After four long hours of travel, the train screeched to a halt at Kuoh Station. Among the passengers, two figures sat together. One of them—a girl—was fast asleep, her head resting comfortably on the boy's shoulder.
The boy smiled softly, watching her peaceful face.
"Hey, Kiyohime, wake up. We've arrived," he whispered, gently shaking her shoulder.
"Mm... five more minutes, Danna-sama," she murmured, snuggling closer.
He sighed, exasperated yet amused. Leaning in, he whispered again, "Kiyohime, be a good girl and wake up. Or... I might just leave you here."
Her eyes fluttered open instantly, tears welling up.
"Waaaaa! Danna-sama, don't leave me! I promise I'll be good!" she cried, clinging to him like a lost kitten.
Suppressing a laugh, he patted her head. "I was kidding, Kiyohime. Come on, let's go home."
She pouted, puffing her cheeks. "Hmph. Danna-sama is such a meanie!"
In his mind, a deep voice chuckled.
[Fatalis: You've softened up to her, haven't you, brother? She's adorable—if you ignore the yandere tendencies]
"It's not so bad, Fatalis. Her affection is sincere. Better this than being alone in a strange world," Satria responded internally.
As they stepped off the train, a thought struck him. "Wait a minute, Kiyohime. Stay here—I want to grab something from the convenience store."
"Okay, Danna-sama! I'll wait right here," she replied cheerfully, settling onto a station bench.
A few minutes later, Satria emerged from the store with a scowl.
"Damn this country. They won't sell me cigarettes because I'm not 20? Stupid laws."
As he muttered his complaints, he noticed Kiyohime's dark, intense gaze fixed on him.
"...What?"
"Fufufu, and what exactly were you trying to buy, Danna-sama?" she asked, her tone sweet yet menacing.
He froze. "Uh… uh… chocolate! For you!" He hastily held up a Kit-Kat bar.
Her expression softened into a bright smile as she took the offering. "Oh my, how thoughtful, Danna-sama. But…" Her eyes narrowed again. "I didn't realize my sweet, innocent Danna-sama had a delinquent continue
"I'm a good boy, Kiyohime!" he stammered.
"Fufufu, maybe I'll have to discipline you when we get home," she teased, her tone sending shivers down his spine.
In his mind, Fatalis snickered.
[Fatalis: You idiot, why would you try buying cigarettes in front of your girlfriend?]
"I forgot, okay?! And I forgot this isn't my country but Japan!"
•
Satria sighed as he sank deeper into the couch, trying to avoid Kiyohime's piercing gaze. She stood before him, arms crossed, her expression equal parts disappointment and frustration.
"Danna-sama, I need answers," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.
"Answers? About what?" he asked, feigning ignorance.
She narrowed her eyes, her voice dropping to a dangerous sweetness. "Since when have you been smoking, and who taught you?"
Satria scratched the back of his head, looking everywhere but at her. "Uh… Do we really need to talk about this?"
"Yes, we do. Now start talking," Kiyohime demanded, tapping her foot impatiently.
Satria sighed again, realizing there was no escape. "Fine. It started… when I was in middle school."
Her jaw dropped. "Middle school?!"
"Y-yeah," he admitted sheepishly, scratching his head. "But it wasn't my fault! It's my old man's fault—my dad!"
Kiyohime's brow furrowed. "Your father taught you?"
"Not exactly," Satria muttered, waving his hand defensively. "It was during a family fishing trip. My dad handed me a cigarette, said, 'Don't tell your mom,' and lit one for himself."
"Danna-sama! That's terrible parenting!" Kiyohime exclaimed, her hands on her hips.
"Yeah, well, karma got us," Satria said with a grimace. "Mom found out anyway. Don't ask me how—moms just know these things. And, uh… let's just say she beat us both to a pulp."
"Both?" Kiyohime asked, confused.
"Yeah. Me and my dad. He got the first round for being a bad influence, and I got the second round for not saying no." Satria winced at the memory. "It was brutal. I couldn't sit properly for a week."
Kiyohime covered her mouth in shock, though her lips twitched in amusement. "Your poor mother. She must've been so disappointed."
"Yeah, well, it didn't stop me," Satria admitted with a shrug. "I don't know why, but after that, I just… kept doing it. Maybe it was the stress, maybe it was habit, but by high school, I was a full-blown smoker."
Kiyohime stared at him, her eyes wide. "High school too?!"
"Yeah, yeah, I know it's bad," he said, raising his hands in surrender. "But hey, it's not like I was doing drugs or anything."
"That doesn't make it okay!" Kiyohime snapped.
"Okay, okay, I get it!" Satria said, holding up the Kit-Kat he'd bought earlier like a peace offering.
Kiyohime sighed, shaking her head. "Danna-sama, you're unbelievable." She sat down beside him, folding her hands in her lap. "Promise me you'll stop. For real this time."
Satria hesitated, scratching his head. "I mean… I'll try?"
"No trying, Danna-sama. You will quit," Kiyohime said firmly, her eyes narrowing. "Do I need to stay by your side every moment to make sure you don't relapse?"
Satria chuckled nervously. "I don't think that's necessary…"
"Good, because if you don't quit, I'll make sure you regret it," she said, her sweet smile belying her menacing tone.
Satria gulped, muttering under his breath, "Yandere tendencies confirmed…"
"What was that, Danna-sama?"
"Nothing! Nothing at all!"
In the depths of his mind, Fatalis roared with laughter.
[Fatalis: What a glorious mess you've made, partner. Truly entertaining]
"Shut it, you freeloading dragon!"
•
Kuoh Academy, Japan
Issei Hyoudou stood nervously outside a door labeled Occult Research Club.
"Come on in," a voice called from inside.
Kiba opened the door, and Issei stepped in hesitantly. The room was dimly lit, with strange symbols etched on the walls, ceiling, and floor. In the center lay an intricate magic circle that gave the room a distinctly eerie vibe.
On a sofa nearby sat a small, sleepy-looking girl with white hair—Koneko Toujou, Kuoh Academy's mascot.
"Who's this, Kiba-senpai?" she asked, her tone flat.
"This is Hyoudou Issei," Kiba replied with a polite smile.
"Ah. Nice to meet you," Koneko said, bowing slightly.
Issei returned the gesture. "N-nice to meet you too."
Suddenly, the sound of running water drew his attention to the back of the room. He blinked, realizing it was a shower.
"Why does this room have a shower?!" he thought, baffled.
The water stopped, and he heard a voice.
"Here, Buchou."
The curtain slid open, revealing Rias Gremory, Kuoh's famed Onee-sama, her crimson hair dripping wet.
"Sorry about that," she said with a smile. "I didn't get a chance to shower at your place last night."
"Wait, last night wasn't a dream?! She was really in my house?!"
As he gawked, Koneko muttered, "...Pervert."
Issei's face turned beet red. "I-I'm sorry!"
Another figure entered—a striking black-haired woman with an elegant demeanor.
"Ara ara~ My name is Himejima Akeno. Pleased to meet you," she said with a charming smile.
"N-nice to meet you too!" Issei stammered.
"Enough with the introductions," Rias interrupted. "Let's get to the point. Hyoudou Issei, you're now a devil."
•
At home, Satria sat awkwardly in the living room as Kiyohime lectured him.
"Danna-sama, you're still young! You must take care of your health, and smoking is a terrible habit! I won't allow it!"
For the past hour, she had been scolding him like a strict mother.
"Okay, okay, I get it. I... won't... touch... It... again, maybe?" he muttered, defeated.
She smiled triumphantly and patted his head. "Hehe, I knew you were a good boy, Danna-sama."
In his mind, Fatalis groaned.
[Fatalis: You've been tamed, brother. I'm ashamed of you]
Suddenly, a notification appeared in his vision.
_________________
[Ding! Group Quest Activated]
[Objective: Help @Pervert Sage protect Konoha]
[Required Participants: 2]
[Time in your world will pause during the quest]
_________________
Satria grinned, his blood pumping.
"Finally, some action. Ready, Fatalis?"
Fatalis roared in his mind.
[Fatalis: Let's show them the power of the Calamity Dragon]
To be continued.