"You have reached Azazel, the sexiest Fallen Angel known to Creation and God to women everywhere."
Haru sighed. This was the fifth time he had called Azazel today. Another wave of pain shot through him as he sat up in his chair. Against his sisters' and Kiba's protests, Haru insisted that he was fine to come to class today. A decision that he lived to regret. The pain was getting worse by the day. If Haru had to compare the pain from the first day to now, he would give it a rating of 20 compared to Day 1's 10.
[Let's try again later. Maybe he's busy] Ddraig said.
"Yeah, maybe," Haru said.
Haru focused on taking notes only to take his attention away from the pain. The only plus side of this pain was the dreams. They disappeared as soon as the pain came. It was like his body couldn't conjure any more nightmares to terrorize his sleep with and resorted to try and fight off the Pieces.
Ddraig had mentioned to him when it started that the pieces were sapping his life force. Sapping didn't do the process justice. Draining was a better word to use. The damn pieces were draining his life faster than his body could replenish it. It started small. Aside from the pain, Haru experienced fatigue. He got tired more easily. During one of his contracts with Susan, Haru had collapsed on the job so Susan had to call one of his sisters to come and pick him up. As the days progressed, the fatigue evolved into weakness.
Haru found it harder to do things. Simple things such as doing his laundry, or cooking food. His body barely had the strength to do it. It took all of his strength just to walk to school. In addition, he was being mentally attacked by the pieces. Whispers every now and then of how he was worthless.
Haru sighed.
"You know I can hear them. The Pieces. They keep telling me how worthless I am. How Rias, Akeno, Xenovia, Ravel, and Koneko were right to leave me. How pathetic I was when I ran instead of barging in there and killing the guy," Haru said.
[Don't think of such negative thoughts as a partner. We'll figure this out] Ddraig said.
"I hope so. At this point, I just hope I can live to see tomorrow," Haru said. "Any luck halting the Pieces?"
[No. However, they seem to be going at a steady pace. At this rate, you'll be dead by the end of next week. Maybe after that if we're lucky] Ddraig said.
"Kind of a dumb way to die," Haru said. He looked out the window and saw Koneko and Ravel's class outside the Gym.
[What are you thinking about, Haru?]
" My situation. I never thought they would do this, " Haru said.
[It would explain why they were so distant.]
"Yeah," he said. Haru looked up at the clock when he heard the bell ring. Ruby stopped lecturing and bid them all a good lunch. She sent Haru a worried glance before leaving the room, most likely to eat lunch with the other teachers.
"Haru, are you alright?"
Haru turned to see his sister looking at him with a concerned gaze. Her beautiful brown eyes scanned his frail form.
"I'm fine. Just tired," Haru said.
"I snuck some Morphine into school. I'll give you some after you eat," Naru said.
"Thanks, Naru," Haru said.
"Nii-san, I have your lunch," the two turned to see Asia holding out a wrapped bento. Haru graciously accepted it and unwrapped the box.
As Haru ate, he tried to ignore the pain that would come whenever he swallowed. He could feel every ounce of it in every cell in his skin. Asia and Naru ate alongside him, watching him carefully in case something happened.
Haru placed his chopsticks down and burped a little.
"At least the food stayed down this time," Haru said.
"Here," Naru handed him his Morphine pill. She pulled out a water bottle and uncapped it, placing it next to Haru as he downed the pill. He grabbed the water bottle and washed the pill down.
Haru sighed. It worked. Somewhat. While it didn't take away the pain completely, it removed a little bit of it and that little bit was a lot to Haru.
"Are you feeling better?" Asia asked as she eyed him.
"Yeah. Your date treat you okay?" Haru asked as he put his head down.
"He was fine. Kanata is… a Sacred Gear Holder," Asia said.
Naru and Haru's eyes widened.
"Does he know?" Haru asked.
"N-No," she confessed. "I don't know how to tell him."
"I think you'll need Rias's help on this one," Haru said.
"Yeah, I might. Look Nii-san. I don't want you to continue picking up contracts. I'll have Koneko pick up your load," Asia said.
"I can stil—!"
"No, you can't. I don't want you to die during a contract. Just go get some rest," Asia said. "I'll check on you every now and then with Twilight Healing to try and heal some of your organs."
"Thanks, Asia," Haru said.
"Hey, guys."
They turned to see Kiba walking towards them. Over the past two days, Kiba, along with Naru and Asia, had been keeping an eye on Haru. He spent most of the day in bed, sleeping to ignore the pain or curled up in a fetal position on the floor.
"I got a call from Irina last night," Kiba said.
"Really? What did she say?" Haru asked.
"She was hysterical. You weren't answering your phone or your circle," Kiba answered.
"I couldn't do anything," Haru said flatly.
"We know and we told her what happened. Or at least what you're going through. What did happen? You were fine before you ran off," Kiba said.
"I…" Haru trailed off. What was he supposed to say? That Rias and Akeno were seeing another man behind his back?
"Look, you can tell us later. All you need to know is that your Super Bestie Better Than The Restie is worried out of her wits about you," Kiba said.
"I'll give her a call when I get home. Let me just power through the day first. We have a test that I can't miss," Haru said.
Haru started to cough violently, causing his friends to look at him in concern. Haru looked at his hand to see blood splattered all over them.
"Haru," Naru said, horrified at the sight.
"We have to get you to the Nurse's Office. Knowing Ruby-sensei, she'll probably excuse you from the test," Kiba said as he helped Haru to his feet. The two exited the room with Asia and Naru following them closely.