DxD: Ascension - Redux

Chapter 28: Rest and Recovery

This chapter marks the beginning of Volume VI: Overdrive.

Outside Gremory Manor (BGM: Persona 5 - Confession/Secret, piano ver.)

Only a few days had passed since Loki was defeated, but the time had come for the Occult Research Club and company to return to Earth.
Rias gave each of her parents and Millicas a quick hug. "Thank you again for letting everyone stay here. But we're off. Goodbye, Millicas."
"But you only just got here!" Millicas protested. "Do you really have to go already?"
"I'm sorry, but we do. I promise I'll come to visit again soon."
Grayfia gently put her hand on Millicas's shoulder. "Lady Rias is very busy. We can't be greedy and keep her to ourselves."
"Okay, Mom..."
"Wait, MOM?!" Issei exclaimed. "Grayfia is Sirzechs's maid and his wife?!" For his stupidity, he received a whack on the head from Zach.

Once the club was on the train back to Earth, they were met with yet another shock: Koneko resting her head in Issei's lap.
Koneko recalled her sister's words about their being part of a violent species. "She's wrong... I'm here and I've found peace... meow."
"I guess everyone can change." Zach crossed his arms with a satisfied smile. He stood at the window with Rias and Akeno, apart from everyone else.
"Maybe so, but I never would've expected Koneko to get so friendly with Issei," Akeno admitted. "Before this trip, you could barely get them to stay in one room together without her hitting him. But look at them now."
"Right?" Rias agreed. "It's adorable."
"I'm gonna go check on Sona and crew. Did you see how strong she got? I can't wait to see what that brings," Zach said over his shoulder as he walked into the next car.
"Hey, Rias, I've got a request," Akeno began. "You might not like it, but hear me out. Could I, by any chance, borrow Issei for a day?"
Rias's eyes widened. "He's not a pair of shoes, Akeno." She saw the expression on her Queen's face. "...I see. You plan on telling him the truth."
"Yes. I think I'm ready to come to terms with it now. For the most part."
"Once again, Issei rushes in to save another friend from their past. That's three now, isn't it?"
"My hero. What do you think he'll save you from, hm? It's not like you have a traumatic childhood or dysfunctional family."
"More like a dysfunctional species." Rias gazed out the window. What an odd question...

Hyoudou Residence (BGM: Persona 5 - Everyday Days)

"All that training and the fiasco with Loki made me forget about the real foe!" Xenovia groaned, staring at the pile of summer work she had yet to do.
"It's bizarre, maybe they gave us this much homework as punishment for going on vacation," Asia wondered.
"Ugh, I bet everyone else already finished..."
"Oh, I don't think so."
As if on cue, Issei's cries of frustration echoed throughout the house: "SUCK MY ASS! There's still so much work to do!" He lowered his voice back to normal volume. "Mom and Dad are on vacation, I thought I'd be able to coast by without any real effort! Besides... I've got bigger things on my mind than some stupid homework." While I was training, I tried to shut down my inner perv so I could focus on getting stronger. But spending all that time alone after these couple months of being surrounded by sexy ladies every day made me realize the truth. I'll always want to bury my face in titties! I can't deny who I am! In the end, I even had a fantasy that I was talking to a giant pair of space knockers... it was a moment of disgusting, perverted clarity! I've come one step closer to the truth of erotica... I swear to- His thoughts of breasts and all activities related to them were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Uh, come in!"
Akeno entered with two cups of tea and a few small sandwiches. "Sorry to interrupt your work, but I brought tea. Would you like some?"
"Y-yes, please."
Akeno set the tea down on Issei's desk and glanced at his work. "Seems like pretty tough problems... want some help?"
"Uh, sure."

BGM: George Michael - Careless Whisper (saxophone cover)

"Hm... this one." She pointed to problem number sixty-nine. "You might want to check that, I don't think your answer is correct." She leaned in closer, her chest pressing against Issei's back and shoulder.
"O-oh no, my bad!" His hand shaking, he erased the answer he had written there before.
"It's all right, you just need a helping hand."
"Y-yeah. Sure."
Akeno leaned in very close, whispering in Issei's ear, "Don't be shy. I'm happy to tutor you until it comes naturally." Issei flinched hard, and she backed away. "Something wrong?"
"No... sorry about that. I just feel bad making you help with my homework."
"It's nothing, really. I was in that class last year. But in return, I need to ask a favor." She took Issei's hand. "There's something I'd like to do."