The household was small (Note: This takes place before the house is rebuilt in the light novel), much like Basara's home. Speaking of Basara's house, Ise had been there before as well, so he had the chance to meet Basara's father, Jin Toujou. Although Ise wouldn't openly admit that his gaming setup was better at his own place, which is why Basara usually came over here instead of them going to Basara's house.
Outside the house, the handsome swordsman Kiba Yuuto was heading to Ise's place. He had forgotten a book there and wanted to pick it up. However, through the window, he spotted Ise and Basara together. Suddenly, he gasped, remembering the Saturday arrangement he had completely forgotten about. He turned and walked away just as Ise punched the window. "That was way too close, Kiba!" Ise muttered to himself.
Basara sensed something was off outside, but by the time he looked out the window, Kiba was already gone. He just shrugged it off and decided not to worry about it.
Before Basara and Ise went upstairs, Basara hugged and kissed Ise's mother, Miki Hyoudou, while shaking hands with his father, Gorou Hyoudou. "It's great to see you both again. You look even younger than the last time," he chuckled. The parents laughed and smiled at the teenager. "Thanks for coming over. You're always welcome here, you know that," the father told his son's friend.
(In Ise's room)
Upstairs in Ise's room, the two were snacking and listening to music.
"This is some good stuff, man. You can't get this kind of music in Japan, so thankfully it's imported," Ise said, munching on snacks.
"Yeah, I agree. Although I don't understand all the lyrics," Basara admitted, chewing on some jerky.
After the music ended, they played video games for a few hours. After finishing the new game they had mentioned earlier—which turned out to be a shameless cash grab by a bad developer—they decided to switch to some classic titles instead.
"Here's a good one," Ise said, holding up an old cartridge.
"'Space K-9'? Isn't that an N64 game? Wow, I haven't played that in ages. It's an oldie but a goodie," Basara said as he picked up the shuriken-shaped controller.
Ise inserted the game and grabbed a controller. The menu appeared on the TV screen. "I'll take Blippy," Ise said. This so-called Blippy was an annoying character—there's always one like that in every series.
"I'll go with Preppy," Basara said, choosing the cool but somewhat jerkish character who always suggested the protagonist perform a specific aerial move.
The game had officially started, and the two boys heard a voice from the screen: "Gentlemen, this is General S. Popper. As members of the Bornerian Defense Force, you have been assigned to..." Blah, blah, blah—the usual stuff.
They played for just under an hour, making good progress despite having to restart several times.
"Why am I poisoned?... WHY AM I TOXIC?!" Issei shouted as his character became toxic in the game, then he lost the round.
Basara laughed and patted Issei on the back. "Better luck next time, man."
(Hours later)
Basara was about to leave for a "date" with Chisato Hasegawa, if you catch my drift. But first, he had a question. "...Who was that person outside earlier? Sorry, it's just been on my mind, and I wanted to ask."
Issei swallowed nervously. "Well, you see, uh..." Suddenly, his phone rang—it was Xenovia Quarta. "Uh... crap. Hold on, Basara, I have to take this." He went into another room to talk privately.
Basara raised an eyebrow. "What the...?"
(Meanwhile)
In the Underworld/Demon Realm (Author's note: I'm combining these two worlds from each series into one realm. Also, some of the Shinmai demons are still alive here because this takes place before their deaths in the light novel), a meeting was underway among several powerful figures. Present were Sirzechs Lucifer, Grayfia Lucifuge, Ajuka Beelzebub, Azazel, Zolgear, Ramusas, Belphegor, Serafall Leviathan, Falbium Asmodeus, and Leohart, all seated around a long table in a large chamber. Ajuka led one faction of the Underworld, while Leohart led the other.
They were discussing the possibility of a traitor within the Demon World. Their suspicion focused on a particular demon who frequently sneaked into the human world without authorization. For years, this demon had been difficult to catch due to shape-shifting abilities and staying hidden in the shadows. But with some recent intelligence, the councils had caught wind of the situation and called this meeting.
"If there's a traitor among us, we need to find him as soon as possible," Belphegor stated firmly.
Sirzechs spoke honestly: "I understand, but our duties are increasing. It might be hard to track him down right now."
"Unless we get some help," Grayfia added, supporting her husband's point.