"...—ake up!"
I was woken up not by the light of the sun shining in through my window, but by the fact that someone was shaking me back and forth like a rag doll.
Once my eyes adjusted to the sudden light, I realized I was staring into the annoyed face of Naru-nee.
"Come on, lazy ass! Get up so you aren't late for school!"
Once I was fully aware of my surroundings, I smacked Naru-nee's hands away, glaring at her.
"What's with you, crazy Naru-nee?!"
I felt a harsh pain on my head as Naru-nee punched me.
"Shut it! I just wanted to tell you that your two 'friends'—" Naru-nee added air quotations and a mischievous smirk to the word 'friends'. "—left a couple minutes earlier. I'd thought I'd go ahead and wake you up."
I felt troubled by the way Naru-nee said "friends," but there was something else I felt troubled about…
"They left?"
Oh yeah!
I examined my body. I was still naked, but all of my injuries were gone. It wasn't a dream. It was just like when I woke up next to Serafall naked… Do Devils heal others with the power of nudity?!
It sounded ridiculous, but it didn't make any less sense than just about everything else.
Naru-nee nodded. "While I won't inquire as to why, exactly, you are naked first thing in the morning or what you did with those two, admittedly attractive girls last night, I will tell you that they told me to tell you they would meet you at school later to 'discuss the events of last night,' kukukuku."
With a perverted smirk, Naru-nee giggled to herself as she made her way out of my room to go to who-knows-what.
...I really hate when she twists situations like that into something that makes me out to be a sexual deviant…granted I AM often flirting or ogling girls and I AM trying to build a harem, but it sounds worse whenever Naru-nee twists the situation into something it's not.
With nothing better to do, I got ready for school… I felt it was somewhat anticlimactic for everything that happened… Really though, yesterday was quite a day.
Woke up naked next to a magical girl, learned I was a Devil, learned most of my friends were Devils, found out I had a Sacred Gear, got attacked by a Fallen Angel (AGAIN!), and then I ended up being made to strip and knocked unconscious by Sitri-senpai and Tsubasa-chan.
...Dear Devil, I hope they didn't do anything weird to me while I was asleep…
After getting dressed, I made my way downstairs and out of the house.
I walked to school, trying to get my thoughts in order.
Last night was just humiliating. What's to stop me from being picked off by the Fallen Angels at any moment? These Fallen Angels, according to Senpai, were at the bottom of the foodchain. If I couldn't even stand up to them, I stood no chance against any threat that laid in waiting.
I had to get stronger.
I needed my Sacred Gear.
By the time I was fully dressed in my school uniform, the matter was already settled for me.
Today, I was going to ask Senpai to awaken my Sacred Gear. No matter how much begging it took.
For this, I was willing to forsake all pride. What if Issei or Naru-nee were with me next time I was attacked? How was I supposed to protect them if I couldn't even protect myself?
And so I made my way outside the house after saying goodbye to Naru-nee.
I went to meet up with Issei at our usual meeting point on the way to school.
I waved. "Yo!"
Issei jumped when I greeted him, spinning on his heels with such speed, as if he expected to be attacked.
He seemed to relax upon seeing that it was just me.
"Oh… for a second I thought—"
"That I was a Fallen Angel who planned to kill you for the second time?"
Issei stared at me for several seconds, various expressions flashing across his face within that time:
Surprise, shock, disbelief, denial, then finally acceptance.
"So all that… it really happened…? President was telling me the truth about all this Devil stuff…?"
I nodded. "Yep… so I take it Gremory-senpai told you all about it? About Sacred Gears, Devils, Fallen Angels, and Yuuma?"
Ise nodded as we continued on our way to school. "Yes, yes, yes… and yes." I noticed Issei wince at the mention of his psychotic, bitch ex-girlfriend.
"Right, sorry." I apologized after noting his discomfort.
Ise sighed. "It… It's fine." Although it CLEARLY wasn't… I could tell my bro was achin'. Yuuma was the first girl to appear attracted to him, giving him the confidence boost he always needed in order to be in a relationship with a girl. Then she pulled a total bitch move and killed his soul brother (meaning me) in front of him and then killed him shortly afterward. Any guy who is alright after having his heart broken like that is a guy who has a soul made of unbreakable stone.
I shrugged, smiling somewhat. "I guess there is one good thing that came out of it: We both got Masters who are smoking hot babes!"
Issei couldn't stay down for long. He started grinning perversely.
"Yeah! By the way, what was the name of that cosplayer girl I saw you with before you turned Oka-san's wrath back on me?"
I rubbed the back of my neck. "Oh, that was my master, Serafall Leviathan. She's supposed to have some important job, so her younger sister is teaching me about the do's and don't's of being a Devil."
"I see." Issei noted. "So who's Serafall's sister? Is she cute just like her Onee-sama? Oh, wouldn't it be awesome if she had the same size jugs?!" Issei went into one of his little perverted fantasies as he fantasized about girls with large breasts… that boobs idiot.
He snapped out of it after I started knocking on his head.
"So anyway, turns out Sera-tan's younger sister is actually the president of the Student Council, Souna Shitori. Her actual name is Sona Sitri though… So yeah…"
Our discussion continued along the lines of our new-found Devilhood. We discussed our respective Kings (both of us having the great fortune to be resurrected by rather kind and forgiving women). We discussed what we would do when we got our own Peerages. Of course that idiot would use his Peerage just for ecchi things… idiot.
Me? I'm gonna try and keep my Peerage and my harem separate.
"When do you think they're gonna help us finally summon our Sacred Gears?"
Issei paused, giving me a weird look.
"What?"
"I… I've already summoned my Sacred Gear."
…What?
"Yeah. Buchou helped me summon it just yesterday."
I stared. "Issei say what now?!" His expression told me he wasn't kidding. "That's not fair! How come you get your Sacred Gear already?!" I pouted. I know I was sounding like a brat right now, but it really wasn't fair. How come Issei already got his Sacred Gear? Maybe if I had mine, I wouldn't have almost been turned into a shish-kabob. That was the major reason I was upset.
Why was Issei so much more of a higher priority? What makes him so special?
I immediately felt horrible about that thought. Issei's my friend. My brother. I should be happy for him.
SENPAI was the one I should be upset with.
I sighed. "Well, at least we can still figure out what these Devil jobs are and maybe we'll even be able to do our first one together."
Issei's expression became somewhat awkward. "Erm…"
"Oh my God, you already got to do your first one, didn't you?"
Issei smiled awkwardly. "Wellll…"
I maintained a passive expression, but I was actually rather upset. "I am sooooo having a talk with Senpai."
"Haha…" I didn't know it at the time, but Issei told me later that I was emitting a rather terrifying aura. That would explain why he had turned a pale color and started sweating rivers.
We continued our way to school, meeting up with the other two idiots of the Perverted Trio. Ruruko, unfortunately, must have gone on ahead to school.
Part of my mind wondered how many other Fallen Angels were out last night. Who else were they targeting?
That thought made my insides freeze. What if they had encountered Ruruko last night? What if the Fallen Angels decided to take her out while on their way to eliminate me?
I shook my head, trying to clear my mind of such thoughts. Ruruko had much more experience as a Devil. She would never be killed so easily. I mean, Tsubasa-chan was able to crush one of the Fallen Angels with a dumpster. A fiery one like Ruruko would be just fine.
That is how I reassured myself.
Our trip to school was uneventful. Issei and I said our usual farewells at the school gate, heading to our respective classes.
I was walking through the school hallway when—
"Namikaze-kun. Can we talk?" I jumped for a moment at the sound of the voice behind me, spinning on my heels to come face-to-face with Sitri-senpai.
I narrowed my eyes, jamming an accusing finger in her direction. "YOOOOOOU—Wait." I paused before I went on the rant I'd been preparing for since this morning. "Before I say anything else… you and Tsubasa… you-you didn't do anything weird to me while I was unconscious, did you?" Yeah, I know I don't exactly have my priorities in order, but it was something that's been bugging me.
I expected Senpai to say "No." with her usual serious expression and we'd all be on our merry way, but my expectations were wrong…
I couldn't help but notice her cheeks turn a slight pink, her eyes avoiding my own. "It wasn't anything inappropriate, but… I admit it depends on your definition of 'weird'."
"THAT DOESN'T REASSURE ME! WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME WHILE I WAS NAKED!?" My face was flushing red at the thought of what weird or perverted things that Senpai and Tsubasa-chan did to me while I was asleep.
"...Haruto." Senpai was face-palming, an annoyed look on her face.
"What?" I then looked around us, blinking in confusion as I realized everyone was staring at us.
"Please stop talking."
"...Oh…" My face flushed an even deeper shade of red.
Senpai merely shook her head out of disapproval before gesturing to me to move forward. "Follow me."
Being too embarrassed with myself to object, I did as Senpai commanded.
My bet was that we were going somewhere private. Of course, my obvious bet was right.
Sitri-senpai led me up the stairs up to the school rooftop. With everyone heading off to class, it was nice and quiet, the two of us alone together…
In any other situation, that would sound weird.
Well, now that nobody was around, I took a deep breath, ready to chew Senpai out.
"I apologize." Senpai bowed to me before I could say so much as a single word.
…. What?
I looked at her expression, and she was genuinely apologetic.
"If I had been more diligent in my duties as your guardian assigned by Onee-sama, then I would have been able to prevent the attempt on your life." The words came out with a bitter tone from Senpai's mouth. It was clear that serious failure didn't sit well with her. "I thought it would've been safer to simply wait for Onee-sama to return and train you then, but if I had been less hesitant and unlocked your Sacred Gear sooner as Rias did for Hyoudou, then perhaps you would've been able to defend yourself. For this, I apologize."
"Oh…" Yeah, a real smart response, I know. I just wasn't sure what else to say. Senpai totally took the wind from beneath my wings. I was about to totally chew her out for all of the stuff she just apologized for, but it was kind of late now. If I got mad at her now, I would just look like a jerk. "Well…I… I forgive you." I looked off to the side, rubbing the back of my neck. "D-Don't bow your head for an average guy like me, Senpai. It makes me feel kind of weird."
Senpai raised her head, nodding. "Very well then, Namikaze-kun." I may have been imagining it, but I thought I saw Senpai smiling for a moment. "But I will be sure to rectify my mistake this time."
I stared at Senpai with a confused look on my face. "Hm?"
I noticed a strange yet serious glint in Senpai's eyes… or it could've been sunlight reflecting off her glasses. Either way, Senpai's words remained the same.
"Namikaze-kun, don't go home immediately after school today."
"Why?" It was a fair question.
Saying something like that out of the blue… was Senpai worried I was going to be attacked again?
"I will be sending Ruruko to fetch you after classes today." Senpai explained. "I have procrastinated long enough on this matter. Tonight, we will finally awaken your Sacred Gear. And I shall do my best to obtain a possible contract for you to perform as a Devil as well."
I stared blankly at Senpai.
YANK
I pulled on my cheek really hard. "Ouch!" Pain forced me to let go, causing me to rub my cheek to soothe the pain.
Senpai frowned. "Is something wrong?"
I shook my head. "N-No. It's nothing. It's just, it's kind of weird. I mean, I was just kind of complaining about this earlier and it feels awfully convenient." It was like the universe was advancing my life in a convenient way that would prove entertaining or amusing to a third party. "Eh, never mind. So we're really going to do it tonight?"
Senpai nodded.
I threw one fist into the air. "Rock on! Thank's So-tan!"
…
My own jaw dropped at my own words.
WHAT DID I JUST SAAAAAAY?! Did I just call Senpai "So-tan"?! I think I meant to call her Senpai or Sona-san or maybe Sitri-senpai but I ended up calling her "So-tan"!
I expected Senpai to be upset or angry or something. Instead, I saw a hint of red on her face.
I opened my mouth to apologize.
"DON'T." Senpai said suddenly and forcefully. I jumped out of surprise. "Just don't. Forget it. Just, please, refer to me from now on as either Sitri-senpai, Shitori-senpai, or President."
"..You mad?"
Senpai adjusted her glasses. "N-No…It was surprising is all. J-Just please refrain from addressing me like that from now on." Sitri-senpai averted her gaze. Clearly it wasn't just Sera-tan calling her "So-tan" that embarrassed her. I guess just the nickname in general did the trick.
...Definitely storing that in the vault for a later date.
And thus, my schedule for after school was sealed.