With the mock battle against Riser over and winter break just a handful of days away, I was in the clubroom casually playing shogi with Issei.
Because our days were filled with intense training, I figured moments like this—lighthearted and relaxed—were important too.
That said, it wasn't exactly a serious match.
We were playing quickly, chatting as we went.
As we kept up some idle conversation, Issei's tone suddenly grew more serious.
"Hey, Ikki… this is kind of a serious topic…"
"Hm? What is it?"
"Well… we've got lifespans of like ten thousand years, right? And I've already turned into a devil by race… I chose that myself, so I'm fine with it, but…
What about how we deal with people like Matsuda, Motohama… and especially our families?
I mean, once devils reach adulthood, we can change our appearance with magic… but lying to my parents forever just doesn't sit right with me.
But if I tell them the truth, they'll worry since we're constantly risking our lives…
And more than that… would my parents even accept their son becoming a 'devil'?"
…Well, that escalated quickly.
That wasn't just "a bit serious"—that was seriously serious.
"A son who became a devil," huh…
Yeah, from a normal person's perspective, "devils" are usually associated with nothing but negative images.
It wouldn't be strange at all if they rejected it outright without even listening.
Maybe it's because the end of the year is approaching—he's starting to think about the future more.
"…Well, speaking for myself, I think I'd tell my parents once everything with Khaos Brigade is settled."
Issei looked surprised, so I continued.
"First off, not wanting to worry your parents because your job is dangerous that's not unique to us 'D×D.'
Take the Self-Defense Forces in Japan… or even more clearly, militaries overseas. They all risk their lives in times of crisis.
How different are we from them?"
In countries where guns are common, even the police risk their lives daily.
Sure, it's painful to make your family worry.
But that doesn't mean those professions shouldn't exist.
And once Khaos Brigade is gone, while terrorism won't disappear entirely, it's not like powerful enemies will keep showing up nonstop.
And we're not reckless enough to charge in without a plan either.
"Besides… whether we tell them or not doesn't really change the danger they're in.
To terrorists, the families of 'D×D' members are high-priority targets either way.
Your house, my house even our parents' workplaces they're already being secretly protected by agents from the Three Factions."
We may fight on the front lines in emergencies, but we shouldn't forget the people working behind the scenes every day.
"…Yeah. I won't forget that."
"And as for why I'd tell my parents… that's honestly just my own selfish desire.
I plan to marry Kuroka, Ravel, Shirone, and Kunou in the future.
I don't want to hide that with hypnosis, I want to tell them properly and have them celebrate it.
Of course, polygamy isn't recognized in Japan, so I can't just say 'I'll marry all of them!' outright…"
Yasaka and Ravel's parents would probably celebrate it.
But if possible, I want my own parents there too.
As I said that with a wry smile… I suddenly felt everyone's gaze stabbing into me.
…What?
"So… this is the aura of a man who's already proposed, huh?"
"Damn it! I hate to admit it, but that sounded kinda cool!"
"Oh my, how lovely. Shirone-chan and the others are truly cherished, aren't they?"
"Alright, Issei! Propose to President Rias right here! Then you'll finally be ready to accept making babies with me too!"
…Come to think of it, I'd never said something like that in front of everyone before.
Now that I realized it, my face started heating up.
To hide it, I took a sip of the coffee Akeno-senpai had prepared.
…Yeah. Still delicious.
Then suddenly—softness enveloped my head from behind.
"Ufufun~♪ Hearing that makes me want to pounce on you, nya~"
"…But yes, I agree. It would be wonderful if I could call Ikki-senpai's parents 'father' and 'mother' without hesitation."
"Indeed. While some secrets can't be avoided, it would be best if they accepted this… though the real issue is that we are 'devils.'"
At Ravel's words, Shirone's expression dimmed slightly.
Looking around, even the other girls seemed a bit more subdued.
"…Yeah. Issei, whether you tell them someday or keep it hidden forever, both have pros and cons.
There's no single correct answer.
What matters is making up your mind."
"…What do you mean by that?"
"I care about my parents. I care about Kuroka and the others too.
But… if my parents ultimately couldn't accept devils or the 'hidden world'—
Then in the end… I'd choose Kuroka and the others."
Ignoring Issei's widened eyes, I continued.
"Of course, a happy ending is best. If they reject it once, I'll try again and again to convince them.
And naturally, I'll protect their lives if anything happens.
But if the question is who I'll dedicate myself to making happy… my answer is Kuroka and the others."
It's a bit of a pessimistic resolve… something to prepare for the worst.
When I added that, Issei shook his head.
"No… that's not pessimistic.
I was stuck at 'what if they find out?' or 'what if they reject me?'—my thinking just stopped there."
That's understandable.
I've lived a life before this—I know my mindset isn't exactly normal for a student.
"Still, imagining 'what ifs' is important in anything.
There'll always be unexpected situations, sure—but if you've at least thought seriously about something once, you won't panic as much."
"…I see. That really does sound like you—always analyzing the situation.
But seriously, Ikki…"
As Issei placed his next move, he suddenly pointed at me.
"STOP casually showing off how Kuroka-san, Shirone-chan, and Ravel keep clinging to you from behind as the conversation goes on!!"
Don't complain to me about that.
What, do you want me to peel them off?
"You're the one who brought up the topic—deal with it. …Checkmate."
"Gah!!"
Yeah… that last move of his was sloppy. He lost focus.
"Well, there's no need to rush about your parents. You could take until around college graduation to decide."
Honestly, the bigger issue is Rias and the others.
If interruptions keep happening, why not just confess or propose to everyone at once?
Then again… Issei's weirdly shy when it comes to romance—despite being the opposite when it comes to libido.
Also, my family's pretty harmonious, so maybe I'm being optimistic.
But Issei's family is the same, actually, maybe even stranger.
"Uu… Issei has so many cute brides… will we be able to form a soccer team with just our grandchildren someday?"
Yeah, I can totally see that happening.
…Though my parents aren't much different if they're fine with Ravel staying over.
Can you believe it? No hypnosis involved.
I said earlier I'd tell them after dealing with Khaos Brigade…
But realistically, it might be closer to graduation.
If they rejected me while I'm still in my second year, that'd be incredibly awkward.
Better to prepare for that possibility.
Call it cowardly if you want—but this is a delicate issue. Being overly cautious is just right.
Just as we were talking, the magic circle drawn on the clubroom floor began glowing with a pale blue light.
"Oh my, it seems we have a request."
As Akeno-senpai said, this light appeared when a request came in through the devil summoning cards—the suspicious-looking ones labeled "We will grant your wish."
Regular clients could even make reservations or request specific members.
When I summoned Shirone during my first year, it was through that system.
For sudden requests, the system reads the summoner's thoughts and sends the most suitable available member.
Akeno placed her hand over the magic circle, checking it before reporting to Rias.
"President, it seems to be a new client. A request involving physical labor."
Physical labor… maybe helping with moving or something.
Honestly, for jobs like that, you wouldn't necessarily need someone like Shirone—even though she's a 'Rook.'
"I see. Xenovia already has a request for a thousand-swing training session… so perhaps Shirone should handle this one?"
A thousand swings, huh…
Yeah, Xenovia really does take on a lot of sports-related jobs.
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