(At Issei's Room)
"Huh? We're having an interview?"
Issei was showing a surprised expression as he asked
that question while drying his wet hair with a towel.
He is now wearing a black tank top with red accents
and a matching black lounge short.
The brown-haired boy just finished his shower after the
"little" sparring he had with Zack.
Rias, who was sitting on Issei's bed nodded her head
in agreement.
"I know it's a little sudden, but it seems like we'll be
appearing on a television programme in the
Underworld."
"What's the television programme about?"
Rias tilted her head slightly and showed a puzzled
expression.
"That I'm not sure...They didn't give me the full
details. Just that there's a television programme
coming up with us in it. We'll be visiting the
Underworld tomorrow and have the match against
Diodora the day after."
"...I see...."
Issei sat down next to Rias. He seems to be thinking
about something.
*Munyuu~*
"?"
Issei widened his eyes slightly when he felt like
someone was hugging him affectionately from behind.
"What is it, Rias?"
Issei called her name.
"...You know you don't have to burden yourself that
much about Asia right, Ise?"
"...."
Issei remained quiet.
"You have been thinking about Diodora more than Asia
has, lately. Yes, I was also thinking about it too, but it
seemed like you were worried about Asia even more.
Do you think it's your fault for bringing Asia to the
Underworld at that time?"
"...Yes. I do believe that it's my fault for bringing Asia
to the Underworld during the summer holidays...I don't
regret it action. I'm happy as long as Asia is happy
about her current life...But I..."
Rias gently tightened her embrace and said something
to Issei's ear.
"I understand. I think of Asia as my little sister. Ise
and I...Let's make Asia happy with everyone in our
group. But you and everyone else have to be happy as
well, alright? If not, I would be very sad."
Issei smiled when he heard those words. He placed his
right hand on hers.
"Thank you, Rias. For being here with me."
"I'll always be there for you when you need me, my
lovely Ise."
Rias said that while smiling warmly.
(At the Studio Station in Underworld)
The next morning, Issei and the rest of the Gremory
group were teleported straight to here after having
their breakfast. The moment they arrived at the
basement of the building, they were all welcomed
warmly by the staff members.
"We are glad that you are here. Welcome, Rias
Gremory-sama, and her servants-sama. Please come
this way."
As the group were walking, they bumped into a familiar
person with 10 people at the end of the corridor.
"Sairaorg. You're here as well, huh."
The person standing in front of them was none other
than the next heir of the House of Bael, Sairaorg.
"Hey Rias. Are you getting interview as well?"
"Yea. Have you finished yours, Sairaorg?"
"No, not yet. I'm about to be interview soon. Most
likely a different studio from you guys...By the way, I
saw your match."
"?"
Rias raised an eyebrows when she heard that.
"I've learn a lot of things from the match between you
and Sona Sitri. I've learned that no matter how much
power you have, you will lose if you get trapped. But..."
Sairaorg shifted his attention onto Issei and placed a
hand on the latter's shoulder.
"I desire to fight you with Pure Power."
Issei grinned when he heard that.
Sairaorg then left for his interview.
'...I soooo wanna fight him.'
Issei said it in his head as he looked at the back of
Sairaorg.
(In the Studio Room)
Issei and the others were lead to here after leaving
their bags at the dressing room. They were still making
preparations for the interview. The interviewer lady
which arrived before them greeted the group.
"Hello, it is my first time meeting you. I am the
announcer of Underworld broadcast studio 1."
"Same goes to you. Hello."
Rias replied her with a smile and shook her hand.
"I'm sorry all of a sudden, but for the interview..."
Rias, the staffs, and the interviewer lady started the
discussion about the interview.
Issei looked around the room and noticed that there
were many seats which were readied for the viewers
inside the studio. And there's a poster hanged on the
wall. The young man widened his eyes slightly as he
recognised the person in that poster.
'...Is that Rias?'
Yep. The poster is a picture of the crimson-haired
beauty with a beautiful smile.
"Uuuuuuu...I-I want to go hooooooooooome!"
Issei looked down to see Gasper was gripping Issei's
shirt tightly, from behind and was trembling in fear.
The latter one was having teary eyes.
"Try to endure this, Gasper. I'll buy you something
when this is over."
Issei smiled bitterly and patted the Dhampir's head.
"Uuuu...O-Okay...It's a promise, Ise-senpai..."
Gasper held back his tears and stopped crying.
"There will also be questions asked for the other group
members, but please don't be too nervous about it."
One of the staffs came and said it to the group. He
then looked at the pad on his hand and back to the
group.
"Ummm, is Kiba Yuuto-san and Himejima Akeno-san
here?"
"Ah, that would be me. I'm Kiba Yuuto."
"And I am Himejima Akeno."
Kiba and Akeno-san raised their hands.
"I think there would be quite a number of questions
asked for you two for the interview. Both of you are
increasing in popularity."
Issei smirked and said something as he folded his
hands.
"It's a natural thing, if you ask me. Since, Kiba is
handsome and Akeno-san is beautiful."
"I-Ise-kun..."
Kiba didn't know what he should do when he heard
that and tried to be humble about it.
"Ara ara. You sure know how to make a woman
blush."
Akeno placed her right hand on her right cheek as
there's blushes forming on her cheeks. She's happy
for hearing Issei's compliment.
The staff nodded his head in agreement.
"Yes. Kiba-san is getting more female fans, while
Akeno-san is getting more male fans."
After saying that, the male staff looked at Issei for a
moment. Not more than a minute.
"Haa! A-Are you H-Hyoudou Issei-san?!"
The male staff gasped when he finally recognised
Issei.
"Uh...Yes? Is there anything wrong?"
The male staff seems to be hyped once he recognised
Issei.
"H-Hyoudou-san! Y-You're very special to us! You will
also have an interview in a different studio! You are
famous as being the "Chichiryuutei"!"
Issei widened his eyes when he heard that name.
"I'm famous for being the WHAT?!"
The staff however, continued to speak lively.
"You have become very popular amongst female fans
and children as well! It seems like you are called
"Oppai Dragon" amongst children now. You're the one
who used the Darkness Dragon form and the Black
Lightning in the match against Sitri right? We also
received a video about you fighting against one of the
Cadre, Kokabiel-sama! That video broadcasted during
snack time in the Underworld. And it became very
popular among the children who saw that."
"How does that have to do with "that" nickname?!"
Issei didn't get the staff's point at all.
"Oh. We received the nickname "Oppai Dragon" from
the Governor of the Fallen Angel. He suggested that
we should use this name so that it can attract
children's attention. And it worked!"
The staff was very happy when he said that. But Issei
on the other hand...
"That idiotic perverted sensei..."
Issei was shivering in embarrassment when he thought
about the proud Red Dragon Emperor has fallen into a
so-call Oppai Dragon. From Sekiryuutei to
Chichiryuutei.
{I was the one who suggested that name to him.}
Ddraig's sudden confession caught the group in a
surprise.
" " " " "!?" " " " "
"You WHAT?! Since when did you talk with sensei?!"
{Oh please, I don't need to see the Governor face to
face just to talk with him. I can privately contacted
him through Fafnir's jewel.}
"And you contacted him just to give him that stupid
nickname that you came up with?!"
{Hey! It's not stupid alright?! Besides, that nickname
is for me, not you.}
"Hello! I'm your host here! I have to carry that title as
long as I'm alive and stuck with you!"
Issei started to argue with Ddraig...again.
"Uhh...Hyoudou-san, the interview is about to start.
Can you please follow me to the different studio?"
The male staff timidly tapped Issei's shoulder to stop
the young man from further brawling with his Dragon.
"Uhh...Okay...I'll follow you. Please lead the way."
Issei reluctantly agreed and followed the staff after he
received a personal script from the latter one.
(In the Dressing Room)
"......"
Issei is currently speechless after he came out from
they had finished his recording.
The programme was a collection of questions towards
Rias from the beginning to the end. Questions like,
"How was the match against Sitri?", "What will you do
from now?", "Is there any Youth Devil you have your
attention on?".
Rias answered all the questions without any problem.
Then when the questions moved onto Kiba after that,
there were cries of the female fans. And during
Akeno's turn, male fans were shouting "Akeno-sama!".
When it was Issei's turn...there were female fans
shouting for his name as well and the children were
yelling "Oppai Dragon!" and "Chichiryuutei!" out loud.
They were all looking at Issei with their eyes sparkling
with stars and glitters. Issei didn't know how to
express his feelings at that time, but I manage to pull
through the entire show with a forced smile.
It seems like the Underworld will be producing a stuff
toy which was based on Issei's Boosted Gear Scale
Mail for the children.
"By the way Ise. What were you asked to be filmed at
the other studio?"
Rias asked him while eating a snack.
"...I rather not want to talk about for now, Buchou..."
Issei said it when a large sweat fell from his head.
{Oh don't be like that, partner. Miss Rias Gremory, the
staffs has informed us that we cannot tell anyone
about it even to the people close to us. All I can say
is that, look forward to it. Kukukuku.}
Rias tilted her head slightly after hearing Ddraig's
words. Issei on the other hand, was blushing red.
"Alright. I understand. I will be looking forward to it."
*Knock, knock, knock.*
Someone entered the dressing room after knocking it.
"Is Ise-sama here?"
The person who entered the room and looking for
Issei, was none other than...
"Ravel? What are you doing here? And you're looking
for me?"
When Ravel and his eyes met, her expression
brightened for a moment, but she then made an
unpleasant face.
"T-This! This is a cake! My second eldest brother has a
television programme in this studio so I came to give
you this since I had time!"
Ravel pushed forward a basket that she was holding
after saying that.
Issei accepted the basket and checked its inside.
There's a delicious looking chocolate cake in it.
"Did you make this?"
"Y-Yes! Of course! I have confidence if it is cake! A-
And I promised you that I would make you a cake!"
"Thank you. But you could have made it for me when
we have tea like we promised."
"I won't do anything to disturb you. You have a match
with the House of Astaroth coming up soon correct?
So I won't waste your time. But I thought maybe I can
just give you a cake. You should be grateful!"
Issei made a small smile after hearing that.
"Thanks, Ravel."
"I-It's nothing! I-I will be leaving now..."
Just when Ravel was about to leave,
"Ravel, please wait for a second. Kiba, can you make
me a small cake knife? Thank you."
Issei stopped Ravel and asked Kiba to create a cake
knife. He then cut a bit off the cake and took a bite of
it into his mouth.
"It's delicious, Ravel. Thank you again, I will eat this at
home. I don't know when I will see you next, so I
thought I will give you the comment for the taste now.
I will make sure to arrange having tea with you on a
different occasion. If it is me that you would like to
have a drink with though."
When Issei said that, Ravel's face brightened again.
Her cheeks were red and she had teary eyes.
"I-Ise-sama....for the next match, I will be cheering for
you!"
Ravel immediately ran off after saying that out loud.
Issei smiled again and shook his head lightly. But he
stopped right there when he felt a scary atmosphere
behind him. All coming from the girls.
'...Crap.'
{Hohoho~ Someone's in trouble~}
" Shut up..."
(At Issei's House, 1st Basement)
"Gugugugu...Buhaaaaa~"
Issei took 4 gulps of fruit-milk after having a bath.
According to Rias who is a Japanophile said that,
"Drinking a milk after a bath is a must in Japan".
There are all sorts of milk drinks in the fridge of the
1st basement floor. This is because...
Rias is in the Fruit Milk faction. Akeno, Asia, Koneko,
Raynare and Irina are in the Normal Milk faction.
Xenovia and Kalawarner (sometimes, even Evangeline)
are in the Coffee Milk faction. Origami, Tohka,
Chachamaru and Mittelt are in Chocolate Milk Faction.
Today, Issei is drinking Fruit Milk.
'...Tomorrow's the day. Against Diodora...I will give
everything I got. No more holding back.'
Issei thought about it as he was walking pass the
training room while looking at his hand with the seal
mark on it.
"...?"
He stopped right there when he noticed that the lights
in the training room was still on, and the door was
slightly opened. The brown-haired boy peeked through
the gap to see Xenovia in the training room, wielding a
practice purpose sword. Her expression was serious.
"....Ise?"
Issei entered the room when Xenovia noticed his
presence and called out his name.
"Sorry. I wasn't trying to peek, but the lights were on
in this room when I pass by. So I got curious."
"It's alright."
Issei sat on the floor close to Xenovia as he observes
Xenovia training.
"...It's getting late. Tomorrow is the day. Shouldn't you
at least take a break? You've train quite a lot before
dawn as well right?"
Issei was a worried about Xenovia. He noticed that the
latter one has been increasing her training ever since
she got back from the Underworld.
"I am... weaker than Kiba after all...Even on the video,
Kiba showed that he could use Durandal better than
me. In terms of simple talents, Kiba has more talent
than me.""
Xenovia said it with cloudy eyes.
Issei shook his head and told Xenovia from the bottom
of his heart.
"From my eyes, Xenovia and Kiba are both amazing."
Xenovia smiles at his words.
"Thank you. But the thing I can't forgive the most....is
myself who lost in the previous match without doing
anything..... That's why I am training so I won't let my
guard down anymore."
"It wasn't your fault. None of us knew that Fuku-
Kaichou has a Sacred Gear. If it I was up against her
at that time, I would retire as well."
Xenovia stopped swinging her sword at that moment,
and looked at Issei.
"...Why would you say that?"
Issei showed a bitter smile to her and decided to
explain his point of view.
"If Mirror Alice is destroyed, it doubles the damage
and reflects it back to the attacker right?"
Xenovia nodded her head.
Issei then continued embarrassingly while scratching
his cheek.
"...I also tend to finish my opponents in a single blow...
So if I used a powerful attack back then, I would've
retire right away as well, you know."
"...Hehehe."
After staying quiet for a moment, Xenovia made a
small laugh.
"What's wrong?"
"It's nothing. You really are a nice guy, Ise. Bringing
yourself down to a level of someone like me."
"I'm not lying. Just stating the fact here."
Xenovia looked at her hand while making a small
smile.
"...Somehow, talking to you made the nervousness and
pressure inside me disappear. I feel like I can do
anything during tomorrow's match. Thank you, Ise."
She then walked towards Issei who was sitting on the
flloor.
*Chu.*
"!?"
Issei was caught off guard when Xenovia suddenly
kissed him on the cheek. He blushes immediately.
"It's my gift to you. Should I give it to your lips next?
Fufufu. Then I will be resting for today now."
Xenovia left after saying that.
"...."
The brown-haired boy could only sat at there and
touched his cheek for the sudden kiss she gave him.
(At the Occult Research Club)
"It's almost time."
Rias said that while looking at the time. It's 6:55pm.
The match against Diodora was at 7:00pm.
The Gremory group, Tohka and Asia are the only
people in the clubroom right now. Origami, Raynare,
Mittelt and Kalawarner still haven't come back from
the Headquarter. Azazel, Zack, Evangeline and
Chachamaru went off to somewhere.
"Thanks, Asia."
Issei thanked Asia who had just just finished helping
Issei to remove his seals.
"You're welcome, Ise-san. I will pray for yours, Buchou-
san's and everyone else's victory."
Asia said it nervously.
Issei smiled silently and nodded his head.
"It's time."
With Rias's words, everyone gathered around the
Magic Circle located at the middle of the room.
"Good luck, Rias-sama, Ise-sama and everyone else,
good luck."
Tohka said it with a smile as the Magic Circle glow
and transported the Gremory group to the Rating
Game Arena.
*Swoooooo~*
" "!?" "
Both Asia and Tohka widened their eyes when they
saw multiples of Magic Circles with different symbols
started to appear around the clubroom.
"T-Tohka-san...What is going on?"
Asia asked Tohka with her tone filled with fear. She
held onto Tohka's hand tightly. Tohka widened her
eyes when she recognized those symbols
"T-These symbols are-mph!"
*BAM!*
Before Tohka could do anything, a silhouette appeared
from one of the Magic Circles and covered her mouth
and pushed her towards the wall. The impact against
the wall was so hard that it caused Tohka to pass out.
"T-Tohka-san!"
Asia shouted for Tohka in a worriedly. She wanted to
do something but what can she do?
Slowly, the whole room was covered with people that
Asia had never seen or met before.
"I-Ise-san...Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
Asia's scream could be heard even from the outside.
Yet, no one was there to help her...
To be continued . . .