When Issei Was Younger
Issei Hyoudou sat on the edge of a worn wooden bench, a curious smile playing on his lips as he watched the other children run about in the playground. Their laughter filled the air, accompanied by the rhythmic creak of swings and the occasional scrape of shoes against gravel. The teachers stood nearby, eyes ever-watchful, ensuring that nothing went awry in the midst of the youthful chaos.
But Issei was not one for such simple pleasures. Instead, he reclined back, pulling the brim of his hat down to shield his eyes from the afternoon sun, a gesture that made him seem older, almost as if he was in on some secret that the others were too young to understand. His hat, a peculiar green and white striped bucket hat that was far too large for his small head, gave him an air of mystery, something unusual for a boy his age.
The sight of an unfamiliar man approaching the bench caught the attention of the teachers. Their eyes narrowed in suspicion, a silent, collective decision to intervene if the need arose. However, before they could act, Issei lazily lifted one hand, as if dismissing the notion of danger entirely.
"Don't worry, Senseis," Issei said, his voice carrying a surprising calmness, "he's a family friend."
The teachers hesitated but eventually returned to their duties, albeit with lingering glances. The man, now seated beside Issei, nodded in gratitude, a slight grin tugging at his lips. "Thanks for that, kid," he said, settling in as if he belonged there.
Issei's response was a nonchalant shrug. "No problem," he said, leaning back further until he was almost lying down on the bench. The hat slipped forward to cover his face completely, and for a moment, he seemed to drift off into his own world.
The man studied the boy with a keen eye. "So," he began, "why aren't you out there with the rest of them? They're having the time of their lives."
Issei let out a soft chuckle, the kind that came from someone far beyond his years. "Their version of fun and mine don't exactly align," he said, lifting his hat just enough to reveal one sharp, calculating eye. "I prefer... experimenting with things. A bit more exciting, don't you think?"
Azazel's interest was piqued. The boy spoke with an air of confidence and mischief that was uncommon, even unsettling, for someone so young. "Is that so?" he mused, his voice filled with genuine curiosity. "So, you want to be a scientist? Funny, I happen to be quite the scientist myself."
The corner of Issei's mouth curled into a sly grin. He slowly sat up, his gaze now fully focused on Azazel. There was a sharpness in his eyes that spoke of both intelligence and caution. "Tell me," Issei said, his voice dropping slightly, "did you approach me with the intent of using me as one of your experiments?"
The question hung in the air, and for a brief moment, the playful atmosphere turned tense. Azazel blinked, then shook his head, a smile forming on his lips. "No, no," he assured the boy, "the thought hadn't crossed my mind."
Issei's laughter broke the tension like a wave crashing against the shore. It was a laugh filled with delight, yet there was an edge to it that made Azazel raise an eyebrow. "Good to know Azazel-san," Issei replied, his voice light once more. "But just so you know, I wouldn't mind experimenting on you. Fair trade, right? I get to poke around your mind, and you get to poke around mine."
Azazel's eyes narrowed slightly, surprised but impressed. The boy knew his name, had seen through him almost immediately, and now, he was offering a deal as if they were equals. This was no ordinary child.
"You know," Azazel began, his tone more serious, "you could be quite useful to me. How about we work together? You help me with my research, and in return, we can conduct a few... interesting experiments."
Issei didn't hesitate. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, intricately designed fan, which he opened with a flourish. "You've got yourself a deal," he said, his voice carrying a mischievous lilt as he fanned himself dramatically.
Azazel couldn't help but chuckle. The boy's demeanor, the way he carried himself, it was clear that their experiments would be anything but ordinary. Dangerous? Perhaps. Fun? Absolutely.
As the two sat together on the bench, the world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the promise of thrilling discoveries and uncharted territories of knowledge. It was the beginning of a partnership that would one day shake the very foundations of the supernatural world, one experiment at a time.
