My friend turned out to be a devil… You might think, "Are you okay in the head?" but I'm perfectly sane. If anything, it's the people around me who are crazy.
A few days ago, Rias suddenly brought me and Asia to the Occult Research Club, where she's the president. The place was more legit than I expected, with magic circles and mysterious writing on the walls. And there, Rias dropped a bombshell.
"Before anything else, let me tell you who we really are. Kanzaki-kun… we're devils."
As she said that, Rias sprouted wings from her back. Not just her—Akeno, Kiba, Koneko, and even Issei all did the same.
"…Huh?"
I let out a stunned sound. I mean, come on, anyone would react like that if they saw something like this out of nowhere, right?
I'd heard from my mom that devils exist in this world, and after seeing that red-haired pretty boy and the magical girl, I didn't really doubt it. But who could have guessed that my friends, right next to me, would turn out to be devils?
While I was freaking out inside, Rias explained a lot of things to me.
Honestly, it was all so dense and complicated that I couldn't take it all in at once, but I didn't want to make her repeat the whole thing, so I just pretended I understood. I'll ask Kiba about it later, Akeno is too scary to ask.
But there was one thing in Rias's story that struck me as odd. According to my mom, devils, angels, and fallen angels all stopped their war to fight together against the red and white dragons. I thought they all became friends after that, but apparently, they're fighting again now.
When I asked about that, Rias looked really shocked. After Kiba explained, she asked me something that floored me.
"…Kanzaki-kun. Have you ever heard the word Fury?"
I deserve a gold star for not spitting out my tea. "Heard of it?"- wait, are you talking about me!? Why!? Why is my embarrassing past from over a thousand years ago still being talked about!?
No, calm down. Maybe it's just someone with the same name. …But what if it's not? What if the reason it's still remembered is because I was "that cringey guy who showed up in the middle of the three factions uniting against a powerful enemy, started shouting embarrassing lines, and threw the whole battlefield into chaos"? Did that red-haired pretty boy or the magical girl spread the story!?
"I mean, we were fighting so hard, and then that happened, you know?"
"Seriously! And what was with suddenly hugging people? I could've sued for that!"
If people found out, I'd be laughed at by devils, angels, and fallen angels alike. "Hey, it's the legendary knight ," or "What's Voda? Tell us, oh mighty knight !" I'd definitely become a shut-in.
"No… I've never heard of it."
"…I see."
I could almost hear the wail of the despair rep, but no thanks. To avoid a future of despair, I lied. Rias didn't press further, but I swear her eyes were saying, "I don't believe you." Stop! My life points are already at zero!
But Rias didn't care about my inner suffering and suddenly invited me to become a devil. Apparently, with the Evil Pieces, even a human can become a devil. That's how Issei became one.
But Rias, even if you couldn't think of a better way to invite me, you shouldn't say, "I want you." Others would totally get the wrong idea.
Anyway, becoming a devil, huh. For me… I didn't really care either way. But for Asia, it was different. Like Rias said, there's no telling when some pervert might target her again. If someone as powerful as Rias, who's trusted with a whole territory, can protect her, then she should definitely take that offer. When I suggested it, she said she'd become a devil if I did.
She must be anxious about being the only one. So, as the older one, I decided to go first. Rias pressed a chess piece to my chest. So this is the Evil Piece.
Then she started chanting some grand incantation. When she finished, the piece was absorbed into my chest… or so I thought, but it popped right back out. Uh, does that mean it worked?
"I-it rejected the piece!? No, the piece came out on its own!? What's going on!? This has never happened before!"
So it failed after all. Huh, why? Maybe this cheat body of mine rejected becoming a devil? Or maybe the Evil Piece saw me as a foreign object? Or maybe, since devils are weak to light, my body decided it didn't need any more weaknesses? Just a guess, though.
Rias looked really shocked. Did she really want to make me a devil that badly? But if you made someone as cringey as me a devil, it'd be a disgrace to all devils! I say all this, but I'll probably keep using Al Van mode from now on.
---
"…Ma-san. Ryoma-san!"
"Huh…!?"
I snapped out of my deep thoughts when I heard my name. In front of me was Asia, tilting her head cutely.
"What's wrong? I've been calling you for a while and you didn't respond at all."
"Ah, sorry. I was just thinking."
"I see. If you ever have any worries, please don't hesitate to talk to me. I don't know if I can help, but I can at least think about it with you!"
"Thank you, Asia-san."
"No need to thank me. I'll do anything for you, Ryoma-san."
Ah… an angel. There's an angel right here. I can almost see white wings on Asia's back…
"And, please, just call me Asia. You're going to be taking care of me from now on, and I'm younger than you anyway."
Eh, is that okay? I usually stick to basics, but if you're giving me permission, I'll take you up on it.
"Asia… Is that okay?"
"…Hauu."
Wait, you just said it was okay, right? Why do you look so embarrassed?
"If you don't like it, I can go back to how I called you before."
"N-no! You don't have to! I'll get used to it!"
If you really hate it, I'll stop, you know? But seeing her so determined, I couldn't say anything.
Anyway, let's get to the main point. Why am I with Asia on my day off today? It's related to what she just said about "taking care of her."
It's not a complicated story. She's just going to be living at my house from now on. …Too sudden? Let me explain step by step.
After the perverts were dealt with (I'm not sure, but I think Rias reported them and they all got arrested), and the church stopped functioning, Asia had nowhere to live. Feeling sorry for her, Rias put her up in a nearby hotel for a few days. As expected of Rias. She does things we could never do. I admire her!
But of course, she couldn't keep living like that forever. So after talking it over, Rias suggested Asia move into my house. I didn't mind. I have extra rooms. But wouldn't a girl her age be uncomfortable living in a house with a guy living alone?
When I frowned at the idea, Asia misunderstood and looked down sadly.
"Am I… a bother?"
…How could anyone say no when she looks at you like that? If anyone could, I'd slap them with my Orgon Claw at full power.
So, I got a roommate. And now, we're out shopping for her daily necessities at the nearby department store. Oh yeah, the park where I met Raynare and the others is just ahead.
"Oh, the park."
"Yeah, this is where I met them."
"…You mean Raynare-sama and the others."
I wonder how they're doing now. I was surprised to learn that even fallen angels have companies, but I'm sure they're working hard and reflecting on their actions.
"I wonder if I was able to help them at all."
I probably sounded pretty arrogant when I lectured them, but from their perspective, it must have been annoying to be talked down to by some kid who doesn't know anything about the real world. I mean, I did work properly in my previous life, you know? But now, even if my mind is mature, my body is only eighteen.
"Of course you helped. And the words you had President pass on… I think you saved not just Raynare-sama and the others' lives, but their hearts too."
Their lives (in a social sense) and their hearts, huh. If Asia says so, it must be true. By the way, the reason she calls Rias "President" is because, after learning the situation, we both became unofficial members of the Occult Research Club.
"I learned that there are good devils and bad devils. And I think the President and everyone else are all kind and wonderful devils," says Asia.
"Fifty more to go!"
"Yes, President!"
As we were about to pass through the park, I heard a familiar voice. Out of curiosity, I looked over and saw Issei doing push-ups, with Rias sitting on his back, counting.
"Oh, President! And Issei!"
Asia's voice made Rias turn our way.
"Oh, Asia, Kanzaki-kun. Good morning."
"Yes, good morning!"
"Morning. What are you doing?"
"I'm training Issei. His power grows the more he trains."
If I remember right, it's the Boosted Gear, right? I've only seen it once, but it was a cool gauntlet. Wait, wasn't the Red Dragon Emperor also called that…?
"P-President! I want to say hi to Asia and Senpai too!"
"Just keep doing your push-ups. If you have the energy to talk, you can do more reps!"
"Hiiiii!"
"G-good luck, Issei-san."
"By the way, what are you two doing? Coming out on your day off… could it be a date?"
"Fueeh!? A d-date!? No way…!"
"That's a misunderstanding. We're just out buying daily necessities for Asia, right, Asia?"
"…Yes, that's right. That's all it is."
Hmm, Asia looks down. Did she get upset because someone thought she was on a date with me? She was pretty flustered earlier too. It stings, but if she's hurt, I'll endure it. …I'll cry into my pillow again when I get home.
"…I see. So it's one-sided for now. Hang in there, Asia."
"H-hai…"
"But I'm a little jealous. To have someone you can care about, with nothing holding you back…"
For a moment, Rias looked sad, but she quickly returned to her usual composed self.
"President?"
"No, it's nothing. Don't worry about it."
"Alright. But like I said before, if you ever have any worries or trouble, you can talk to me anytime."
"Yes, I'll count on you then."
"Senpai! Can I come visit sometime?"
Issei said that while still doing push-ups. Of course, he's always welcome, but for now, he should focus on his training…
"Issei… fine, add another hundred reps."
"Wha!?"
Good luck, Issei. Seriously, hang in there…!
Leaving Issei's screams behind, we left the park and headed to the department store. After about two hours of shopping, we both returned home with our hands full of shopping bags.
A new daily life began. Maybe because of her background, Asia was a bit naive about the world, but I helped her out, and she quickly got used to living here.
…
Every day was fulfilling. But one day, that peaceful life was suddenly shattered by a woman.
I was in my room, lying on my back on the bed. And sitting astride my stomach… was a naked Rias.
She's naked! Seriously, she's not wearing anything. She's barely got her panties on, but her top half is completely bare. Her big breasts, and even her pink nipples, were totally exposed. Is this a dream? It has to be, right? Having an erotic dream about a friend… man, I'm the worst! I pinched my cheek as hard as I could to check and punish myself… but it hurt like hell. Wait, this isn't a dream!?
"Sorry for barging in like this, Kanzaki-kun. But you were the first person who came to mind."
What is she talking about!? While I was in total confusion, Rias continued.
"And you told me before, 'If you ever have any worries or trouble, you can talk to me'…"
"Y-yeah, I did say that, but what does that have to do with this situation…?"
"Please, Kanzaki-kun. To solve my problem… I want you to take my virginity."
"…"