WebNovels

Chapter 2 - Chapter 1: The beginning of something new.

Shotaro Onodera was many things.

 

Popular, kind, good looking, a good cook, and one more thing.

 

And what was that thing?

 

A super mega geek when it came to Kamen Rider and Super Sentai, as the walls of his room could be seen covered head to toe in all kinds of merch and posters.

 

From toys to actual props from the shows he had it all. Including a custom made Dragreder plushie that he made which he also slept with every night.

 

And as of this moment he could be seen breathing slowly under a large and heavy blanket, and he seemed to be at peace.

 

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But that peace didn't last long as his eyes suddenly flew open as he let out a yell before rolling off the bed whilst throwing the blanket off of himself.

 

"Everyone!" 

 

He then out of instinct reached up from his fallen position and grabbed a toy version of Ryuki's card deck which was on the nightstand by his bed before bringing it up to his waist.

 

"Hen-" He began to yell and then stopped as he looked around and saw that everything was ok, and he wasn't in danger, he relaxed.

 

"What…..was that?" He asked aloud before shrugging and looking down at himself before muttering "Huh weird."

 

He looked at his own hands, opening and closing them before quietly saying "I could've sworn I had scars covering them."

 

Having said that he slowly got up as he reached for something to help himself up with his hand landing on the Desire Driver toy he'd had for a long time. Having a feel for it he turned to look and suddenly tears.

 

Tears began to slowly go down his face, and he didn't know why, he wasn't sad or even had a reason to be sad so why…..why did it feel like a part of him was ripped brutally away.

 

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"Man that was odd"

 

Moments later Shotaro found himself in the kitchen as he was getting ready for school whilst still thinking over his experience after waking up, he couldn't explain why he felt that way.

 

But that didn't matter, he was already forgetting why, as if the details were nothing more than a fleeting dream. 

 

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It wasn't long until Shotaro was completely ready as he now wore the Kuoh Academy male uniform, but there was just one thing missing, something he'd made the night before for someone he considered a really good friend.

 

What was that thing he made?

 

Cookies.

 

"Oh Koneko-chan is gonna love these" He said with a big smile on his face as he placed the cookies into this small tin before stuffing said tin into his bag before grabbing one cookie he'd spared for himself.

 

Taking it into his mouth the chocolate inside seemed to melt into his tongue as the cookie was nice and soft even after being laid out to rest the previous night.

 

Letting out a satisfied groan from how absolutely divine his own baking is, he swallowed and just like that he picked up his bag and was out the door.

 

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The walk to Kuoh Academy wasn't much to be talked about, it was just the path he normally walked but for some reason...he felt….he felt nervous.

 

Nervous as he felt something wrong in the pit of his stomach as if things weren't how they're supposed to be.

 

Maybe just maybe, it had something to do with what happened earlier when he woke up.

 

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Looking up whilst in the midst of walking he saw Kuoh Academy getting closer and closer.

 

But just as he was about to pass through the school gates, he tripped.

 

It was rather comical for one watching from a distance as he tripped, stumbling forward several feet before falling onto his stomach as his bag went sliding across the ground before landing in front of a mirror that was near the front doors, said mirror said to have been placed there temporarily by some of the school staff.

 

Shotaro proceeded to lay there for a few seconds before letting out a groan and slowly getting up with him wincing slightly as he places his hands on the grounds before pushing himself up, he'd scraped his hands during the fall as little bits of blood could be seen coming from the scratches on his hands.

 

"Senpai!"

 

A voice suddenly came from ahead causing him to look forwards as he saw the person whom the cookies he'd made earlier belonged to, Koneko Toujou.

 

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Koneko was truly something to behold, except the only thing to behold was her small stature accompanied by her equally small chest size.

 

But it was all things that Shotaro liked so much as it made her appear very adorable in his eyes. 

 

And as Koneko rushed over to see if Shotaro was ok she saw something in the very corner of her eye, a singular figure was seen standing inside the mirror just doing nothing and being as still as a statue holding what looked like a little black square thing in one hand.

 

But Koneko didn't give it much thought as she thinks that her mind is just playing tricks on her, as she could then be seen stopping just in front of Shotaro who had gotten fully back on his feet.

 

"Shotaro are you-" Koneko began saying only to stop as she looked over, causing Shotaro to roll his eyes playfully before saying.

 

"Relax, I just tripped you're acting as if I'd gotten a spear rammed through me" He said playfully as he looked down at Koneko before giving her this big smile as he put his hands on his hips that washed away all previous worries she previously had.

 

"You need to be more careful and look down where you go….Idiot" Koneko replied though there was no real hostility in her voice, though Shotaro still opted to dramatically put his hand on his heart before saying and doing so very dramatically

 

"Idiot?! Oh I am hurt Koneko-chan, if you keep up I won't make you sweets anymore" 

 

After saying that he put both hands over his face and made this fake crying noise as he began to walk past her only to unceremoniously end up tripping once more.

 

'I'm finished' was the only thought going through his head as the ground began to get closer and closer until it stopped.

 

"Eh" He said aloud, voiced laced with confusion before he then looked behind himself to see Koneko grabbing the back of his school uniform which was the reason he'd stop falling as now the two just stared at each other for a long time before he then went to open his mouth only for her to cut him off with a

 

"Don't" 

 

Shotaro lifted up a hand as he tried to think of anything he could say as he just kept closing and opening his mouth like a gaping fish before he then got the perfect idea.

 

"Cookies?" He asked giving her this big awkward smile that got her immediate attention as he could see the way her eyes lit up at the mention of cookies as she then lifted him up slightly higher so he'd be able to get back on his feet.

 

The moment he was back, he straightened up and let out a small 'wow' as he then proceeded to say with an admiring tone of voice as he looked at her "you know I never stop being surprised at how insanely strong you are, you really are amazing Koneko-chan." 

 

Having said that, Koneko gained the smallest blush on her face as she looked to the side which Shotaro didn't notice as he wiped his hands on his pants which were thankfully black so the little bit of blood that rubbed off on them wasn't noticeable.

 

".....It's nothing really" Koneko said in a rather quiet tone of voice as she still had that same blush on her face but what she didn't expect next was for Shotaro to suddenly grab her hands and put them together before putting his over hers.

 

"No it's not nothing, I'm being serious" He said softly, his voice in a surprisingly serious tone which is rare for him as he's usually either soft spoken or has this over all happy-go-lucky type of voice but not at that moment in time he's completely serious.

 

Koneko's eyes became wide as her blush seemed to intensify as she looked straight into his eyes, those alluring violet eyes that were much like Akeno's.

 

Now having gotten her attention, he gave her a gentle smile before beginning to say "I really do think that you're amazing," He paused for a quick moment to check if she was still paying attention and she was.

 

Koneko's eyes had gained this little sparkle in them, as she thought to herself 'Is this what Rias means by him having an effect on girls?' 

 

Shotaro hadn't noticed the sparkle in her eyes as he continued "And I do look up to you and your strength and one day" He said and paused as he then began to look upon her with admiration as he then continued.

 

 "I want to be as strong as you are." He said before giving her this gentle smile which caused Koneko's expression to also soften as she then quietly said.

 

".....Senpai" was the only word Koneko could say as the sparkle in her eyes only seemed to brighten as the two just stood there for a while looking into each other's eyes.

 

And then….the moment was ruined.

 

Shotaro then seemingly out of nowhere let go of Koneko's hands before he clapped his own hands together before saying "so how about those cookies" 

 

"Eh?" Koneko said suddenly as she blinked repeatedly trying to comprehend his sudden mood swing but then she remembered something Rias said to her long ago.

 

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"Yeah, it's the worst. One moment Shotaro will go from saying things that would make any girl fall for him to making you wonder if he's even realized what he said or its implications because he's so dense."

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Dense.

 

Saying Shotaro was dense was putting things lightly, for as however smart or kind as he was, he just couldn't seem to grasp the concept that his actions might be taken as romantic or the fact someone could have romantic feelings for him.

 

Having realized this Koneko just stared at Shotaro as the sparkle in her eyes dims considerably as she watches him having already turned around and beginning to walk to get his bag which was still on the ground after having tripped the first time.

 

"Of course….seriously I don't get how Rias-buchou deals with that all the time" Koneko says quietly to herself but despite that, she can see what Rias finds so attractive about him.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

 

Meanwhile with Shotaro as he reaches his bag he feels this almost digging pain in his skull as this barely audible 

 

[Nasty Vent!]

 

Could be heard being said by a disembodied voice which caused Shotaro to pause before this screeching sound suddenly began coming from nearby causing him to cover his ears and saying loudly "Agh! What is that?!"

 

Whilst nearby Koneko had pretty much the same reaction as she covered her ears but she kept her eyes open. Her golden eyes looked around but she couldn't see the threat as she then thought to herself 'where is that damn sound coming from?!'

 

But the thought didn't stick for too long as the sound would eventually dissipate with Shotaro uncovering ears before saying "what in the world was that?" He said aloud, his voice filled with confusion as he looked around before grabbing his bag by its strap.

 

Koneko didn't take much time to respond. "I don't know but I don't like it" She replied as she walked up beside him, her body language portraying just how serious, but when she goes to speak up again she hears a clattering to the ground Shotaro saying.

 

"Huh? what's…..Ryuki's deck?"

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Shotaro didn't remember putting it in his bag, and much less Ryuki's blank version of the deck which was what tumbled out of his bag and onto the ground.

 

The confusion on his face only grew more confused as he kneeled down before picking it up and feeling the material it was made out of. It felt hard, way harder and slightly heavier than the version of the deck he owns, and the quality was insane.

 

Out of sheer curiosity Shotaro, slowly placed his left thumb on the card deck whilst holding it with his right hand and slowly pulled out one card and read it aloud.

 

"Contract"

 

After having read that he felt a tap of on his shoulder causing him to look back and see Koneko look into his eyes almost as if thinking of an excuse to get him out of there which she comes up with one pretty quickly as she says "C'mon it's still early enough, let's go to the club room. I'll even share the cookies with you" 

 

Shotaro, having heard this, takes on a shocked expression before he then says in a joking manner "Koneko Toujou sharing snacks?!" He says before letting out an over dramatic gasp and putting his hand over his heart which made Koneko just look at him with this deadpan expression.

 

Seeing that makes Shotaro have to hold back a laugh at her expression as he then stands up slings his bag over his shoulder as he gives her this little mischievous smirk before he then says "relax you know I'm joking" He says before making a head gesture to suggest they start walking.

 

Koneko just let out a small ".....you better be" before the two then began walking side by side.

 

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The two didn't have to walk for too long before they reached the old school house, the place where the Occult Research Club or O.R.C was located.

 

The old school house appeared to be a little overgrown on the outside but once set foot inside one could see it was well maintained.

 

As the two set foot inside Koneko briefly stopped before tapping her foot on the ground hard two times. Shotaro didn't question it, as this was something every member of ORC did whenever they entered with him, it didn't matter who it was whether it be Kiba or Akeno they all did the same.

 

"You know I've always wondered… Why do you guys tap your foot on the ground every time you enter? Is it… some kind of occult thing?" Shotaro asks, which makes Koneko look away since the two were still walking next to each other.

 

"....It's nothing" She replied in her usual tone of voice but a part of her did feel bad about lying about the true nature of it, and if she feels like that then she can only imagine what Rias or even Akeno must feel since those two have known him the longest out of anyone.

 

"If you say so" Shotaro said before pausing and then breaking out into a run which surprised Koneko as she ran after him without thinking all the while she could hear mischievous giggling coming from him.

 

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It always surprised Koneko at the stupid amount of stamina that Shotaro had for someone that was supposedly human as he ran without stopping for a decent amount of time before he eventually found the clubroom and flung the door open and that's when he hit the jackpot.

 

It was empty, which meant one thing.

 

He got to sit on Rias's chair.

 

This was one of Onodera Shotaro's favorite things to do.

 

As he know having found his chance ran across the room without thinking, running over the magic circle in the middle and vaulting over the desk as he landed sitting down Rias's chair as he then let out a happy sigh as he relaxed.

 

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Moments later Koneko ran in and whilst she wasn't even in the least bit winded she still had a tired look on her face not because she was physically tired but because she was tired of Shotaro doing that exact same thing whenever Rias wasn't at her desk.

 

However she did find it both childish and endearing to some degree but for the most part she found it tiring.

 

"Shotaro-senpai, seriously?" Koneko asked, looking at Shotaro who didn't respond, as he was currently feeling like the king of the castle as he spun around in Rias's chair.

 

And speaking of said devil, she arrived into the room moments after being flanked on either side by Akeno Himejima and Yuuto Kiba who spot him and know what the song and dance about to start is going to be like.

 

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"Ah I see you've come Rias Gremory, but it is too late as for I, Onodera Shotaro have taken over the club room" Shotaro proclaimed overdramatically as he stopped spinning in his chair looked Rias dead in the eyes and crossed his legs whilst being unable to keep a mischievous smirk from coming across his face.

 

Rias on the other hand just sighed as she herself was unable to keep a smile off of her face as she shook her head before saying "Really Shotaro? It's early and do you have to sit in my seat?" Rias asked playfully as she walked up to her own desk, now standing across from Shotaro.

 

All the while Kiba could be barely heard whispering to Koneko and Akeno something along the lines of "I swear they do this every time" but more so out of amusement and that it was actually kinda cute watching them interact.

 

Meanwhile back with Rias and Shotaro, he could then be heard saying "Rias, you've known me since I was 5, you should already be used this, but I guess the almighty miss Gremory must be forgetting who I am" He says teasingly leaning forward slightly as Rias did the same to the point the rest of ORC had to lean to the side to see if they were either finally kissing or having a stare off.

 

Though Rias would probably prefer the former, as is evident by a tiny blush slowly forming across her face as his violet eyes were meeting her blue eyes head on. 

 

Despite her hopes, they were shut down fast as Shotaro suddenly stood up before reaching down and taking out the blank deck from his pocket as he then took a couple of steps back before declaring "Since you have forgotten who I am Gremory." Having said that passed the blank deck from his right to his left before tossing it up and catching it once it came back down.

 

"Let me guess…" Rias said playfully before taking on a thoughtful pose whilst shifting her weight as she then continued saying "You are….."

 

Shotaro interrupted her as he then said "Kamen Rider!" Shotaro said with almost childish glee in his face as he extended out his left arm and hand forward only for it to drop as he heard a very familiar sound and he felt weight around his waist.

 

Rias's facial expression had gone from playful to having dropped into a shocked expression which was shared amongst the rest of ORC.

 

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The air seemed to have been sucked out of the room, as Shotaro slowly looked down at his waist as he then saw it.

 

The V-Buckle.

 

The belt the riders from Kamen Rider Ryuki would use to transform.

 

Shotaro looked up from looking at the belt and Rias did the same as they locked eyes. It seemed the same thought went through their heads but for different reasons.

 

"Shotaro…. PUT….. THE DECK….. DOWN!" Rias said loudly but carefully as she slowly reached a hand across the desk but the only thing Shotaro had to respond was an amazed expression and a little twitch almost as if he wanted to smirk or smile but from the amount of emotions he was feeling he couldn't. And before long he yelled.

 

"HENSHIN!"

 

Before he then slid the deck into the belt causing two transparent copies of Ryuki's armor to appear on either side of him before they then converged on him leaving standing there wearing Ryuki's armor, well the blank version as he hadn't made a contract with a mirror monster.

 

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A deep breath.

 

That was the first thing Shotaro did, making sure to take in every smell of the suit's helmet before letting out an exhale.

"Shotaro?" 

 

He could almost hear someone calling his name but he was too distracted by all the new sensations, he felt brand new, almost rejuvenated.

 

"Shotaro"

 

Shotaro slowly reached up and touched the helmet, the whole suit felt a bit heavier than he thought it would be as he then quietly said "This has to be a dream" his voice was almost distant as he then looked at his left arm as he was holding something and he knew what it was.

 

The ridevisor, it allowed Ryuki in his blank form to use advent cards, though in his current form without making a contract with Dragreder, he only had access to the [Sword Vent] card.

 

"Shotaro!"

 

Finally the last yell seemed to get his attention as he turned and saw Rias who had a worried expression on her face and… the rest of ORC was behind her?

 

When did they have time to….. Did he get too distracted?

 

Rias went to say something else but Shotaro just seemed to stare off into space before slowly reaching down and sliding the deck out causing his de-transformation as the reverse of what happened earlier when he transformed occurs as the suit separates into two transparent versions of the suit before completely disappearing leaving him standing there holding the deck.

 

"Rias" Shotaro began before he suddenly gained this childlike expression on his face as he then said cheerfully "Do you know what this means?!" He asked as he had to physically stop himself from jumping in place like a little kid.

 

Rias just looks at him but her expression is unreadable and almost fearful? But not for anybody in ORC's safety no.

 

But for Shotaro's.

 

"How is that even possible?" Kiba questioned the fact that something from a piece of fiction even worked in real life but before anybody else could say anything Rias was the first to open her mouth.

"Hey Shotaro, how about you give us… give me the deck and…." She pauses to rethink her words before continuing "we'll figure out the reason why it works like how it does in the show, ok?" She tried to say in her usual tone of voice but it's clear she is extremely worried.

 

Luckily for her Shotaro buys into what she says, hook line and sinker as he then says "Ok, so do you think it has to do with occult stuff?" Shotaro asks innocently but with excitement still clear in his voice from earlier as he takes a step forward and hands the blank deck to Rias which she takes but he doesn't notice her slightly shaky hands.

 

Rias does respond but only after staring at the deck for a couple of seconds as she says quietly "Yeah… I think so" Rias lied and it was so unconvincing that if it were anybody else they wouldn't have bought it.

 

"Oh wow that's amazing! Wait now that I think about it, what time is it?" He said suddenly as he brought out his phone from his pocket only for his eyes to become wide as he then yelled "It's almost time!" He says as he grabs his bag on Rias's desk earlier before taking out the tin containing the cookies and handing it over to Koneko who in all honesty didn't even feel like eating them at the moment.

 

Shotaro then proceeded to run around the desk before yelling "Bye guys, good luck with the deck, love you all!" As he could then be seen rounding the corner leaving them in silence.

 

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Nobody dares to speak for a long time.

 

But it isn't long before Akeno starts talking as she says "Rias, we're going to be late to our classes" Akeno said as worry is evident in her tone as she looks at Rias who just stares at the card deck though she's gripping it as if she wants to crush it in her hand.

 

Rias does eventually respond with a quiet "I know" as she proceeds to walk up to her desk and open a drawer. There were two things in that drawer. 

 

A small picture of herself and Shotaro when they were little kids, taken shortly during the second time she ever went to his parents house. Shotaro and Rias weren't looking at the camera and instead were looking at the tv watching the Kamen Rider show currently airing at that time which was Kamen Rider Wizard.

 

And the other thing is the actual driver toy from the show which had been a gift from Shotaro a long time ago.

 

Rias could then be seen placing the blank deck into the drawer before slamming it shut with such force that it made the wood crack and causing the members of her peerage to flinch as she went from calm to… honestly they couldn't tell. Rias could then be heard whispering to herself as she said "What am I going to do…" 

 

"If I may" Kiba said softly, causing Rias to slowly look over at him and whilst she didn't say anything and her expression was unreadable she didn't object to him speaking.

 

"If you're that worried about something happening to Shotaro-kun, then…. Why not make him into a devil like you did with all of us, so he can join your peerage?" Kiba questions and Rias doesn't respond for quite a while to the point its actually worrying.

 

"Buchou?" Koneko asked, which caused Rias to just let out a sigh and straighten up before beginning to rub her temples.

 

"It's just…. It's just not that simple" Rias says, unable to meet any of their gazes as at that moment she was genuinely vulnerable which is a side of herself she rarely shows.

 

Luckily Akeno manages to come up with a solution shortly after as she begins to say "I have an idea, why not invite him into joining the club and we can go on from there? That way you can keep your eyes on him" Akeno says, which makes Rias pause, since it's not the worst idea, in fact it might even work.

 

"That's…. not a bad idea" Rias replied cautiously and whilst the plan needs to be more thought out than just inviting him into the club, at least that way she can keep an eye on him, whilst that is happening, from just her body language her peerage can tell her mood has improved significantly .

 

Akeno, having heard that, proceeded to clap her hands together before saying "great we can go talk to Sitri-san later to get the paperwork done, ok?" 

 

"Ok" Rias responded before taking in a deep breath and exhaling before gaining a smile on her face as only then did she fully turn to face her peerage as she then said "Thank you guys, I really needed that" she said and looked to be back to her normal self.

 

"Now" She says as she walks around her desk before turning to face her peerage "We best be off, we don't want to be late now do we?" She asked now fully back to her normal self.

 

Seeing this her peerage nodded just happy that their master is now back to her normal self as they then follow her but unbeknownst to them all, they were being watched the entire time.

 

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Meanwhile from inside of a nearby mirror, invisible to most, a figure wearing a suit similar to Ryuki's could be seen pacing back and forth whilst talking to himself. The figure also had a v-buckle and a rider deck but this one actually had a symbol on it so the mirror rider in question seemed to have already made a contract with a mirror monster. His helmet also shared a slight resemblance to a bat with the way his visor was shaped.

 

"Known him since he was 5? This doesn't make any sense" He said to himself before pausing and looking at the mirror which was situated in one of the corners in the club room.

 

"Gremory and Shotaro didn't meet until after Rias had already let Hyoudou into her peerage as her [Pawn], did the reset have something to do with them meeting much earlier?" He asked himself as he walked towards the mirror and went through it coming out from the mirror world into the real one.

 

"And they certainly didn't have the type of relationship where she would develop…. A crush on him?" He stopped talking as he was unsure of what their current relationship was,

 

The figure then reached down as grabbing his rider deck and then sliding it out causing him to de-transform revealing themselves to be a man in his early 20's. The man proceeded to ruffle his own hair as he looked around the room before spotting Rias's desk, walking to it, and opening a drawer at random.

 

Luckily he got the one holding Shotaro's card deck but he paused seeing the picture also held inside the drawer as he then picked it up and examined it "So they were…. Childhood sweethearts in this new timeline huh? Guess that explains her feelings for him, though unlike his previous self, this Shotaro seems to be dense as a rock taking his earlier interaction with the nekomata into account." He says to himself as he then goes to grab the deck but he stops himself.

 

"But… maybe just maybe…..I shouldn't interfere too much" He says glancing at the picture, and whilst he can't see their faces, they appear to be happy.

 

"Plus it's not like Gremory's a bad person…. At least from what Shotaro said on previous occasions before the reset" The man said as he then closed the drawer before making his way to the same mirror he came out of.

 

Taking out his deck from his pocket he simply extended it out towards the mirror before proceeding to walk towards it without transforming or even summoning his v-buckle as he then said "Good luck, Shotaro, I'll be watching over you" as he entered fully into the mirror.

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Meanwhile with Shotaro he could be seen running down the halls at full speed, which compared to most people was monstrous, as he seemed to almost fly as he eventually reached his classroom skidding to a stop before throwing the door open as he then yelled at the top of his lungs "ISSEI!" 

 

The yell echoed across the room causing his best friend of all time, Issei Hyoudou to turn around as he himself appeared to be in an extremely good mood as he had the biggest shit eating grin on his face "Shotaro!"

 

As the two ran at each other a girl could be heard whispering "Ugh, I can't believe Sho-kun is friends with such a perv" but the two seemed to ignore it, as they finally reached each other.

 

"Dude! You're not going to-" The two began to say at the same time but the two of them stopped before Shotaro then said.

 

"Ok you go first" 

 

Hearing this Issei took a deep breath before saying with a shit eating grin "Guess who got a girlfriend?" 

 

"No way!" Shotaro said as he became wide eyed before taking a step back in sheer shock at what he just heard.

 

"Yeah way! Her name is Yuuma and I'm going on a date with her later today" Issei said with excitement evident in his voice as the two boys then brought each other into a tight hug as Shotaro could then be heard saying.

"That's awesome man! And I hope you….Uhhh" He had to pause briefly as he thought back on some of their past conversations before then saying "get to touch her titties" 

 

Hearing this Issei let out a laugh before smacking his back "Like you even know what that means, but thanks man" He said as the two separated from the hug.

 

"You're right…..I must become perverted like you if I am to understand" Shotaro said with new resolve as he claps his hands together whilst Issei made this face as if to say 'that wasn't what I meant'.

 

The moment those words exit his mouth two of Issei's friends, which he only knew as "Perverted Glasses" and "Perverted Baldy", seemed to almost teleport by how fast they moved to stand beside Issei.

 

"Why didn't you say so! Of course we'll teach you" The bald one said as he had a massive smirk at the fact he might get to "corrupt" one of the school's two "pretty boys"

 

"In fact here's your first lesson" Glasses said before immediately handing him a magazine which once Shotaro got a proper look at, he could see it showed a naked woman with a rather large set of breasts. And with the way she had black hair it kind of reminded him of Akeno, though it seemed Akeno won in the chest department since he could tell the women's chest was smaller than hers.

 

Unfortunately he didn't even get to flip the magazine open as it was quickly snatched from his hand by Issei and tossed out the door as he could be heard yelling "Oh hell naw, you ain't making him read that!" which just left Shotaro confused.

 

"Dude, what the hell?" The bald one said as he and the glasses one just began arguing loudly with the girls eventually joining in and for once they seemed to be on Issei's side, all the while Shotaro just stood to the side standing there like a confused puppy.

 

But that didn't last for too long as heard one of the doors to the classroom sliding open as he then heard someone speak behind him.

 

"Ara ara, well this wasn't what I was expecting to find when I was sent to find you" 

 

Turning around, he saw the one person he wasn't expecting to see, at least not until lunch time.

 

And that person was Akeno.

 

"Akeno?" Shotaro asked, forgetting to use honorifics as he was so utterly confused as to why she was there as she was supposed to be in her classroom by now since classes were supposed to have already started.

And actually now that he thinks about it, where was the teacher?

 

"Surprised to see me, Shotaro-kun?" Akeno asked in a rather teasing manner as she just stood in front of him with her hands behind her back almost as if she was hiding something.

 

"Yeah, what are you doing here? Homeroom is about to start" He asked as he briefly looked back as the argument seemed to be cooling down as he then went back to Akeno.

 

"Well first, it was quite sudden but almost all the teachers have been called to a meeting leaving us with a few free study periods" Akeno answers making Shotaro let out an 'oooh' sound as that explained why his homeroom teacher hadn't arrived yet.

 

"And secondly I've come to pick you up, to take you to the student council room" She said with a smile though that only made Shotaro more confused as he wasn't in trouble with the student council much less had a reason to go there.

 

"But why?" He asked as the only thing coming out of his mouth seemed to be questions but Akeno didn't answer as she just smiled, letting the gears work in his head.

 

It takes a bit but the gears seem to finally click in his head as he then lets out a loud "NO!" He said putting his hands on his head all the while Akeno just giggled at his reaction.

 

"Yep, now shall we get going?" Akeno asked and before she even finished that sentence, he was already out the door only stopping at the door to yell 

 

"C'mon!" He yelled barely able to keep his excitement as he was quite literally bouncing in place.

 

Akeno seeing this can't help but think 'Cute…. If only he wasn't so dense, then maybe he and Rias would have already become a couple' She thought as she followed him out into the hallway as they then began to walk together.

 

Meanwhile back with everyone else in the class, they eventually noticed his absence as Issei could be heard saying "Wait second, where did Shotaro run off to?"

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Meanwhile back with Shotaro and Akeno.

 

The two could be seen walking together with Akeno holding something behind her back as she could then be seen smirking before saying.

 

"So, Shotaro" She began catching Shotaro's attention as she didn't bother using any honorifics since the two were alone. Akeno then brought out the thing she'd been holding behind her back.

 

It was the porn magazine he'd been given by "perverted glasses" earlier.

 

"Could you explain as to why you had this earlier?" Akeno asked rather sweetly, thinking he'd answered something like 'I was just holding it' or something similar.

 

"Oh that's mine….I think" Shotaro said with confidence, though it was only kinda there as he wasn't sure if it really now belonged to him after being given it.

 

This actually manages to shock Akeno for a few moments as for as long as she's known him, she never knew him to be into anything else that wasn't tokusatsu or kamen rider related.

 

"It's yours…." She asked genuinely shocked before she quickly switched to her onee-sama type of talking to try and play off the fact she was shocked. "Ara ara, if either Koneko-chan or Rias caught you with such things then you would've been in a lot of trouble" 

 

What she said just managed to confuse Shotaro as he tilted his head to the side and asked "Why would I get in trouble?" not understanding the reason.

 

"Well…" Akeno began as she thought for a moment before saying "They might think you've started to become perverted" She said before letting out a soft laugh but she didn't expect his answer.

 

"Actually that's the reason I had it, I'm trying to become a pervert so I can understand my friend Issei better" He said casually as if that wasn't one of the most shocking things anybody could hear from someone as innocent as Shotaro.

 

"Oh my!" Akeno said even more surprised than before but then she let out a soft laugh for a second time before saying "You know you could've just asked and I would've thought you ALL the things you need to become a pervert" She said jokingly though Shotaro missed that part as his eyes lit up as he asked.

 

"Really?!" He asked with a hopeful expression so cute it was honestly kinda hard for Akeno to tell him "No".

 

"Nope! Sorry but you're just to cute to be a pervert" Akeno said causing him to puff up his cheeks in a pout as she then thought to herself 'But if Rias does makes you a devil then I'll teach you 'all' the little things on how to be a pervert and how to please a woman, you need to be ready for when Rias finally asks you out after all'. Not that Shotaro could hear her thoughts as he just said.

 

"Jeez, you really are a mean one senpai" Shotaro said, crossing his arms which only caused Akeno to giggle as she pat his head which was kinda awkward since he was the taller one between the two.

 

"Of course, it's a senpai's duty is to mess with their precious kouhai" Akeno said teasingly before grabbing his hand and speeding up her walking as she basically dragged Shotaro who was still upset as she then said. "Anyways let's speed up I'm sure Buchou is waiting for us"

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

And she was waiting for them.

 

Filled with the most anxiety she had ever felt in her life, as she could be seen pacing back and forth in the student council room, all the while the president, Sona Sitri on the other hand was watching her pace around, the rest of the student council wasn't there which also included her own [Queen] Tsubaki, as Sona thought that this issue was between long time friends only.

 

Sona had never really experienced love in a romantic sense so seeing someone act like this was quite new to her, especially since the way Rias was going about it was a bit reckless.

 

"Rias, I don't mean to be rude but don't you think it's a bit reckless to bring in someone who isn't a devil into joining the occult research club" Sona asked which caused Rias to just sigh and rub her temple.

 

"I know, I know but it's the only way we could come up with to keep a proper close eye on him" Rias responded whilst she was also currently having one of the worst headaches of her life, as whilst yes she had previously felt better when the idea was suggested, she had ended up letting her imagination run a bit wild which was the reason for her headache and anxiety.

 

"Then why not have that [Rook] of yours be with him at all times? Since from what I've heard they seem quite close" Sona asked as she heard from the local rumor mill that Koneko and Shotaro were close so much so that Koneko x Shotaro was quite a popular ship amongst the students especially with the manga club.

 

That actually got Rias to stop as she looked at Sona as she stammered "That…. I-I just rather…. Well…. It'll be easier if he joins so I can just force him to come to the club room without reason then have Koneko just follow him around all day" She said though there was a small hint of jealousy in her tone.

 

Rias had never expected herself to feel jealous of anybody and especially not Koneko, though Sona wasn't lying, Shotaro and Koneko were close, and it wasn't as if she was blind to Koneko's little crush on him. 

 

"Even so, what could've possibly happened to have caused you to make this decision in the first place?" Sona asked due to the fact she had to arrange this so fast she hadn't even had time to ask the reason.

 

Rias, after being asked, creates a tiny magic circle at the palm of her hand which is red in coloration and has her family's crest in the middle, before reaching in and pulling out Shotaro's deck.

 

"This is the reason, THIS shouldn't exist, yet it still came into Shotaro's possession" Rias said, though it just made Sona look at her like she was crazy over worrying about that little thing.

 

"Right, let me explain" Rias said once she realized Sona, unlike herself, probably had no knowledge as to what a Kamen Rider even was, so she began to explain. "This is called a card deck, it is used in the show Kamen Rider Ryuki by the main character of the show, Shinji Kido, to transform into kamen rider ryuki"

 

"In the show there exists 13 of these decks, not counting those of other media like the Abyss or Fatale" Rias continued explaining. "In its current state it is blank due to the lack of a golden symbol in the middle, as luckily I was able to get the deck away from Shotaro before he risked his life trying to make a contract with Dragreder"

 

Sona sat quietly listening to Rias's explanation but she was making mental notes of everything.

 

"To transform one needs to first extend the deck forward in front of you with your left hand" She said before demonstrating the motion as she extended her left hand forward whilst holding the deck causing the v-buckle to materialize around her waist as she's able to feel the weight of it.

 

That actually manages to make Sona gain a more serious look as she couldn't sense or even see any type of demonic power being used to summon the v-buckle, it seemed unnatural in every sense.

 

"This" Rias motioned at the V-buckle around her waist. "Is called a V-buckle, it is used in the show to transform by first doing a pose" She said before doing Ryuki's pose by extending her right arm diagonally towards her left as she then said.

 

"Then they usually 'Henshin' before inserting the deck into the v-buckle" Rias said before bringing her right arm down and using her left hand which was holding the deck to insert it into the v-buckle.

 

The moment she did that, the exact same thing that happened to Shotaro occurred as the two transparent copies appeared behind her before merging together on her leaving her now wearing Ryuki's blank suit.

 

Although it's certainly a bit more…..well endowed than before as the suit had to adapt and change to fit Rias's voluptuous body type, though it still maintained a somewhat similar design. 

 

But despite all the changes it still wasn't designed for someone with such long hair like Rias as her crimson hair could be seen coming from the bottom of the helmet before ending at her waist and not her thighs like normal.

 

"Huh…. it's tight but a lot less tighter than I thought I'd be" Rias comments as she looks down at her hands, opening and closing them.

 

She also noticed it was a lot easier to see out of the suit's helmet than she thought it would be.

 

"Rias, how did Onodera-san even acquire such a thing?" Was the only thing Sona could think to ask as it made no sense how such a thing could exist according to what she just learned from Rias.

 

Rias just sighed as she reached down with her left hand and slid the deck out causing her to de-transform. "I don't know, all Koneko said was that she heard a screeching sound, and shortly thereafter he was holding it, she didn't even question it at the time until he later transformed using it inside the club room." 

 

"The screeching was probably unrelated and can be written off but….he just had it?" Sona asked as it was starting to sound familiar.

 

"That's what Koneko said" Rias replied as only then did it seem that Sona had a lightbulb moment as she finally thought of what it could be.

 

Sona now having heard that confirmation, she approached the nearby wall and placed her hand on it. "Rias" She began to say as she pressed her right index finger on the wall before doing a circular motion causing the Sitri family magic circle to appear on the wall before continuing "I may have an idea as to what's going on"

 

Rias just placed the deck on a nearby table with a sigh before saying "Really? Because I am fresh out of ideas, and one of them is him having a sacred gear but that's un-"

 

Rias didn't get to finish her sentence as a heavy book is suddenly slammed onto the table startling her, as she sees Sona begin flipping through the book, not even letting her see the cover.

 

"Ok, so as you know I recently took in a new servant by the name of Saji" Sona began to say as she continued flipping pages as it becomes evident that the book is about sacred gears the more pages she turned, though it appeared like the book was written by an autistic schizophrenic as it went too heavy into detail on the individual sacred gears which was the main reason for the books thickness.

 

Rias has to take a moment to respond but when she does she asks "Yes, but what has that got to do with Shotaro?" As to Rias it doesn't make sense as to why Sona would mention a member of her peerage.

 

"Well you see, Saji has a sacred gear, and when I read this book to try and gain more information on it" Sona began as she arrived at the Longinus part of the book, "I found this" she said, and right smack in the middle of the sections for [Boosted Gear] and [Divine Dividing] there stood a small section for the 14th Longinus [Fictitious Reality].

 

Seeing this Rias leans over to get a better look before beginning to read from the first passage "Fictitious Reality is considered a high-tier longinus with the ability to create weapons from any work of fiction with the caveat that at least 2 people have to recognize an item or ability as being fictitious and not real in any way shape of form."

 

Rias had to stop to take a breath before continuing to read albeit sticking to sections that specifically talked about items and not abilities as that wasn't information she was after. 

 

"Albeit if a version of the item exists in some form akin to a toy or figure, then the user can convert those items into the real deal, with it being much easier on the user's body as they don't have to create the item from nothingness, though those items won't disappear once the user stops using Fictitious Reality unlike those created from nothingness, acting as if they're golden items."

 

"Golden items are not actual items made of gold but instead items created from nothingness that after having been concentrated on for long periods of time gain a temporary golden glow that indicates that they won't disappear after the user has deactivated their sacred gears"

 

Rias keeps reading for a bit but eventually she gets to a sentence that gains her attention "Despite everything mentioned previously, there is one thing dangerous about the sacred gear, as if the user wishes to create or repair an item that's far above the level of power they can handle, then the user can consciously (or unconsciously) sacrifice their own lifespan to create or repair said items, with purple energy crackling around said item or the user being an indication." That somehow made things worse for Rias, as she now had to worry about Shotaro potentially shedding years off his life if he ever used such a technique.

 

Rias wanted to continue reading especially as she reached the [Balance Breaker] section for Fictitious reality, but she could hear footsteps rapidly approaching the student council room so she read one last paragraph as fast as she could.

 

"Fictious Reality's balance breaker is impossibly rare with there only being one recorded instance of someone having ever reached balance breaker. The one person to ever reach it was the one whose name roughly translated to death incarnate, Seikyo Keshin. Seikyo's story is lost to the ages with the only information known that she was a japanese woman who lived before The Great War, and was rumored to have been the personal student of Azreal, the angel of death." 

 

That name, it somehow was familiar to Rias, way too familiar.

 

"Seikyo Keshin? That's…. That was the name of Shotaro's mother before she married his dad" Rias said aloud, sounding confused despite the fact she knew they can't be the same person as then how could Shotaro have it, plus the fact she'd never heard a case of a human living for so long.

 

Unfortunately she couldn't continue her thoughts as shortly after someone could be heard knocking on the door to the student council room before speaking.

 

"Oh Buchou, I brought our little guest of honor"

 

It was Akeno, they were out of time.

 

Sona didn't waste time quickly snatching the book and putting it in a nearby cabinet, closing it and then locking it with a key she had in hand.

 

"Come in" Sona said loudly whilst pocketing the key.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Entering the student council room Shotaro got overly stiff with his body language, almost as he didn't know how to act as meeting the student council president had never been on his bucket list so he didn't know what to say other than.

 

"Thank you for having me, Shitori-s…. I-I MEAN KAICHOU!" he said nervously before deeply bowing his head, which was a major overreaction on his part, with three girls thinking the exact same thing.

 

"It's no problem, Onodera-san, so please pick up your head, we won't be here long, I just need you to sign some paper" Sona said, causing Shotaro to look up and only then did he notice Rias was also in the room.

 

"Rias?! You're here too?" Shotaro asked surprised only to then get elbowed by Akeno who said.

 

"Yeah, I told you she'd be here remember" Akeno reminded Shotaro causing him to pause as he thought back to their conversation in the hallway, as he could then be seen blushing from embarrassment.

 

"Ah….you did" Shotaro admitted, embarrassed as he rubbed the back of his head not noticing Rias letting out a laugh at his embarrassed expression, his attention only getting drawn elsewhere once he heard the sound of rustling paper.

 

Looking in the direction of the sound, he saw Sona laying some paper on a nearby table before proceeding to say "I just need you to sign these papers, and that'll be all." After hearing that Shotaro approached the table reaching for a nearby pen only for his hand to bump into his deck.

 

His eyes widened as he hadn't even noticed it there, looking in his peripheral vision he noticed Rias, Akeno, and Sona talking. He thought about taking it for a brief moment, but he decided to trust Rias and just leave the deck there.

 

As Shotaro grabbed the pen and began to sign the necessary documents he felt…. unease deep down in his stomach, as if his body was anticipating something but what?

 

Even as he put the pen down after having signed, he continued to have that uneasy feeling and it was only once Rias spoke did the feeling go away.

 

"Well Shotaro, welcome to the Occult Research Club"

 

There was something about Rias's voice that seemed to drive away all unease in his body as he then gave off these big smile before saying "And it was about time, I've been begging to join since I was a first year, and the first day I don't ask to join, you invite me instead" He pauses for a brief moment before continuing "How about that."

 

Having said that, he turned to look at Sona before bowing his head again "Oh and thank you Kaichou."

 

"No problem, but you three should really head back to your classrooms in case the staff meeting ends early" Sona says as she glanced at Rias with their eyes meeting, Rias made a tiny head motion towards the cabinet where the book was earlier, almost as if to say to find out anything she can about [Fictitious Reality] with Sona returning the nod shortly after.

 

"Well you heard her" Rias said shortly after which gained Shotaro's attention, "Let's get going" Rias continued and having said that Rias exited the student council room followed shortly by Akeno and Shotaro.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

"Well Shotaro" Akeno began to say as all three were walking down the hallway, Shotaro turned his gaze towards Akeno who then proceeded to say, "Are you happy?"

 

The moment Akeno asked that question a flash of blonde hair suddenly went through his eyes as this searing pain suddenly flooded his brain causing him to let out a yell as he grabbed his head.

 

"Are you happy?

 

Those words seemed to repeat in his head as he kept seeing the same thing, blonde hair and green eyes.

 

Shotaro collapsed to the ground as images seemed to flash through his mind, images he didn't understand much less what was being said with him only understanding little bits. All the while Rias and Akeno were calling Shotaro's name as one heard one last thing before everything went black.

 

"I promise you, I won't make the same mistakes I did the first time, and I will not only fight for everyone else's happiness…. but also my own."

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Hours passed and the school day had long been over, the sun had begun to set.

 

And everything seemed fine.

 

Until it wasn't.

 

Without warning Shotaro suddenly awoke with a yell as the first thing out of his mouth was "ASIA!" He yelled as he tumbled out of…. His own bed?

 

Shotaro didn't even have time to question how he'd gotten back home and tried to get on his feet but he didn't seem to have the strength as he reached up grabbing the nearest object he could before trying to use it to pull himself up.

 

Unfortunately all that managed to do was knock over a display making different types of drivers and belts to tumble to the ground with one falling onto his chest, and that belt was the stone version of the [Arcle], the transformation device for Kamen Rider Kuuga.

 

Grabbing the Arcle, he didn't waste much time before sitting up and putting it on not realizing that whilst doing it, he put a large amount of concentration which unknowingly activated [Fictitious Reality] as this golden glow briefly overtook the Arcle and it was only then did the real show begin.

 

Pain.

 

Pain was the first thing Shotaro felt as he put on the Arcle as he let out a yell towards the heavens as he began to writhe on the ground.

 

It was more pain than Shotaro had ever felt in his life, even more so than what happened earlier.

 

The Arcle had already begun doing its thing as it began to fuse with Shotaro's biology as it then seemed to sink into his body disappearing leaving only a nasty rash around where it had been.

 

After all had been said and done, Shotaro was laying on the ground panting like a dog as he was covered in sweat, along with everything else that he was feeling, he also felt like something was pulsing around his waist.

 

It took half an hour for Shotaro to stand up as he looked at his own hands and then at the room around him before he asked aloud "What is happening, what is wrong with me?"

 

He had many questions floating around his head, what were those images he saw? Why did it all feel familiar? Who were those people he heard? And most importantly who was Asia, and why had he yelled her name?

 

Shotaro slowly got up, his legs were still weak but he could move, as he got up he looked around and he only thought of one thing.

 

Rias.

 

The last thing he remembers before blacking out was her face. It was unlikely she knew anything but it was a start.

 

So without hesitating or bothering to clean up he ran, it even surprised himself that he was able to run so shortly after having experienced such immense pain moments previous but if he had to guess, it was probably the Arcle.

 

He ran across his house before reaching the door and throwing it open as he just continued running without bothering to close the door, and he did not stop running.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Shotaro didn't know for how long he ran, but he knew it far surpassed his personal record, unfortunately it seemed he was disoriented as he'd unknowingly ran into a park.

 

"I must've... damn I can't even think straight" Was the only thing Shotaro could say aloud as he looked around.

 

The sun was still up so he could at least see where he was going, and he seemed to be right next to a fountain but as he continued to look around he saw someone he didn't expect, Issei.

 

"That's right Issei was going on a date today with his new girlfriend Yuuma" He said aloud but as he ran around the fountain, he saw something that made his blood run cold.

 

Blood.

 

Faster than his eyes could process he saw Yuuma manifest what looked like a spear made of light and suddenly ram it through Issei's stomach.

 

"Sorry but you were too much of a threat, if you want to blame anyone, then why not blame God, he did give you that sacred gear" Yuuma could be heard saying as Issei collapsed and from Yuuma's back out sprouted a pair of black wings as her outfit seemed to break apart leaving her in what can only be described as a dominatrix-esque outfit made of leather straps covering her nipples and a thong-like piece. Her bust seemed to also become bigger as she also gained a more mature look along with everything already said.

 

Shotaro's body reacted before he did.

 

Running around the fountain he clenched his fist, and just as Yuuma seemed to notice him, it was already too late. Shotaro slammed his fist into the side of Yuuma's face sending her tumbling back holding her face with a look of outrage on her face.

 

"Agh!" Was the only thing Yuuma could say as she was shocked since it actually hurt, and that was coming from a human, a regular human with no training hurt her.

 

Shotaro didn't bother to keep his eyes on Yuuma as he dropped to his knees beside Issei as he called out "Ise!" He yelled and having heard his nickname Issei albeit badly hurt and actively bleeding out slowly turned his head to look at his friend.

 

"Buddy hey, you're ok" Issei said weakly as he'd heard that Shotaro collapsed earlier that day and he'd been worried sick, and that even while he was dying, made him happy to know his friend was alright.

 

"Screw that, hold on buddy ok? You're gonna be ok" Shotaro said desperately as he held Issei tight in his arms.

 

Issei didn't react much as he'd lost too much blood and his eyes began to look empty.

 

"Issei!" Shotaro yelled as he shook Issei but that didn't last long since there was no saving him as he then slowly turned to look towards Yuuma with hatred in his eyes as he then gently put Issei down on the ground before standing up, blood covering his arms.

 

Yuuma was the first one to speak "you brat, I'll kill you for that" Yuuma said, summoning another light spear as Shotaro took a step back as he instinctively got into Kuuga's fighting stance before the two then charged towards each other.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yuuma was the first one to strike as she tried to stab Shotaro the same way she did with Issei but Shotaro somehow managed to dodge it, side stepping before delivering a quick jab to Yuuma's face.

 

This disoriented the both of them, one as that jab hurt more than his first punch and for Shotaro the fact his arm was now covered by Kuuga's growing form's arm along with the Arcle now appearing normal and with an orange colored amadan, the stone that powered the Arcle.

 

He could transform, he just needed time.

 

But it was time he didn't have as whilst he was having those thoughts Yuuma struck.

 

First it was a stab directly into his stomach, same she did with Issei. And second was a stab into the Arcle, as whilst she didn't understand what it was, she wasn't going to risk it being some type of item that could empower him so she, using a light spear in her off-hand, stabbed it directly into the Arcle, shattering the Amadan leaving him de-powered now that he no longer had it giving him strength.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

The scent of copper was the first thing to hit him before he dropped backwards to the ground, laying there as his school uniform was slowly stained red, he heard Yuuma speak.

 

"Two for the price of one…. Stupid brat thought he could fight me"

 

He heard her let out this sadistic laugh before hearing the sound of flapping wings which were quick to become quieter as Yuuma flew away.

 

With his last bit of strength he twisted his body until he flopped onto his stomach.

 

The pain was unbearable but he had to move, slowly he crawled towards Issei, leaving a trail of red in his wake. 

 

As he finally reached Issei the first thing he did was force himself to use his hands to grasp Issei's jacket as he then proceeded to say.

 

"Issei, bud...guess this is the end of both of us huh?" He asked, letting out a pained chuckle as he looked towards Issei's face…. He was dead.

 

Seeing that tears began to well in his eyes as he tightened his grip on Issie's jacket, unknowingly also grasping a pamphlet Issei had been given earlier.

 

As life faded from his eyes, he wished for one thing.

 

For another chance for both him and Issei.

 

And it seemed his prayers had been answered, but certainly not by an angel as the last thing he saw was a red magic circle appearing shortly followed by glowing red light.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

It wasn't often that a contract request called for a high-class devil.

 

And frankly Rias was not even going to respond to the summoning after everything that happened with Shotaro that day, but something…. Deep in her soul told her to answer.

 

"Rias-buchou are you….sure you're up to the task?" Kiba could be heard asking as the entirety of ORC minus Shotaro was in the club room watching Rias walk into the magic circle in the middle of the room.

 

"Yes, it's fine," Rias said, sounding both tired and serious at the same time as she took a deep breath, but if she was honest, no, she didn't feel up to it.

 

"You don't look fine" Akeno argued but Rias didn't answer as it was the truth, she wasn't fine.

 

"I'm not but, I can't just let this summoning request go unanswered, something just tells me to go" Rias responded moments after before the magic circle then turned on as she then disappeared in a bright surge of red light

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Rias didn't even get to fully exit the magic circle before she saw something out of her worst nightmares.

 

Shotaro's dead body.

 

"No…..no no no, I have to be dreaming" Rias said over and over again before she then threw herself to the ground grabbing Shotaro's body and pulling him off of Issei's as her hands became stained with his blood.

 

"Shotaro!" She yelled as she shook him though unfortunately, life had long since left him.

 

Rias didn't know what to do, her mind was racing with different possibilities. She wanted to call her brother, as now this wasn't the heir of the house of Gremory at the moment, this was a scared teenage girl who had no clue what to do.

 

Her breathing quickened as she could also feel her vision becoming narrow as she just began to say over and over again "what do I do? What do I do?!" Her voice just became louder and louder until she heard a disembodied voice.

 

"Make him a devil" 

 

The voice seemed to snap her out of the trance she'd put herself in, Rias didn't want to make him a devil…. But now she had no choice in the matter.

 

Rias didn't waste any more time as she quickly reached into her pocket and pulled out a small chess piece. It was her last remaining [Rook] piece as she then put one hand on Shotaro's back making him sit up as she then tried to sink the piece into Shotaro's chest using the other.

 

It worked, but not the way she expected, as the moment she began to sink into his chest it changed which came as a surprise to Rias as the rook piece crackled with power before fully sinking into his chest as Shotaro's wounds quickly closed up before he then drew breath and began to breathe slowly.

 

Rias felt the world lift off her shoulders as she let out a sigh of relief as she heard his breathing, but now with that over she could finally think.

 

"A mutation piece? I didn't even know I had another one" She said aloud though her attention was then brought to Issei as she looked him over, recognizing him as Shotaro's friend which he'd often talk about and would hang out with.

 

Rias knew what she had to do.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Rias stopped checking the time, all she knew was that it was past midnight.

 

She'd brought back Issei earlier with it taking all 8 of her [Pawn] pieces, which might've shocked her more than her having another mutation piece as Issei didn't appear strong, but looks can be deceiving.

 

But now that didn't matter as she currently found herself at Shotaro's house sitting at the foot of his bed as she didn't want to leave him alone after everything that happened.

 

Looking at Shotaro's sleeping body she felt at peace as a smile formed on her face as she scooched over and placed a hand on his face before saying "Goodnight" As she then stood up and began to walk away only to stop at his bedroom door.

 

She couldn't bring herself to leave, she couldn't.

 

Looking back to Shotaro's sleeping form she decided against sleeping in one of the guest bed rooms that used to belong to his parents and brother, and instead sleeping on Shotaro's bed with him.

 

Rias was quick to shed her clothing as she shed her school uniform along with her underwear which consisted of a matching purple bra and thong.

 

Now naked she slipped into Shotaro's bed laying on top of him before she laid her head against his chest, hearing his breathing and just as drowsiness began to overtake her, her eyes landed on one last thing before she drifted into sleep.

 

And that thing was the Wizard Driver.

 

Which reminded her of one day.

 

The day she met Onodera Shotaro.

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