile, but said nothing further. Karura crossed her arms, muttering under her breath, clearly displeased but restraining herself.
But Nyaruko, Run, and Furina shifted uncomfortably under his look.
Nyaruko pouted, but mumbled out, "S-Sorry…" Still clinging to Issei's arm.
Run flicked her green hair with a reluctant smile. "Fine. I apologize. But only because you asked, Darling."
Furina placed a hand over her chest with theatrical flourish, her mismatched eyes shimmering. "Very well, I apologize. It was not my intention to wound such… fragile souls." She sighed dramatically, as though the act itself was a performance.
Priscilla stood tall, serene, silent—her composure unchanged. Lala simply blinked, not moving an inch. Neither had spoken rudely to begin with.
Issei exhaled, running his hand down his face. He turned toward Sona and her peerage, bowing his head slightly. "I'm sorry about what they said. They didn't mean to insult you personally. We're still… figuring things out. But I'll make sure they understand."
The tension in the room eased. Sona's peerage glanced at each other, some still bristling, but their expressions softened as their eyes shifted back to Issei. Even Tomoe, whose fists were clenched tight, let out a small huff and relaxed her posture.
Sona herself adjusted her glasses, her sharp gaze lingering on Issei longer than before. 'So he isn't just hiding behind them… He's willing to stand up to them, too.'
When Issei straightened again, he rubbed his neck awkwardly, his usual sheepishness returning. "Uh, anyway… I guess we should properly introduce ourselves. Though I doubt you need me to say my name." He gave a small laugh. "I'm Hyoudou Issei."
He gestured around the room, moving from one girl to the next. "This is Nyaruko, Kaguya, Evangeline, Priscilla, Lala, Karura, Run… and Furina."
At the very end, Furina puffed up, her lips curling in an exaggerated pout. "Why am I introduced last?! Do you not see the brilliance before you? Surely I should be in the spotlight!"
Issei groaned, muttering under his breath, "Furina its not that big of a deal."
The others snickered, and even Sona's peerage let out faint smiles at the small comedic display.
Sona folded her hands neatly on her lap, her violet eyes sharpening behind her glasses. When she spoke next, her tone was cool and precise with every word measured.
"I believe it is about time we move past introductions," She said, gaze sweeping across Issei and the women gathered around him. "Let us speak of why you are truly here. Hyoudou Issei…" her eyes flickered toward him before drifting deliberately across his harem, "…and all of you. What are your intentions in my territory?"
Issei opened his mouth, fumbling for words, but Kaguya raised her hand and stepped in without hesitation, her crimson eyes gleaming with authority.
"As I have stated once before," She said smoothly, "the truth is simple: for reasons unknown to us, Issei was chosen by destiny to be our husband. We heard the call, and we came to him from all across the world. And now we are bound to him as his wives. "
Her words rang with practiced poise, confident and unquestionable with many girls nodding along.
Sona's expression didn't change, but the faint narrowing of her eyes betrayed her doubt. "Chosen by destiny? That is not an explanation."
"Perhaps not," Kaguya admitted, her lips curling into a smug smile. "Even I cannot say who or what issued that call. It may have been a god. It may have been something else entirely. But it matters little. We all heard it, and we all came. That is the truth."
Murmurs rippled behind Sona as her peerage shifted uncomfortably, exchanging wary glances.
"You expect me to believe that?" Sona's voice tightened, her frown deepening. "That a gathering of monsters and strange women simply… wandered here because of a vague 'destiny'? You are clearly lying to me."
Issei flinched as her words cut across the room like a blade.
But before he could intervene, Evangeline leaned forward, her blue eyes glinting, her lips twisting into a sharp smile. "Does it even matter if you believe us?" Her voice was calm, yet every syllable dripped with mockery. "We are here. And there is nothing you can do to change that."
Her words fell like lead into the room. Tsubasa tensed, fists clenching. Tomoe shifted forward, glaring. Even the calm Tsubaki looked unsettled at Evangeline's brazenness.
Issei quickly raised his hands, his voice breaking through the tension. "Hey, hey! That's enough!" His chest tightened as he looked between Sona's peerage and his harem, the tension threatening to snap into violence at any moment. "Listen… I can't explain everything. I really can't."
He paused, drawing in a breath, then looked directly at Sona. "But I promise you—we're not planning anything shady. We're not plotting against you, your people, or anyone else. We just… want to live our lives here. That's all."
The room was quiet. Too quiet. Sona's violet eyes locked with his, searching for weakness, for deceit. For a long moment, she found only the nervous but steady resolve in his face.
Her lips pressed together into a thin line, and at last she leaned back in her seat. "…Very well. If you are lying, I will find out. If you are hiding something, I will uncover it."
Her thoughts whispered as her gaze lingered on him. 'They are hiding something. But he does believe his own words. I will not let this go. Not until I understand what is truly going on.'
The tension in the air eased, just slightly, as Sona adjusted her glasses. "Then let us move on. I have another matter to address."
Her eyes turned sharply, not toward Issei this time, but toward the maid standing dutifully at his side. Kalawarna straightened, her golden eyes calm but alert under the scrutiny of the Devil heiress.
"You," Sona said, her voice cool. "The fallen from last night. I have many questions for you."
Kalawarna inclined her head gracefully, her tone deferential but firm. "Ask what you will. I will answer honestly… so long as it does not go against the wishes of my Master."
Sona's sharp eyes glinted behind her glasses as she leaned slightly forward, her focus drilling into the maid who stood with her hands folded neatly before her. "You call Hyoudou Issei 'Master' so easily. It seems your allegiance has shifted rather quickly."
Kalawarna did not flinch. Her golden eyes were calm, her voice even. "Not shifted, corrected. I have learned the errors of my ways. Returning to the Grigori was… unlikely. I doubted they would ever accept me again."
Sona's brow furrowed. "Why?"
Kalawarna exhaled slowly, her expression dipping into something more solemn. "Because our mission was simple, observe Hyoudou Issei. Nothing more. Yet my group and I disobeyed those orders. We acted of our own accord, and in doing so, we made ourselves rogues."
A ripple of unease stirred through Sona's peerage. Tsubaki's eyes narrowed faintly, while Tomoe let out a sharp breath.
"And what," Sona pressed, her voice clipped, "was your plan? What did you intend to do, acting without your superiors' approval?"
Kalawarna lowered her head just slightly, the lamplight gleaming off her blue hair. "We sought to steal Sacred Gears from humans. Quietly without drawing attention. That was our purpose. Our failure, however…" Her gaze flicked briefly toward Issei, then back to Sona. "…speaks for itself. We were defeated and I was captured. And to escape death, I begged to be pardoned by my Master."
Her voice grew firmer, conviction steady as her eyes turned toward Issei, then the gathered women behind him. "And by his mercy, I was granted not only life, but the chance to serve faithfully—him and his mistresses. That is the oath I now live by."
The silence that followed was heavy. Sona's peerage exchanged wary looks. Reya shifted uneasily, her lips parting as if to speak, but she remained quiet.
Sona, however, did not let her cool mask slip. She adjusted her glasses, her voice lowering. "So your actions were not sanctioned by the Grigori."
"That is correct," Kalawarna affirmed.
"And yet you expect me to believe this was not an attempt by the Fallen to reignite conflict? To spark another war?"
Kalawarna shook her head firmly. "No. That was never our intention. Our goal was selfish, not strategic. The Grigori did not send us to provoke war. Our failures were our own."
Sona studied her carefully, her silence stretching, her thoughts hidden behind the glint of her glasses. At last, she gave a short nod. "Very well. Your words are noted."
Her gaze shifted then, sliding past Kalawarna to the boy at the center of the storm. "Hyoudou Issei. Then what of the angel that Reya saw last night? Why is she here?"
Issei blinked, mouth opening before closing again. Wait—angel? She means—
Before he could stammer an answer, Evangeline herself chuckled darkly, rising from the sofa with a grace that chilled the air. "You are mistaken, little heiress. She is mine."
Sona's brow furrowed. "Yours?"
Evangeline's crimson eyes glowed faintly as she gestured toward the quiet, watchful woman at her side. "That angel is my servant—my personal attendant. She came with me by her own choice. She does not belong to the Heaven faction, nor does she serve God or any choir."
The room froze.
Sona's peerage shifted, confusion flashing across their faces. "…Then why," Sona said carefully, her tone tightening, "has she not fallen? Why are her wings white, unlike the fallen who serves Hyoudou Issei?"
Her words cut the air like a blade, the unspoken accusation lingering between them an angel who had stray was meant to fall. That was the law of their existence. And yet they had one that defied that truth.
Issei swallowed hard, his mind spinning. 'Crap… how are we supposed to explain that?!'
Evangeline only smirked wider, her lips curving into something sharp and amused. "Oh, little devil, there are so many things in this world that your kind has yet to understand. Perhaps she is simply proof of that."
Sona's frown lingered, but after a steady breath she pressed her lips into a thin line. 'This group will not answer directly. They will twist words, smirk, or remain silent. Pushing further will yield nothing.'
Her sharp violet eyes turned back to Issei. "Then let us move on. Hyoudou Issei… what Sacred Gear do you possess that caused such disruption in the first place?"
Issei blinked, then let out a relieved laugh, scratching the back of his head. "Oh, that's easy! At least this I can show you."
He raised his left arm, and with a flash of red light, the Boosted Gear materialized. The dragon's gem embedded at the center as the gauntlet glowed faintly, its power pulsing through the room. The leather sofa groaned under the sudden weight of the aura, and even Sona's peerage involuntarily stiffened.
Sona's eyes widened behind her glasses, her composed mask cracking for the first time. "That's—" Her words caught in her throat. 'Impossible. One of the Thirteen Longinus… in this boy's hand.' Her mind raced. 'The Red Dragon Emperor here… the power to rival gods themselves…' Questions flooded her thoughts, each more troubling than the last.
Across the room, her peerage looked between each other in confusion. Tomoe tilted her head, frowning. "President? What's the big deal? It's just a regular Sacred Gear, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Tsubasa muttered, scratching her cheek. "Looks flashy, but…"
"More than flashy," Momo whispered, her eyes darting between Issei and Sona's pale expression.
Sona inhaled slowly, regaining her composure before her peerage could panic at her silence. She pushed her glasses higher. "That gauntlet is not 'just flashy.' It is one of the Thirteen Longinus. Sacred Gears that are so powerful they can kill gods. What Hyoudou Issei holds is the Boosted Gear, the embodiment of the Red Dragon Emperor, Ddraig."
Gasps rippled through the council. Reya clutched her chest, stunned, while Ruruko's eyes widened in shock. Even stoic Tsubaki's eyes flickered with disbelief.
On the opposite sofa, Kaguya's lips curved upward into a triumphant smirk behind her fan. She turned her crimson gaze toward the devils, her voice smooth but sharp. "So, you understand. Even devils lesser than us know their place, for my husband's destiny far surpasses yours. Remember this well—he is no ordinary mortal. He is chosen for greater things in this world."
Sona's mouth tightened at the smug barb, but she refrained from retorting. Instead, she steadied herself and made a decision. 'It is a long shot… but if he accepts…'
She folded her hands in her lap and addressed Issei directly. "Hyoudou Issei. With such power, I ask you plainly: would you consider becoming a devil? To join my family, and stand among us?"
The room exploded in reactions before Issei could even blink.
Kaguya shot to her feet, her aura flaring crimson as her fan snapped open with a crack. "How dare you! You presume to offer chains to my husband? To shackle him under you? His destiny is greater than servitude to devils!"
All the other girls were also angry and were also to the point of shouting but Kaguya beat them to it.
"Easy, easy!" Issei yelped, raising his free hand, his face red with panic. "I-I didn't even say anything yet!"
But when his thoughts caught up to the question, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Uh… I mean… thanks, I guess? But no, I'm not interested in being a devil. I just… want to be me."
The simplicity of his answer silenced the room.
Sona stared at him a moment longer, then exhaled through her nose, her shoulders relaxing. "I expected as much. Still, I had to try." She adjusted her glasses once more, her mask of calm composure returning. She didn't even glance at the other women; their hostility already told her their answers.
The tension in the room slowly ebbed as Issei let the Boosted Gear fade into light once more. He shifted on the sofa, scratching his cheek nervously. Then, after a moment, he leaned forward, looking directly at Sona.
"…President. Could I… ask you for a favor?"
Sona tilted her head slightly, her peerage instinctively stiffening behind her at the word. Her eyes sharpened, curious and cautious all at once. "…A favor?"
Issei nodded, his usual awkward grin tugging at his lips, though his eyes were steady. "Yeah. Just hear me out first." Then he leaned forward, his expression soft but serious.
"…President," He said carefully, "Could you… allow some of the girls to enroll at Kuoh?"
The effect was immediate. His harem turned to stare at him in surprise.
"What?!" Nyaruko shot up, eyes sparkling like a child on Christmas morning. "Darling, does that mean we can go to school together? Walk the halls hand-in-hand, share lunches, sneak kisses behind the gym—oh, oh, oh, this is perfect!"
Run perked up too, her pink eyes shining with delight. "So it'll be a proper high school romance then? Sitting next to you in class, watching you practice, maybe waiting for you after school… Darling, you're finally thinking like a true boyfriend!" She leaned against him with a bright grin, practically glowing.
Issei laughed nervously, scratching his cheek. "W-Well, I just thought… you know, you should all enjoy your youth too. This is still a school, after all. Having fun, making memories, not just… staying locked up all the time."
But not everyone shared Nyaruko and Run's excitement.
Priscilla tilted her head, her golden-green eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "It is not a priority for me. School life is… unnecessary."
Karura folded her arms, her golden pupils flickering. "Hmph. Sitting in classrooms won't make me stronger. I'll pass."
Furina gave a dramatic sigh, twirling a strand of her cyan-green hair. "Me? In a school again? Surrounded by mortals who could never understand my brilliance? Hmph, still… if it means staying close to my husband, perhaps I'll grace them with my presence."
Lala simply blinked, her head balanced carefully in her hands. "I have no objections… but human schools sound strange."
But it was Evangeline who cut across them sharply, her blue eyes narrowing. "Absolutely not." She leaned back with her arms crossed, her expression hard. "I will never set foot in a school again. After decades trapped in that cage, forced to play the role of a student… I won't waste my freedom repeating that prison."
Her words struck the air like frost.
Issei blinked, startled by the intensity in her tone. He wanted to ask, but the look on her face stopped him cold.
Sona, however, noticed. Her violet eyes flicked toward Evangeline, narrowing as she pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. Trapped? Decades? Another puzzle piece she couldn't yet place—but she tucked the words away, determined to recall them later.
After a pause, Sona's lips curved faintly. "Very well. If this is your request, Hyoudou, then I will allow it. However—do not expect the favor to come cheaply."
Issei nodded quickly. "That's fair. I'll have to ask the others first anyway, see who's actually interested. I'll give you an answer tomorrow."
Sona's sharp mind caught the slip instantly. 'Others? There are more.' Her eyes narrowed further. 'So this isn't all of them. He has more wives that we have not yet seen.'
Aloud, Sona then said, "Then understand this. The number you bring will determine the number of favors I will demand. And I will not allow any among them who might cause disruption or chaos."
Before Issei could respond, Kaguya scoffed, snapping her fan open with an imperious flick. "You should be grateful we have not already taken this territory by force. To quibble over enrollment like this… how pitiful."
The tension spiked again, but Issei quickly waved his hands frantically, his voice desperate. "D-Don't listen to her! Kaguya just… gets carried away sometimes. I promise, anyone who joins won't cause trouble. They'll be on their best behavior. I'll make sure of it."
Sona studied him for a long moment, her gaze cool and measuring. At last, she exhaled softly, her voice calm but edged. "…Very well. I'll hold you to that promise, Hyoudou Issei."
Her peerage shifted uneasily behind her, clearly unconvinced, but Sona's eyes never left his.
Issei swallowed hard, sitting a little straighter under her scrutiny. 'Man… what have I just signed myself up for…?'
Sona then adjusted her glasses, violet eyes flicking once more across the bizarre collection of women at his side. So many questions swirled in her mind, about their origins, their powers, to their identity but she knew pushing further would yield nothing. Not today.
"…That will be all for now," She said at last, her voice calm but edged with quiet irritation. "You may go."
Issei let out a sheepish laugh, scratching the back of his head. "Hehe… sorry, President. I know this didn't exactly answer your questions. But I swear, we're not here to cause problems."
"See that you don't," Sona said firmly, her gaze sharp as a knife.
Rising from the sofa, Issei gestured for his companions to follow. Nyaruko and Run hopped off his lap, though not without playful pouts and the whole entourage filed toward the door. Kalawarna bowed politely before stepping after her Master. The door closed behind them with a heavy thud, leaving the office in tense silence.
For a long moment, no one spoke. Then Tsubaki broke the quiet. "President… Will that group be trouble?"
Sona's hands folded tightly atop her desk, her lips pressing into a thin line. "…I don't know." Her voice was low, almost reluctant. "But I worry."
The peerage shifted uneasily. Reya clasped her hands in front of her chest, while Tomoe leaned forward, frowning.
Tsubaki's calm voice carried again, but with a slight edge. "Shall I contact Serafall-sama? If you request her involvement, she will certainly—"
"No." Sona's tone cracked like a whip, her violet eyes flashing as she looked sharply at her Queen. "I will not call my sister. I will resolve this myself."
Her peerage stiffened at the vehemence in her voice.
After a beat, Tsubasa cleared her throat, her usual bluntness cutting through. "Then what should we do in the meantime? Sit and watch while they strut around our territory?"
Sona exhaled slowly, gathering herself before answering. "…When those new students enroll at Kuoh, I want you to befriend them. Smile. Be welcoming. Gain their trust. If they let anything slip about their origins, their powers, their true purpose, I want to know it. If there are cracks in their story, we will find them."
Her words hung heavy, her tone decisive.
Momo and Reya exchanged glances, hesitant but obedient. Ruruko straightened nervously, nodding. Tomoe gave a sharp nod, clearly eager to act.
Tsubaki's gaze lingered on her King, studying her carefully. "…And what of Rias? Should we inform her of this situation?"
Sona's lips pressed into a harder line. She turned her eyes toward the window, the glow of the evening casting long shadows across her glasses. "…No. Not yet. If Rias hears of this, her pride will be stoked. She may act rashly, and the consequences could fracture more than just her authority. Until I understand them… this stays between us."
The office fell into a hushed silence once more. Her peerage stood tall, obedient but uneasy.
Sona's hands tightened against her desk. 'Hyoudou Issei… and his strange harem. This is a mystery I will unravel… even if it's the last thing I do.'
—-----------------------------------------------
The evening air of Kuoh was calm with the streets lit with the warm glow of streetlamps as Issei and his unusual entourage made their way back to the castle. The faint buzz of cicadas filled the quiet, and every passerby they encountered gave them a wide berth—unable to explain why this mismatched group felt so… unnatural.
Issei walked at the front, his hands stuffed awkwardly into his pockets, while behind him his wives debated animatedly.
"I'm not going," Lala said flatly, adjusting the scarf around her neck with one hand. "Schooling has no appeal to me. Watching mortals pretend their lives have meaning? Boring."
Priscilla nodded with serene agreement, her golden-green eyes calm. "I will not waste my time in classrooms either. My duty is to protect and guide. I have no use for lectures."
Evangeline smirked, her blue eyes glittering as her lips curled. "As if I'd ever set foot in a school again. After finally being free, I won't put on a uniform and sit at a desk like some prisoner. Absolutely not."
Kaguya scoffed, fanning herself as she walked with her chin high. "And why should I, a royal, humble myself among commoners? Such humiliation would tarnish my name. Let the others play as students if they must."
Karura snorted, folding her arms. "Tch. Schools are dens for weakling. I'd rather spend my time training and am not interested."
Furina threw her arms out dramatically, her mismatched eyes sparkling in the lamplight. "Me, trapped in classrooms filled with dull mortals? I am the star of the stage! No audience there could ever appreciate me!" She spun on her heel, sighing dramatically. "No. I decline."
One by one, the refusals piled up.
And then came the shrill voice of excitement that pierced the quiet.
"Of course I'm going!" Nyaruko shouted, practically bouncing along the sidewalk. "Darling and me in school uniforms, passing notes in class, sneaking kisses during lunch break—it's everything I've dreamed of!" She clung tighter to Issei's arm, her grin stretching wide.
"Don't think you'll have him all to yourself," Run chimed in with a mischievous smirk. "I'm going too. And unlike you, I'll make sure our high school romance is perfect—walking to school together, studying late nights, sharing umbrellas when it rains. It'll be adorable, Darling." She pressed against his other arm, eyes flashing as she glared at Nyaruko.
The two women's glares clashed like thunder, both pulling Issei's arms tighter until his shoulders ached.
"H-Hey! Ease up! You're gonna pull my arms out of their sockets!" Issei whined, trying to wriggle free.
He sighed as they bickered, muttering under his breath, 'Man… I wonder what Shiraori, Henrietta, and Yukina are gonna say about all this. They haven't even spoken up yet.'
Behind the group, Evangeline's smirk faded into a thoughtful frown. She crossed her arms, her blue gaze drifting toward Issei's back. "…Enough nonsense. Now that your little meeting with the devils is over, it's time to think seriously. We need to begin your training again."
That made several heads turn.
"Training?" Karura's golden pupils lit up instantly. "What kind of training? Fighting? Combat drills?" A sharp grin spread across her face. "Finally, something useful. Tell me when we start, husband. And after training… we can begin making children."
Issei stumbled over his own feet, nearly face-planting onto the sidewalk. His face turned bright red. "W-Wha—don't say that out loud! We're in public!"
Several heads turned as passing pedestrians gave him bewildered looks before quickly scurrying away. Issei groaned into his hands. 'Great. Now the whole town thinks I'm a weirdo.'
Priscilla, walking calmly beside them, inclined her head. "I agree with training. But before that… perhaps a date." She glanced at Issei, her gaze steady but not unkind. "The others deserve their moments too."
"Yes!" Nyaruko jumped in, pumping her fist into the air. "Dates first! Training later! Darling, you owe me a date after all the drama we've been through!"
"Correction—you owe me a date," Run interjected, flipping her hair with a smug grin. "After all, I kissed you first."
Issei turned beet red. "S-Stop bringing that up!"
Meanwhile, Furina twirled on her heel, her ponytail swaying dramatically. "Ugh, so dull! Walking through streets, talking about dates… I need something exciting! A grand performance, a stage, fireworks—anything! When will this world give me something worthy of my brilliance?"
Lala tilted her head, her expression calm but her tone carrying an odd excitement. "I agree with Furina. This world is different from mine… so different. If it hides devils, angels, and more, then surely there must be thrilling battles to experience. I want to see it."
Issei rubbed his temple, his patience fraying. "Look, look! We'll figure it all out later, okay? Training, dates, performances, whatever. Right now, let's just get home. I've had enough near heart attacks for one day."
The group fell into uneasy laughter and bickering again, their voices echoing down the quiet Kuoh streets.
—------------------------------------
By the time the group reached the run down church, the familiar silhouette looming against the sky, Issei felt the weight of the day pressing down on his shoulders. 'Finally home… maybe I'll get five minutes of peace before trouble starts.'
But peace was the last thing waiting for him.
As the heavy doors swung open, the sight that greeted them made everyone stop in their tracks.
The throne room was no longer the barren, echoing hall it had been. Bright, silken curtains cascaded from the walls and ceiling like waterfalls. Soft carpets and thick rugs muffled their steps. Cushions and pillows of varying sizes lay scattered across the floor, with sofas and low seats arranged in clusters. Blankets of shimmering white and pale gold folded neatly across the armrests.
It looked less like a throne room and more like an opulent lounging hall, warm and inviting.
"Eh…?" Issei blinked dumbly, scratching his cheek. "Where the hell did all this come from?!"
The girls looked around, equally stunned.
Priscilla folded her arms, her golden-green eyes narrowing. "These furnishings were not here when we left."
Lala lifted her head from her arms, tilting it at the silken curtains. "Strange… such fine material. Where was it obtained?"
Immediately, everyone turned their eyes toward Nyaruko, suspicion in their stares.
Nyaruko pointed to herself in mock shock. "What? Me?!" She puffed her cheeks indignantly. "Don't look at me like that! I've been with you the whole time, remember? I didn't sneak back to redecorate our castle!"
Issei rubbed his temple, already feeling a headache forming. "Okay… if it wasn't you, then who—"
The sound of soft footsteps interrupted him. From the far side of the room, Raynare appeared, her maid uniform pristine, her violet eyes calm as she bowed gracefully. "Welcome home, Master. Mistresses."
Issei blinked, relief flooding through him. "Raynare! Great timing. What's going on? Where did all this come from?" He gestured at the transformed room, cushions and curtains practically glowing under the torchlight.
Raynare straightened smoothly, her voice composed. "These were the creations of Mistress Shiraori. With her ability to produce silk, she wove and crafted these furnishings herself. Lady Yukina, Lady Henrietta, and I did our best to place each piece in its proper room."
Everyone then felt a presence and turned at once toward Shiraori, who was seated in the corner silently, her crimson, many-pupiled eyes t. Her delicate hands twisted the hem of her sleeve as she tilted her head faintly.
"…So you can do this too?" Issei muttered, his jaw slack.
Kaguya quickly spoke and broke the silence. "Hmph. Impressive. Quick thinking, and well executed. This castle did look rather plain before. Its creator may have had strength, but taste in decoration? Hardly." She cast a pointed glance toward Evangeline, her lips curving in a smug smile.
Evangeline froze. Her blue eyes narrowed, and the smirk that curled across her lips was sharp and venomous. "Excuse me?" Her voice was low, dangerous. "Creating this place took hard work, princess. Without me, you'd be squatting in ruins. You think you could have done better?"
Kaguya's fan closed with a sharp clack. "Undoubtedly."
The atmosphere in the throne room darkened instantly. Sparks practically flew between the vampire and the empress as their glares locked, both women unwilling to yield an inch.
"Uh oh…" Nyaruko whispered with a grin, nudging Run. "Catfight incoming. Place your bets!"
Run smirked. "Kaguya has the height advantage. But Evangeline's got bite."
Issei groaned, stepping between the two women before it could escalate further. He raised his hands, placing one gently atop each of their heads, pressing down just enough to ease the rising tension.
"Alright, alright! That's enough!" He said, his tone firm despite the nervous sweat dripping down his face. "Both of you shouldn't fight. And Evangeline, thanks for building this place in the first place. So can we please not fight?!"
Both women pouted in unison—Kaguya averting her gaze with a huff, Evangeline folding her arms with a sharp "tch." But neither pressed the matter further.
Issei let out a shaky sigh, glancing around at the silken paradise the throne room had become. He turned toward Shiraori, who still sat quietly, watching him with those unsettling, unblinking eyes. He smiled sheepishly, scratching his cheek. "Uh… thanks. It looks amazing."
The faintest flicker of a smile touched her lips, barely there before fading back into her calm silence.
But then two figures stepped into the hall, carrying with them the faint aroma of freshly cooked food.
Henrietta appeared first, but gone was her layered, puffy royal gown. Instead, she wore a modest blouse and skirt of soft ivory and navy, her hair tied back simply, giving her a far more approachable air. Walking beside her was Yukina, no longer in her cyan kimono but in a plain but elegant dress, the fabric light and practical while still complementing her gentle form.
Issei blinked in surprise, his mouth opening slightly. "Whoa… Henrietta, Yukina… you two look amazing."
Henrietta, graceful as ever, gave a small curtsy, though a faint blush touched her cheeks. "I am glad you approve, Sir Issei. These clothes are… far easier to move in. Less weight to carry than my gowns."
Yukina, however, froze under his words, her pale face quickly heating as she fidgeted with her sleeve. "…T-Thank you…" She murmured, her crimson eyes darting away as though his compliment burned.
Nyaruko leaned in with a sly grin. "Ooooh, Darling's turning the shy ones red now. Guess we know who's weak to a little praise."
Run smirked, folding her arms. "Compliments are cheap. A real husband proves his love through dates."
Issei's face went red. "H-Hey! I was just being honest!"
But curiosity soon replaced his embarrassment as his gaze lingered on their outfits. "Wait a sec… where did you even get those clothes?"
Henrietta smiled warmly, her hands smoothing down her skirt. "Lady Shiraori provided them. She fashioned these garments herself. They are quite comfortable, and the quality is remarkable."
Yukina nodded shyly in agreement. "They're… very soft."
Issei turned toward Shiraori, who sat silently in her corner, her many-pupiled eyes watching. He rubbed his neck sheepishly. "Man, Shiraori, you've really been going above and beyond. First the furniture, now clothes? You're like our tailor, decorator, and interior designer rolled into one."
Shiraori tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. A faint, almost imperceptible hum left her lips—whether acknowledgment or dismissal, it was hard to say.
Before Issei could say more, Yukina and Henrietta both clasped their hands together, their expressions bright. "How did the meeting with the devils go?" Henrietta asked, her tone both curious and a little anxious.
Issei opened his mouth, ready to answer—
Grrrrrrrrr.
The sound was loud, unmistakable, and it came from Issei's stomach.
The boy froze, his face turning crimson as he laughed nervously, clutching at his gut. "Hahaha… I guess… I'm kinda starving."
Silence hung for a moment before Nyaruko burst into laughter, nearly falling over. "Pffft! Darling, you can't win against an empty belly!"
Karura smirked. "A warrior cannot fight on an empty stomach. Best we eat before anything else."
Evangeline pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering something about "idiot boys" under her breath.
But Henrietta and Yukina only smiled, their eyes kind. "Then it is fortunate," Henrietta said, "that Yukina and I have finished preparing dinner—with Raynare's help."
Raynare appeared again from the side hall, bowing in her maid uniform, her violet eyes calm. "The meal is ready, Master. Please, come to the dining hall. Everything has been arranged."
Issei's stomach growled again, even louder this time, betraying any attempt at composure. He raised his hands defensively. "O-Okay, okay, I get it! I'm hungry, alright!"
The girls chuckled among themselves, though even Kaguya's lips curved into the faintest amused smile behind her fan.
Henrietta clasped her hands gently. "Then let us eat together. You can tell us of your meeting as we dine."
Issei's shoulders relaxed as he let out a sigh of relief, a grin tugging at his lips. "Sounds perfect."
And with that, the group followed Henrietta, Yukina, and Raynare toward the dining hall, their voices mingling together—some teasing, some curious, some quietly thoughtful—as the scent of warm food grew stronger.
Finally done. Tell me what you think and if I made any mistakes. Which summons do you think will like to go to school? What favors will Sona ask of Issei? Like always this commission was brought to you by Deus Ex Mima. So be sure to thank him. Come show your support at my patreon.com/orengeflame. Also one extra chapter in patreon.
