“What about the sword?”
“I-I got it!”
“What about Michael?”
“H-He left!”
“Then, there’s no business left here! We’re going back!”
I hurriedly follow Buchou who had turned on her heels. I bow to Akeno-san. Sorry, really. “I am really jealous of the number 1 candidate Rias Buchou.”
Akeno-san murmured something from behind. It had returned to the voice of the usual Akeno-san. I didn’t hear it properly but Buchou stopped for a while, then starts pulling my arm and leaves. It’s like she wants to quickly get me away from this place. [tap tap tap tap tap] The sound of Buchou’s footsteps descending the shrine’s stone steps were full of anger. I, who was following behind her said nothing, and just tried not to be left behind. Buchou hates her servant, me to be touched by other girls. It seems Asia and Koneko-chan are ok but girls other than that, even if it’s Akeno-san, she hates it. No, since it’s Akeno-san who’s closest to her, she hates it? No, I don’t get my master’s heart about that. But, if you look at it from my master, Buchou’s perspective, it may look like betrayal. What should I do! There’s no other way than to apologise! But, how do I apologise!? I really don’t get it! If I am hated by Buchou then I’ll die of sadness! I am thinking of this and that with my small brain. Suddenly Buchou stops. Without turning towards me, Buchou asks. “…….Hey, Ise.”
What will she ask? I am scared! How should I answer her!? I can’t find an answer! “Y-Yes.”
However, I didn’t expect Buchou’s words. “Akeno is……..Akeno.”
“Yes?”
“Akeno is fuku-Buchou. However, she is ‘Akeno’…….. ………and I am?”
Huh………? What do you mean? I think Akeno-san is ‘Akeno-san’ but……….? That’s why, Buchou is------. “Buchou……am I wrong?”
When I answered ‘Buchou’, I felt that Buchou shrugged her shoulders. “………….That’s right. I am Buchou. -----But, ‘Rias’.”
W-What is it. Her tone was really despondent. Did I say something wrong? Not being able to find the answer Buchou wants, I respond normally. “Yes, Buchou is my master and an upper class devil, Rias Gremory…….um, Buchou?”
Turning back, her expression seemed very sad. “…….What’s that ‘Number 1 candidate’……. Am I not the only one who’s far off……. !”
That voice wasn’t the usual Buchou’s voice brimming with elegance, but a normal…… girl’s voice found anywhere. “Azazel, do I have to attend tomorrow’s conference as well?”
“Of course, Vali. Since you’re the hakuryuukou.”
“……Hey, Azazel. Are wars not going to occur any more?”
“You just seek battle. You sure got attached to an ideal dragon. You’re the type that won’t live long.”
“That’s fine. I don’t have any interest in living long. Just, I feel regret being born in this age. A world without God. -----I wanted to try defeating God.”
“That’s really like the Hakuryuukou. And, after defeating all the strong guys, what will you do?”
“-----I’ll die. I don’t have any interest in such a boring world.”

Early morning. Me and Gasper were doing time stopping training in the forest surrounding the old school building. “Guuuuu…….. Ise-senpai…… I-I am tireeeeed.”
Gasper was rubbing his eyes. “Don’t let out a weak voice! We have to fulfil our dreams!”
Without minding I kept on throwing the balls. “Ise-san, here are the balls.”
Asia who was accompanying us early in the morning was passing on the balls to me. As usual it was a training where I threw the ball to Gasper and he stopped it mid air. He was now able to succeed once every 20 times. Persistence pays off. Compared to the first time, it was quite a huge progress. I had to somehow make him be able to use his Sacred Gear. If I didn’t, then my objective wouldn't be fulfilled! I wanted to make him be able to use time stoppage at will as soon as possible, and touch the stopped girls’ body! Already the school’s girls' good value has been determined. I had already made the schedule for the place to stop time, and the time period was made to be a minute! I also knew the time when they’re alone! All that’s left was to stop! Only stopping you knoooooooow! By the way, the target girls were all school beauties with big racks. After all, since I was stopping then it would be girls with big boobs. After practicing with him, I couldn't sleep at night. Not being able to stop my delusions of time stopping, I was worrying endlessly through the day. Even if Asia and Buchou were sleeping besides me, that was that, and this was this. In reality I wanted to hug Buchou from behind and rub her boobs but……it seemed Asia would get mad at me…. More like, after that incident, the next day, till after school Buchou didn’t hear me as if she was pondering over something. Thinking that I was truly hated by her, I was sad from the bottom of my heart. After that, without incident, she returned to the usual Buchou but, I only made Buchou sad. Huh? I feel some discomfort in my arm. Only my arm was unable to move. Somehow, it seemed Gasper accidentally stopped my arm. “E, Eek, S-Sorryyyyyy!”
He leaned on the ground and curled up. I said it while smiling bitterly. “That’s why, didn’t I say not to mind it even if you stop me? We’re in the middle of training, and you’re a novice so it’s fine. Well, if my whole body gets stopped then I’ll be in trouble. The number of times that’s occurred has also gone down, right? Let’s continue this pace.”
Without challenging Gasper, I followed up. However, Gasper said with a complicated like expression. “……S-Since I am incomplete both as a human who has a sacred gear, and as a vampire as well, I only cause trouble to everyone…… I-I have to control my power more…….. W-What a half way incomplete existence I am……..sob”
Aah, he cried again. ………Thinking about it, he and Akeno-san as well were halves born from different species. Feeling doubt in their own existence, they probably hate their existence……. It was something deep that was difficult to understand but I knew at least that these two were burdened with something all the time. And because of that they were probably suffering. But, I-----. “Gasper! I like you! Don’t mind it! Before you start brooding, come strike me! If you think, you’ll lose! I also don’t know much about that, so it’s fine!”
I could only say that. My true thoughts. No matter what Akeno-san’s true identity was, no matter who Gasper was, I didn’t have any reason to hate them. W-Well, Gasper was a bit hesitant and was irritating at times, but I didn’t hate him. “We’re both members of the same club, and Rias Buchou’s servants and comrades! Come at me with a bang!”
I said it like usual while puffing out my chest. I couldn’t say anything that worked on the heart but, no matter what, I think it was best to say it. If I became uneasy, then this guy would become no good. I was that guy’s senior. I had to guide him! Well, as a devil he was the senior though. Seeing that, Gasper wiped his tears and stood up. “Ise-senpai, I-I’ll do my best………!”
“Yeah! Till school starts I’ll be throwing 100 balls!”
“Understood! Th-Then, I’ll wear this paper bag and do a power up-------“
“Stop it!