"Wait, what?"
"Hahahaha!" Azazel burst out laughing in the background. "It was nothing, just tryna have some fun with the kid. And look with my little experiment, I even gave him wings!"
It's hard to imagine that the fallen angel's faction was still standing to this day with a guy like this at the helm. In the deepest darkest corner of my soul, I did feel the slightest bit of sympathy for Baraquiel.
It got squashed the moment I remembered that these two probably knew each other for millennia and Baraquiel still sent him to me.
'Both of them need a beating in the future.'
"Azazel when I said I would let you take care of some things I didn't mean further ruining the already strained relationship I have with Hikigaya-kun." Baraquiel was rubbing his temples with dealing with the aftermaths of his friend's slash brother's action.
"You're too uptight Baraquiel, I'm sure that young Hachiman here, didn't mind the fun trip I gave him. And if you think about it, if it wasn't for me, he wouldn't have evolved his Vritra gear to this point any time soon." Said Azazel with a lopsided grin.
Though he was frustrated as hell, he did have a point, my progress was flat these last few days.
With [Prison Wings] now in my possession, I could manoeuvre around more fluidly as compared with my [Levitation] spell. I could even reach speeds I thought impossible before.
And it just looked so freaking cool.
"Azazel, this was supposed to be a simple conversation, you could have teleported him instea-" he was interrupted by Azazel slapping his back with good humor.
"Now where's the fun in that? Listen, I know you got some serious issues that need to be dealt with. But with your serious attitude, I doubt it would have gone smoothly.
"I gave young Hachiman here a quick training trip to show him what we are capable of in training him. He has been under the care of the Gremory girl for years, yet showed little progress.
"In only a few minutes under my care, he gained a newfound power. See this is as a gesture of goodwill from our side."
Don't they realise I can hear their conversation?
Like seriously, the man is going on a tangent on how he planned this all out to gain a positive opinion from me.
"I still expect an apology, Azazel."
Looking at me, Azazel gained a thoughtful look. "Well, I may have kinda gone overboard there. So I'll make it to you in the future. What do you say?"
I just hope it's not something crazy, "sure as long as you tell me, why you sent Vali after me."
I still wanted to know the full story behind it.
...
After sorting out our discussion, Azazel shared his contact number in case I ever needed any help or information.
I may dislike the guy, but having such a powerful person in my contacts was a huge boon. I really appreciated everything Sona and Rias do for me, with the Bawler incident coming to mind, having an extra source of intel wasn't so bad.
He left me with Baraquiel with a few parting words, "Take it easy on the guy, he is just trying to be a father."
In that split second his cheerful expression darkened a lot showing hints of self-hatred and regret. He tried hidding it but it was impossible to do so from me.
Yes, I know Baraquiel was one, but that still didn't excuse his past actions.
"Follow me." Baraquiel opened the door to the mansion and wandered in.
He walked through the hallway while I stared at him from behind before trailing him. Our walk consisted of going through many different areas with some portrays hung in the walls.
Some of these were old, predating some historical eras. From different art styles to vastly different clothing. From the Roman era to medieval Europe, to even the industrial age.
Within each and every one of these dozens of paintings was the same looking Baraquiel accompanied by a different woman by his side every time.
An idea already started to form in my head, I shelved it for later.
It wasn't until we reached something resembling the main office, did we stop in front of a large-looking half-done painting of Baraquiel and Shuri-san who was holding what seemed to be a baby Akeno.
None of the previous women was ever shown to be carrying a baby.
"I can guess you've already figured it out, Hikigaya-kun." He spoke gruffly, looking at me expecting for some sort of comment from me. "You're wise enough to notice the details."
"Yeah." I just gave him a simple answer.
"Along the years since I had fallen from heavens, I partook myself into many relationships with countless women's." He took a seat on the sofa, still holding his stiff posture opposite of my slouched back. "Some I did because of the pleasure, some I chose due to boredom and others for many different reasons. But love from the heart was never a factor."
So a playboy. It's not helping your case man.
"That all changed when I got injured by a sneak attack from an enemy which lead me to be healed by a nearby miko." He gazed at the painting proudly pinned on the wall. "That miko, who despite knowing of my true nature as a fallen, an enemy of her clan, still chose to give me shelter and care."
I could see where this was going. Kinda cliché if I'm being honest.
"Shuri was her name, to say I was smitten by both her looks and personality would be an understatement." A rare smile bloomed on his face.
"The days we spent together created this special feeling between us, something new which I had never before experienced, true love.
"With time, we eventually decided to tie the knot and become a married couple. Of course, the clan was absolutely against that idea, Shuri was labelled as a heretic and a traitor. But she did not care, her love for me made me grateful and changed me from within.
"A year later we had a baby, a half-fallen hybrid born with my powers of [Holy Lightning]. I never had a child before; I never knew how to handle the responsibility. I promised to protect her and Shuri. To be by their side in times of danger.
"Yet the day of the fire, I failed as a husband and as a father. My failure nearly brought death upon them, my existence as a fallen had dragged them in the cursed world of the supernatural."
To my astonishment the man began crying, tears trailing down his face with his fist shaking from anger. "I tried staying away from them, hoping that being under the care of the Gremorys would grant them a safe life."
Which it did, Shuri-san was safe in arguably one of the safest location in the Underworld. Akeno had some issues but overall, she was strong and happy with her current life.
Despite that, I could guess why Baraquiel wanted to meet them again, 'It's hard letting go of past relationships. May they be family or friends, you will always seek to reunite with them one way or another '
I understood that concept better than anyone.
I don't know how time worked in different realities. If I went back, would they all be grown-up adults with a family, living in their own personal life?
I was most probably presumed dead at this point, poor Komachi would probably be the one who got affected the most.
Bet my parents only took a couple of days to mourn before returning back to their jobs.
Hayama, Miura and their clique probably didn't even notice my disappearance. They would assume I changed school and forget about me.
I don't know how Yukino would have reacted, she was a strong woman, so she can get over it easily.
The others may have cried the first few days like Yuigahama, but then moved on with their lives. I wouldn't blame them, I can't, that's how life works.
Not that my presence had any weight in the first place. I was a loner back then, with little to no friends.
Despite all of that, I still wanted to see them again. Just like I couldn't abandon people from this reality, the same can be said for the others.
I stared back at Baraquiel already knowing my answer to his request.
"Your reasoning for leaving them, does not hold any weight," I answered earning a shocked look from him. "It's dumb, stupid and makes no sense. The truth is that you're nothing but a coward who is running away from his mistakes."
"..."
He didn't deny my claim.
"It is not because you couldn't save them or of your nature as a fallen that you are a failure, rather it's because you didn't come back that makes you one." I was going all out on him."You hide in this mansion while your daughter still awaits her father, yet I do not see him when I look at you."
He needed the guts to face his family on his own, not while standing behind me.
And also, "What's stopping you from doing this again?" I was bringing back the point, I thought of back in Kuoh.
"You could abandon them again with another similar excuse, like being one of the leaders of the Grigori. When a situation will present itself to you, where you'll have to choose between your family and thr Grigori, who would you choose?" I questioned him.
"..."
I gave him a few seconds to think things through, thoroughly.
If he had given me an immediate response then I would have doubted his loyalty as well, since the Grigori were also his family.
"I would choose them both, even if I have to one day pay for such a decision with my life, I would do so unhesitatingly." His response was fierce and resolute, I could feel the determination behind each of his words.
It was a good answer.
"I will arrange a meeting between you and Akeno, whether you're forgiven or not, it will be up to her, not me," I said it before and I'll say it again. I am not the key to his solution, I am merely the guide to the key, which is Akeno.
Baraquiel fell to his knees, to my surprise. He inclined his back and head in a deep bow. "That's all I ask Hikigaya-kun, thank you for giving me a chance."
...
Our talk was short, but we got our points across.
I would help him, but only this once. If he fails or succeeds was completely up to him. I would not meddle any more than necessary.
It was still daytime in Paris, unlike in Japan where night-time had already settled in.
I was invited by Baraquiel to spend a day in his mansion.
Honestly, I wanted to travel back to Japan but this time without that mad man Azazel.
This would be a good opportunity to test out my [Prison Wings].
Vritra was familiar with every corner of the world, so we wouldn't end up being lost. Unfortunately, according to him, even with my speed, it could still take a day or two to reach Japan.
So I decided to kick back and enjoy the beauty of Paris, the city of lights.
Baraquiel had some important duties to take care of alongside Azazel with the local powers, so he would be back later in the night to teleport me back.
He did not leave me empty-handed, a few thousand euros and an unlimited spending card. I was encouraged to have fun.
The card weighted like a ton in my hands. I was no stranger to rich people and their antics, Rias being a prime example. But still, I couldn't stop my hands from shaking.
I shook my head, trying to compose myself and focus on my stay.
"Now, where should I go?"
Not knowing what to do, I just wandered around the city. I got a few passing looks, I ignored them.
A japanese student in full Kuoh uniform was most likely not a common sight.
I passed by a couple of shops to buy a small trinket for Rias and Akeno, an anime figurine and a limited edition tea set would do the trick. A coffee mug for dad and a pair of stupidly expensive glasses for my mother.
I didn't care about the price since it wasn't my money.
Of course I couldn't forget about Koneko, she wouldn't let it go if I did. So a few boxes of chocolates would do.
I didn't want to make Kiba feel left out, so I bought him a mini sword necklace, for obvious reasons.
Who else was I forgetting...
...Sona!
I ran in an expensive looking chess store and bought their most valuable set. This one had each pieces made of actual diamonds.
Again not my money.
"Phew, is this how rich people feel while shopping?" This card was too powerful.
I continued wandering around, using my English skills asking strangers for direction.
I stopped in front of a small coffee shop, "Ch-Chez Izha Bima?"
I hoped no one heard me butcher the name.
My ever-present craving for coffee was acting up and I decided to have a try at Paris's local bar.
A bit run down and hidden from view in an alleyway. Even a few letters from the sign were missing. But the amazing coffee scent made it compelling for me to go inside.
Ding*
"Bonjour monsieur, que puis-je vous servir?" A young-looking bartender called out to me.
I didn't understand anything, aside bonjour.
"Umm, I don't speak French... English?" This was super awkward. I better come up with a spell for universal translation.
"Mais bien sure-I mean, of course, come in dear sir, it is not always I get tourist in my small bar." He flashed me a wide smile before laughing.
"I wonder why." I did not want to be rude to him by telling the guy that his establishment needed serious renovation.
Even the chairs look like they would shattere at any moment.
"Hahaha! No need to be shy good sir, I know the faults of my bar. I merely take care of it as a hobby." As I took a seat, he handed me the menu.
It was in French, but thankfully I just came for coffee. "I don't need the menu, just give me your best coffee with lots of sugar."
"But of course sir- Oh! Where are my manners, I forgot to introduce myself! The name is Izha Bima, the same name as my establishment." He gave me a curt bow before making his way to the backroom.
'Strange man, with his name he's most likely not French.'
Though, I did say this place was old and decrepit, it did hold a certain charm to it.
The outside streets were filled with hundreds of people and cars making loads of noise. Yet while inside the bar, all I could hear was the slow ticking noise coming from the grandfather clock.
The calm atmosphere was further enforced when I was the only person present.
"Sorry for the wait dear sir, your coffee is ready! I added my special blend of ground-up beans and honey harvested from my homeland." Izha arrived holding a tray with a single gold-accented cup.
"Thanks," I held the cup up to my nose and gave it a smell.
A light, nutty aroma that reminded me of my mother in my previous life. Back before she became a corporate slave, in her free time she would blend me and Komachi some coffee like this.
'Not the time to think about such things.'
I took a sip of the brew tasting the sweet, tart taste of honey and the bitterness of the coffee beans perfectly balancing each other out.
"Amazing," I never had something so good, even Akeno's tea lacked in comparison "it's a shame you don't have more customers, they are seriously missing out."
"Hahahaha! Thank you for the compliment, I try to improve my craft at every opportunity I get."
...
We ended up chatting for a while, I asked questions about Paris while he asked me about Japan.
A few hours went by without me noticing, in the end, I drank half a dozen cups of coffee without realising. 'That ain't good for my health.'
"I say, sir, are you planning to continue your touring so late at night?" Was it really that late? I checked my watch, and damn it was nearly ten.
"I didn't notice the time, I won't be touring anymore, I'll have to go back home soon before someone gets a bit too angry with me." Yikes, I did not want to live through Rias's and Akeno's anger.
"That is a good choice sir, the streets have been a bit too dangerous lately. Cases of missing people and randomly cut limbs started surfacing around the area." Said Izha with a frown.
"Travel carefully sir, you never know when danger is right around the corner."
A wandering serial killer? That's worrying.
"Don't worry I'll be careful." Saying my goodbyes, I left the bar and set foot on the now empty streets of Paris.
I made sure to check my surroundings, this case of a mysterious serial killer that kidnapped people and cut off their limbs increasingly made me think of a stray.
"Thankfully Izha reminded me- oh shit! I forgot to pay!" Lost in my thoughts, I had left the bar without even noticing.
I quickly turned around intent to go back and settle my bill only to nearly collide face-first into a brick wall.
"...?"
.
.
.
"What the...where is the store?"
The bar that I just left a few seconds ago, was gone. In its place was a brick wall with nothing else.
"..."
How is this possible? I was just there a few moments ago, how can it disappear all of a sudden like that!?
"Vritra, am I going crazy?"
'No, you're still sane partner.'
I was about to freak out even more until a piece of paper flew into my face.
"Argh, piece of garbage." It was quite windy outside, and I just happened to be unlucky enough to get hit in the face by a blank-
"...!"
No...there was something written on it.
Unfolding the paper, a single phrase was written on it that gave me heavy goosebumps.
[It was an honour to have the Black Dragon King as my first customer.]
"..."
We were being toyed with...by an unknown supernatural entity...this is so creepy.
"Nope." I will never come back to this place ever again in my life. If this entity had dark intentions, I would be dead without even realising it. I started to briskly walk back to Grigori's base before something else happen to me, "Nope, nope, nope."
'Wait, partner.' called out Vritra.
"What's now?" Please make it be something small.
'I sense one of my scared gears being active, it's nearby.'
"Oh."
Such misfortune.