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Chapter 39 - Special Guest

Taking your mind off the recent drama seems like a great idea, and what better way to do it than a date with Rias and Asia? Though taking two women out at the same time is daunting, it can't be any worse than Sundar randomly revealing that you have an evil doppelganger now. You make a small itinerary of ideas for things to do and put on your Sunday best in preparation.

After sending some messages back and forth with Rias, you settle on a time and place to make some merriment together. Away from prying eyes you summon the Sledgehammer and negligently tear another hole in the universe. The two girls are ready and raring to go.

Rias is going casual mode with a pair of extremely tight, black jean shorts that show off her legs and a white tank top that can do nothing to hide her large chest. The burgeoning sports bra underneath is weeping under the strain of her bouncing boobage. A matching black baseball cap and aviator sunglasses conceal her identity from curious onlookers.

Asia has taken the date concept more literally, with a lime green sundress and reaches below her knees. The only part of her body that's really exposed is her arms. She holds a small purse in her left hand to keep her valuables in. She looks beautiful, though it's becoming something of a cliché to tell yourself that when all of the women you've summoned are completely breathtaking.

Rias giggles and starts the teasing early, "See, he can't keep his eyes off of us."

You laugh it off and move in closer, "You both look fantastic. I never expected you to have such a sporty wardrobe, Rias."

"I asked for some pointers from a classmate," she reveals, "I'm rather… out of touch with modern street fashion." That unnamed classmate has your eternal thanks. This combo of hiked jeans and tight top showcase all of her best curves in excruciatingly sexy detail. Her skin is already glistening slightly from the heat beating down on you from above.

Asia is flattered and tries to hide between her hands. Rias isn't having any of that shy business today, she pulls her arm back down and drags her over to you. "Come along Asia. Today it's our job to make him feel like the luckiest man on Earth."

You sigh, "I already am. You don't need to do anything special for me."

Your pleas fall on deaf ears as both girls take their place on each side of you. You decided to go with something simple for Asia's first day out, and selected a local restaurant positioned on the bank of one of the city's rivers. This tourist trap boardwalk has become a very popular destination as of late – with dozens of eating and drinking establishments opening in rows down either side.

The jealous glares are back again. Rias looks like a supermodel on holiday and Asia is too damn cute for people to not stare. You grab a table outside so you can enjoy the weather. The tall buildings provide some cover from the sun's gaze. A tray of drinks is soon delivered and you all settle in for an afternoon meal together.

"What do you think about all of this summoning stuff?" you ask. Asia hasn't really aired her feelings on things to you just yet.

"It is rather strange," Asia muses, "Even stranger than becoming a devil."

"Isn't that normal where you come from? We don't have devils or angels here."

Rias is contemplative, "There are a great many things that even the most powerful devils are unaware of. While many of them believe themselves to be the apex predators, the truth is much more terrifying. In comparison to the infinite expanse of the multiverse we may be nothing more than prey for greater beings still."

"I don't think anything that terrifying can survive on this planet," you say wishfully. Everyone you've summoned thus far has been human in form. A small part of you fears what may happen if you summon someone or something you cannot control. The conversation turns away from doom and gloom and onto more mundane subjects, like the kind of things that a devil has to handle.

After you've eaten your meal though, Rias decides to heat things up a little with some probing questions to Asia.

"So, Asia. I'm considering your application to join the harem…"

"A-Application?"

Rias adjusts her glasses like a stern accountant, "I'd like to ask you a few more questions before I approve it. For starters, how many children are you planning on having with my husband?"

Asia is caught completely flat-footed by this playful change of tack from Rias. Her face is bright red and her hands are flailing in every direction as she scrambles to come up with a good answer. "Uh, I don't know. Hm. How about… three. I think three is a good number!" She clearly just came up with it now on the spot. You don't imagine that Asia has given any consideration to having children with a man she barely knows.

Rias nods and continues the charade, "Three? How do you work with others? Would you be okay with sharing hubby with hundreds of other women?"

"Uh. I think so…"

"And where do you see yourself in the harem structure?"

"S-Structure?"

"What are you talking about?" you add with a matching sense of confusion.

Rias can't hold it in any more and starts to giggle at you both; "Apologies. I shouldn't start talking about devil business without informing you of how it works. While devils will greedily lay claim to as many spouses as they can, that also comes with a great level of responsibility. The head wife, who is the highest ranking woman, is usually in charge of maintaining good order in the household. Her children also inherit the leadership of the house."

"Oh, Venelana mentioned something like that," you recall.

"Some of those houses decide to build a 'structure' out of the harem. The higher-ranking women have the command over the newer ones. Though I get the feeling that you don't like the idea of assigning differing levels of importance to your partners."

True. That seems more than a little callous. You shake your head, "Not really, no."

Rias shrugs it off, "Don't worry. My mother is a deft harem wrangler. Seniority or no, she'll make sure that everything runs smoothly."

"I really must learn more about being a devil," Asia mutters.

"Me too. You always say stuff that surprises me Rias," you sigh.

"You two are so cute when you get like this," she smirks. Akeno's sadistic side is rubbing off on her.

"I-I only became a devil recently!" Asia cries.

"Hm, and what about you hubby?"

You shrug, "You don't exactly sit down and explain this kind of thing in the TV series."

"Then I'm afraid I'll have to give you both a very thorough education. I'll wear a tight black skirt and glasses, just for you."

That'll be a sight to see.

Asia finally breaks through the noise and asks you a question of her own, "You don't mind me?"

"Of course not. But I just want to make it clear that you don't have to go out with me just because Rias is asking you to. I know that it's a pretty big leap to go from knowing nothing about me to doing all of this couple stuff."

"That's okay. I'd like to get to know you better." Asia gives you an angelic smile that could make the coldest, most miserable man melt into a puddle. She's a lot different from the constant teasing and confident sexuality of Akeno and Rias. It makes for a nice change from being surrounded by women who have the libido of a freshly minted teenage boy discovering internet porn.

"How about we pay the bill and walk around town?"

The three-way date continues as you visit several other local attractions with Asia and Rias. Rias tones down the teasing a lot and allows Asia to enjoy herself. Asia brings a sense of innocent wonder to even mundane activities, presumably due to her extensive duties in her previous position as a sister in the church.

You endeavour to try and show Asia the 'real' you. The fact of the matter is that Mitsuru can't exactly vet each and every universe for total accuracy within the TV adaptation of your life. You tell her stories, some of the things you enjoy doing in your free time, and how you came to meet some of the other people in your harem.

But all good things had to come to an end eventually.

As you are strolling further into town to try and find something new to do together, the one and only Vali Lucifer exits a shop right in front of you! He's just as surprised to see you as you are him. Judging from the twin bags of groceries in his hands, he wasn't expecting to fight anybody at all.

"Vali!" Rias scowls.

"If it isn't Rias Gremory," he smirks as his gaze turns to you, "I suppose what they told me about you was true."

"What are you doing here?"

He holds the bags aloft, "The good lady has asked me to perform a few chores, as a gracious guest I had no choice but to accept."

You snap your fingers, "Whipped."

His face drops, "W-Wha…"

Rias nods, "Very."

Asia holds a hand over her mouth, "You poor thing."

"I am NOT whipped!" he declares.

"What kind of guest does the hosts' chores?" you respond, "I didn't realise the white dragon emperor was a house maid."

"I'll make you regret those words."

This time? Not likely. You look down the alleyway to your left, "If we're doing this, we're doing it out of sight."

"Fine by me."

Vali follows you down the pathway and into a backlot parking area. Mitsuru made sure that the surveillance systems within the city would never capture your likeness. She led you to believe that there's a jamming system within the Sledgehammer that activates whenever you summon it. You press Lala's bracelet and summon it from the void. Vali finds a place to leave his bags and dusts off his hands.

"This battle will only end like the first, with your convincing defeat. The power of the white dragon emperor is absolute."

"What should we do?" Asia asks.

You glance back at your dates and shake your head, "No need to get involved, you'll ruin those amazing outfits. Anyway – we're going to use that plan."

Rias nods, "I see. Very well. Let's stay out of the way, Asia."

"Y-Yes President!"

Rias and Asia retreat to the entrance of the lot. You transform into your armour and stare down Vali, who doesn't even see the need to don his own. Before you can even react, he disappears from sight and materialises next to you, swinging around and striking you with a kick. You barely notice it in time to raise your arm and block it. The force of the hit is enough to send you flying across the yard and into the door of a parked car. Metal bends, glass shatters, and the alarm blares.

"Pathetic. You aren't even fit to shine my shoes."

This guy is seriously pissing you off. You struggle back to your feet and check your HUD, there's a special someone lying in wait for just this occasion. The system reacts and ejects the card into your palm. You quickly slide it into the chamber and twist it.

"ISSEI HYOUDOU, SHATTERING!"

"W-What?!"

You smirk and pull the trigger. Reality warps in front of you, shattering into pieces and filling out the silhouette of your special guest. Spiky brown hair, red t-shirt and school uniform all in place. He's confused about the sudden summoning, but it doesn't take him long to realise the situation.

He stepped forth and clenched his fist in anticipation, "Yosha! The red dragon emperor is here!"

You did summon him from Rias' universe, so hopefully this taken man isn't in love with you. He turns to face you, his eyes lighting up in fanboyish reverence, "Oh man! It's the real deal! You're here, in the flesh! This suit is totally awesome!" He couldn't stop himself from circling you and taking it in from every angle.

"Hey, Issei. Gush later – Vali needs to be taught a lesson."

He chuckles and rubs the back of his head sheepishly, "Sorry. But I'm always happy to give that cocky bastard a beatdown! Leave it to me." His hand glows green and his trademark red armour begins to appear around his body. He poses pridefully next to you, soaking in the chance to be next to one of his favourite 'fictional characters.' You glance to your left and admire the detail on his draconic suit.

"You know what, we do look really cool together."

"I know, right?"