But I didn’t care about that and continued to speak! “Also, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Akeno-san often cooks for me! Akeno-san also makes bentos for me!”
By combining my attacks with these verbal outbursts, Barakiel-san was gradually falling into a downward spiral! His intense tremors were the best evidence of that! But, I needed to properly convey how I felt about Akeno-san to him! “Akeno-san has always acted as the elder who stands before us as a leader, she is in fact together with girls of a similar age to herself, but she can be hurt by the little things, and I know how delicate she is! Akeno-san worries about all of us; regardless of whether I or someone else is injured, she keeps the pain inside her heart, that’s something I’m also very clear on!”
Akeno-san is actually nothing more than an ordinary girl! Although she usually acts like an onee-san at school, I know that she also has the side of an ordinary girl because we’ve been living under the same roof together! “To me, not only is she a caring onee-san, she’s also a cute girl, as well as a woman who can reveal a beautiful smile. I’m absolutely certain of these things!”
But in response, Barakiel-san widened his eyes, his expression became even more imposing, and he sent me flying through the air again! Barakiel-san shouted out whilst sparks of lightning erupted from his entire body! “Even if you say that! Even if you understand Akeno! You — still chose Rias Gremory didn’t you! ?”
“—What!”
When Barakiel-san said that one sentence…my body froze. Barakiel-san charged at me with a flying kick and continued
“You chose Rias Gremory! Everyone also understood that, and agreed with it! I also heard about your promise of the future with her! You will be together with Rias Gremory from now on! Well…well! What about Akeno!? Akeno…who will be together with her!? My daughter’s heart is attracted to you, and yet you’ve been taken away by Rias Gremory, so what will my daughter do from now on! ?”
Speechless, I could only allow myself to be beaten by Barakiel-san unilaterally. His eyes — shed tears. “Akeno…she will never put the blame on Rias Gremory nor you! To Akeno, both of you are important people! From the bottom of her heart, she sincerely wishes for the happiness of you two! But where is Akeno’s happiness!? Who else can ensure the happiness of my daughter!? Akeno’s future…will only be marred with sadness! Since that’s the case…”
Barakiel-san grabbed my neck — and wept. “…I should have split you and Akeno apart from the very beginning. As long as she likes someone else, Akeno will also become happy, right? You…will you tell Akeno this? Or do you have other ways to make Akeno happy…? I am her father. …My daughter, Akeno, she is in love with you. So, tell me your answer! The Hyoudou Issei whom my daughter loves! How will you treat my daughter! ?”
Barakiel-san’s tears and a penetrating punch struck my face squarely. My helmet was shattered, exposing my face underneath it. …Barakiel-san had also cried during the graduation ceremony. I think as he watched the graduation ceremony, he must have been recalling the past, and also casting his eyes towards Akeno-san’s future. And because of that, he was worried about Akeno-san. The cry of Barakiel-san’s soul was carried forth in that punch, and rang through to my mind and body. …Akeno-san’s happiness. In love with me…. I had already sworn on my future with Rias, so for Akeno-san…what about her? Could it be as Barakiel-san said, would it be better if Akeno-san liked someone else…? ……. …Memories of the time spent together with Akeno-san gradually surfaced within my mind. —…How do you feel, Ise-kun, after hearing that? You hate Fallen Angels, right? They killed you and Asia-chan once, and tried to destroy this city once, there’s no way you can hold good thoughts about them. The first time that Akeno-san told me the truth about herself in front of me, she was prepared to accept that I would hate her, and still she said all of that. But, I — simply could not find a reason to hate Akeno-san. —Not only that, I have the blood of a fallen angel in me, you know? Can you forgive me? Although I reincarnated into a Devil, the fact that I have the blood of a Fallen Angel in me doesn’t change. …I may have approached you wanting to get hated, you know? No, that’s definitely the case. I…am the worst kind of woman…. No, Akeno-san…you’re the best woman! Not only are you gentle, you’re also more delicate than anyone else—. —Kaa-sama…! I…! I wanted to see tou-sama more often! I wanted tou-sama to pat my head more! I wanted to play much more with tou-sama! Tou-sama… tou-sama and kaa-sama…I wanted to live together more with the three of us…! She was lonelier than anyone else, and sought love more than anyone else. —Ufufu, that would make it my first French kiss, I guess. She really surprised me. But, Akeno-san’s first kiss was with me, and that really made me feel proud. —She’s right, if it’s the same fallen-angel then I will be able to make Ise-kun happy. That’s why please have more confidence. If you don’t take another step with Rias, then I can’t—
When I was frightened by the shadow of Raynare, and didn’t dare to even think of going further with Rias, you said those things to motivate me. Now, being able to enjoy the happiness I have with Rias is also thanks to your encouragement back then, Akeno-san—. —…Yeah. Yeah, I’m okay now. I will live on for the sake of you, Rias, and everyone else. I will become stronger with you, Ise. I will be with you forever. I also cherished Akeno-san, I definitely wouldn’t die again, because I had to keep living with her—. —Ise, I love you. Ufufu. I also—. ……Have Akeno-san like someone else? Separate her…from me…? Akeno-san…and a man other than myself…. ………. …Something like that, how could I possibly forgive it! Neither will I allow something like that to happen! Akeno-san and I…our hearts are linked! I like all of Akeno-san! Akeno-san has always been watching me! She belongs only to me — Himejima Akeno! —Letting some other bastard take her away is something I cannot forgive! Akeno-san’s sleek black hair, her smile, her gentleness, her S side, her personality which makes her easily saddened, her lips, her well-endowed oppai, everything, all of her — I want to make it mine! —I decided. I decided! I steeled my determination! Azazel-sensei, I am the Hyoudou Issei who is determined to become a harem king! So, no matter how many people it is, as long as it’s me…whether they pursue me or if it’s a woman that I pursue — I will make them happy! Whether it’s Rias, Asia, or Akeno-san — I will definitely make them happy! That’s right! Hyoudou Issei! You must say it! You have to say it! I need to make sure that the media of the Underworld, and even all of the factions hear it! I cried out with a voice that reverberated across the entire field! “Then, I — love Akeno-san!”
And I went on! “Barakiel-san, please allow me to take responsibility…I will be responsible!