Chapter 505 - The Childhood Friend (1/2)

School had resumed, and along with it came a new transfer student, Irina Shidou. That night, everyone had a welcome party for her in Issei's newly renovated house.

Everyone from Rias' Peerage was present in addition to their Advisor Azazel and a poor Valkyrie, Rossweisse, who was left behind by Odin for some stupid reason.

Odin left her in Rias' care and on the day she was left behind, she did nothing but crying in the corner of Issei's house, ”I don't know why I'm crying, but I should be used to this by now. No other men wanted me by their side, so why should my own boss!?”

Akeno patted her shoulder and tried to console her, ”Don't be like that. I'm sure he'll eventually come back for you.”

But instead of calming down, Rossweisse broke down even more, ”Oh yeah, me too! Once that Titty Bar has a special event, he'll be the first one to fall in line! Maybe I should apply to be a dancer so that he'll see me and realize that he'd forgotten me! But he would be like, 'Get that old lady off the stage and bring a younger one! That one will have more to offer!' Uwaahh!!!”

Akeno had to use a few hours of her life to keep the crying Valkyrie company.

On the night of the party, Irina introduced herself again as a reincarnated Angel of Michael with the position of 'Ace'. Contrary to the system that the Devils used, which is based on chess, the Angels created a similar system with Ajuka Beelzebub's help and based it on playing cards. The only higher position than Irina's 'Ace' was the 'Joker'.

After Irina, Rosseweisse also introduced herself and the two of them became the new residents of Issei's house.

Everyone had a great time till late at night. After the party ended, Akeno bid her farewell, ”Well then, everyone, I'm going home.”

”Ah, be careful.”, replied Rias. At first, Rias tried to stop her from living apart from them, but she accepted it after Akeno insisted on it. Her worry lessened, when Serafall also started living in Urahara's Shop. Though she wondered what's so good about that place aside from the secret base hidden underneath. Rias never told anyone, including her brother, about the secret base. Not for Kisuke's sake, but for Koneko, who was missing, and Akeno, who obviously had some feelings for the owner.

Rias told Akeno, that Koneko might be in his secret base, however, Akeno already confirmed that they were not there. Rias believed Akeno, because she had no reason to lie about that.

”Going home? You're not living here?”, asked Irina, as she was the only one who was still unaware about this fact.

Akeno froze for a bit after remembering what Irina was to Kisuke. 'I messed up.', was her first thought. But she also knew that she couldn't avoid this forever.

”Ah, right. You still don't know. Akeno-san is currently staying in Kisuke's Shop.” Issei replied to her, ”You know what happened to Kisuke, right? Currently, no one's using that place and Akeno-san proposed to take care of it.” Issei was also very worried about his childhood friend and hated himself for not being able to do anything to help. However, Ddraig assured him that Kisuke wouldn't perish so easily, as he was one of the most terrifying beings that Ddraig ever met. Not that Issei knew what he meant and what it meant for a Heavenly Dragon to describe someone as 'terrifying'.

Akeno tried to leave before things proceed to a direction she didn't want. However, she was already too late. Irina suddenly grabbed Akeno's shoulder and interrogated her, ”Please wait a moment! Why are you staying there!?”

Akeno replied calmly, ”It's as you heard, I'm taking care of the place.”

Irina continued with her questions, ”Why you!? And why did you volunteer for it!?”

Azazel only watched them and decided to keep quit. He also had a feeling that Akeno wasn't staying in Kisuke's place just because she liked him.

”It's for personal reasons. I don't have any obligation to reveal them to you.”, answered Akeno as she tried to leave.

Akeno thought that Irina would argue more and got ready for it. But contrary to her expectations, Irina suddenly ran up to her room and came back with her luggage, ”Then I'll also stay there!”

With wide eyes, Akeno asked, ”W-why?”

”For personal reasons! I also don't have any obligation to reveal them to you!” Irina returned Akeno's answer from earlier with a smug face.

”Tsk!” Akeno couldn't help but click her tongue.

”What was that?”

Akeno then gave Irina a big smile and told her, ”My, it was nothing~. Why don't you stay here and leave that place for me? I can take care of it just fine.”