The days rolled on, and Ryo's sarcastic humor became something of a staple during training sessions with Issei. Whether they were sparring, strategizing, or just catching their breath between rounds, Ryo's commentary always lightened the atmosphere.
---
One afternoon, as Ryo and Issei faced each other on the training field, Issei looked worn out, sweat dripping down his face as he caught his breath. Ryo, meanwhile, leaned casually against his sword, a smirk on his face.
"Come on, Issei," Ryo drawled, crossing his arms. "If you're this exhausted already, maybe we should downgrade your title from 'Rookie Devil' to 'Rookie Benchwarmer.'"
Issei rolled his eyes, groaning. "Man, Ryo, can't you be a little supportive? I'm giving it everything I've got!"
"Supportive?" Ryo raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "Trust me, this is my supportive side. You should see me when I'm in a bad mood." He chuckled and added, "Now get up. Riser's not going to be impressed by you lying on the ground unless you're pretending to be his doormat."
Issei grumbled but managed to push himself up, the hint of a smile breaking through his exhaustion. He knew Ryo's sarcastic jabs weren't meant to discourage him—in their own way, they pushed him to keep going, showing him that Ryo expected more.
Rias, watching from the sidelines, tried to hide her smile. "Ryo, you know, not everyone responds well to sarcasm."
Ryo shot her a look, raising an eyebrow. "What, you mean not everyone finds it motivating when I'm out here acting like a discount drill sergeant?"
Rias chuckled, shaking her head. "Well, it's effective, I suppose."
Turning back to Issei, Ryo gave him a mockingly serious look. "Alright, Mr. Hyoudou, let's see if you can make it through one more round without collapsing. If you do, I might even say something nice. Don't get your hopes up, though."
Issei sighed, grinning despite himself. "Yeah, yeah. Just you wait—I'm going to kick your butt one of these days."
"Is that a promise?" Ryo grinned, sliding into a stance. "Because right now, I'd give that promise a solid 'D' for effort."
They clashed again, Issei pushing himself with renewed determination as Ryo continued his relentless teasing, his sarcasm cutting through every block and dodge. As grueling as the training was, Ryo's banter kept Issei from taking himself too seriously, easing the tension that usually built up with intense training.
Ophis and Sona, watching from the side, exchanged glances. Sona crossed her arms, an amused smile on her face. "Ryo certainly has a… unique teaching style."
Ophis blinked, tilting her head. "It's effective. Perhaps sarcasm is just as motivating as other methods."
Sona laughed softly. "Only for someone like him."
After the training session, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Ryo stretched his arms over his head, feigning an exhausted yawn. "Well, Issei, not bad today. You actually managed to stay on your feet. Color me impressed."
Issei rolled his eyes, though he was clearly grateful. "Yeah, yeah, thanks for the vote of confidence."
"Hey," Ryo replied with a grin, "that's the closest thing to a compliment you're going to get from me."
As they walked back to the clubhouse, Ryo felt a sense of camaraderie strengthening with every sarcastic remark. He wasn't just helping train Issei; he was building a friendship, one where humor, strength, and trust intertwined. They were fighting for more than just victory—they were fighting for each other.