[ Motohama PoV ]
Standing by the door felt like attending a funeral where everyone pretended the corpse was still breathing.
I leaned against the doorframe of the Occult Research Club room, watching Rias give Issei the "Congratulations, You're Dead and Also a Devil Now" speech. Her peerage members spread their wings on cue — black, leathery things that looked like something a goth kid would draw in their notebook. Kiba's unfurled smooth and pretty. Koneko's popped out without fanfare. Akeno's opened slow and dramatic because of course they did.
Issei's eyes bulged like someone had just told him tits were real and also sentient.
I stifled a yawn. Why the hell was I even here? I already knew all this crap — devil hierarchy, Evil Pieces, reincarnation mechanics, the whole sales pitch. Rias had given me the exact same presentation when she tried recruiting me a few days ago. I'd said no. We settled on "ally" instead, which meant I got to keep my soul and my dignity while still having access to their resources.
Win-win. For me, anyway.
"Wait, wait, WAIT!" Issei whipped around and jabbed a finger at me, loud enough to make Koneko wince. "What about Motohama?! Is he a devil too?!"
Every head swiveled toward me.
Great. Spotlight time.
Rias straightened up from where she'd been leaning against her desk, her crimson hair catching the light as she shook her head. "He's not a devil," she said warmly, that soft smile on her face. "But he is our ally. He joined recently." Her eyes met mine, holding just a beat too long before she looked back at Issei. "Like you, Issei, he also possesses a Sacred Gear."
Issei's jaw dropped. "Wait — you've got one too?!" He spun fully toward me now, practically vibrating with confusion. "Were you targeted by Fallen Angels too?!"
The room went dead silent.
Kiba kept his polite smile glued to his face, waiting. Koneko's eyes narrowed just slightly. Akeno tilted her head, that permanent smile curling deeper at the edges like she already knew where this was going and it was entertaining.
I pushed off the doorframe and shrugged. "Nope. Guess my Sacred Gear isn't impressive enough to warrant a murder attempt." I kept my tone flat. "Lucky me."
Or unlucky, depending on how you value life insurance payouts.
Akeno covered her mouth with one hand, her shoulders shaking with restrained laughter. "Ara ara~ Motohama-kun is being modest again." Her violet eyes glinted with mischief as she glanced between me and Issei. "He's quite strong, you know. Strong enough to defeat the Fallen Angel that tried to kill you, Issei-kun."
Oh oh.
Issei's jaw hit the floor hard enough to crack tile "WHAT?!" Kiba blinked, actually surprised for once. Koneko's expression didn't change, but her stare got sharper, like I'd just upgraded from "background character" to "mildly interesting side quest." Rias straightened completely, crimson eyes locking onto me with the intensity of someone recalculating an investment portfolio.
Time to abort mission before this became a whole thing.
I waved a hand dismissively. "Akeno-senpai, you're overselling it. I know some basic magic. That's it." I shrugged again. "Still got a long way to go before I'm worth bragging about."
Also, I'd rather not have Rias trying to recruit me again. Once was enough.
Akeno's smile widened, like she knew exactly what I was doing and found it adorable.
Issei stared at me for three full seconds, his brain clearly buffering. Then his face twisted into pure confusion. He threw both hands up. "Dude, I don't get it! Why didn't you become a devil?! You could have a HAREM! That's the DREAM we've been working toward our whole lives!"
"...Perverted senpai," Koneko muttered, her voice flat and dead. Her glare could've killed a small animal.
Kiba chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, that's... certainly one perspective."
"Oh my" Akeno covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes dancing with amusement. "Fufu What an honest reason, Issei-kun."
Rias just kept staring at me, like she was genuinely waiting to see if Issei's pitch would work where hers hadn't.
Great. Now I'm getting peer-pressured by a guy whose life goal is motorboating strangers.
I sighed. Long and loud. "Rias. Why am I here?"
She held my gaze for another beat, then let it go. Her expression shifted into business mode, warm but authoritative. "There's a Stray Devil near the outskirts of town. It needs to be exterminated."
Simple. Clean. A task I could actually work with. "Got it. I'll handle it."
Rias tilted her head slightly, concern flickering across her face. "Do you need assistance?" Her eyes flicked toward Kiba, then Koneko, then Akeno. "I can send someone with you—"
I opened my mouth to say no—
And the blue screen popped up.
---
[ Quest: Exterminate the Stray Devil at Outskirts of Kuoh Town ]
[ Reward: Rank 2 Gacha Ticket ]
---
Rank 2.
My brain locked onto those words like a gambler spotting a loaded deck. Rank 2 was better than Rank 1. Better odds, better loot, better everything. But if I let Rias send backup, that reward would drop faster than my will to live during exam season.
The system didn't reward teamwork. It rewarded solo kills.
And I'm not splitting this loot with anyone.
I shook my head. "I'm good. I'll take care of it."
Rias studied me for a moment, then nodded, though she looked slightly reluctant. She pulled a crimson flyer from her desk drawer and held it out. "If you find yourself in trouble, use this. I'll come immediately, alright?"
I took it and pocketed it. "Sure."
She smiled, small and genuine.
I turned and walked out, already mapping the fastest route to the outskirts.
Perks of being an ally: no obligations, no restrictions, no bullshit. Just me and the gacha ticket.
And if I die, at least I won't owe anyone an explanation.
---
The forest was quiet except for the sharp hiss of wires slicing through wood.
Shhhhink—
I stood in a clearing, Cross Tail deployed, black threads extending from the glove on my right hand. I flicked my wrist, and the wires snapped forward, cutting through a tree trunk in one clean motion.
CRACK.
The upper half slid off the stump and hit the ground with a dull thud.
Thump.
Armament Haki had turned my wires from "mildly inconvenient" to "guillotine on a bad day." The coating made them harder, denser, sharper. What used to take multiple strikes now took one.
At this rate, I could probably decapitate someone before they realized they were already dead.
I retracted the wires with another flick, watching them coil back into the glove.
Whirrrrr—
The black coating faded as I released the Haki.
I sat down on a nearby rock, breathing steadily. My stamina was already coming back — the ring saw to that, restoring my energy at a pace that would make any athlete cry.
My thoughts drifted to Issei.
He was a devil now. Officially. Rias had reincarnated him, bound him to her peerage, and handed him a role in a story he didn't even know existed yet. The path ahead of him was filled with battles he never signed up for — Riser, Kokabiel, Loki, the Khaos Brigade, and whatever else the universe decided to throw at him.
But he'd survive. He always did. That's what protagonists do.
They get beaten to hell, power up through sheer horny determination, and somehow win.
That wasn't my problem.
Issei had his path. I had mine. I wasn't stupid enough to take his battles just so I could snatch his future harem members. If our objectives lined up, great. If not, I'd stay in my lane.
Let the protagonist handle protagonist things. I'm just here for the gacha tickets.
The plot would get wrecked eventually anyway. Best I could do was survive the world and its dangers without getting flattened by collateral damage.
And maybe not die horribly. That'd be nice.
I stood up, rolling my shoulders. My combat skills were still mediocre at best. Relying purely on powers and gacha rewards would only make me a glass cannon — strong output, weak foundation.
Can't exactly dodge a sword if I don't know how to move properly.
I deployed Cross Tail again and got back to work.
Shhhhink— CRACK. Shhhhink— CRACK.
---
I entered my home later that evening and immediately noticed the pair of shoes by the entrance.
Familiar shoes.
Well. This is either very good or very bad.
I walked further inside. The scent of freshly cooked salmon and rice hit me like a warm wave, and my stomach growled in immediate betrayal.
Grrrrowl.
When I reached the kitchen, I found Akeno standing by the stove, an apron tied around her waist, her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. She turned when she heard me, and her face lit up with that signature smile.
"Ara Welcome home, Motohama-kun" She waved at me with one hand, looking genuinely pleased to see me.
I stopped in the doorway. "Akeno-senpai, you really don't have to cook for me."
"Fufu~" She tilted her head, smile widening. "As your senpai, it's my responsibility to take care of you, Motohama-kun"
Right. I forgot she took it as her new side quest from last night.
I stepped forward to help her with the meal. As I got closer, she turned around, holding a soup bowl in her hands and in that exact moment, I stepped into her path.
The bowl collided with my chest.
Splash—
Hot soup sprayed across my shirt and pants, soaking through instantly. I winced at the heat, stepping back on reflex.
Akeno's eyes went wide. "Oh no!" She set the bowl down quickly and grabbed a towel, hurrying toward me. "I'm so sorry, Motohama-kun!" She pressed the towel against my chest, dabbing frantically at the stain. "I didn't see you—"
"Don't worry about it, Akeno-senpai," I said quickly, raising my hands. "I'll just—"
I stopped.
Her gaze had dropped. Not to the stain on my shirt.
Lower.
Her eyes lingered on the obvious bulge in my pants — a side effect of the stamina-enhancing magic I'd been training with. The ring kept my body in peak condition, but layering magic on top of it had... unexpected consequences.
I moved one hand to cover myself awkwardly, heat creeping up my neck. "Uh. Sorry about that. It's been happening lately because of my training." I cleared my throat. "I've been working with stamina-enhancing magic, and—"
God, this sounds so much worse out loud.
I scrambled for an explanation. "I wasn't sure how to bring it up to you, but—"
Akeno silenced me by pressing one finger gently against my lips.
"Sshh"
Her smile shifted into a playful one.
"Ara ara~" she murmured, her voice dropping into something softer, more intimate. "Let your senpai take care of it, Motohama-kun."
Before I could respond, she sank gracefully to her knees in front of me.
Oh.
Oh no.
Oh yes?
My brain short-circuited.
Her hands moved to my waistband, fingers deftly unzipping my pants.
Ziiip.
My manhood emerged, and her eyes widened slightly in genuine surprise.
"Oh my~" she breathed, her voice laced with amusement and something darker. "You were hiding quite a beast in here, Motohama-kun."
She wrapped her hand around it. Her grip was warm. Soft.
I winced slightly, my breath catching.
"Hah—"
Am I really about to get head for the first time?
From Akeno Himejima?
This has to be a dream. Or a prank I've not woke up from.
She looked up at me, her violet eyes gleaming with curiosity and mischief. Her hand began to move, stroking slowly, deliberately.
Then she slid her hair back behind her ear, leaned forward, and pressed a soft kiss to the tip.
Mmm.
The sensation hit me like a lightning bolt.
Then she took me into her mouth.
Heat. Wetness. Pressure.
The inside of her mouth was impossibly warm, her tongue wrapping around me with each movement. Every stroke sent waves of pleasure crashing through me in layers I wasn't prepared for. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, my breathing growing ragged.
Hah... hah...
What the hell is this?
Is this what I've been missing out on?
She moved with careful ease, her rhythm steady and deliberate, her eyes flicking up to watch my reactions.
Slurp... mmm...
"Akeno-senpai," I gasped, my voice strained. "I think I'm close—"
She paused, pulling back just enough to speak. Her lips glistened.
Pop
"Fufu~ Motohama-kun," she said softly, her smile widening. "You can release whenever you feel like it. I'll take it all."
She took me back into her mouth, and her movements quickened.
Slurp— mmm— hah...
The pleasure built to a breaking point. My hand moved on its own, grabbing the back of her head as I buried myself deeper and released everything.
Ngh—
When it was over, I slumped back against the wall, panting, my legs trembling.
Hah... hah... hah...
I can't believe it.
I actually did it with Akeno Himejima.
The one I've only seen in an anime.
I looked down at her. She was licking her lips, white trails at the corners of her mouth, her expression satisfied and amused.
My manhood stirred again, rising despite everything.
Twitch
Guess I'm having different type of lunch for today.
---
The outskirts of Kuoh Town looked different at night, or atleast to me after what I went through this afternoon.
I stood at the forest edge, staring into the darkness ahead. Trees clustered together like they were plotting something, their branches forming a thick web, enough to block out most of the moonlight. The air reeked of damp earth and rotten leaves.
My phone buzzed as I pulled it out and checked the Stray Devil spot Rias had sent me.
Deeper in. Of course.
I pocketed the phone and started walking, boots crunching against dead leaves and twigs.
As I walked, my mind drifted back to earlier events with Akeno.
After that first time, she'd taken me again. And again. Five times total. Each one more intense than the last. With each turn, I noticed she seemed to enjoy it more than I did, which was saying something. Her enthusiasm was almost concerning.
Almost.
Afterward, she'd straightened her uniform, handed me a stack of new magic books, and made me a promise with that dangerous smile of hers: if I mastered them, she might let me try something more than that.
And obviously I gave in.
She was running a rewards program, and I was apparently enrolled.
Is this anime really an anime, or did I somehow turn it into a hentai?
I stepped over a fallen log, ducking under a low-hanging branch. Either way, I'm not complaining. Even If I die tonight, at least I'll die happy.
I shook my head, forcing my focus back to the task at hand. I had a Stray Devil to kill. A Rank 2 gacha ticket to earn.
Priorities.
The forest grew denser the further I went. The moonlight barely penetrated here, leaving everything in shades of black and some light. My eyes adjusted slowly, glancing around at the tree trunks, rocks, the occasional bush.
Rustle.
I stopped, listened for any presence here but noticed nothing.
I kept walking, following the mental map I'd built from Rias's map, which was more like a kid doodling for first time.
Then I saw it.
A clearing ahead, bathed in pale moonlight. The grass looked trampled in spots, like something large had moved through recently. I stepped into the clearing and stopped to find no Stray Devil, no movement, no sound except for the faint rustle of leaves overhead.
Whoooosh.
"Where the hell is it?"
I took another step forward and my instincts screamed instantly.
I threw myself to the side.
WHOOSH—CRACK!
A spear of light slammed into the spot where I'd been standing, punching into the ground with enough force to leave a smoking crater. Golden light flickered and dispersed, fragments scattering like dying embers.
Hiss—
I rolled to my feet, heart pounding.
The voice that followed was smooth, amused, and way too casual for someone who'd just tried to kill me.
"You dodged it, huh?....Not bad"
My fists clenched as I met with the sight of the Fallen Angel. He dropped from the branch, landing in the clearing with a soft thud as I got my first good look at him.
Middle-aged. Short black hair, slightly unkempt. Dark blue eyes that looked bored and amused at the same time. He wore a pale gray trench coat over a white dress shirt with a matching ascot, black pants and shoes, black gloves, and I shit you not, a black fedora.
A fedora.
This guy looks like he's cosplaying a 1940s detective who made some very poor life choices.
Black feathered wings spread wide from his back, the only thing that gave away he wasn't just some weirdo in a park.
He straightened up, dusting off his coat with the kind of casual confidence that said he'd done this before. Many times. He grinned at me like we were old friends meeting at a bar, not two people about to try killing each other.
I have to fight a Fallen Angel? Where the hell is the Stray Devil?
Did I get scammed by the quest system?
I clenched my fists, ready with Cross Tail against my wrist as Armament Haki surged beneath my skin to battle against the fallen angel.
. . .
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