Third Person
The evening sun cast Kuoh Park in molten gold, drawing long shadows over the fountain's rippling water. The gentle babble of the streams, the quiet atmosphere, everything felt almost peaceful… almost.
Two figures stood in this park, namely Issei and Raynare.
"Can I ask you a question?" Raynare stated, garnering all of Issei's attention to herself. "In honour of our first date, there's something I'd like you to do to commemorate this special moment~." She spoke with such a sweet manner that it made Issei feel butterflies in his stomach.
He gawked at her as Raynare walked even closer, leaning in until their faces were inches apart, waiting for him to answer.
For a moment, his mind went blank. All this time, he had always been unlucky with girls… but when someone as hot as Yuma was hinting at doing those things with him… how could his poor heart refuse?
I'm gonna get to kiss her… I'm totally gonna get to kiss her. This rocks! Issei thought as his heart started thumping louder.
"Sure, you can ask me anything at all," Issei replied earnestly. His tone carried anticipation and excitement. It was obvious… when Yuma was this close to him, he couldn't help but prepare himself for his first-ever kiss!
Raynare's smile widened. The boy was reacting exactly how she had expected. Sure she was bored out of her mind… but at least she thought the date was entertaining.
After all… she loved emotionally destroying her targets before she murdered them.
She then leaned closer to his ear and whispered with a seductive yet chilling voice, "Would you die for me?"
Issei momentarily froze. It felt as if her words fell on deaf ears. He had expected her to ask him to kiss her or maybe… even go to a love hotel with her… instead, she had asked him to die.
None of this made sense to him. And so he nervously spoke up:
"Umm… Yuma-san, could you say that again, please? I feel like I heard it wrong… uh, hahaha," Issei asked nervously, wanting to know what she really meant.
She gently backed away from him and repeated herself. This time, her words carried a cold edge, making Issei feel uneasy.
"Will you die for me?"
The words hit him like a cold gust of wind. He froze on the spot, eyes widened with shock, staring fearfully at Raynare.
All while his heart pounded in his chest like a war drum.
"W-what…?" he stammered, stepping back unconsciously.
Seeing that evil glint in Yuma's eyes, Issei knew it… he knew she was being serious.
His red flag detector was going haywire, and his instincts screamed at him to run away from her.
Issei tried. He really, really tried… but in the end, he couldn't.
How could he run when the girl he'd been dreaming about, his first ever girlfriend, was standing there with that gentle expression on her face?
Maybe… just maybe, he thought. Maybe she was joking. Maybe she meant to die for her out of love. Poor Issei …he tried everything to justify her absurd request.
But at the end…none of it made sense.
"This isn't… supposed to happen," Issei muttered under his breath, pressing his hands tightly against his temples.
"It should've ended with a kiss… and then maybe going to a love hotel… at least that's what happens in porno."
Raynare tilted her head, her long hair catching the evening rays of the sun. And then a genuine smile curved on her lips.
She couldn't help but laugh internally. Seeing Issei still in denial… it made her want to play with him even more.
"You think this is funny?"
Her words sent a shiver down his spine. She was enjoying this. The date they went to, the gift he had given her… it had all been part of her act.
"Issei… if I wanted, I could've killed you in your house. And maybe even killed your parents too if I felt like it," she said softly, her voice like silk wrapping around a blade. "But where's the fun in that? No… I wanted to play with you first. I wanted to experience what it felt like going on a date with a hopeless virgin loser like you~."
Issei's stomach churned at her brutal remarks. He wanted to yell at her, argue even, for bringing up his parents.
"Yumma-san… you're joking, right?" he whispered, his voice cracking. His eyes desperately searched her face for an answer.
Raynare didn't reply. All she did was..
Snap.
…snap her fingers. And then-
Her clothes tore off with a sharp sound. Her form morphed and shifted. She then became taller, curvier, and even more sluttier.
Now with black wings unfurled from her back, the feathers caught the evening sunlight and turned it into darkness.
Meanwhile, her outfit… was that of a dominatrix which could even give a stripper run for her money.
Issei's jaw dropped. Even in death…Issei's perverted thoughts resurfaced.
Holy nipples! Those are boobs! I am looking at real boobs! My boy eyes have finally matured to manhood, and she is a super hot chick too!
What was that saying? This is a sight for sore eyes… no wait, no, it's not… She looks like a demon!! An actual fucking demon!
His knees finally gave in, falling to the ground with a sudden sense of weakness washing over him.
His heart thumping, not just from fear this time, but… from pure shock at witnessing this supernatural display.
Raynare decided not to waste much time. And she finally took the initiative. Her voice cut through him sharper than ever. "Do you love me enough to die for me, Issei?"
"I must say I did have some fun today… considering how childish and naive you are, things could have been much, much worse. "
"Also… thanks a lot for the gift too~ It was very sweet of you, but even so…" Raynare extended her hand, stretching her palm open wide.
In the next moment, a metallic, jagged spear manifested in her grasp..scaring the living daylight out of Issei.
He was horrified. He knew death was near but he did not give up. He desperately reached out a hand to her, "Yumma… wait…"
Ignoring him, Raynare chose to act swiftly as she thrust the jagged spear toward him. "It's time to die."
The weapon's tip glinted under the fading sunlight as she aimed for his gut.
Issei braced for pain…
…but it never came.
"My my… Issei, I must say…you've gotta be the most unfortunate guy I ever met~"
The voice was masculine, soft, charming, soothing yet laced with an unmistakable authority.
And there he was.
Messy platinum blonde hair, a pristine white shirt tucked into black pants, tie perfectly straight, and that signature eyepatch covering his right eye. His left eye was plum red, beautiful yet deadly.
The new teacher who had captured the hearts of many students at Kuoh Academy in just a day.
Rein.
"Rein Sensei!!!" Issei shouted, awe and relief flooding him.
Rein's lips curved into a cocky, effortless smile as he casually made a V-sign with his left hand. "Yo. The one and only."
Raynare froze, shock flashing across her face. How could a human move so silently? And bypassing her senses completely at that?
Anger flared in her eyes as she hissed, "You have some nerve, human! To walk right when I'm about to kill my prey…How dare you! HOW DARE YOU!!"
Rein's laugh was low, smooth, and amused. "Well, what can I say? Thanks for the compliment~"
"I don't think that was supposed to be a compliment," Issei said nervously, eyes darting between his teacher and the spear that was still aimed at him.
Rein tilted his head, letting that red eye gleam as he replied calmly, "Yeah… but if I take it as one, then it's not offensive."
Raynare did not waste time. She used her supernatural strength to forcefully break Rein's grasp from her spear.
But Rein moved before she could follow up. He gripped the metallic spear in her hand tightly, breaking it effortlessly. Then he yanked her forward and delivered a devastating knee strike to her skull, sending her flying across the park with bone-shattering impact.
Issei's eyes widened in shock. He had no idea his new P.E. teacher would turn out to be this badass.
Wtf I didn't even see that coming…is he taking some performance-enhancing drug or something?, Issei thought, trembling at the buzzing scene he had just witnessed.
While Issei was lost in his thoughts, Rein decided to approach him and gently placed a firm hand on his shoulder, drawing his student's attention.
"Issei…" His voice was calm, yet sharp enough to snap the boy out of his spiraling thoughts as he looked up at his teacher.
"I know everything must be really confusing right now… like why a fallen angel is after you. But for now, you have to stay near me. There are others like her nearby, so don't leave my side, okay?" Rein assured him.
"Yes, Sensei!" Issei replied, with a salute.
"Now then…" Rein muttered, walking toward the two winged fallen angels.
Raynare felt as if she had the worst concussion of her life. Her head spun, her vision blurred, and her whole body reeled with disorientation.
She knew that if Rein hadn't held back, her skull would have painted the park red. Just the thought alone jolted her back to reality.
Tch, where are those idiots when I need them?! If I make it out alive, I'm killing those fuckers myself.. Raynare thought with bitter bloodlust.
Then, she felt a strong hand grip her skull, jerking her head forcefully upward.
Her purple eyes met his red one. It was as if he could see straight into her soul, exposing every crime she had committed against humanity over her long existence.
"Tell me… why are you after him? What's so special about him? Who sent you? Refuse and I'll rip your guts out" His voice was calm, almost gentle, but the words themselves were anything but that.
For the first time in her life, Raynare felt fear. Real, paralyzing fear. She knew she had no other choice. With a shaky sigh, she began to talk.
She told him everything, about her orders, even her plan for Asia Argento. She revealed how she had planned to lure the poor girl to Kuoh just to steal her Sacred Gear for herself.
Being honest was her only chance at survival.
Rein absorbed every word, carefully analyzing her tone and expression, ensuring she wasn't lying.
"I see… well, I can't say I'm surprised. Your kind has done nothing but bring trouble for humans."
He released her and stood, stretching casually. "Well then…I got what I wanted so I'll let you be. Have a pleasant evening, Raynare. Let's hope we never meet again."
He brushed the dust off his shirt and checked the grocery bag at his side, making sure the items he'd bought weren't damaged. If they were, he'd have to annoy himself by going back to the supermarket again.
Raynare's eyes narrowed. This was her chance. With him walking away, his guard seemingly lowered, she raised her hand and aimed at his back.
One strike… that's all I need to kill him.
But just as she moved—
SPLURT
Her body froze while her eyes widened in horror. A dagger jutted from her forehead, blood snaking down her face before her body gave in. She crumpled to the ground with a lifeless thud.
Rein didn't even flinch. His gaze lingered on her corpse for a moment before his lips curled into a thin smile.
"A fallen angel should know better than to trust a hunter."
***
First Person
We were walking back, away from that accursed park, the place where Issei's fate had changed.
Changed by me.
"So you're like… some supernatural cop or something? Protecting humans from monsters? Dude, that's so badass!" Issei replied with eyes that were practically sparkling with awe.
I chuckled. "Well, you're half right. I'm not a cop. I'm a hunter. A supernatural hunter, part of Division 1 of Japan's Supernatural Public Safety Bureau."
He blinked at me, as if his mind was struggling to process what I had just said. I could almost see the gears in his brain seizing up.
"…I'm sorry for my lack of knowledge… I am stupid… but based on what you just said… you must be a pretty big deal, huh?" he asked, scratching his cheek. "Then what are you doing here in Kuoh?"
I let a small smile tug at my lips. "Well… that's classified."
…How did I get here? To this moment, in this city, walking next to Hyoudou Issei of all people?
A student at the academy I'd just joined as a new teacher?
Good question.
Why would I care about some horny loser who did nothing but watch porn day and night with his gooner friends?
The answer is simple.
Because I had seen his future.
One of my Heavenly Restrictions, Temple of Time, lets me see two hours into either mine or someone's future. One of the most useful abilities, if you know when to use it.
I was just on my way back home when I saw Issei… on a date with a fallen angel at that…
Normally, I wouldn't have cared much. But something told me, like a nagging instinct.
And I've learned one thing in my life:
If you ignore that instinct… you regret it.
Every single time.
Whenever that feeling hits, I never hesitate because in a world full of liars and fools…
I trust myself more than anyone.
So I looked.
In those two hours ahead, I saw him die. Stabbed by that fallen angel's spear, and then left bleeding out in the park, alone. His last breath would've been used to summon Rias Gremory with that summoning pamphlet he'd picked up by pure dumb luck.
And in that future?
Rias spent all eight pawn pieces to resurrect him.
That's when I asked myself:
What kind of power does a human have to be worth all eight pawn pieces… just to drag him back from death?
The answer was simple, Issei was a possessor of a Longinus Sacred Gear, even if it was dormant for now.
He could've become Rias Gremory's weapon.
And that… would've been a problem for me.
The last thing I want is her gaining another powerful ally. Her brother is already annoying enough to deal with.
So I interfered.
Recruiting Issei into Public Safety is my primary choice now.
I'll train him. I'll mentor him. I'll sharpen him into a fine hunter.
And when the time comes… I'll use him and throw him away when I'm done using him.
Someone really close to me has this fondness for dogs. To her humans are equivalent to dogs.
And in that same way, I have also come to like humans.
Even as a half-human myself, I stopped seeing myself as one of them a long time ago.
To me, they are obedient, naive, and fragile fools.
They are nothing but pets who don't realize they are on a leash.
And why am I doing all of this?
Simple.
Everything I do is for the sake of my goal…
Enlightenment.
Because in the end…
It's the only path left for me to become a perfect being.
***
"Are you sure you don't wanna come inside? I could tell my mom to whip something up! I mean… It's late, and after everything you did for me today, it'd feel wrong not to invite you for dinner." Issei asked in a polite tone. Just from his voice alone, I could tell he was genuinely grateful for my help.
"Haha, I'm flattered, but I'll have to decline. It's already late, and I've bought ingredients to cook for myself," I replied, my tone calm and controlled.
But then he did something I didn't expect.
He bowed… and then he started crying.
Wait.
This is—
"I… I appreciate your help, Sensei!" His voice shook, each word carrying the weight of everything he had just gone through.
"If not for you… I'd be dead. My parents… they would've been heartbroken."
He wiped at his tears and looked up at me with those teary yet grateful eyes.
Man… this is perfect.
He's even more naive than I thought.
I smirked internally, though my face remained impassive, indifferent.
"Issei… you don't have to thank me. After all… It's my duty as a Public Safety Hunter to protect civilians from supernatural threats."
"I must say, though… be prepared for tomorrow. I have much to explain about this world, and your new… job."
The word "job" made him perk up. Confusion washed over his face, as if he hadn't the slightest clue what I meant.
"Job? What kind of job? I don't think I signed up for anything like that," he asked nervously.
For a moment, I let silence stretch between us, and then a grin crept across my face.
I slowly extended my hand.
"Starting tomorrow, you will become my apprentice."
"Welcome to the Supernatural Public Safety Bureau, Hunter Issei Hyoudou."
***
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