DW DXD Remastered Chapter 17 School Days (Patreon)

Morning, 19th of November, Wednesday (6 months before canon)

The sun had barely risen over Kuoh, painting the quiet streets in warm gold. The morning air carried dew. Birds chirped cheerfully from the trees as a breeze moved through the leaves. For a few minutes, the world felt normal, promising a peaceful start to the day.

Inside the Hyoudou household, the scent of breakfast filled every corner. Eggs crackled in a pan, bacon sizzled, miso soup steamed in a pot, releasing a comforting aroma. Tamamo hummed as she flipped pancakes with practiced ease, her tails swaying behind her in a lazy rhythm. Yuuka could be seen stirring coffee, as she poured it into cups, and slid them across the counter with steady hands. Misuki moved with calm efficiency, placed a plate in front of Sakura, who blinked sleepily and rubbed her eyes before picking up her chopsticks and starting to eat her breakfast.

Miki was already in her full “morning mom” mode that had recently upgraded to “grandmother” mode, smiling as if nothing in the universe could ruin this. Garou sat at the table with his newspaper open.

As Issei finally appeared. He trudged downstairs in a half-conscious shuffle, his hair sticking out everywhere, shirt wrinkled, and his eyes barely open. His brain had only one goal, breakfast. He dragged himself toward the kitchen, mouth already open to complain about being awake.

But then— Knock! Knock!

Miki turned with a bright smile, headed for the door to see who it was..

Issei didn’t think anything of it. But as Miki opened the door. Their next-door neighbor stood there with full confidence with his hands on his hips. A spry old man in his seventies with slicked-back silver hair and the air of a retired troublemaker. His wrinkled face stretched into a grin as his sharp eyes zeroed in on Issei, who had just stumbled down the stairs and into the doorway, still half-asleep.

“Didn’t know you had it in you, kid,” The man said, voice thick with admiration. “Much respect.”

Issei stopped mid-step and his body froze first. Then his brain caught up a second too late. “…What?”

The neighbor’s grin deepened, pleased by Issei’s confusion.

Behind Issei, Tamamo, who hid her true form, lifted her teacup and giggled softly, the sound full of amusement she did not bother to hide. “Ufufu~! Word travels fast, doesn’t it?” she said, voice sweet, eyes glittering as she recalled how loud their conversation had been yesterday and the last two nights.

Yuuka set a plate down in front of Garou and glanced toward the doorway with her brow raised. “What exactly is he talking about?”

Misuki didn’t even look surprised. She placed another plate in front of Sakura and spoke like she was confirming the weather. “Someone must have been eavesdropping last night.”

Miki leaned against the doorframe, smiling like she found this cute. “I told you our neighborhood was close.”

Issei’s heart and stomach dropped.

The neighbor, Mister Tanaka-san, chuckled and shook his head, still watching Issei like he had just discovered a hidden talent. “Oh, you know,” Tanaka said, waving a hand. “The whole neighborhood knows. Three women. No, wait or was it four? And a kid already.” His grin turned proud. “We all thought you were just some scrawny pervert, but turns out you’re a legend.”

Issei made a noise that didn’t qualify as language as his face went hot and his hands lifted like he could physically push the words back into Tanaka’s mouth. “What—who—WHO TOLD YOU THAT?!”

Tanaka just laughed harder, the kind of laugh that meant he had no intention of answering. “Keep it up, kid!” Tanaka called, already turning away, walking down the path like he hadn’t just thrown a grenade into Issei’s life. He lifted a hand in farewell. “Proud of you!” And then he was gone, whistling to himself.

Miki then closed the door slowly. And Issei stood there in silence, breathing through his nose, feeling every ounce of sleep vanish from his body. He turned his head toward the kitchen with stiff, terrified motion. 

Tamamo’s smile was wide. Yuuka’s eyes narrowed. Misuki’s expression held calm amusement. And Sakura looked up from her plate, blinking. “Papa? Why are you red?”

Issei’s soul tried to leave again.

But Garou lowered his newspaper just enough to look over the top. “…So,” Garou said, voice calm. “The neighbors know.”

Issei swallowed. “This is the weirdest morning of my life.”

Tamamo leaned forward slightly, delighted. “Oh, my dear, so dramatic. This is only the beginning.”

—------------------------------

By the time Issei left the house, alone and walking toward school, the damage had already been done. The air felt different as people kept turning and watching him. He barely stepped onto the sidewalk when he heard it.

A group of elderly ladies gathered outside Mrs. Sasaki’s house stood in a tight circle, voices lowered but not enough.

“Did you hear? The Hyoudou boy brought home four women!”

“I heard one of them called herself his wife!”

“And another one already gave him a daughter!”

“I heard, Miki was yelling about grandkids!”

Issei’s foot was caught on the uneven pavement as he stumbled forward and barely saved himself from eating concrete. ‘They think Sakura is my actual daughter?!’ His face burned but he kept walking. ‘Do not react. If you react, it gets worse.’

He passed another cluster of neighbors. Their heads leaned toward each other, eyes flicking to him openly. And, just like a game of telephone, the story mutated every time he passed another group gossiping.

“You don’t think he kidnapped them, do you?”

“Oh please. With a face like that? He must be loaded.”

“I bet he’s secretly rich.”

Issei groaned, dragging a hand down his face. ‘Why am I suddenly rich now?!’ 

He then turned the corner and was met with another group.

“I heard he built his fortune in secret!”

“No, no. He must be an underground crime lord that had finally settled down with his many brides after conquering the underworld.”

“Are you kidding? He must be royalty. You don’t just collect four beautiful women and a child overnight.”

“I heard his wives are ex-assassins that he defeated in combat.”

Issei stopped walking. He stood there in the middle of the sidewalk, staring ahead. ‘WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING.’ He could feel his sanity cracking. But he resumed walking with stiff steps. Every few meters the story grew worse.

By the time Kuoh Academy’s gates came into view, the rumors had evolved into something completely unrecognizable.

Students gathered in little knots near the entrance with some staring openly, others whispered and pointed. As he walked he caught fragments as he passed.

“I heard, Issei Hyoudou is actually a genius who hid his wealth.”

“No, he actually runs a secret empire.”

“I heard he’s part of some ancient bloodline.”

“He defeated assassins and turned them into his brides.”

“I heard he has a child already.”

Issei’s eyes continued to twitch as he stepped through the school gates.

“ISSEI, YOU BASTARD!” Before he could even react, two bodies launched at him from opposite sides. Matsuda and Motohama collided with him at full force. Issei staggered backward, nearly falling, their arms wrapping around his shoulders and neck.

Matsuda grabbed him by the collar and shook him violently. “How?!” He demanded, eyes glossy with betrayal. “WHY?! WHEN?!”

Motohama pushed his glasses up, lenses flashing dramatically. “Since when did you have a wife?!”

“And an adorable daughter?!” Matsuda yelled.

Issei’s head was snapped back and forth like a ragdoll, between them. “GAH—LET GO OF ME!”

“Never!” Matsuda shouted. “Not until you tell us everything!”

“I ain’t telling you shit!” Issei yelled back.

The various female students soon gathered around them in a loose circle, watching the drama unfold with deep interest.

Then Motohama leaned in, whispering harshly. “We suffered together, Issei. We struggled together. We lose together. How dare you lie to us.”

“And have a secret family?!” Matsuda wailed.

“It’s not like that!” Issei barked. Before he could explain or defend his rapidly deteriorating reputation, a voice cut through the chaos. “Issei Hyoudou.”

Everything quieted as Aika Kiryuu stood a few steps away, hands on her hips, lips curled in a slow grin. Her eyes were sharp and focused entirely on him. She walked closer, deliberate and unhurried, making sure everyone watched. “A secret billionaire,” She began, ticking points off on her fingers. “Criminal mastermind. A harem king. Father.” She stopped in front of him, leaning forward slightly. “How exactly did you pull that off?”

Issei opened his mouth but nothing came out as his brain had officially shut down.

Matsuda tightened his grip. “Well, answer her!”

Motohama nodded aggressively. “Yes! For the sake of our male solidarity!”

Issei shoved both of them off with sudden force. “THERE IS NO BILLIONAIRE. THERE IS NO CRIME EMPIRE. AND THERE IS DEFINITELY NO SECRET ASSASSIN BRIDE CULT!”

The crowd murmured.

Aika raised a brow. “I don’t hear you deny the wives part. So does that mean it's true?” She asked with a mischievous smile.

Issei froze. “THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEANT!” He defended but he could already feel eyes on him from every direction. Judging, laughing and analyzing him. He then exhaled sharply as he was done explaining. ‘Forget this.’ Without another word, he turned and walked toward the school building.

Matsuda and Motohama scrambled after him.

“YOU CAN’T JUST WALK AWAY!”

“We DESERVE ANSWERS!”

Aika followed at a slower pace, arms crossed, expression entertained.

As Issei kept walking, each step felt heavier than the last. ‘I survived a war. I survived murderers. And this will not be what breaks me.’ He shoved open the school doors and stepped inside.

And the whispers  of the students followed him in.

—------------------------

Kuoh Academy, Classroom

By the time Issei stepped into class, he was already running on fumes.

He had barely survived the circus outside the gates. From the rumors, the shouting, people pointing like he was a walking headline. He was done, he just wanted to sit down, keep his head low, and make it through the day without someone declaring him the secret king of Japan.

As he pushed the door open, the classroom went dead and Issei stopped in the doorway as his eyes flicked around, every girl in the class was looking at him. Even the ones who usually ignored him entirely had turned in their seats. Their faces held curiosity, suspicion, excitement, and something that felt dangerously close to hunger.

Issei’s throat tightened but he forced his legs to move. Step by step, he crossed the room, each footfall feeling louder than it should. His hands were stiff at his sides. His shoulders felt tight. He kept his gaze forward and refused to meet anyone’s eyes.

He soon reached his desk and sat down carefully, like any sudden movement might set them off. 

Silence remained and Issei happily gladly accepted it. ‘Okay. If I don’t say anything, if I just sit here and pretend I’m invisible, they’ll get bored.’

But that was quickly a lie as bodies were leaning, chairs shifting.

The start of whispers forming at the edges of the room until he heard the familiar sound of whispers.

A girl near the back leaned toward her friend and spoke just loud enough to be heard. “I heard he married a princess from overseas.”

Another voice answered immediately. “I heard he’s secretly part of the yakuza.”

Issei, again twitched and gripped the edge of his desk. ‘Where are people getting this? I was only gone yesterday.’

Soon more whispers joined, faster and louder.

“I heard his wives are former assassins.”

“No, no, he’s actually royalty and currently  in hiding.”

“I refuse to believe that pervert is royalty.”

Issei’s jaw clenched and his fingers drummed against the wood, not because he wanted to but because his body needed an outlet before his brain snapped.

But the whispers didn’t stop and instead multiplied. They crawled into every corner of the room, bouncing off the walls, gathering speed.

Issei’s breathing turned heavy as he couldn’t take it. He then dropped his forehead onto the desk with a dull thud. “I hate my life,” He muttered into the wood.

The whispers faltered for a second and then surged again.

But then— BANG! The classroom door slid open hard. The sound cracked through the room and cut everything off instantly.

Students flinched, a group yelped and chairs scraped as people straightened without thinking.

Wondering what happened, Issei lifted his head slowly to see who that was. Revealing it to be Souna Shitori, who stepped into the classroom. Her uniform was immaculate, her posture straight, her expression calm and her violet eyes were sharp behind her rectangular glasses, and the air around her shifted the moment she entered as the class went still without being told.

She didn’t look at anyone else as her gaze locked onto Issei cai}using Issei’s body to stiffened. Sona then walked forward with steady steps, stopping near the front of the room. She adjusted her glasses once, a simple motion that felt like a decision being made. “Hyoudou,” she called, voice level and firm. “Come with me.”

Issei sat frozen for a beat, his brain scrambling through every possible reason. ‘Did someone report the rumors? Did the school think I’m actually running a crime empire? Did they discover that we hacked the government?’ He quickly forced himself up.

“Uh… s-sure, Kaichou,” Issei  said, trying to sound normal and failing.

Sona turned toward the hallway and gestured once. Issei quickly followed. Every step toward the door felt like walking through judgment. He could feel the class staring at the back of his head, memorizing the moment like it was history.

He soon stepped out, with Sona following and slid the door shut behind them.

The instant it closed, the classroom erupted, muffled voices punched through the wall.

“Is he getting arrested?!”

“The yakuza rumors were true?!”

“I knew it!”

—--------------------------------

Out in the hallway, Issei stood rigid, face tense, and his heart pounding. Sona walked a few steps away, then turned to face him. Her gaze remained steady.

Issei instantly swallowed hard. “Kaichou,” He said carefully, “before you say anything… I didn’t do anything perverted yet. I didn't even peek at the kendo girls, yet.”

Sona stared at him. Then she sighed quietly, not with frustration, but with the tone of someone realizing their morning just got longer. “Hyoudou,” She said, voice controlled, “your debarchery is not my primary concern.”

Issei blinked. “…It’s not?”

Sona’s eyes narrowed slightly. “No. What I am concerned about is why the entire school is suddenly buzzing with rumors about you?”

Issei forced out a nervous chuckle. “Uh… define buzzing?”

Sona’s eyes narrowed by a fraction and she didn’t answer the question. Instead she began listing the charges.

“Secret billionaire.”

Issei’s mouth twitched.

“Crime lord.”

His shoulders tensed.

“Royalty.”

He stared at the floor.

“Assassin harem master.” Sona’s tone remained deadpan throughout, like she was reading the weather.

Issei swallowed hard. He wanted to grab his backpack and sprint out the nearest exit. But instead he groaned, dragging a hand down his face. ‘Oh my God, it’s even worse than I thought.’

‘Master, I believe you have achieved a new record for most absurd rumors in a single morning.’ Sherri’s voice chimed in his head, calm and clinical.

‘Not helping, Sherri.’ He muttered internally.

Sona exhaled and rubbed her temple once, her patience fraying at the edges. “I expected ridiculous rumors involving you eventually,” she said. “But this is excessive. What exactly is going on?”

Issei opened his mouth but nothing came out as his mind raced through everything he couldn’t say. If he told the truth, he’d be in a Student Council interrogation room for the rest of his life.

‘Master, I can provide a solution.’ Sherri spoke again.

Issei resisted the urge to sigh in relief. He shifted his wrist casually, pretending to scratch it while he listened.

‘Tell her that a family is currently staying at your house due to unfortunate circumstances. This explains the presence of multiple women without prompting supernatural suspicion.’

‘Good thinking, Sherri.’ Issei straightened and forced a laugh that didn’t sound confident. “Ah, about that…” He rubbed the back of his head. “It’s really just a big misunderstanding.”

Sona’s brow lifted slightly. “Go on.”

“Yeah, um…” Issei breathed in, steadying himself. “A family is staying at our house because of… some misfortune they ran into.”

Sona’s gaze didn’t soften and instead sharpened in interest. “A family,” she repeated.

Issei nodded quickly. “Yeah. They’re in a tough spot, so my parents let them stay with us. And people overheard something and decided to… make it weird.” He was sweating now in fear that she’d call him out.

Sona, meanwhile, stared at him for a long moment.

Issei held his breath and kept his face as neutral as possible. ‘Don’t twitch. Don’t look away. Don’t panic.’

Finally, Sona nodded once. “I see.” She adjusted her glasses again, a small movement that signaled she accepted the explanation for now. “Then the rumors of you suddenly being married, adopting a child, or running an underground criminal empire are all—”

“Completely false!” Issei blurted out, too fast.

Sona stared and Issei froze, realizing how guilty he sounded. “…All false,” he repeated, quieter.

Sona exhaled and her shoulders relaxed by a fraction. “Very well.”

Issei’s eyes widened slightly. ‘Wait. That worked?’ He didn’t trust it.

Sona’s gaze stayed on him. “Then allow me to ask something else while we’re here.”

Issei’s stomach dropped again. “Huh?”

Sona’s voice remained calm, but her focus tightened. “You mentioned this family.” She paused. “I assume one of them is school-aged. I’ve been informed there is a request for a transfer student. Yuuka Hana. in her second year of enrollment at Kuoh Academy.”

Issei blinked. “Wait. You mean Yuuka?”

Sona’s eyes didn’t move. “I assume she is linked to you.”

‘Damn, she’s sharp. But this is my chance.’ Issei thought.

“Yeah,” Issei said, nodding quickly. “She’s staying with us. She needs to finish her second and final year.”

Sona studied his face again, searching for cracks.

But Issei kept his expression steady and tried to keep the relief from showing too hard.

Finally, Sona nodded. “That is not an unreasonable request,” she said. “If she has proper identification, Tsubaki will handle the paperwork.”

Issei’s chest loosened. He let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “Thank you,” he said quickly. “Seriously.”

Sona’s eyes narrowed slightly again. “Expect a formal meeting later,” she continued. “We will go over details and ensure she integrates smoothly.”

Issei nodded. “Yeah. Absolutely.”

‘Holy crap. I fixed something for once.’ Issei thought in victory.

Sona adjusted her glasses one more time and shifted her stance, returning to her usual authoritative composure. “Just try to avoid any more ridiculous rumors, Hyoudou.”

Issei opened his mouth as he wanted to promise but he really couldn’t. “…Yeah,” he said, voice strained. “I can’t promise that.”

Sona’s unimpressed stare returned immediately. It lasted long enough to make him regret existing. Then she turned and walked away down the hall, steps steady, posture perfect, leaving Issei standing there with the lingering dread that his day still had plenty of time to get worse.

—-------------------------------

When Issei pushed the classroom door open and stepped back inside—

The total classroom was silent as every conversation died mid-sentence the moment he entered the room. Dozens of girls turned in their seats at once and their eyes followed him from the doorway with no one blinking and no one pretended to be subtle.

Issei stopped for half a second, heart pounding in his ears as he felt like a suspect returning from interrogation. His shoulders tightened. His legs moved stiffly as he made his way toward his desk. Every step felt loud against the floor. He could feel their gazes tracing him, measuring him, analyzing him. ‘What are they expecting? A confession? A crown? A police escort?’

He soon reached his seat and sat down carefully. He barely had time to exhale—

“Did you get arrested?!” Before someone asked.

Issei jerked so hard he nearly fell sideways out of his chair. “WHAT?! NO!”

The words exploded out of him before he could stop them as the room detonated.

“What did she say?!”

“Are you getting expelled?!”

“Is she secretly your fiancée?!”

“Was it about the yakuza thing?!”

“Did the Student Council find your secret empire?!”

“Are you royalty or not?!”

The noise piled on top of itself, voices overlapping, students half-standing from their desks to get closer.

Issei grabbed the sides of his head. “I AM NOT ROYALTY! THERE IS NO YAKUZA! AND I DO NOT RUN AN EMPIRE!”

“That’s exactly what someone running an empire would say!”

Issei slammed his forehead onto his desk. The impact rattled his brain. ‘Kill me. Just kill me now.’ He could feel his patience evaporating.

Sona had spoken to him for five minutes. And somehow that was enough for the entire class to invent a new branch of mythology.

A girl leaned forward from two rows behind him. “So what did she say?”

Issei lifted his head slowly. “She said,” he began flatly, “that I need to stop being a walking rumor machine.”

The class stared.

“…That’s it?” someone asked.

“Yes. That’s it.”

Another voice spoke up. “That sounds suspiciously normal.”

“I’m a normal guy!” Issei shouted.

The entire class stared at him in disbelief.

“…You?” one girl said.

Issei felt something inside him fracture. Before he could respond, the classroom door opened again.

This time, it was their teacher. The man walked in with his usual stack of papers and stopped mid-step, scanning the room. “…Why is everyone standing?”

Students scrambled back into their seats instantly. Chairs scraped, books opened and eyes snapped forward.

Issei dropped his head onto his folded arms and stayed there.

The teacher sighed. “We’re starting.”

The lesson began, voices faded and whispers shrank into the background, pens scratched against paper and pages turned. For the first time since waking up, the noise around Issei dulled into something manageable.

He kept his head down for a moment longer before finally sitting upright. He stared at the board, barely processing what the teacher was saying. ‘This is my life now. Rumors before breakfast. Interrogations before the first period.’ He exhaled slowly and let the classroom noise fade into white background sound.

For now, at least, he could pretend he was just another student.

—--------------------------------

The morning lessons passed in a blur. Issei sat through them with his eyes half-focused on the board and his mind somewhere else entirely. He heard the teacher’s voice. He copied notes when his hand moved out of habit. He answered when called on, but only because survival instincts kicked in at the last second.

His body felt heavy. His nerves felt raw. Every time he thought the rumor storm had calmed down, he caught someone whispering his name behind their hand, and his stomach tightened again. But despite everything, one solid victory kept him from fully breaking.

He had managed to get Yuuka’s transfer started. He had actually done something useful. ‘Finally, something that went well today.’ Issei leaned back in his chair as lunch break arrived, letting out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. His shoulders loosened for the first time all day.

He pulled out his bento and opened the lid. The scent hit him immediately. Warm, rich, expertly seasoned. The kind of smell that didn’t belong in a normal high school lunchbox.

Issei froze as his eyes dropped to the contents. Neat, perfectly balanced. The rice portion was shaped into tiny hearts. The tamagoyaki was cut evenly and decorated with sauce. And on top of it all “For My Darling~” was written in sauce with unsettling confidence. And a small note was tucked into the side. ‘Eat well, my beloved! Ufufu! –love Mizukame.’

Issei’s brain went blank. He barely had time to react before two hands slammed down onto his shoulders, hard.

“What is this?!” Matsuda’s voice cracked with betrayal.

Motohama leaned in, glasses pushed up with sharp precision, eyes wide with suspicion. “This aroma… this presentation… this level of craftsmanship…” He inhaled again, slow and dramatic.

“You didn’t make this,” Motohama whispered. “Did you?”

Issei jerked, trying to shrug them off. “Back off! It’s just my lunch!”

Matsuda tightened his grip and shook him. “This is not your usual lunch, Issei! Your lunch is usually convenience store bread!”

“That’s not true!” Issei snapped. “Sometimes it’s instant noodles!”

They ignored him completely as Matsuda leaned closer, eyes darting across the bento like he was scanning evidence and Motohama reached in and lifted the edge of a garnish with two fingers, staring like it might reveal a secret.

Motohama’s gaze sharpened. “There’s writing.”

Issei’s face went hot. “Don’t read it!”

Matsuda already had the note.

He pulled it out, eyes widening as he read. “Eat well, my beloved! Ufufu! – Mizukame.”

Then Matsuda inhaled so sharply it sounded painful. “So you’re actually dating someone!!!” His voice tore across the room.

Every head turned and all conversation died once again as chairs shifted and eyes snapped toward Issei’s desk.

Matsuda gripped Issei’s shoulders again, shaking him harder than before. “You have a girlfriend?! You?! HOW?!”

Issei flailed. “STOP SHAKING ME!”

Motohama pointed at the tamagoyaki with accusation. “It’s literally written in sauce.”

Issei breaking free then slammed the bento lid shut with both hands. “I’m not dating anyone!”

Matsuda looked ready to cry. “Then why does she call you beloved?!”

Issei’s voice cracked. “I DON’T KNOW!”

The noise in the room started building instantly with girls leaning forward with their eyes bright. And the few guys stared with disbelief. Whispers  quickly turned into open commentary.

“The pervert actually has a girlfriend?!”

“How did he pull that off?!”

“He must be blackmailing her.”

Issei hearing this actually got angry as his eye twitched violently. “I AM NOT BLACKMAILING ANYONE!” Unfortunately that only made the murmurs louder.

Soon a chair scraped beside them and Aika Kiryuu was suddenly there, leaning in with the calm confidence of someone who lived for the chaos. Her grin was wide, wicked, and satisfied. “Ooooh?” she purred, eyes locked onto the bento in Issei’s hands. “Mizukame, huh?”

Issei’s grip tightened until his knuckles hurt. He kept the lid shut like his life depended on it.

Aika tilted her head. “Her nickname for you sounds intimate, domestic, bold even.”

Matsuda snapped his head toward her. “YOU SEE IT TOO, RIGHT?!”

Motohama nodded sharply. “This is undeniable proof of romance.”

Issei wanted to crawl under the desk and never come out.

Aika’s gaze slid back to Issei. “So. Who is she?”

Issei’s voice came out strained. “No one.”

Aika’s grin grew. “You’re lying.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

Issei clenched his jaw so hard it hurt. ‘If I say anything, it gets worse. If I don’t say anything, it gets worse.’

Matsuda slammed his hands on Issei’s desk. “Issei! We’re your friends! How could you hide this from us?!”

Motohama adjusted his glasses again. “This changes everything. The pervert’s path has diverged.”

Issei’s hands trembled. He stared down at the bento, then at the note tucked beneath the lid. ‘Why Tamamo?’ He could already imagine her face when she packed it. Proud, mischievous and fully aware of what she was doing. His shoulders quickly sagged in defeat.

Aika laughed softly, enjoying every second. “Oh, Issei. You’re never living this down.”

The whispers grew louder. The rumor machine, which had finally started to slow, roared back to full speed.

And Issei sat there with his lunch closed in his hands, staring forward with hollow eyes. ‘I just wanted to eat in peace. And now I’m going to die of social humiliation before the end of the day.’

—-------------------------------------

The sun hung low over Kuoh Academy, casting long shadows across the courtyard. Students drifted toward the gates in clusters, laughing, talking, already shedding the weight of the school day.

Issei meanwhile walked alone as the day had been long, painfully long. His shoulders felt heavy, his brain felt fried from the absurd events of the day, from the wild rumors, Sona’s interrogation, and the lunch disaster that had officially labeled him as "the pervert who somehow has a girlfriend."

‘I just want to go home and see some boobs.’ He felt no shame about that thought as he rolled his shoulders, trying to shake the tension out, he then dragged a hand through his hair and exhaled.

Tamamo would absolutely tease him, but she would give him his hug. Yuuka would complain and call him an idiot, but she would still let him lean on her. Misuki would also try but Yuuka would tell her to behave. Sakura would probably just look confused. That mental image alone gave him just enough motivation to keep walking.

He was only a few steps away from the school gate.

“Issei!” Familiar yells were heard.

And Issei felt his stomach drop. Before he could react, arms wrapped around his shoulders from both sides as Matsuda and Motohama latched onto him with predatory enthusiasm.

Matsuda leaned in close, eyebrows wiggling aggressively. “Brooo~! Why are you in a hurry? Going home to your special someone, huh?”

Motohama pushed his glasses up, lenses catching the fading sunlight. “Or perhaps you’re eager to… progress your relationship?”

Issei choked. “WHAT?! No! That’s not—!”

Matsuda ignored him and tightened his grip. “C’mon, man. Before you disappear into your new ‘girlfriend-having’ lifestyle, how about we do something fun?”

Issei narrowed his eyes. “Fun how.”

Matsuda and Motohama quickly exchanged a look. “You see,” Matsuda began, lowering his voice dramatically, “the Kendo Club is practicing right now.”

Motohama’s grin sharpened. “And we were thinking… extracurricular viewing session.”

Issei’s eye twitched. ‘Of course they wanted to peep again.’ He glanced toward the gym building out of instinct. The three of them had tried multiple times before. It always ended the same way. Screaming. Getting caught and then getting beaten.

‘On one hand… Kendo girls.’ His brain tried to tempt him. But then he thought about home. And Ddraig’s voice from the night before. ‘You need to start training.’ The memory hit harder than he expected.

The blond bastard, he couldn’t punch back. The priest who beat him down. The helplessness. The frustration. ‘Never again.’ He thought as his jaw tightened. ‘I can’t keep being the guy who gets carried.’ He shook his head firmly. “Sorry, guys. Can’t. Got things to do.”

Silence.

Matsuda and Motohama froze in unison.

Matsuda slowly turned his head toward him with exaggerated horror. “You’re turning down peeping?”

Motohama gasped. “Who are you and what have they done with Issei?”

Matsuda grabbed his shoulders and stared into his eyes. “Blink twice if you’re being controlled.”

“I AM NOT BEING CONTROLLED!” Issei countered.

Motohama clutched his chest. “Oh no it’s worse! He got whipped.”

Issei felt heat rise in his face. “I AM NOT WHIPPED!”

Matsuda recoiled dramatically. “Denial. A classic.”

Motohama nodded solemnly. “Stage one of domestication.”

“I am not domesticated!” Issei snapped. “I just have actual priorities now!” The words felt strange coming out of his mouth.

Matsuda sniffed loudly. “Listen to him. He sounds responsible.”

Motohama placed a hand on Issei’s shoulder. “Rest in peace, Issei Hyoudou. Our fallen brother.”

“I’m right here!”

Matsuda wiped imaginary tears. “He’s gone. Replaced by a boyfriend.”

Issei gritted his teeth and shrugged their arms off forcefully. “Whatever!” He marched toward the gate. Behind him, their voices followed.

“Definitely whipped!”

“Domesticated!”

“Bet he already says ‘yes, dear!’”

“SHUT UP!” Issei didn’t look back and he kept walking. ‘Let them laugh. Let them think whatever they want.’ He stepped past the school gates and onto the street.

The sky was darker now. The air cooler and his home waited for him to return.

—--------------------------------------

By the time Issei reached his neighborhood, he felt like he had barely escaped with his sanity intact. Between the rumors, the interrogation, the lunchroom fiasco, and his idiot friends declaring him ‘domesticated,’ he was mentally fried. He dragged his feet up the familiar path toward his house, shoulders slumped. ‘At least now I can finally—’

The moment he opened the front door, he froze. Kneeling in the entryway were Yuuka and Tamamo. Both wearing aprons and nothing else. Showing off their curves and how the white apron clung to their bodies. Both were smiling, both looking extremely pleased with themselves.

His brain stopped functioning.

“Welcome home, Darling~!” Tamamo sang sweetly and Yuuka’s voice was sweet and playful, but the mischievous glint in their eyes made his stomach drop as Issei’s soul left his body. Everything went white for half a second. His thoughts crashed into each other. His nose started bleeding on instinct.

"Would you like dinner, a bath…" They both leaned in. Eyes glinting. Voices sultry. "Or us?" Yuuka tilted her head, her smile playful but sharp and Tamamo rested a hand lightly against her cheek. Their eyes locked onto him.

Issei’s face turned bright red. “—HUH?!” Blood continued to pour from his nose in a dramatic stream.

Tamamo giggled behind her hand. “Ara~! My dear husband is so flustered. Could it be… he actually wants to choose us?”

Yuuka smirked. “What’s wrong, Issei-kun? You sure talk big l, don’t you? But can’t handle it when it’s real?”

His brain short-circuited again and he stumbled backward, hands flailing in panic. “W-WHAT?! WHY ARE YOU EVEN DOING THIS?!”

Tamamo tilted her head innocently. “Because it’s fun~!”

Yuuka laughed, clearly enjoying his suffering. “Your reactions are worth it.”

He tried to look anywhere but at them. The ceiling. The wall. The floor. Not helpful. His heart pounded so hard he was sure the neighbors could hear it.

At that exact moment Misuki walked in from the living room, holding a cup of tea with the composure of someone who had already accepted her life. She took one look at the scene in front of her, arched an eyebrow, and sighed. “…Really?” She said calmly. “At least let him take his shoes off first.”

Issei choked. “MISUKI?!”

Tamamo beamed proudly. “We are simply following our mother-in-law’s advice.”

Issei’s eyes widened. “HER WHAT?!”

From behind the couch, a small voice piped up. “…Papa is red.” Sakura peeked out, blinking at him with innocent curiosity.

Yuuka grinned wider. “Yup. His perverted brain probably short-circuited.”

“My brain did not—!” Before he could finish, Tamamo stood and closed the distance in one smooth movement.

She wrapped her arms around him, tightly. His face was instantly pressed into her chest. His brain quickly stopped protesting. Tamamo gently stroked his hair. “There, there, my darling,” she murmured, pressing him closer. “Rough day?”

The scent of her shampoo filled his nose. Her warmth seeped through him, melting the leftover stress from school. His shoulders dropped. His hands hovered awkwardly in the air before slowly settling at her waist.

Yuuka rolled her eyes but stepped closer too. “Yeah, yeah. Hurry up and get inside before the neighbors see and start another rumor.”

Issei’s brain briefly flashed to Tanaka’s face from that morning.

‘Oh God.’ He straightened abruptly. “Wait, wait! LET’S CLOSE THE DOOR!”

Yuuka laughed and nudged it shut with her foot, while Tamamo didn’t let go as she tightened her hug slightly, her voice softer now, teasing replaced with something warmer. “You look exhausted.”

Issei exhaled slowly. “I am.” He buried his face deeper for a second, not caring how pathetic he looked. ‘Today was insane. But this? This was his home.’

Yuuka crossed her arms but her expression softened. “You look like you  survived the apocalypse?”

“Barely.”

Tamamo chuckled quietly against him. “Well,” she whispered, “your wife will always reward you for your hard work.”

His nose started bleeding again.

Misuki sighed and took another sip of tea. “Please try not to pass out in the entryway.”

Sakura tilted her head. “Papa looks happy.”

Issei couldn’t stop the small grin that spread across his face. A tired, relieved and very perverted grin. ‘Yeah. I love my life.’

Done, tell me what you think of the remastered.