"Something is definitely off..." Issei muttered under his breath, stealing a nervous glance at Asia when he thought she wasn't looking.
"Issei..."
The sudden voice made him jump. He turned to find Xenovia standing there. "Uh, yeah? What's up?"
"That should be my question. Just what exactly did you do to Asia?" Xenovia asked, planting her hands firmly on her hips. Her gaze was sharp, her expression a flat mask that demanded an immediate explanation.
"I—I don't know! She's been acting like that for a while now."
Xenovia narrowed her eyes, clearly not buying it.
"Are you absolutely sure you have no idea? Didn't something happen between the two of you yesterday?" Irina suddenly chimed in, appearing out of nowhere with an uncharacteristically serious tone.
Issei's eyes widened in genuine shock. "I met Asia in the morning and during lunch yesterday. I'm positive nothing went wrong between us."
"Is that the truth?" Xenovia's gaze grew even more piercing.
"I'd swear it on the name of the Devil King himself!"
"In that case, care to explain why Asia was crying and locked herself in her room the moment she got home from school?" Irina interjected, her voice trailing off into a flat, nonchalant indifference that felt even more threatening.
"Asia did what?" A flash of pure surprise crossed Issei's face.
Irina let out a long, helpless sigh. "Just as I thought—you're completely oblivious. Think back. What did you do after school yesterday?"
The moment the question left Irina's lips, the missing pieces of the puzzle clicked into place in Issei's mind. "Wait... this is my fault. I need to go talk to her right now—"
"Save it for later; the train is about to pull out," Irina said, her expression turning stern.
"But I can't just leave her like that! I can't let her drown in her own sadness."
"Relax, Issei. We'll help you out," Xenovia said softly, her tone finally relenting.
"Really? You mean it?"
Both Xenovia and Irina gave him a gentle, reassuring nod. Issei let out a long breath he hadn't realized he was holding, his shoulders finally relaxing.
"Thank you. Seriously, thank you both."
Irina flashed him a sweet, sugary smile. "Oh, if you really want to thank us, then how about you explain exactly what happened yesterday between you and Sona-senpai?"
In an instant, a sharp, holy aura began to radiate from Irina—a sensation that felt like needles pricking against a Devil's skin.
"Ah... right. Okay. I'll explain everything later," Issei stammered.
Irina's smile turned bright and cheerful again as she nodded with an impatient, expectant look. Xenovia didn't say another word, but her eyes remained locked onto him, tracking his every move.
Under the crushing pressure of their combined stares, Issei finally boarded the high-speed train that would carry the student body to Kyoto.
A little while into the trip, Issei headed to the restroom to splash some cold water on his face, trying to clear his head.
"Hmm?"
He caught a glimpse of someone entering and standing right beside him.
'At first, I assumed it was Xenovia. If this were following the "original story," she would be the one showing up right about now to whisper some provocative words in my ear.'
But he was wrong. The person standing there was Aika Kiryuu.
"Sorry about that, I'll be out of your way in a second," Issei said, moving to head back to his seat.
Grab!
"!"
In a sudden blur of motion, Aika did something completely unexpected. She lunged forward and threw her arms around Issei, pinning him in place with surprising strength to prevent him from leaving the restroom area.
"Aika? What are you doing?" Issei asked, his voice laced with confusion.
"I should be asking you that. Just what do you think you're doing?"
"Leaving? Obviously. It's not exactly a good look for us to be seen together in the bathroom, you know."
"Hmm... so you just don't like being with me, then..." Aika flashed a bitter, wry smile, her voice dripping with a sense of profound sadness and helplessness.
"I never said that—"
"I don't care what other people say," she interrupted. "I just want to be with you, even if it's only for a moment."
Issei looked at her, stunned. "...Why are you being so stubborn? I know we're close, but I'm pretty sure I haven't done anything that would make you fall for me."
Aika offered a faint, knowing smile. "Love is complicated, Issei."
That brief response was all the answer he needed. Issei sighed, turning slightly to face her properly.
"Look, I already have a lot of women in my life... including Asia."
"That's fine. I don't mind being the last one on the list."
"I might not be able to be fair to you, or give you the attention you deserve..."
"It doesn't matter," she countered instantly. "As long as I can be with you, that's more than enough for me."
"...I'm a Devil, Aika."
"I know. Honestly, I think I'd actually prefer having a Devil as my man."
"I'm not even sure if I love you yet."
"Feelings can be nurtured over time. As long as I play my cards right, I'm confident I can make you fall for me."
Issei realized there was no longer any room for excuses.
"Alright then. From here on out... I'll be in your care."
Aika's face lit up with a radiant, beaming smile as she nodded.
'I have to admit, Aika really is beautiful,' Issei thought to himself. 'Her looks could easily rival any of the main heroines; it's just a shame she didn't get much spotlight in the original story. Wait—'
Issei's ears perked up at the sound of approaching footsteps in the hallway.
"Someone's coming."
"Is that so? In that case..." A mysterious, mischievous grin spread across Aika's face.
"Let's get out of—whoa!"
Before Issei could finish his sentence, he was suddenly yanked into a cramped bathroom stall.
Before he could even process what was happening, Aika leaned in, her lips curling into an ambiguous, suggestive smirk as she stared him down.
"Eh?"
To be continued...Anvanced Chapter patreon.com/AgamYupi02