Reborn of The Mercenary: [Toji Fushiguro x Highschool DxD]

Chapter 21: Issei Hyoudou

Morning, Kuoh Town

Issei Hyoudou sat in his room, staring blankly at the ceiling. The memory of that fateful day with Yuma, or rather, the fallen angel who tried to kill him, was still fresh in his mind. It had been weeks since then, and the supernatural world continued to haunt his thoughts. He wasn't sure what to make of it all, or how he was supposed to navigate this new reality.

Afternoon, Kuoh Academy

School life carried on as usual. Issei went through his classes, his mind drifting back to the strange and dangerous encounter. His friends Matsuda and Motohama noticed his distraction but didn’t press him about it. They knew something was off but decided to give him space.

Evening, Kuoh Town

After school, Issei decided to take a walk to clear his head. As he wandered through the town, he found himself near the old church. It was a place he usually avoided, given its eerie atmosphere, but today something drew him there.

As he approached, he noticed a girl sitting on the steps of the church. She had blonde hair and wore a nun’s habit, looking lost and out of place. Issei’s curiosity got the better of him, and he approached her.

“Hey, are you okay?” Issei asked, his voice gentle.

The girl looked up, her green eyes wide with surprise. “Oh, hello! Yes, I’m fine, thank you. I’m just… a little lost.”

Issei smiled, feeling a bit more at ease. “I’m Issei Hyoudou. What’s your name?”

“I’m Asia Argento,” she replied with a shy smile. “I’m a nun, but… there’s no one at the church here. I don’t really know where to go.”

Issei’s heart went out to her. “Well, if you need a place to stay, you can come to my house. My parents won’t mind.”

Asia looked relieved. “Thank you so much, Issei. You’re very kind.”

A Few Days Later

Asia had been staying at Issei’s house for a few days, and he found himself enjoying her company. She was sweet, innocent, and a bit naive about the world outside her faith. One afternoon, Issei decided to take her out on a little date to show her around town.

They visited a local park, walked through the shopping district, and even stopped at a café for some ice cream. Asia marveled at everything, her eyes wide with wonder and excitement.

“Issei, this is amazing! I’ve never been able to just… enjoy myself like this,” Asia said, smiling brightly as she licked her ice cream cone.

Issei chuckled. “I’m glad you’re having fun. It’s nice to see you happy.”

As the sun began to set, they walked back to Issei’s house. The day had been perfect, and Issei felt a warmth in his chest that he hadn’t felt in a long time. He glanced at Asia, who was gazing at the sky, her expression serene.

“Thank you, Issei,” she said softly. “For everything.”

Issei smiled. “Anytime, Asia.”

Later That Night, Issei’s Room

Issei sat in his room, reflecting on the day. Asia was already asleep in the guest room, and the house was quiet. He felt a strange sense of peace, something he hadn’t felt since his encounter with the supernatural world.

A soft knocking sound interrupted his thoughts. He looked toward the window, puzzled. The knocking continued, more insistent this time. Issei got up and opened the window, his breath catching in his throat.

A pure white feather drifted into the room, glowing softly in the moonlight. Issei stared at it, his heart pounding. This was no ordinary feather.

“What’s going on?” he whispered to himself, feeling a mix of awe and dread.

The feather floated gently to the floor, and Issei picked it up, feeling its warmth. He knew that this was just the beginning of something much bigger than he could have ever imagined.