Post-Zekram explanation, discussed with Zeoticus.
Resolve: repel crisis, then probe past.
Left Gremory castle, back Kuoh, told Azazel-sensei Zekram's tale.
Sensei wry:
"…Could've trusted Rias more… pre-peace, helpless events common."
Experienced much.
…Helpless.
We too—different meaning.
To Rias:
"Don't hate Sirzechs. Softie, brother idiot, ultimate siscon. Great King Baal compromise—no other land. But Kuoh good. Academy, facilities perfect. Max consideration."
Rias nodded.
"Understand. Fun days here, no issues… This incident reaffirms brother love. Fabricated past, hidden truth—no right hate."
Kuoh Academy prepped by Sirzechs for sister peace.
I said their act wrong—still feel.
But post-talk doubt:
—Without incident?
No incident—Irina with me.
But Rias elsewhere.
No meet Rias, Asia, Yubelluna, Kiba, Koneko, Reyna, Gasper, Zenovia, Ross, sensei.
No group life.
No bring Alice.
Rossweisse without all—impossible.
Yaegaki, Clelia incident enabled now.
Rias suspicious:
"Issei…? Something?"
Stared her eyes.
Without… no talk.
Soft:
"Rias… glad meet me?"
"…!"
Wide eyes.
Same thought—now from past.
Looked down, up, direct:
"Yes. Happy meeting Issei."
"…Yeah… me too."
Small laugh.
—Paradise Kuoh on sacrifices.
Yaegaki words replay.
True.
Our now on sacrifices.
Thus protect.
Now, future.
Yaegaki… hate, grudge—not deny.
Acknowledge—stop you.
▽
Next day.
Visited First Heaven, Toji transferred.
Hear from Toji, plus item for us.
First Heaven facility: human electronics, floating beds—modern-fantasy mix.
Angel nurses led to room.
Yesterday—Heaven treatment eased poison.
No strain.
Told Zekram content.
Toji sat up:
"…Persuaded Yaegaki end. Then concept… still strong—devil-believer love forbidden. Upper Belial branch… Belial hostile. Current Belial…"
"Rating Game champ Diehauser Belial. Maou-level."
Rias; Toji nod.
"…Fail—Emperor intervenes. Beyond skirmish… Devil side same. Baal faction contact—peaceful."
No war both sides.
Church—Toji, Baal temp alliance.
Secret purge 'traitors'.
Toji grim:
"…Irina. Papa hands dirty. Can't claim angel Irina's father… Sorry hiding. My failure… Better life—no separate Issei-kun… Truly sorry…"
Tears, face covered, drops.
Irina held hands, shook head.
"…Stop, Papa. I warrior too? Understand helpless… Protect you. Past guilt—I protect. —Family."
"…Irina."
Silent tears.
Rias to Toji:
"Past sad, both sides circumstances. But Qlippoth terror—can't ignore. —Stop. Whatever result, now or tragedy, hate grows."
Strong resolve; we nod.
Toji wiped tears.
"Irina, not just Christmas. Gift."
Long case bedside.
To Irina, open.
Unlocked—
"This—"
Sword, holy aura.
Toji:
"Durandal owner Roland. Friend, childhood Olivier's holy sword—Hauteclere. To you."
Hauteclere!
Roland friend's!
Zenovia-Irina bond—fated!
Toji blade gaze:
"Pure only touch. Washes hearts. Compatibility—Irina best. Angel boost. Long Zenovia partner too, researchers say."
Zenovia, Irina eye.
Durandal Zenovia, Hauteclere Irina.
Fate.
Toji:
"…Irina. Stop Yaegaki."
Accepted, strong nod.
"Thanks, Papa. I… stop him!"
▽
Post-Hauteclere, chatted.
Report, visit end, exiting—Toji to me:
"…Sorry, Issei-kun stay? Talk."
Eye agree Rias, stayed.
Others with Rias out.
…Talk to me.
Good—I had words.
Alone room.
Toji pause:
"…Issei-kun, angel Irina—no normal girl life. Angels pure, chaste inevitable. Michael-sama Ace. No return normal."
"Yes."
Angels no desire—fall.
Irina Michael Ace—no.
No normal girl things.
But Toji smiled post-strict:
"—Exception. Before you only, normal girl allowed."
Held hands, plead:
"Please… cherish Irina. Church raised—much unknown girl-wise. Chance—show, let feel. You transcend thought, position—believe."
Shoulders shake, endless tears.
Grip strong.
"…Why… simple to him… Yaegaki, her… Even rule against… Why nothing…"
Tremble hand.
Overlaid mine.
"Species irrelevant. Irina whatever—precious childhood friend girl. —Always laugh side. Irina knows. Uncle… promise?"
"…What?"
Tear face up.
Direct eyes:
"—No accept revenge, die."
"…!"
Choked.
Toji regretted.
Past act.
Tore Yaegaki, Clelia.
Deserve death.
Atonement full.
If Yaegaki here, sword—accept.
But—
"Accept revenge—Irina lifetime scar. Fail protect father… family."
Chest:
"I loss pain tasted. Loved ones lost front… Burned eyes. Wound here forever, recall squeezes… Forever…"
"…Issei-kun. You…"
Cut:
"But Irina time. You live. No want Irina cry. Childhood friend smile… No die."
"…But I… he…"
"Understand circumstances… But wrong. Think so. Deserve revenge understand. Thus bear. Face sin. —Live, atone him. That your duty."
Atonement way unknown.
Forgive? Maybe no.
Still live face sin.
Only for living—
▽
"Issei-kun, moment?"
Waiting out: Irina.
Forehead poke.
"Hey. Eavesdrop unladylike—someone say?"
"No eavesdrop. Didn't hear. Who?"
"Dunno."
"Still casual."
Moved high building roof First Heaven.
Panoramic—scenic.
Angel base—buildings row like human/Underworld cities.
Floating structures sky.
Fantasy-modern.
Leaning rail, Irina:
"Hey, Issei-kun. Remember? Told childhood to all."
"Yeah. Bonded."
"Yes. Back Kuoh—many friends. Occult, classmates, others. Ophis dragon god too."
"Yeah. Irina barrier-free. Talent? Natural—admire."
Irina shadowed.
"…Actually anxious 'befriend?' But Michael-sama Ace. Barrier-free must. Embody mercy… But one thought."
"Thought?"
Nod.
"Yes… If stayed Kuoh with Zenovia? Different now? You devil, me angel. Kids human—now species different."
I human till April this year.
Irina angel summer.
…Different species.
Irina minds past tragic love.
Overlaps devil me, angel her.
Beside, rail hand.
"Different species—so? Our bond? Think matters?"
Looked.
"Connect people—not species. Feelings—bond. Long bonded—no forbidden. Object—slap kick."
Grin.
Irina giggle.
But down—
"If… your precious, me danger—"
"All."
Clear pre-finish.
Obvious.
"Protect all want. Answer. Impossible—twist world laws protect."
"…Bold."
"Yeah. And…"
Head pat, hug.
Head chest.
"Now question—one answer start. Irina precious one."
Honest.
Irina precious childhood friend girl.
Protect.
Voice tremble.
"…Issei-kun unfair… Said that… no… Want always side…!"
"Then stay. Won't let escape?"
"Pushy… Issei-kun."
"Trained goddess brute. Pushy. —Onward, forever laugh together."
"…Yes!"
▽
Rooftop time, to lounge—stairs down.
Angel busy, documents.
Base bustle.
Descending, gazing, Irina:
"Thanks, Issei-kun."
"Hm? What?"
Cheeks red, fidget.
"Uh… precious… happy."
"Obvious? Family-like. Precious girl."
Smile.
Irina redder…
"Um, actually long ago—kya!"
Slipped!?
Stairs top!?
Fall hurt!
"Wait, dan—!"
Protected—fell together.
Waist hard.
Barely cushioned…
Ow… waist…
"Ouch… Irina ok?"
"I fine! Sorry! My fault—hya!"
Squeal.
Look—
Irina half-naked… near nude!?
Buttons all, panties down!?
Me!?
How instant!?
Right mochi breast grab, left lower—
"I-Issei-kun… here… fall me…? Haun!"
Finger move—twitch!
Bad!
"N-no intent!? Save… force majeure!"
People gathering!
No males—female angels!
Hostile eyes!
…Huh?
Familiar aura… beside…
Creak turn—Alice arms crossed!
Eyes twitch, anger aura!
"You…"
"Wait! Calm! Hear! Violence births nothing!? Force majeure… accident!"
"Accident nude!? Place pick! Pervert hero!"
"Gyaaaa!"
Scream reached Michael Sixth Heaven.
Last Rito-style (lol)
-----------------------------
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