A Fool's Heart

Chapter 8: Familiar Faces

-SCENE-

"Hahahahahahahaha!"

"Hm? What's with this maniacal laughing? Aya, Vali. It was you?"

"Ah, Bikou. Yes, it's me."

"How disturbing. I've never heard you laugh like that. Have you finally lost it after thinking about being the Ketsuryuukou?"

"Fufufu. I'm afraid not. I happen to be watching this interesting program. You should watch it as well."

"Nyo? Oya, isn't that the new show that your rival Chichiryuutei has come up with?"

"Indeed. I am currently viewing the latest episode shown only in theatres."

"Ah, yeah I heard that they wouldn't show it the normal way for some reason. Hm? How is it that you're watching it then?"

"Grigori was once my home. I have my ways."

"Is that so? Ah! Now I got it! The is the footage of the 'God-Killing Sekiryuutei' event isn't it!"

"Correct. Though he didn't do it using his own power, my rival seems to have slain a God with his bare hands. I can't help but feel elated."

"Hoh, really? I see. Well, it is a bit scary that something like that has taken place. If I'm correct, there aren't even any Longinus possessors to this day that have killed Gods. Well, calling this one a 'God' is a technicality isn't it?"

"Hmph. Regardless of whether it fits the conventional definition of God or not, it was a being of legend. A mythological existence like the one that held up the Heavens, that isn't a minor existence at all. In the end, he has killed a God himself. The first Longinus user to properly slay a God. That's exactly what I desire in my rival."

"Kii~ Sometimes you creep me out when you smile. No, more than that, you're just saying freaky things anyway. As a result of this, I have decided I to let you be alone and take my leave."

"Bikou."

"Hm? What is it?"

"Contact Azazel. I have something to speak to him about."

"Huh? Your old man? No way, isn't he just gonna arrest us the moment he gets the chance?"

"Don't worry. It won't happen. More importantly, there's something he already asked me himself. I just want to answer his question."

"Mm...Well, alright, but I'm not gonna be around if he shows up."

"No, don't worry about it. It seems like I'm the one who's going somewhere."

"Ah, he's smiling again. What a creep."

"I can hear you, Bikou."

"Gotta go~!"

"Hmph.....Well, let's see what sort of reaction the pantheons will have in response to this existence. Let us both become the God-Killing Heavenly Dragons, shall we? My rival, Hyoudou Issei."

Part 1

"Thank you for your help, Issei-san!"

"Uh-huh, you're welcome, Shemhazai-san."

I walked out of Shemhazai-san's office after helping him out with some paperwork Azazel left him with. Azazel? Yes. Because for some odd reason, the other day he asked me to start referring to him that way. I didn't understand it at first and I even thought it was a bit rude, but he just waved his hand saying: "Nah, don't worry about it. You're grown up enough. Just call me Azazel from now on. That's how all my friends call me."

I guess he's just okay with us students calling him that now? But Ravel still calls him Sensei. I'm confused. Well, I suppose it doesn't really matter. I'll just call him that from now on.