Chapter 9
Josuke whistled lightly as he approached Issei's house. It had been a day since the events involving Angelo, and he was feeling quite better. His mother was back home, still a bit reserved but visibly much better than she had been. Of course he knew her pain was much deeper than that, but his mother was strong. She wouldn't allow herself to look forlorn in front of Josuke, even if he knew she was still in pain. But Tomoko had her own way of dealing with her father's passing, as did Josuke. He wouldn't soon forget what happened, but he also wouldn't let it drag him down. He had to move on and fulfill his promise to his grandfather, and continue to protect his home. He couldn't do that if he was riddled with grief. After all, as Angelo had warned, there were still other Stand users out there, good or bad, apparently being recruited by a devil into her Peerage.
And so he continued forward, moving on with his life and seeing his best friend as he normally would in the morning. He looked forward to seeing Rias and the others, for he hadn't seen them since the funeral. Josuke wouldn't admit it, but he even missed seeing the rest of the pervert trio, too. Watching their antics would serve as a good example of how things were back to the way they were. Even if it were obvious that things weren't.
Josuke brushed off the thoughts weighing on his mind, looking up at Issei's home and smiling. He raised his arm to knock on the door, but to his surprise, it was pulled open first.
"Alright, mom and dad! See you guys later!" Issei called out before turning to Josuke, nearly jumping as he saw the tall teen standing before him. "O-oh, man. You nearly gave me a heart attack!"
"Sorry 'bout that." Josuke waved off apologetically. "Just thought I'd pop in so we could go to school a little early. Maybe see the others." he suggested with a hopeful smile.
"That's cool with me. We were about to head over to your place to grab you, anyway." Issei told him with a thumbs up, earning a questioning look from his friend.
"'We'?" Josuke repeated before he heard a faint footsteps approach them from inside.
"I-I'm ready, Issei-san! Don't leave without-uwah!" A familiar quiet and feminine voice came from behind the brunette before Josuke heard a rather loud thud from behind Issei. The two looked back to see poor Asia on the ground, nursing her cheek where she apparently hit the ground. "Why do I keep falling…?" She mumbled wistfully.
"You're okay, come on." Issei sighed, walking over and helping the blonde to her feet. Josuke was still a bit startled to see Asia in Issei's home, pointing to her in confusion.
"What are you doing here so early, Asia-chan?" Josuke asked, knowing that it was a bit too early for her to have gotten ready and arrived at Issei's before he had. At the question though, Issei gave an apprehensive look as he rubbed his neck.
"A-ah, that's right, you don't know because you were busy this whole time…" Issei remembered before glancing back at Asia nervously. "Y-you see, Asia-chan didn't have anywhere to live after the fallen angel incident…"
"Uh huh…" Josuke hummed as his eyes narrowed slowly.
"A-and Rias-sempai wanted to make sure she had a place to stay…"
"Yeah…"
"S-so, a few days ago before the thing with Angelo she mighta…"
"What?" Josuke asked a bit lowly, already guessing what he was about to say, and not liking it one bit.
"Asia kinda… lives with me now…" Issei finished, a long silence following after that Josuke merely stared at him with wide eyes, trying to find the proper response to such an ordeal. He suddenly glanced at Asia who was innocently tilting her head in confusion. Josuke guessed that she was just blissfully ignorant to what Issei was capable of. He quickly dropped his bag on the ground and gently grabbed Asia's shoulders, a cold sweat running down his brow.
"Are you okay, Asia-chan? Has he been peeking on you or tried to touch you in weird places?" He questioned fearfully, the blonde widening her eyes and blinking up at him. "I swear if he has, I'll beat the shit out of him for you."
"Eh?" Asia mumbled, making it obvious to the tall teen that she was only further confused.
"Wh-what the hell are you saying, Josuke?! I would never do that! Even if I am a perv!" Issei complained, glaring at the taller teen in annoyance behind him. "Don't you trust me?"
"With everything not involving girls, yes." Josuke retorted plainly.
"I-I'm fine, Josuke-kun." Asia suddenly spoke up, bringing his attention back to her. "Issei-san treats me kindly and is very thoughtful. I'm very happy I could live with him, in truth." She declared, offering a bright smile of reassurance.
"Asia…" Josuke heard the brunette mumble behind him, quite touched by her kind words toward him. The tall teen smiled, releasing her shoulders and sighing.
"That's just great." He said before turning so that both Asia and Issei were in view. He glanced between them and smirked. "You should definitely date this girl."
"Eh?" They both squeaked, blushing and averting their gaze from one another. Josuke broadened his grin, laughing as they flustered up.
"D-don't be a jerk! Randomly saying stuff like that..." Issei snapped at him in annoyance.
"I'm joking, I'm joking." Josuke reassured with a roll of his eyes. "Come on, let's get going already."
"Yeah, yeah…" Issei huffed in agreement before turning to Asia. "Let's go As-" he started before stopping. Josuke raised a brow before looking back at Asia as well. The blonde had her back to the boys, holding her cheeks between her hands as she was mumbling to herself.
"I-I could never be with issei… We might do… Indecent things… B-but I wouldn't mind being with him…" She quietly muttered, apparently lost in her own world now. The boys couldn't help but sweat drop, the brunette clearing his throat to get her attention.
"Uh, Asia-chan…" He called out, immediately snapping Asia out of her subconscious rambling.
"S-sorry! I was a little lost in thought!" She apologized in embarrassment, snapping her eyes shut cutely as she again had trouble looking Issei in the eyes. "You both didn't… Hear anything, right?" She asked, peeking out with one eye at them.
"N-nah, I didn't hear a thing…" Josuke lied, not wanting to embarrass the innocent girl further.
"Same, not a thing!" Issei laughed with a bit of strain before clearing his throat. "L-let's get going already, guys!"
"Okay!" Asia chirped happily with a serene smile, walking in line with the two now as they started for school.
Well, at least she's happy to be here. Guess he's treatin' her right. Josuke hummed mentally as they walked, shoving his hands into his pockets. As the three rounded the corner of the sidewalk, a familiar deformed stone came into view from the side.
"Yo, Angelo." Josuke greeted it with a salute, causing Asia to tilt her head in question.
"I don't remember seeing this strange rock before…" She mumbled, stopping for a moment to observe the stone Josuke had morphed the day before.
"It used to look normal until yesterday." Issei explained before waving to the rock as well. "See ya, Angelo." He said as he quickly followed after Josuke.
"How strange…" Asia muttered until shrugging as well. "Oh, well. Good day to you, Angelo!" She said with a bow before attempting to catch up with the others. If one had listened close enough to the stone at that time, they would hear the faint grunt of a man from within.
"Coming in~." Josuke announced as he arrived at Occult Research Club's room, yawning as he entered. The three had dawdled too long in the morning so the tall teen was unable to see his fellow club members save for Kiba during class.
"Ah, Josuke-kun!" Rias called out, smiling brightly as he entered. She was sitting on her desk in front of Asia and Issei who had arrived earlier than him, while Koneko, Kiba and Akeno stood to her side. "It's good to see you back with us. How are you doing?"
"Much better now, thanks." Josuke assured, offering a grateful smile. "I just wanna say thanks for all the help you guys gave me, again."
"There's no need for that, Josuke-kun. We're your friends after all." Rias dismissed with a grin.
"We're here for you, Jojo." Koneko announced, the petite girl chewing on a soft pretzel.
"You're one of us, human or not." Kiba chuckled, offering a kind smile.
"Don't be too shy to ask us for anything, okay?" Akeno giggled with a wink.
"Aw man, you're gettin' all the girls attention now…" Issei complained before smirking. "But I guess it's okay for one day…"
"G-geez, guys. Sayin' all that, you're makin' me blush over here…" Josuke laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck before smiling up at them. "The same goes for me. If you want me for somethin', just ask."
"Then would you mind becoming apart of my peerage?" Rias asked cheekily, making the tall teen nearly trip on his own feet. "Just kidding, I know your answer… for now." She giggled, earning a sweat drop from Josuke.
"You're certainly not too shy to ask, huh?" Josuke noted with a strained chuckle before clearing his throat. "By the way, did you speak to Jotaro-san?" With that question, Rias became serious again, nodding as her amused smirk was gone.
"I have. In a few days, Jotaro-san is going to have a meeting with us on what's to be done." Rias explained, glancing around at her peerage. "The fact that there is a devil out there making Stand Users as her servants is very troublesome. I don't want to bother my brother with this, so I'd like to keep it within our small group for now."
"Is it that big of a deal that she's gathering Stand users as her servants?" Issei asked curiously, becoming quite interested in the subject.
"Imagine if she's able to acquire a Stand user just as strong as Josuke, or even worse." Rias pointed out, shaking her head. "There is supposedly latent potential in making such men into Devils. The good thing is that many are still unsure how to unlock said potential. But if this 'mistress' is able to figure something out that we don't know, we'll all be in deep trouble."
"I-I see. I'd hate to run into something scarier than Josuke's Stand, too." Issei admitted with a gulp, earning a nod of agreement from Rias.
"We'll most likely work with Jotaro-san and prioritize on finding the Bow and Arrow." Rias informed further, resting her hands on the desk behind her. "He has many connections in the Speedwagon Foundation, and we have our own network to work with. I may even bring Sona in on this if it's truly necessary, though I'd hate to trouble her."
"Kuoh's not a terribly big place." Josuke suggested with a shrug. "We may not have to spread out our resources so far to find it. After all, Angelo was way closer than we thought when we found him." Suddenly he shook his head and gave a small smile. "But let's worry about that when we meet with Jotaro-san. So, what's the plan for today?" he asked, hoping to change the subject.
"Oh, well, Asia and I were about to go and pass flyers out." Issei declared before glancing at the blond. "In fact we should probably get going now before it's dark."
"Yeah." Asia agreed, the two standing from their seats before Rias held a hand up to halt them..
"Just a moment, you two." Rias called out, causing them both to stop. "This will be the last week you pass out flyers. As I've said before, it was only part of your training. Passing out flyers are supposed to be a familiar's job anyways."
"No more flyers? Really?" Issei asked, sounding a little excited to be done with the task..
"That's right, but first you need to get a familiar." Rias explained before holding up her hand. In a poof of smoke, a small bat-like creature appeared, floating a bit above her palm as it flapped its wings. "You've met her before, Issei."
"I have?" Issei blinked in confusion. The familiar flew a bit forward before poofing into smoke again, now replaced by a young woman with a short red dress and brown hair, offering them a smile.
"Amazing, it turned into a girl…" Josuke muttered in awe at the transformation before it turned back into a bat again.
"I've got one, too." Akeno spoke up, holding her hand out and making a small pentagram on the ground. From it a small green monster appeared, looking much like a baby monster.
"Is that an imp?" Issei asked curiously as it held up its arms to Akeno, almost as if asking to be picked up.
"This is Shiro." Koneko said this time, turning Josuke and Issei's attention to her. In her lap, a small kitten lie on it's back, a pair of bells around it's neck.
"You do seem to have a thing for cats, huh?" Josuke chuckled, leaning over and petting the feline's head. Koneko slightly blushed with embarrassment but didn't say anything as he pet the cat.
"How'd you know she likes cats?" Issei asked, making Josuke shrug.
"I just saw her with one once, is all." he answered before Koneko tugged on his sleeve and gave a cute glare.
"Don't bring it up." She told the tall teen, making Josuke hold his arms up in surrender.
"Sorry, sorry. I won't." The tall teen assured, making a small smile grace Koneko's lips before nodding.
"Oh, come on. Now I really wanna know…" Issei mumbled in disappointment. "Mine is-" Kiba spoke up before Issei held up his hand in disinterest. "No thanks, don't need to see yours." The brunette cut off, turning his back to the blond.n"Oh, come on." Kiba sighed with a curt smile, not really offended.
"You could show a bit of interest in Kiba's." Josuke rolled his eyes, moving away from Koneko's familiar and crossing his arms, despite the little mews of protest coming from the feline.
"It's a basic thing for devil's ." Rias spoke up once again, her arms crossed under her chest as she spoke. "They can assist you, deliver messages and even find things for you."
"Um, how do you get a familiar?" Asia finally spoke up, albeit shyly. Rias opened her mouth to speak again, but paused as they head the front door to the room open. Josuke turned to see two girls holding the door open before bowing, followed by the familiar face of Sona Sitri and Tsubaki Shinra. They were followed by several other girls and only one boy. He had dirty blond short messy hair, gray eyes and wore the school's pinstriped shirt.
"Wh-who are these people?" Asia asked Issei nervously, standing a bit closer to him.
"They're the Student Council, though I found out before that they're also devils at this school like us. But I didn't think the entire school council was part of her peerage." Issei explained, a bit surprised to see the bespectacled teen.
"Much like president, she is an heiress apparent to a high class devil family." Akeno informed them from the side.
"Why hello, Sona. What's the meaning of this visit?" Rias asked, a friendly tone in her voice.
"Just wanted to greet you, since I have a new servant just as you do now." Sona admitted with a small smile before spotting Josuke from the side. "Ah, Josuke-kun. Good to see you back at school. I heard about what happened with your family. My condolences."
"Thanks." Josuke nodded in appreciation, leaning against the wall as he watched the Student Council curiously. Several of the girls blushed as he looked over them, whispering to themselves before quieting as Sona spoke again.
"If you are feeling better, then perhaps you're willing to consider joining my peerage again. What do you say?" Sona asked bluntly, causing the majority of her peerage save for Tsubaki to gasp.
"J-Josuke-kun might join the peerage?!" One of the girls gasped, looking quite happy as well as other girls.
"That'd be so awesome!" One spoke hopefully.
"We'd have a real man with us!" another said, holding her hands up cheerfully. The single male among Sona's peerage looked around in distress, shocked by their reactions.
"No thanks. Still not interested." Josuke dismissed, waving his hand in front of him as a small sweat drop formed on his head. "You girls have pretty much abandoned the idea of subtlety, huh?" He mumbled with a sigh.
"H-he rejected even Sona-sempai?!" one of the girls spoke up in shock.
"H-he's so cool! Even the most popular girls at our school can't claim his heart!" Another said dreamily.
"I-is this guy really that popular?! What does he have that I don't!" The dirty blond spoke, pouting miserably at the attention the tall teen was receiving from the girls.
"I know, right? He's such a lucky bastard! Him and Kiba are the worst!" Issei complained this time, tears streaming down his cheeks in envy.
"It's seriously nothing for you to cry over..." Josuke muttered with a grimace, watching the two with minor annoyance.
"I suppose another time." Sona chuckled, holding a hand up to silence her peerage. "Back on topic, I'd like to introduce my new pawn. This is Saji Genshirou."
"Oh, I think I recognize you." Issei spoke, reverting back to normal. "You're from class 2-C, then new Student Council secretary, right?"
"Allow me to formally introduce my two new pieces since it was far briefer the last time you met him." Rias declared, holding her arm up to Issei and Asia. "This is my pawn Issei Hyoudou and my Bishop Asia Argento." She then held an arm up to Josuke. "And my eventual piece Josuke Higashikata."
"Hey!" Josuke complained from the side, earning a chuckle from her.
"Just kidding, again."
"Oh, so you're a pawn like me, huh?" Issei asked, speaking to Saji this time before holding his hips and smiling. "And we're in the same grade!"
Saji chuckled in response, shaking his head. "I must say it hurts my pride to be the same piece as one of the Pervert Trio."
"What was that, bastard?!" Issei snapped back in annoyance, narrowing his eyes and raising a fist.
"Oh, you wanna fight?" Saji taunted with a smirk before holding up four fingers. "I may have just become a devil, but I'm a piece worth a total of four pawns!"
"Think before you talk, dumbass." Josuke sighed as he looked at Saji this time. "Issei absorbed eight of prez's pawns."
"Wh-what?! No way, a lame guy like this-" Saji started before a look from Sona stopped him short.
"That's enough, Saji." She then turned back to Asia and Issei and offered a smile. "Forgive him for his outburst. Like you he is new, so please try to get along with him if you can." Sona requested kindly before turning to her new pawn again. "Saji."
"Y-yes, ma'am." Saji obeyed with a gulp, stepping forward and holding out his hand to them. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"A pleasure to meet you too!" Asia said, walking up before Issei and shaking his hand kindly. The dirty blond blinked in surprise before grinning like a dog and holding her hand between both of his.
"The pleasure is all mine, cutie! Let's try and get along~!" Saji told the former nun with a suggestive wink. Issei fidgeted in annoyance before quickly jumping over and taking Saji's hand away from Asia and shaking it with a death grip that caused his fellow pawn to cringe in pain.
"Nice to meet you, Saji-kun!" Issei said forcefully, giving a wry smile. "And by nice to meet you, I mean I'll kill you if you try anything with Asia, Saji-kun!" The dirty blond cringed for a long moment before swinging his arm up and down and turning the tables on him.
"Trying to keep this beautiful blond to yourself, huh?" Saji countered, making the brunette grind his teeth in pain as he squeezed his hand back. "Just what I'd expect from a pervy creature like you!"
"You must be having a rough time." Rias chided with a small giggle.
"Same to you." Sona retorted with a chuckle.
"How do you think it's been for me?" Josuke sighed, shaking his head.
"I was allowed to receive a familiar as soon as I debuted!" Saji attempted to taunt with a snotty smile. "I hear you're still handing out flyers!"
"Go to hell! President just told me that I'll be getting mine just now!" Issei lashed back with a smirk, causing Sona to blink.
"Oh, you were planning to see him too?" Sona asked, seeming slightly troubled.
"That's right, I was planning to take my peerage some time next week." Rias confirmed with a nod.
"But he only comes once a month. He won't be able to see us both." Sona stated, holding her chin in thought.
"Then how about we settle this in a fair game?" Rias offered with a small smirk.
"A game?" Sona repeated in surprise.
"The winner gets to commission him." Rias finished with a nod.
"Are you talking about a Ratings Game?" Sona asked, her expression becoming a bit more serious.
"Oh, no. We wouldn't even be granted permission for that." Rias dismissed, waving her hand in the air.
"That's true. Besides, you can't afford to be hurt right now, after all." Sona commented, quickly making Rias frown and close her eyes.
"That's irrelevant." Rias retorted, a small hint of irritation in her voice that Akeno and Josuke didn't miss. What's with her? He wondered but kept quiet, watching as Rias smiled once again like she had not noticed herself. "I know! Why don't we settle this through sports, like the high schoolers we are?"
"What sport?" Josuke asked curiously, earning a small giggle from Akeno.
"I think we have a few in mind we can play."
"Huh. Not what I was expecting, but I guess it works." Josuke commented as he watched the current match unfold. It was what should be a simple tag team tennis match between Rias and Akeno against Sona and Tsubaki. Both teams were in tennis skirts, Rias sporting a pink one with Akeno in yellow while their opponents wore similar white outfits. Josuke originally thought it would be a closed event with only the peerages showing up to watch aside from himself, but that was quickly dismissed when he arrived to find many other students standing ready to watch, a majority of them boys but with quite a few girls as well.
"Fight hard, president!" Issei called out from behind the fence, leaning in rather too closely as he waited for the match to start.
"Please win for me, Sona-sempai!" Saji called from the opposite side of the fence.
"Let's win this, Akeno." Rias told her Queen, earning a respective nod from Akeno.
"Your serve, Rias." Sona offered with a curt smile. Rias tossed the ball into the air and quickly slammed her racket down, launching it at rather high speed. Sona quickly countered, hitting it back only for Akeno to lash back this time, and then for Tsubaki to do the same.
"I do want president to win, but I wouldn't mind if this game went on forever." Issei chuckled perversely, watching as the girls moved. It seemed that with each step or swing, the girls skirts would fly ever so up that their white underskirts would show quite easily.
"You're telling us. This is such a great view~!" Matsuda commented next to Issei, both he and Motohama using binoculars to watch the rather intense match.
"Y-you guys are here too?!" Issei asked in shock, but realized it made sense when he saw the crowd around them.
"Of course! You'd think we'd miss money shots like these? No way in hell!" Motohama laughed happily as he got the best look he could get on the girls.
"No kidding. It's really a dream right before our eyes~!" Issei hummed, turning back to watch the girls play again. A little ways behind the Pervert Trio, Josuke sighed before looking around at the crowd in question.
"I'm surprised that word got out about this game. Didn't only our clubs know about it?" Josuke asked, standing next to Koneko and Kiba.
"One of the Student Council members most likely put word out. I wonder why, though." Kiba commented, holding his chin in question.
"Souna-sama~!" The girls cried out in praise as the Sitri heiress returned a swing.
"Akeno Onee-sama~!" the boys sang out as Rias' Queen did a back armed swing, her panties flashing once again.
"Souna?" Josuke repeated, looking at the other two club members. "I thought her name was Sona?"
"Souna Shitori is the name she used when registering into this school." Kiba explained before looking back forward. "This game should be interesting since they can't use their powers, though."
"Too many spectators." Koneko added quietly, making Josuke look back up at the match again.
"Take this!" Sona proclaimed, holding the ball up before doing a powerful serve. "Shitori-Style spin serve!" This was further enforced by the magic sigil that appeared behind her as she swung, making Josuke sweat drop as she launched the ball with great force.
"Naive! Take my Gremory-Style Counter-" Rias declared but missed the swing as the ball bounced in a different direction, catching her off guard.
"Doesn't look like that's holding them back…" Josuke mumbled with a sweat drop.
"I have to agree with you, Josuke-kun." Kiba chuckled sheepishly, scratching his cheek.
"They're getting too fired up." Koneko added with the same amount of neutrality. "But it looks like the spectators are oblivious." Koneko noted as she heard several of the students speak, calling it a 'magic ball'.
"Just what I'd expect from my best friend, Souna." Rias huffed, smiling in determination as Sona scored once again, leading the game by a single point. "But don't think you can win so easily!"
"I must do this with all my heart. That how I will show my love for you!" Sona returned, giving a powerful serve.
"I think they're taking this a bit too seriously…" Josuke muttered as the game continued.
The match went on for much longer than expected, with neither team being able to win the match. In the end, the rackets each girl used could not withstand the force of their powers and finally broke. In the end, the match was undecided and the girls were unable to make a decision on who would take the spot for the familiar.
"So what happens now?" Josuke asked, his attention rather absorbed in looking over one of the very destroyed tennis rackets, turning it over in his hands as he looked it over.
"President and Akeno-san are speaking with the Student Council about doing a team match." The Knight of Gremory told them.
"Team match?" Issei repeated in question.
"President wants to get all of us involved in the next match." Koneko told them, taking the other racket from Josuke and placing them on the table. Before much else could be said, Rias walked in with Akeno, smiling at her peerage and the tall teen.
"We decided on dodgeball." Rias announced as she approached. "The game will be tomorrow night in the gym. Let's do our best for Issei and Asia, okay?"
"Yes." Koneko and Kiba accepted, happy to help out their fellow devils.
"Thank you very much!" Asia said in appreciation.
Rias smiled before turning to the lone human in the room. "Josuke. Even though you're not part of my peerage, Sona said that since you're part of my club she won't mind if you play on our team since she has more players. Are you okay with that?"
"Of course! I didn't know I wasn't gonna play in the first place." Josuke admitted with a small grin.
"Alright then, it's decided. I'll see you all tomorrow for the match." Rias confirmed before dismissing the club for the night, sending everyone home.
As planned, the clubs had gathered in the gym of the school the following night. Issei and Kiba wore black and white school jersey's for the game, while Rias wore a red version of it with the rest of the girls wearing white t-shirt and bloomers. Josuke on the other hand, always wanting to keep his typical style, wore a school jersey colored dark purple and yellow, a golden peace sign and heart button on each collar.
"You always like to keep your own style of clothing, huh?" Kiba commented with a chuckle as the two boys stretched, Josuke twisting his upper body while Kiba leaned down to touch his toes. "You don't even wear the usual school uniforms."
"Those things are too tacky for my taste." Josuke shrugged, flipping his collar up to emphasize his own style. "A guy like me has to keep his image up, you know?"
"Josuke's always been particular about his style, even when we were little." Issei strained to explain as sit on the ground with his legs spread wide, Koneko behind him to help him stretch out as she pushed on his back. "I wonder if that runs in his family…" Issei muttered before glancing at Asia and Akeno stretching out, the two doing the same stretch with Akeno behind Asia. His face started to take a turn for lecherous as he blushed, his imagination starting to run wild. I can't help but get some good images in my head when they're close like that.
Koneko seemed to notice, narrowing her eyes before pushing Issei's upper body down harder and basically making his chest touch the ground, causing him to cry out loudly in pain before she finally released him from the stretch.
"You okay down there?" Josuke asked with a raised brow, poking him in the leg with his foot.
"No…" Issei mumbled in pain before suddenly jerking his head up. "O-oh, by the way everyone, I made something last night!" Issei said, holding his arm out for Josuke to help him up. The tall teen quickly pulled him to his feet. "Geez, gentler next time… anyways, I wanted to give everyone these!" He declared, going over to his backpack and pulling out several white headbands, the words 'Occult Club' sewn in with red thread at the center. The club members gathered around, the brunette handing one out to each member.
"Headbands?" Rias asked, a little surprised by the sentiment.
"My, they're lovely~!" Akeno commented with a kind smile.
"Did you make these?" Josuke asked, blinking in surprise as he held it up to get a better look.
"Yeah. I stayed up all night trying to get them just right." Issei explained, earning a small gasp from Rias.
"You didn't get any sleep?" She asked with a bit of concern, but Issei shook his head dismissively.
"You and Akeno-chan were trying so hard for our sakes, I wanted to return the favor." Issei explained before looking at the others. "Same with Koneko-chan and Kiba today as well. Oh and I guess Josuke, too."
"Why am I an afterthought?" Josuke mumbled sourly. Rias stared down at the headband in her hands without a word, a small smile on her features that Issei couldn't read, making him feel a bit self conscious.
"A-are the headbands kinda lame?" He asked, but Rias quickly shook her head.
"Not at all, they're wonderful Issei. Thank you." Rias quickly assured, making the brunette rub the back of his head sheepishly.
"Don't worry about it, it's nothing much." He dismissed, feeling happy to receive her praise.
"Unexpected coming from you." Koneko added, giving a small smile of appreciation as well.
"Let's wear these headbands and work hard as a team, okay?" Rias told the club, earning a quick cheer of approval.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." Sona spoke from the door, turning the club's attention to the Sitri heiress who stood in uniform with the rest of the Student Council behind her. Rias nodded and motioned for her team to get in position, moving with the them to the opposite side of the court while Sona's team took position as well. Since Sona had one more member than they did, their extra teammate served as a referee.
"Get ready!" The girl called out, standing center of the court with a whistle in her mouth before blowing it. "Go~!"
The first member to strike from the Student Council was short blue haired girl that launched a ball at top speed, Josuke dodging to the side as she had picked him out first. "Come on, now! No holding back here?!" He asked but was shocked to see that the ball didn't stop with him. Koneko wasn't far behind him and barely dodged a direct hit that ripped up her shirt from the bottom up. "Koneko-chan!"
"Out~!" The referee called out, raising a hand.
"Are you okay?" Issei asked, but the white haired devil nodded her head.
"I'm fine, don't worry." She said before moving to leave. Josuke reached out with his Stand, quickly repairing her shirt for Koneko without a word and giving a small thumbs up. She smiled back at him before moving to the sidelines.
The next player to pick up a ball was Sona's Queen Tsubaki, who amped up her next hit with magic and aimed specifically for Rias. "Grief of Memories!" She called out before launching the ball with a powerful stroke. Rias widened her eyes before hardening her expression, reaching out with her hands and catching it with some difficulty.
"Impressive to be able to catch Tsubaki's full power swing like that." Sona stated with a smirk.
"Who do you think I am?" Rias chuckled before tossing the ball up and throwing it with stunning precision. While it was in the air, a red magic circle surrounded the ball before enhancing the speed and power of it's flight. One of Sona's members was the poor target of this ball, unable to stop it as it broke through her defenses and shredded her shirt apart.
"Amazing~!" Issei gaped, his cheeks red as he spoke of the naked girl as well as the speeding ball.
"Issei, watch out!" Akeno called out, jumping over his head and catching a ball aimed for him. In doing so, Akeno's shirt fluttered in the wind, causing her belly and part of her chest to be exposed, though she didn't seem to mind. "Try to pay more attention, okay?" She told him with a small smirk.
"Sorry, I was a little distracted…" Issei admitted, becoming distracted by her body this time. Shortly after that though, Issei realized just what kind of a hellish game they were playing as things started to heat up. "Whoa!" He cried out as he dodged another stray ball that left a crack in the wall.
"Dodgeball is a scary game!" Asia cried out in fear, covering her head with her arms in a vain attempt to protect herself.
"I don't think this is a sport anymore…" Issei mumbled as he fearfully watched another ball whiz past his head.
"Eh, I kinda imagined it'd be something like this after the tennis game yesterday." Josuke pointed out as he used Crazy Diamond to knock several balls away from him.
"President!" Saji spoke, pointing toward the loan brunette male of the ORC team. "Let's eliminate Hyoudou-san! He's exposed!" Sona narrowed her eyes and her glasses flashed before doing a long over stretch of her arm.
"Shitori-Style Sinker Bomb Shot!" Sona proclaimed before releasing her magic and launching the ball. Issei grimaced as it flew at him, hesitating to move at first.
"Issei, dodge it!" Rias called out, pulling him out of his funk. The brunette started to run back, quickly jumping to the ground and letting it fly over his head. Much to his surprise though, it flew back around and followed him. "You've gotta be kidding me!" He cried out in fear as he tried to avoid it once again, running backwards only for it to curve and hit him right in the balls. Issei was still for a moment before falling down with his butt in the air, his hands on his crotch. "I-it's all over for me…"
"Don't be a baby, you're fine." Josuke chuckled, walking over with the others as the game was stopped to give Issei a moment. "Here, I'll heal it for you."
"Pe-perhaps I should. Just show me where you were hit." Asia offered, summoning her ring to use Twilight Healing. Issei quickly rolled over and crawled a bit away from Asia.
"N-no, that's alright! It's in a private place…" Issei squirmed before looking up at Josuke. "Y-you can heal it since you don't have to touch the place that I was hurt."
Josuke looked at Asia for a moment then back at Issei before giving a sly smile. "I'm sure it's alright if Asia does it. Besides, the game's about to start back up." He said, turning his back to them. "Don't worry, I'll do my best to avenge your death."
"Yes, let us all do our best to avenge Issei!" Rias proclaimed sternly, nodding her head.
"It won't be in vain." Kiba agreed, gripping his fist in front of him.
"Uh, I'm not dead." Issei sweat dropped before glaring as Josuke walked away. "And you! Get back here and heal me!"
"Can't hear you, game's starting back up." Josuke dismissed with a wave over his shoulder.
"You bastard…" Issei mumbled before Asia touched his arm.
"It's okay, I'll do my best to help!" Asia tried to reassure strongly, only making Issei sigh and shake his head. "That's not the problem here…"
"I have to say, Josuke-kun. You've done well so far to survive, even if you are a Stand user." Sona praised as Josuke walked forward, picking up several balls. All that were left from Sona's team were herself, Tsubaki and Saji. "It makes me want you for my peerage even more. But I will not show you mercy when it comes to this game."
"I wouldn't expect anything less, because the same goes for me." Josuke smirked, holding the balls up for Crazy Diamond to take. DORARARA! It cried out, launching them at high speeds.
"Bring it-" Saji attempted to taunt, but was quickly silenced as a ball swiftly smashed into his groin.
"You won't get us so easily!" Sona declared confidently, dodging to the side along with Tsubaki before they could land any hits. "Your Stand is truly incredible, but it won't be that easy to eliminate us."
"Oh, I had no doubt about that." Josuke admitted with a sly grin, holding up several pieces of fabric in his hand for the Sitri heiress to see. "But you know, you girls really tore up the material on the balls when you were using your magic."
"Huh?" Sona blinked in confusion before she saw a pinkish aura surround Josuke. "It can't be…" She muttered before looking back to see the balls Josuke had just thrown floating in the air, surrounded by the same pink aura as the Stand user.
"Watch out, Sona-sama!" Tsubaki warned too late as the balls rocketed toward them, bouncing off Sona's stomach and Tsubaki's side harmlessly before hitting the ground.
"Game~!" The referee called, raising a green flag to signal the end of the game.
"We won! We won!" Issei and Asia cheered together, holding hands and jumping up and down in celebration.
"Just call me Josuke Higashikata, the man who turns the tables on his enemies." Josuke chuckled, giving his signature JoJo pose in victory. Sona blinked in shock, looking down at the ball that hit her and processing the fact that they had lost the match. Finally she smirked and closed her eyes, nodding in acceptance.
"I hate to say it, but we've lost. Well played, Josuke Higashikata-san." She spoke, motioning for her peerage to assist Saji. "All the more reason to want someone like you in my peerage."
"Fair is fair. We get priority on the familiars as agreed." Rias spoke up, taking attention away from her lone human club member.
"Of course. I don't like losing, but it was still fun." Sona conceded, turning to leave but looking over her shoulder at Rias. "Besides, in a Ratings Game I'd win, even if not in this child's game."
"Don't think I'll lose so easily either." Rias countered with a smile. "But it'll be a while before we can do one anyways."
"Indeed. Well then, see you later." Sona said, bidding farewell before walking off. Josuke and Issei shared a look, a bit confused by the term.
"Rating Game?" Issei repeated quietly to himself.
The club members quickly changed from their gym clothes and headed back to the clubroom, taking a short moment to celebrate their win. "Cheers!" Issei shouted, followed by the rest of the club cheering the same.
"The Occult Research Club has marvelously defeated the student council!" Rias toasted, holding her cup of soda high. "Good job everyone."
"I feel bad I got eliminated, though." Issei admitted with a sigh.
"Don't be. It was thanks to you and those headbands that we were all in such high spirits." Kiba declared, making the brunette blink in surprise.
"He's right, Issei. You contributed quite well!" Akeno assured with a kind smile.
"Stop gettin' down on yourself when you don't need to, idiot." Josuke nudged him with a small smirk. "You did good."
"Guys…" Issei muttered before smiling at Kiba and shaking his hands. "You're pretty awesome sometimes, just sometimes, for being a pretty boy, Kiba!" He laughed, earning a sheepish chuckle from the blond male.
"Now that we've had our fun, it's time to get our familiars." Rias stated, a large magic circle appearing under Akeno's feet as she walked ahead of the group.
"R-right now?"
"He only sees clients during the full moon. We have to see him tonight." Rias explained, causing the newest members of the club to tilt their heads in question.
"Who?" Josuke asked this time.
"The familiar master." Rias answered. Moments later, the red circle shined across the room before suddenly placing them in a far different place. They found themselves in a dark forest with a dark red hue for moonlight instead of the natural white most are familiar with.
"Where are we?" Issei asked, looking around curiously at his surroundings.
"The forest where familiars are made." Akeno stated simply in explanation.
"We've all received our familiars from here." Kiba added.
"This place is pretty eerie, like something's going to jump at us at any time…" Issei mumbled, feeling a bit on guard while Asia hid behind him a bit in fear. "Y-yeah…" She muttered.
"Gotta catch 'em all!" They randomly heard, making Issei and Asia jump. They looked above them in the tree line to see a rather lanky man in his thirties. He wore a tank top and a backpack with shorts and a ball cap turned backwards.
"Wh-who are you?!" Issei asked cautiously, but the man only chuckled.
"I am the familiar master, Zatuji!" The man proclaimed proudly, holding a thumb to his chest. Josuke raised a brow, a little more than stumped by his rather odd appearance.
"Oi." He whispered, leaning toward Rias and Akeno. "Is this Satoshi knock off really the familiar master?" Rias found herself holding in a laugh while Akeno let a small giggle escape her mouth, trying to smother it with her hand.
"Y-yes, that would be him. But please don't make the comparison, or he'll deny it and will not help us." Rias told him, holding a finger over her lips in emphasis.
"You guys sure know some funny characters…" Josuke muttered with a sigh, shaking his head as he looked back up at the 'familiar master'.
"Looks like a full moon tonight!" Zatuji proclaimed, holding a hand over his eyes to block the light. "Perfect night to catch some familiars! And no one is better than me!" He put his hands in a 'G' formation, trying to somehow put emphasis on the point.
"He's a professional when it comes to obtaining familiars." Akeno told them, though Issei didn't look very convinced of so as well as Josuke. "R-right…"
"Now, what are you looking for in a familiar?" Zatuji asked, placing his hands on his hips. "Speed? Strength? Perhaps one with venomous ability?"
"Get one that looks like Charmander or maybe Cyndaquil." Josuke suggests with a bit of excitement, but Issei had other thoughts.
"Actually, do you have one that's cute? Maybe one that looks like a hot girl?" Issei suggested, his signature lechery showing again.
"That always has to be the front of everything with you, huh?" Josuke muttered in disappointment.
"Tsk tsk, you newbies always have the wrong ideas in your head." Zatsuji declared, waving his finger. "You should always pick a familiar based on how useful they are and how compatible they are with your own powers and skills!"
"Um, I'd like a cute familiar too!" Asia asked hopefully, holding her hands together.
"Anything you want, baby!" Zatsuji quickly conceded, his face becoming bashful.
"Thank you very much!" Asia said happily, Issei becoming annoyed with the 'familiar master's' sudden change. "You son of a…"
"Come on! Let's head to the lake! I'm sure we can find some decent familiars for you newbies there!" Zatuji declared, leading the way forward for the group. Rias motioned for them to follow, trailing behind the much older man. Soon they came upon a rather standard lake, though at the center there seemed to be a light shining from within.
"The water spirit Undine lives in these waters. She can be of a lot of help to a newbie." Zatuji suggested, making Issei jump forward.
"Great! Judging from the name, she's probably a hottie!" Issei hoped, his imagination running wild again as his face hid no emotion, slightly grossing out the white haired devil behind him.
"Oh look, she's coming out!" Zatuji declared, turning everyone's gaze forward. From the center, a figure started to rise. It had long curly blond hair and a rather muscular frame as far as one could tell from behind. She(?) wore a short pink dress, suddenly turning around to reveal a very masculine figure and face, causing Issei to cry out in shock as it let out a roar.
"You're pretty lucky, boy. That's Undine." Zatuji smiled confidently, while Issei could only cry out in disappointment.
"No matter how you look at it, that's a fighter who came here to take a bath!" Issei whined, but Zatuji only shook his head.
"Hey, a fighting water spirit's pretty good. You should take her." The familiar master encouraged.
"No no no! There's no way! Is that thing even a woman?!" Issei whined, pointing a finger at the masculine familiar.
"Definitely is."
"Pfft, hahaha~!" Josuke started to laugh, holding a hand over his mouth as he tried to contain himself.
"Sh-shut up Josuke! Let's hurry up and get out of here…" Issei mumbled sourly, earning an eye roll from his best friend.
"You're such a baby." Josuke chuckled, calming his laughter before turning around so they could leave. Much to his surprise, he was face to face with a fairly large familiar. One that heavily looked like a turtle, and was chewing on a branch in its mouth rather slowly. Josuke immediately froze, staring at the turtle for a long silent moment.
"What's wrong, Josuke-kun?" Asia asked, looking past him and cooing happily. "Oh my, it's so cute! Do you like tur-"
"Ah!" Josuke finally freaked out, backing away from the turtle and accidently running back into Koneko and Akeno. "Th-that thing is friggin' scary!"
"What's wrong, Josuke-kun?" Akeno asked, peeking past his shoulder to see what had caused the Stand user to freak out. "Did you find something strange?"
"Ah, this is a Kamehame, just a simple docile familiar. Nothing scary about this one." Zatuji explained as he approached, watching as Asia petted the turtle's head.
"What spooked you like that, Josuke?" Rias asked, earning a sigh from Issei.
"Josuke's always been afraid of reptiles. He doesn't even like to touch them." Issei explained with a small smirk of amusement, happy to not be the joke this time. "Not so cool now, huh?"
"Sh-shut up! They're just kinda creepy with those scales and stuff! But I've been trying to conquer that fear, okay?" Josuke defended, now hiding behind Koneko as he slowly edged her closer so he could attempt to put one finger on the reptile's head.
"I'll protect you, Jojo." Koneko stated, though obviously knowing there was no real danger in front of them.
"Thank you, Koneko-chan. Just a little more and maybe I can get…" Josuke nodded in appreciation, reaching just a bit further before stopping several inches away from it's head.
"Fight hard, Josuke-kun! We believe in you!" Asia cheered from the side, watching him rather intently.
"You always seem to have the oddest triggers." Rias commented with a giggle before motioning for the others to follow. "Come on, everyone. Josuke-kun can conquer his fear of turtles another time."
"It's okay, Josuke-kun. No need to strain yourself." Akeno assured, gently grabbing his shoulder and pulling him along.
"B-but I'm so close!" Josuke whined as Akeno and Koneko basically dragged him away from the turtle familiar. The group finally moved forward, going out to find some decent familiars for both new devils this time.
Katsuji led the way, holding up his arm to halt the group and narrowing his eyes. "Wait…" He muttered before pointing toward a tree a ways ahead. "There!" He announced, indicating a small creature sitting on a branch. It appeared to be a tiny winged lizard, blue with white bellied scales and a pointed nose.
"A dragon?" Issei wondered, while Asia marveled at the small familiar.
"It's so cute!" She cooed, her eyes shining in hope as she saw it.
"It's a sprite dragon." Zatuji confirmed for them. "A baby dragon with the power of cerulean lightning."
"It's quite a high-class one." Kiba added in slight awe.
"It's my first time actually seeing one." Rias admitted as well.
"The time to catch it would be now." Zatuji informed them, turning back to the group seriously. "It's impossible to catch in its mature form."
"Issei has the power of the Great Red Emperor Dragon." Akeno declared knowledgably. "Their compatibility should be fine if he tries."
"Alright then!" Issei nodded with a determined grin. "Sprite Dragon! I choose you-" A yelp from Asia caused the brunette to stop, looking to the blond to find her now covered in a green slime. It didn't stop there, falling upon the entire group and covering all of the girls with it. "W-whoa!" He cried out as it seemed the girls clothes were slowly dissolving.
"Slime!" Kiba cried out, trying to strike some with his sword before it fell into his eyes and blinded him.
"What the hell is this crap?!" Josuke cried out, doing his best to avoid it. "Oi, girls! Are you oka-" Immediately he blushed in embarrassment, turning his back to the girls as he realized their clothes were being destroyed. "U-uh wh-what's going on?! What do I do?!"
"Ara ara, this is so embarrassing!" Akeno cried out as her clothes were being rest of the girls fell into similar states, unable to do anything to stop it. Issei stared for a moment before blood finally dripped from his nose, causing him to wipe it and give a devilish grin.
"Th-this stuff is wonderful…" He muttered before being struck by Koneko who glared down at him.
"Stop looking." She warned, doing her best to attempt to cover herself. She then looked in Josuke's direction, making sure the lone human wasn't peeking either.
"I haven't seen anything!" Josuke cried out, his back still to them as he felt Koneko's gaze on his back. "B-but I feel like I should do somethin'..."
"These are slimes that feed on textile." Zatuji explained, his arms crossed while his eyes were covered by the slime, though obviously having got one look before as his nose was dripping with blood as well. Behind him Kiba was also blinded by slime, swinging his sword blindly in an ill attempt to destroy it. "They're usually harmless aside from eating girl's clothing."
"Oh, great. I thought they were gonna ruin my clothes too." Josuke sighed in relief before a piece of wood hit his head.
"Why is it you're only concerned about your own clothes?!" Issei cried out before looking back lustfully at Rias and the others. "B-but this stuff is amazing." He finally gasped before smiling and raising his hand. "Pr-president! I wish for this slime to be my familiar!"
"Pl-please Issei! Think hard before ch-choosing such a thing as a familiar! It-it's very important to know the right-ah~!" She cried as the slime started to get into rather dirty places, between her legs and around her breasts as more of her clothing started to disappear.
"I've made up my mind! I truly wish for this slime to be my familiar!" Issei proclaimed loudly, blowing air out of his nose in determination.
"Stop being a pervert and do somethin'!" Josuke growled in annoyance, his own problem with looking obvious as he was trying to think up something he could do. "I-I can't use Crazy Diamond blindly or I might hit the girls…" He grumbled, sweating a bit as he was having a hard time focusing with the girls constantly making rather… indecent sounds.
"Oh, my~! Not there~!" Akeno cried out, though to Josuke it honestly sounded like she was enjoying the current situation. His eye twitched in annoyance, doing his best to try and ignore her and the rest of the girls, along with his best friend's cries of joy.
"Come on, Josuke! You know you wanna look~!" Issei spoke with a dark chuckle, nudging the taller teen with his elbow. "Come to the dark, pervy side~!"
"Will you shut up?! I'm thinking!" Josuke groaned, his blush still very evident on his cheeks.
"You can only resist for so long! It's only a matter of time!" Issei cackled as he went back to watching the girls helplessly lose their clothes.
"I-I can't use my powers like this!" Rias cried out, looking at the lone human who was still in self-conflict. "J-Josuke-kun! Right now you're the only one capable or willing to help! Pl-please-ah~!" She cried out before one of the slimes crept into a very delicate place. Josuke grinded his teeth in frustration before looking at Zatuji from the side.
"O-oi… the slimes are just eating their clothes. Not dissolving it into nothing, right?" He asked slowly, to which Zatuji nodded.
"That's right, they're making themselves larger by converting it into their bodies." Zatuji confirmed for him. Josuke was silent for a moment before releasing a deep breath and standing at full length.
"As a man, I shouldn't look out of respect for the girls." He declared proudly, his eye twitching as Josuke tried to solidify his resolve. "B-but to help them… I'll do what I have to…"
"W-wait, Josuke! What are you planning?!" Issei asked, covering his mouth in fear. Josuke turned toward the girls with his eyes closed tightly.
"Girls… please excuse me for looking!" Josuke proclaimed, opening his eyes and dashing toward them. "Crazy Diamond!" He cried out, summoning his Stand forward in front of him. DORARARARA~! It roared as it unleashed a barrage of punches toward them. Surprisingly it hit with pinpoint accuracy, never touching the girls as it knocked the slime off their bodies and freed them from its clutches. "Now fix it!" Josuke cried out, using his powers to begin 'repairing' the girl's clothes.
"N-no! Josuke! You'll destroy it!" Issei cried, making his best friend hesitate for a moment. He held a hand over his chest, his eyes becoming heavy as he pleaded now. "Josuke, please… for me. Let my dream come true of having a familiar that can aid me in my carnal desires."
Josuke was silent for a moment, looking down at the green slime before looking back up at Issei. "Issei… as your best friend…" the tall teen gave him a thumbs up. "It's my job to make sure your dreams are shattered."
"How does that make sense?!" Issei whined as Crazy Diamond appeared again, helpless to stop the Stand user. The green blobs started to shrink as parts of them drifted back to Rias and the others, restoring their clothes and covering the girls once more. "How could you..?" the brunette asked, feeling betrayed as he fell to his knees.
"Good job, Josuke-kun. Now to dispose of the rest." Rias thanked as her clothes fully returned to her body. She held out her hand with narrowed eyes and created a magic circle, using her Power of Destruction to blast the slime. Issei held his face and wiggled his body in horror, unable to save his would-be familiar.
"Sorry about this." Akeno giggled as she summoned lightning and destroyed the slime around her as well. Again, Issei wiggled his body hopelessly. Soon Koneko and Kiba followed suit, the swordsman finally pulling the slime from his face. Soon there was very little slime left to destroy, save for what was left on Asia. Issei realized this, and quickly wrapped his arms around the blond to protect his desired familiar.
"No! I won't let you destroy it!" Issei cried out, hoping his body was a good enough shield for the slime. Asia seemed to forget her predicament, smiling bashfully as she enjoyed the embrace of the brunette.
"Step aside, Issei." Rias ordered, her cheeks flush and eyes narrowed as she held a hand up prepared to launch her magic. "Disgusting creatures like this deserve to be burnt away."
"You might as well destroy Issei too." Josuke joked, though there was an evident blush on his cheeks. He had seen more than he'd like to admit. "Just get outta the way. You know it's over for the slime."
"No, please! Slatarou and I were bound by fate to meet each other and become partners!" Issei pleaded, tears in his eyes as he abandoned all pride in hopes to save the creature. "You can't separate us now!" He hugged Asia closer, making the small blond blush a bit more. He's holding me so close!
"He's even named it…" Kiba commented, a bit shocked by how far Issei was willing to go to protect the odd familiar.
"Never thought I'd see the day when a devil would want a pest as a familiar." Zatuji chuckled as he watched the display Issei was putting on. "The world truly is big."
"He's usually such a good boy. But he's far too honest with his carnal desires." Rias sighed, disappointment and sadness in her gaze.
"Please don't look at me with such pity, president!" Issei whined before clenching his fist in front of him. "With this slime as my partner, I can become a true hero!"
"How does clothes dissolving slime make a hero?" Josuke griped, stepping forward to get ready and pull Issei off of Asia himself. A tiny bolt of electricity stopped him though, zapping Issei and burning the last bit of 'Slatarou' that was left.
"What was that…?" Issei mumbled as he fell on his back as a result of the shock. The club members looked above to see the small sprite dragon from earlier hovering above their heads.
"The Sprite Dragon attacked it?" Rias questioned as she watched it fly down toward Asia. Issei quickly recovered, jumping to his feet and looking down at his dead would-be familiar.
"Slatarou!" He cried out before glaring daggers at the tiny dragon. "You bast-" He was quickly silenced with a shock, putting him back on the ground.
"Issei!" Asia cried out in concern, approaching until the sprite dragon gently landed on her shoulder, huddling around it protectively.
"Ho-ho! This is intriguing!" Zatuji proclaimed, holding his chin in interest. "Sprite Dragons usually only attack like that in self defense or to protect. It must have thought that the boy and the slime were attacking the girl." the familiar master pointed out, watching as the small familiar jumped into Asia's arms.
"He's so cute~!" Asia cooed as she hugged she small dragon with it returning the gesture by rubbing into her neck with it's head.
"Congrats, little lady. It looks like you've got your familiar!"
In the dark of night, a young woman stood near the Higashikata household, her gaze fixed on the Angelo Stone. She was once the master of the now morphed and rock-made Angelo, but now he was no more. The silverette placed her hand on the stone's maw, wondering if he was still alive. To her surprise, she could still feel the faintest amount of demonic energy from within, making it apparent that there was still some life left within the rock. "A fate worse than death…" She muttered, rubbing the stone face as if to sooth it from it's pain. Angelo could no longer feel though, only see and possibly even think.
"What a shame." She sighed, taking a step back from the stone and crossing her arms. "You were quite the useful Knight. I would have liked to keep you as so. That deranged mindset and bloodlust made you very helpful." She raised her arm and let a faint purple energy resonate from her hand. The Angelo Stone soon did the same and moments later a small piece came from it's center, a knight piece.
"But despite how useful you were, you honestly disgusted me." The Devil chuckled, taking the piece in her hand and tucking it away. "You did things even I would cringe at. Perhaps this fate to watch the world in front of you forever, never feeling, is well deserved." She turned to leave, giving no more heed to the stone. "Farewell, Angelo. Enjoy your newfound immortal life." She didn't walk too far from the stone, though. She moved down the street and onto a property that looked long abandoned. The house on it was large, almost ominously so, and was quite worn down. She didn't bother to knock, opening the door and walking inside. The front hall of the home was quite large but just as disturbing as the outside when it came to wear and tear.
"Who's there?" A stern voice called out, causing the Devil to pause in her stride. She held her hands up in surrender, a small smile on her lips.
"Just me, Keicho. No need to become so defensive." She chuckled as her gaze led up a flight of stairs. On the tall balcony, a large male figure stood there, his appearance covered in darkness, though it was no problem for a devil like her to see.
"What do you want, Myrcella." The man huffed, sounding none too excited to see the devil. The devil called 'mistress', now known as Myrcella faked a pout and crossed her arms in front of her.
"My oh my, Keicho! Is that any way to speak to your cute business partner?" She asked, her tone being very well disguised to sound cute. The man known as Keicho only scoffed, turning his back to the devil.
"I doubt you came here to make small talk, devil. What is it?" He asked bluntly, earning a small smirk from Myrcella who only shook her head.
"Oh my, so blunt. You'll never get a girlfriend acting like such a stiff." the silver haired devil teased before becoming serious. "I'm sure you know by now that my Knight Angelo was defeated, correct?"
"Yes. I saw the spectacle myself when he was fused into stone." Keicho admitted, crossing his arms and leaning on the rail of the stairway. "Looks like you'll be needing more pieces soon."
"That's right, I will." Myrcella agreed, crossing her arms over her well endowed chest. "Usually I would ask for you to find more for me, but-"
"Why not Tamami or Hazamada?" Keicho suggested, though the tone of his own voice was a bit condescending. "I'm sure they can be of some use to you."
"Both of their Stands are fairly weak, even if useful to some degree." Myrcella dismissed with a huff, annoyed by the suggestion. "But I'm not here to talk about a new servant. I'm here for the Bow and Arrow."
"What about them?" Keicho asked, an edge in his voice that sounded rather dangerous at the mention of the holy items.
"With how close Josuke Higashikata is to this house, I don't think it's wise for you to keep them here." The devil told him plainly, watching the darkened figure grip his hand in annoyance. "Just give them to me so I can put them in a place out of his reach."
"Don't be ridiculous." Keicho scoffed, tactfully covering his annoyance with confidence. "If Josuke Higashikata and his devil friends find this place, they'll be killed. There's no issue."
"I think you may be underestimating the new Stand user." Myrcella retorted, placing her hands on her hips. "Just from seeing what's left of Angelo, I doubt you want to run into him."
"Perhaps you're underestimating me, Myrcella." Keicho answered, a bitter tone in his voice. "Besides, our deal stays. I keep making Stand users for you to use as servants until one of them does the job I need, or until you and your kind find a way to do it for me. Until then, I won't be handing the Bow and Arrow over to you."
"I will not allow for the Bow and Arrow to fall into the hands of the Gremory girl." Myrcella retorted in annoyance, her eyes narrowing as her patience was starting to grown thin. "Despite what confidence you have in your powers, I can't be bothered to take such risks."
"I don't care what you're not willing to risk. I will keep it safe. Until my wish has been granted." Keicho replied evenly, though a minor sense of enjoyment in his voice. It seemed he liked to be in charge of the situation. Myrcella on the other hand did not.
"You would deny me the Bow and Arrow?" She asked, a dangerous edge in her tone. From the shadows, she heard several small clicks as if guns had been prepared.
"They're not yours to take yet. If you have a problem with that, then by all means take your servant and leave." Keicho said bluntly, watching the silver haired devil. Myrcella closed her eyes as if thinking before giving a curt smile and shook her head.
"No, that's fine. We'll stick to our usual agreement. Just remember to not grow too attached to the Bow and Arrow once we find what you want." Myrcella warned lightly, turning around and taking her leave. "And she's not my servant, she's a close friend. She's here to make sure if you run into any devil trouble, you won't be in over your head."
"If you say so. She's taken a liking to Okuyasu it seems. Or at least in ordering him around." Keicho scoffed, disappearing into the shadow of the upstairs hall and ending the conversation. Myrcella raised a brow before starting to leave.
"Myrcella!" The devil heard from behind her, a small shadow coming out of one of the rooms down the hall. "Why didn't you let me know you were coming by?" As she came closer into view, her appearance became very apparent to the devil. She was rather tiny, definitely a loli, only going up to Myrcella's shoulders. She wore a very gothic outfit, her dress red and going down to her knees. She wore long black stockings and high heels. She had long blond wavy hair and red eyes, her skin very pale like an old glass doll.
"Ah, Elmy-chan. I trust that the Nijimura brothers are treating you right?" Myrcella giggled as she saw her friend approach. In response, the red eyed blond only scoffed and crossed her arms.
"I am a pure-blooded vampire. I shouldn't be on 'guard duty' for a bunch of lowly humans." the apparent vampire huffed in annoyance. "That older brother is quite full of himself. I would have drained him of blood had you not insisted I do this for you. The other is an imbecile, but he at least has his uses." She declared before looking back at the kitchen. "Servant! Where is my meal?!"
"O-oi! How many times have I told you not to call me that?!" A rather raspy voice said from the kitchen in annoyance. "A-and it's almost done! Stop whining!"
"Servants don't get to speak so highly to their masters!" The vampire retorted with a confident tone in her voice. "Hurry up and finish making it before I punish you by extracting some blood directly."
"Ah-alright, alright!" The voice responded in panic, obviously the idea scaring him slightly. Elmy, as Myrcella had called her, giggled in triumph before turning back to her friend. "It's quite fun to order him around. Perhaps when all of this is over, I'll turn him into my own official vampiric servant."
"No fair, Elmy-chan!" Myrcella faked a whine with an innocent tone again. "I wanted Okuyasu-kun for my peerage~!" She then chuckled, readjusting to her normal voice. "But in all seriousness, that might be smart. His Stand is rather terrifying. I wish I could have seduced him into my own. He ever tell you why he said no?" She asked curiously.
"I did. Apparently he doesn't trust you." Elmy sighed, turning her gaze back to the kitchen slightly. "He's usually rather dumb, but I suppose instinct dictated to him not to follow you. Sorry about that, Myrcella." The silver haired devil only giggled, shaking her head.
"It's fine, I'm unoffended. It's odd to see him think without someone ordering him to." Myrcella pointed out before leaning in to her vampire friend so that they were eye level. "But he's right not to trust me. Soon, I will be terminatingour contract with the brothers. Understand?" She whispered with a sly smirk, making the loli vampire's eyes widen a bit before she nodded.
"I do. Just be sure to alert me when you do so." Elmy told her, to which the silver haired devil agreed.
"I'll be taking my leave now. Just keep doing what you're doing for now until I give the word. You may run into trouble before I can intervene." Myrcella instructed the vampire.
"I'll be sure to keep the act up until the time comes." Elmy agreed. Myrcella turned around to leave, but the vampire spoke once more. "O-oh and… if you do terminate things with Keicho…" Myrcella stopped and glanced back at the vampire, who had a rather strained, almost embarrassed, expression about her. "Try to… spare Okuyasu if you do." Myrcella raised a brow, surprised to hear her friend stick up for the human. She suddenly giggled, forcing the vampire to blush redder. "Wh-why are you laughing?! I only say so because he's a good servant!"
"If you say so. Though it seems Keicho Nijimura was right." Myrcella teased lightly, sticking her tongue out at the vampire. "Fine. Just for you, I'll do my best to leave him out of my plans. But it's your responsibility should he get in the way, understood?"
"F-fine…" Elmy agreed quietly, watching Myrcella nod and finally take her leave. The loli vampire sighed before turning back to the kitchen sternly. "The meal better be done by the time I walk into the kitchen!"
Myrcella waited until she was a good distance away from the Nijimura household to pull out her phone. She quickly dialed a number and listened to the ring until she head a click. "What's rock n' rollin', baby~!"
"Hello, my Queen. I just wanted to inform you that as of tomorrow, our deal with the Nijimura's will be void." Myrcella declared with a wicked smile, earning a small laugh from the other side.
"I understand, no worries! Will we be terminating them?" He asked unwavering, earning a small giggle from the silver haired devil.
"The main priority will be retrieving the Bow and Arrow from the household. Terminating them is not specifically needed, but I doubt that Keicho Nijimura will give it up so easily." Myrcella explained, holding her chin in thought. "If he attacks you, kill him. He knows quite a bit about my plans."
"I'm guessing that the same goes for his brother, then?" The rather flamboyant voice questioned, but Myrcella gave a sigh.
"Usually it would, but Elmy-chan specifically requested to spare him. So do me a favor and avoid him as much as possible. I'd hate to break a promise to her. She agreed to take responsibility should he intervene as well." Myrcella explained, earning a rather boisterous laugh from the other side.
"Sounds like that little loli's gotten a bit smitten, eh? How surprising."
"It seems that way. But regardless, I said I would avoid killing him if possible at least." Myrcella reaffirmed before smirking. "But that does not go for the older brother. If the chance presents itself, kill him."
"Understood, baby~! Just leave it to your Queen to electrify their souls!" The voice cackled one last time before hanging up. Myrcella grinned darkly again before proceeding to head home, stuffing her phone back into her pockets. It's time to claim what is mine.