Chapter Text
2009
The metro train was arriving from Kyoto. Rias, Akeno, Airi, and Uchiyama were waiting as the train stopped and the doors were opening. Kuoh Academy students all getting out of the train.
Rias: “Anyone see them?”
Uchiyama: “Not yet…”
Akeno: “Given our shenanigans, we might actually hear them first.”
Rias snickered, then turned her head towards a few voices from not too far.
Aika: “All I’m hearing is someone’s camera techniques need work-.”
Issei: “Well look who was on ‘em!”
Aika: “This face needs no filter dick-!”
Iori: “Sure you can look to Irina’s album if it’ll make you feel better.”
Xenovia: “Speaking of which, how much did you take?”
Irina: “Not… too many. I think…”
The group of four then spot Issei, Kiba, Asia, Xenovia, Irina, Iori, Rossweisse, Azazel, and Aika.
Kiba: “Hey! There they are!”
The group approached the other four when Kiba spotted them, Irina being a little slower due to using a walking stick.
Issei: “We’re back!”
Rias: “I’m glad your trip was much less life threatening this time. How was it?”
Irina: “Great! Glad I could recover enough for it!”
Xenovia: “I just can’t believe the progress you made… I mean you only had the four days before the trip.”
Irina: “And in four more I’ll be at a hundred percent again!”
Issei: “Also I’d like to talk about the shitty room I got… AGAIN.”
Aika: “You got the same room!?”
Issei: “If you can call it that!”
Aika started laughing immediately.
Rias: “Oh dear… you got the small one.”
Rossweisse: “The small one.”
Asia: “He mostly stayed in Kiba’s room.”
Issei: “Oh yeah, someone had a date~.”
Kiba: “The second one, yeah.”
Azazel: “Good on you.”
Azazel patted Kiba on the shoulder.
Issei: “So aside from the room, Kunou gave us a tour, place was fine, would go back again.”
Rias: “It’s one of my favorites for a reason, glad you enjoyed it.”
Rias gave a short peck on Issei’s lips, getting him flustered.
Issei: “O-Oh yeah… yeah we did.”
Rossweisse: “Ah-!”
Everyone looked at Rossweisse, then saw what her short scream was for. Akeno right on top of Iori, kissing him like no tomorrow.
Rias: “How long-?”
Uchiyama: “Less than you think…”
Akeno got off him and Iori got up.
Iori: “So… real quick- we have… something to-“
Akeno: “We’re gonna have sex-“
Iori: “Yup-“
The two pretty much ran off to the nearby bathroom.
Irina: “Anyways, I’ve got a slideshow here if you want to see, I think one of Issei’s friends took a lot of pictures too.”
Aika: “Oh shit- those dill-weeds might still be on the train…”
Asia: “I think they were asleep…”
Aika: “I’ll get ‘em.”
Aika stepped away and towards the train.
Issei: “Oh right, before I forget…”
Issei took a gold colored damascene out of his pocket.
Rias: “A damascene?”
Issei: “Well I remembered the contract you have with the archeologist and you’re a history buff. So I was originally gonna gift you a vase… but wasn’t sure how I’d carry it here safely. So I figured I’d have a better shot not having this break.”
Rias: “And I think you handled clay very well last time~. Thank you.”
Xenovia: “…No Koneko or Gasper?”
Uchiyama: “They stayed home. Koneko’s a little… well… busy.”
The group returned to the household to see Koneko at the table, devouring a tart with her bare hands.
Gasper: “Ever since she went berserk against one of the Four Horsemen, she’s been a little more…… um… I don’t wanna say-“
Koneko: “Animalistic?”
Gasper: “I was gonna say ‘primal’. Animalistic sounds offensive.”
Koneko: “At this point, both would be accurate.”
Rias: “How do you feel now?”
Koneko: “Like my metabolism doubled…”
Rias: “…Are you going to be okay out in public? Last thing we need is you losing control again given how hard it was trying to stop you.”
Airi: “…Berserk?”
Koneko: “Blood in my system’s that of a violent Underworld beast, mix that with a naturally violent species, you get this…”
Rias: “First time we saw it- it took me, Issei, Kiba, Xenovia, Irina, and Kuroka to try and subdue her.”
Issei: “Nearly crushed my head through Boosted Gear…”
Koneko: “Given the strength of that armor, surprised I did that much.”
Iori: “I’m not. Hell you through a forklift at me first time we met.”
Koneko: “Wouldn’t be the first time.”
Aika: “Hot damn… no welcome wagon like that for me?”
Rias: “Different circumstances. I was testing his strength, then the others came in to help. So, Koneko... will you be okay out in public?"
Koneko: “Nothing at Kuoh ever stressed me out, should be able to handle that.”
Rias nodded with affirmation, then her eyes widened.
Rias: “Uh-oh…”
Koneko: “What?”
Rias: “Well… I received a call about a new transfer student. And… you do know her…”
Koneko look into Rias’ eyes.
Koneko: “…Fuck.”
Rossweisse: “What? Who is it?”
Koneko: “There’s a handful of people who can get under my skin. This one… more than most.”
The next day, bright morning a Kuoh Academy and it’s newest transfer student finds herself surrounded by a group of other female students.
Student A: “So tell us all about where you’re from!”
Student B: “Phoenix is such a cool last name! Almost like a superhero!”
Student C: “This class is big on overseas transfer students- like not that long ago we got this total cutie named Gasper, and another one named Airi.”
Student D: “Ooh! We should grab tea together sometime!”
Ravel: “Sounds delightful…”
Ravel gives a rather nervous laugh as Rias and Issei peak through the door to the classroom, Koneko leaned against the wall on the opposite side.
Rias: “Huh. Never thought I’d see Ravel so nervous…”
Issei: “Given how she normally is… it’s hella weird. I expected some kind of haughty laugh and going all ‘Ask me your questions mortals and I shall give you the privilege of answering’.”
Koneko: “Give her a minute.”
Rias: “…Is there a reason behind your rivalry. I get you hated-“
Koneko: “Dress was an insult- but I don’t hold onto grudges that long.”
Rias: “Then… what is it?”
Koneko: “0% bite, 130% bark.”
Ravel then stepped out of the classroom.
Rias: “Oh, Ravel. How was it?”
Ravel: “High uncomfortable… as a Devil I don’t exactly know how to interact with human teenagers, or… humans at all really.”
Issei: “Yeah I guess it would be a little weird from your perspective.”
Rias: “Perhaps it’d be best if you had someone your more familiar with as a friend…”
Issei looks right over to Koneko.”
Koneko: “Did you not hear what I said? Won't work.”
Ravel: “For once I actually agree with you, I wouldn’t dare choose to be friends with someone who would dare waste a gift handpicked by a member of the Phoenix Family!”
Koneko: “If anything I gave it a better use.”
Ravel: “How dare you!”
Rias: “Okay… maybe someone else. You two aren’t the only third year Devils thankfully.”
Gasper: “But she’s so scary! Can’t I just go back in my box!?”
Issei: “Come on dude- she’s not the boogeyman!”
Ravel: “Is this one really part Pure-Blooded Vampire? I didn’t expect her to be so...-“
Koneko snarled and her hair started to appear more feral and her fangs become visible as she gridded her teeth.
Issei: “Hey- easy tiger..!”
Rias: “Okay… well we’re not out of options… yet.”
Ravel: “Who else is there?”
Airi: “So wait you guys want me to be friends with her?”
Issei: “Well looking back on it- you’re not exactly social yourself."
Rias: “And it could be nice for you both.”
Airi looks over to Koneko and Gasper.
Airi: “Why not them?”
Ravel: “Because one hasn’t apologized for burning the dress I made her and the other somehow finds me terrifying! And… you don’t exactly look any more social than I.”
Airi: “Not really… I usually only speak to Uchiyama, big bro, and big sis Akeno.”
Ravel: “Great… so we’re all social outcasts…”
Ravel held her palm over her face, then looked to Airi.
Ravel: “But then again… I suppose I wouldn’t have to pretend to be human around you. How did you become a Devil anyways?”
Airi: “I uh… I’d… rather not talk about it…”
Ravel: “I see…”
Rias: “She’s… had her fair share of hardships. So my brother assigned a maid to look after her and provide necessary therapy open to the rest of us. And given what we’ve been through in just the last two months… it has become quite necessary.”
The group would later enter the ORC, setting up all kinds of decorations and adding paint to particular boards for a set.
Irina: “Turning the old school building into an occult mansion, sounds exciting!”
Xenovia: “Just be sure not to overwork yourself alright?"
Irina: “I’ll be fine-! Airi- Uchiyama- how did you come up with that!?”
Behind Airi and Uchiyama was a fake body with a sack over its head with chains wrapped around. One that looked… very convincing.
Kiba: “That is… incredible life-like from here.”
Airi: “I… think I have a passion for haunted stuff.”
Then, the doors to the room opened up, Akeno and Iori stepping in with a few boxes, Iori setting them down.
Rias: “You’re back!”
Akeno: “And with supplies, like we said.”
Issei: “How much stuff did you two buy?”
Akeno: “Well let’s see… skeletons?”
Iori: “Another room.”
Akeno: “Fake spiders?”
Iori: “Got ‘em here.”
Iori took out a bag of fake spiders.
Akeno: “Fake blood capsules?”
Iori: “…Ah hell, don’t think we found ‘em.”
Akeno raised an eyebrow in confusion.
Akeno: “Oh, I almost thought we-“
Akeno turned around to see blood pouring from the inside of Iori’s mouth, fake blood. Akeno snickering.
Akeno: “Oh you-!”
Akeno shoved him over, Iori chuckling as he got back up.
Iori: “Yeah yeah- there's more in the box. Don't worry."
Uchiyama: "How much more exactly?"
Iori: “I'm sure it's more than-… ho ho ho that is a corpse alright!”
Airi: “You like it?”
Iori: “Damn right, that thing is incredibly convincing.”
Airi: “I… may have overdone it with the face…”
Gasper: “But… we can’t see the face.”
Airi: “Right… here.”
Airi pulled off the sack revealing a rather… grotesque looking face, obviously fake but… a brutal looking one.
Issei: “OH-!”
Irina: “Hoooooly moly…”
Iori: “Huh… you really outdid yourself with it. Not bad sis.”
Rias: “You two seem to have a knack for horror.”
Iori: “Given how we were raised, we've seen ENOUGH horror."
Rias: "Um... most of you realize we're turning the old school building into an occult mansion... not a haunted house... right?"
Xenovia: "Well we COULD add in a haunted house. Maybe a fortune teller, and a maid cafe too!"
Asia: "I'm a little worried about taking on such a large project though... I mean... don't we still have more to do? Like that one event in the Underworld?"
Aika: "...We got business in Hell?"
Rias: "It'll take about two hours to be set up, I'll get a call when it's ready."
Gasper: "We can get some progress in before then."
Koneko: "Agreed, pretty used to impossible feats at this point."
Akeno: “I wouldn’t consider it impossible. We do have a few things in here that may help. Like Gasper’s coffin… assuming you still use it.”
Gasper: “I’ve been more of a box person… but recently I have been using it to sleep.”
Issei: “Hang on… wasn’t it the coffin that sealed you?”
Gasper: “No that was the door. It was linked to the coffin and I slept for…… hey Rias how long was I asleep again?”
Rias: “A couple of years.”
Gasper: “That might explain why I’m never tired. I’d prefer not to use it for this but… I think there’s more in the basement.”
Iori: “…Why do we have more than one coffin?”
Akeno: ”I’ve been a fan of Halloween for quite some time. I take my decorations very seriously.”
Xenovia: “You should see what Irina does for Christmas.”
Aika: “Oh? What, you one of those people who hang their decorations up early?”
Irina: “Oh absolutely not. There’s eight bible scriptures about patience and I will live by them, even when it comes to my most favored holiday.”
Issei: “…How many bible scriptures have you memorized?”
Irina: “A lot. Dad used to read them to me before bed.”
Xenovia: “She’d also read them herself to sleep.”
Aika: “…Knowing you’re an Angel, your church talk makes a lot more sense.”
Asia: “You weren’t… annoyed by it were you?”
Aika: “I was a little. Mostly because I prayed a lot during experiments and… that didn’t really do much… but… past is the past.”
Kiba: “Doesn’t mean you just leave it behind. It makes you stronger if you don’t refuse it ever happened. I’d know.”
Aika: “Yeah I know- said the same thing yesterday.”
Rias looked over to Aika with confusion.
Rias: “Yesterday?”
Uchiyama: “Oh… I proposed the idea of group therapy with my last session with Aika. It’s a small circle, but progress is nice.”
Kiba: “Me, Koneko, and Aika opened up about our past, supported each other, overall, it was nice.”
Issei turned towards Koneko.
Issei: “You actually opened up?”
Koneko: “Get off my ass.”
Ravel: "Hold on... sessions, therapy... your maid is a therapist?"
Uchiyama: "While training as a maid I studied psychology a lot. Graduated very early, but I am still young and only have so few patients, so I'm not exactly the best."
Aika: "Handling three Devils with extremely fucked up pasts. I'd say you're doing better than alright."
Uchiyama: "Glad to hear it."
Iori: "So hey... what's this business we're caught up in again?"
Rias: "For the Underworld? I don't have many details but it's being funded by my family. We'll be meeting a Devil named Ashigori."
Ravel: "...Ashigori Vox?"
Akeno: "Oh, do you know her?"
Ravel: "Yes, she's a pretty big part in the entertainment industry, recently started delving into children's entertainment in the Underworld, but she can do a lot. Narration, costume design, TV drama-"
Gasper: "Wait... children's entertainment?"
Rias took a minute to process that.
Rias: "Wait a second..."
A large crowd of kids sat before the stage, lights shining up onto the air. A woman with brown hair in small twin tails and bright purple eyes before the seats.
Ashigori: "Oh no kids! The Grabbin' Dragon's in a real pinch! We have to say the magic words to lend him our strength! All together now-!"
Kids: "Yay! Boobies!"
Flames shot up from the stage and Issei flew up in Boosted Gear up onto the stage.
Issei: "I refuse to fall here! Thankfully the audience's power has made me even stronger!"
???: "Muah hah hah ha!!"
Irina stood up on a pillar in a dark, slightly transparent leotard with gold lining, with matching gloves up to her elbows and thigh-high boots with black wings. (Irina Mobage Pull)
Irina: "Give it up you fool! It'll only be a matter of time before the kingdom belongs to someone who TRULY deserves it!"
Rias was hanging up in the air by her wrists in a pink dress... very... unsatisfied.
Rias: "Help... Red Dragon... come save me..."
Rias: 'What has my life come too..?'