"Is… Does your brother abuse you?"
Rias had a stern expression on her face.
For someone like her who had such a loving brother the concept of abuse was unimaginable.
"I… no. It's just…" Ichika tried to justify his actions but the atmosphere in the Occult Research Club turned cold.
"Before he comes here can you please tell me the situation clearly?" Rias stood up and walked to Ichika, she gave her a tight hug, "Since I've promised to help you I'll make your brother understand that sisters are the most precious thing in the world."
Rias carefully chose her words, appearing not to be antagonising. She didn't know the extent of their relationship and didn't want Ichika to become distant.
"Our parents died in a car crash when we were young. For the past few years, my brother has been working hard for our family. I can't blame him when he's working so hard… perhaps it's my fault for not behaving."
"..."
Akeno was frowning the hardest. Her fists were clenched into tight balls. She had experienced something similar, though not exactly abuse.
"No! I'm sorry for your loss but that doesn't give your brother the right to mentally and physically harass you."
"Rias…" Ichika seemed emotional, she wiped the tears from her eyes and looked at her with concern, "Rias!"
Her voice turned solemn.
The Occult Research Club was surprised and listened.
"Please, please don't fight my brother." Ichika shuddered, "He… He's very violent. I know you're all Devils and so but… he's really really strong. I don't want you guys to get hurt."
"Pff!" Rias and the Occult Research Club broke into smiles. How strong were Devils compared to ordinary humans?
Even Low-Class Devils could slaughter numerous of them.
They felt Ichika's words were cute.
"Don't worry, today I'll show you the difference between humans and Devils. The gap between the two races is much more than you think—" Rias smiled brightly but her words were interrupted by the heavy sounds of footsteps.
For some reason, everyone in the room tensed, as if a dangerous beast was approaching. Only a second later did the Devils shrug off the feeling.
How could they be afraid of a normal human?
...How strong could he be?
They couldn't even be bothered to take him seriously.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
As their thoughts converged a steady stream of knocks sounded.
"Come in," Rias went back to her seat and dragged Ichika along with her. She forcefully sat beside her.
The doors opened and an incredibly tall and handsome man walked inside. His indifferent gaze swept over everyone inside the room one by one, his gaze stopping at Ichika for a brief second.
Unbeknownst to anyone, Koneko who was sitting on the sofa beside Tatsuya shivered. Her eyes were full of fear as she lowered her head.
'Buchou!' She screamed inwardly but all the voice in her body evaporated the moment Tatsuya looked at her. When a prey comes in close proximity to a predator its feral instincts command it to fight or escape.
But… sometimes there existed predators whom prey could not hope to escape from. They could only tremble in silence.
Koneko, the cat yokai, could only keep her head lowered.
"Are you the president of this club?" Tatsuya looked at the buxom beauty and asked.
Rias nodded, "I'm Rias Gremory, I want your sister to join my club. I and the rest of the members quite like her personality. She said she wanted your permission first, so what do you think? She can join, right?"
"Hm?" Tatsuya raised an eyebrow and looked at Ichika with half a smile, "We'll talk about this at home… Come."
Rias was accurately noting all of Ichika's reactions and the moment she shuddered Rias decided she would teach Tatsuya a lesson.
"Sorry, but I'd like to confirm it right now." Rias's tone hardened, and the facial expressions of the rest of the club also became stony.
Only Koneko had her head down.
"There doesn't seem to be a need to be so forceful, is there? Why can't we siblings have a talk about this at home peacefully before deciding?"
"Peacefully?" Rias sneered, her cold glare drilling into Tatsuya, "Or do you mean punishing her physically into accepting whatever you think is right?"
No one noticed the faint smirk on Ichika's face, everyone's attention was on Tatsuya.
"Oh?" Tatsuya's eyes turned similarly frosty as his eyes bore down onto Ichika, "Have you blabbered something to these outsiders?"
"O-Onii-chan… I…" Ichika stuttered and slowly inched behind Rias. Rias also protectively came in front of Ichika.
"I am the one talking to you right now." She spat and Tatsuya shook his head with bemusement.
"Who are you to bud into our family affairs? Stay within your limits, Gremory."
"Mind your tone!" Akeno hissed, sensing the blatant disdain in his voice.
"Enough of this." Tatsuya ignored them, "Ichika. Are you coming or not? How long can you hide behind her?"
Ichika's eyes widened in realization. Sure she could hide behind Rias today, but what about tomorrow? What about the day after tomorrow?
Rias also understood this and Demonic energy started to concentrate around her.
"You should leave right now, Yamamoto Tatsuya! Don't make me call the police on you." The police were just an excuse, Rias was ready to mentally control him and get him to leave.
She would then bit by bit alter his personality into that of a gentle brother. While she could tell Ichika was abused, her love for him was genuine. Rias knew which boundaries to not cross and as such this was the best she could do.
The club room was in a tense stalemate before a silent sigh echoed in the room as the temperature dropped.
"You remember what happened the last time you tried to involve outsiders in our business, right?"
Ichika was a bit confused, she didn't remember this in the script but that didn't stop her from flinching as tears appeared in her eyes.
"No!" She screamed, "Don't even try it this time! These people aren't ordinary, you can't defeat them! They're Devils!"
Rias and the club sighed knowing the cat was out of the bag. They didn't blame Ichika for blurting it out.
"Devils?" Tatsuya laughed as if he had heard a funny joke, "Even if the gods themselves decide to descend they can't stop me from taking you back home."
Tatsuya took a step forward menacingly.
"Kiba!" Rias commanded.
Kiba moved instantly.
His body blurred, his speed creating a brief afterimage before he appeared in front of Tatsuya, fist cocked back. A single, powerful punch raced toward Tatsuya's face—
Thud!
Tatsuya's hand shot up, effortlessly catching Kiba's fist.
The force sent a gust of wind blasting through the room, papers flying off the desks. But Tatsuya didn't even flinch.
Then—his other hand moved.
Faster than Kiba could react, Tatsuya's fingers closed around his throat.
Kiba's breath caught. His vision blurred as he was lifted off the ground, his hands clawing at the iron grip crushing his windpipe.
"What's this?" Tatsuya murmured, tilting his head. "You're not human?"
"Kiba!!!" Rias' voice rang through the club.
ZRRRRR!
A bolt of lightning crackled through the air—Akeno's attack.
Tatsuya glanced at the incoming energy.
Much to everyone's horror, he didn't even try to dodge.
Instead, he shifted Kiba's body forward—
The lightning struck.
Kiba screamed as the electricity coursed through him, burning his uniform, charring his skin.
"NO!!" Akeno's voice was filled with fury. "I'll kill you!"
Rias moved as well, her demonic energy flaring.
The once-peaceful Occult Research Club descended into chaos.
Kiba's smoking body was still held in Tatsuya's grip.
Akeno and Rias charged toward him, their attacks already forming.
Koneko remained frozen in place, every fiber of her being screaming at her to run.
Tatsuya's eyes glinted.
In one motion, he hurled Kiba's unconscious body across the room.
Then—he vanished.
A sonic boom echoed as he reappeared directly in front of Akeno.
Her lightning whip lashed out.
Tatsuya's hand moved faster.
He slapped her wrist aside, breaking her stance before grabbing her other hand.
Akeno gritted her teeth as a magical barrier flashed around her body.
Tatsuya sneered.
His fist slammed into her stomach.
CRACK!
The barrier shattered into glowing fragments.
Akeno's breath escaped in a painful gasp as the force of the punch folded her over, lifting her feet off the ground.
At the same time, Tatsuya spun.
His leg shot out.
His kick caught Rias mid-charge, slamming into her ribs with a thunderous impact.
Both Akeno and Rias were sent flying, crashing into opposite walls.
The room shook from the impact.
Koneko could no longer stand it. She faced the fear inside her and charged towards Tatsuya. They were in close proximity and Koneko, whose fists could punch through walls with ease, was about to land on his face when she was met with a slap.
BOOM!
The impact rang across the room as Koneko was submerged in the walls alongside the peerage.
Rias coughed, staggering to her feet, her fingers trembling.
"How dare you…!" she growled, Power of Destruction flaring around her hands. Red energy along with black lightning crackled dangerously.
Tatsuya's eyes lit up with interest.
The faint, dangerous energy emanating from her… for the first time since the fight began, he felt intrigued.
"Is that what you're counting on?" Tatsuya chuckled and took another step forward, intending to knock her down again. At the same time, he shot Ichika a glance which she duly noted.
Tatsuya stomped down, creating a crater in the wood as he shot out.
Rias was also done charging her attack and she was about to release it when—
"Stop!" A frail pair of hands wrapped her in a hug from behind. Rias turned her head around in surprise only to see a tear-stricken Ichika, "PLEASE STOP!!!"
Rias was bewildered and out of concern she immediately dispelled the Power of Destruction, worried Ichika would be harmed.
But that proved to be a mistake, a fist closed in on her face and Rias gritted her teeth, as she summoned multiple magical barriers.
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!
Shatter!
It all proved futile as the fist tore through the barriers effortlessly. Rias closed her eyes in response anticipating the incoming pain.
Swish!
The fist stopped an inch away from her face. The force from the punch caused her hair to blow away.
Rias blinked in surprise and gritted her teeth, feeling shamed.
Had her entire peerage lost to a human!?
"What are you…?" She murmured and stood protectively in front of Ichika.
"Rias!" Akeno had also gotten up, her face was pale while Koneko and Kiba were still unconscious.
Lightning crackled around her.
"Akeno! Stop!"
Rias commanded as she looked at Tatsuya coldly. His tall figure now looked incomparably more intimidating.
Akeno was stunned but she gritted her teeth in hatred and let her magic power dwindle.
She hated it.
She hated abusers.
Worst of all she hated how powerless she was.
Rias was aware of her feelings but now was not the time.
Ichika ran from behind Rias and grasped Tatsuya's hand.
"Please stop…" She whispered, "I'll go back home."
Tatsuya snorted in displeasure.
"Is this what you meant by having my sister join your club?" He looked towards Ichika and frowned, "Have they brainwashed you?"
"I would never stoop so low!" Rias interrupted but she was cut off by Tatsuya again.
"Then speak, bat. Why are you interested in my sister?"
Rias grew incredibly annoyed; she looked towards Ichika and hesitated. After a brief moment, her eyes trailed towards Tatsuya and she let out a forlorn sigh.
…
"Argh!"
It hurt.
Kiba felt his back sting.
His mind buzzed as he slowly gained clarity. His blurred vision also recovered at an incredible pace. His injury wasn't life-threatening but for sure it was astounding how quickly he recovered. An average human would've been in a critical situation or even dead.
He looked around in worry only to see Akeno's reddened eyes as she cast basic healing magic on him.
The enemy was no longer around much to his surprise.
What had happened while he was unconscious?
"I'm sorry… I shouldn't have been so hasty."
Hearing her apology he quickly smiled with warmth, ignoring the stinging pain, "It's fine Akeno-senpai. How could've you known he'd use me as a shield?"
His words caused Akeno's face to darken as she shook her head.
"I don't know what happened to me… I'm so sorry." Koneko had her head lowered as she talked to Rias.
"Can you tell me what exactly happened?"
"I really don't know Buchou. The moment he walked in I felt my body freeze all over. There wasn't anything physically restricting me but I didn't dare move. It was akin to a primal fear… I couldn't help but think I was going to die."
Rias patted the head of the anxious and sad nekomata.
"It's okay, I know what you're like. It must've been incredibly tough to ignore your natural instincts and still fight." Rias didn't blame Koneko.
Kiba heard the whole thing. His face darkened a shade further similar to Akeno's.
"Rias-senpai. What happened? Where's Ichika?" He slowly sat up and looked at Rias who was talking to Koneko.
"... We lost." Rias gritted her teeth in humiliation, "He obliterated us as if we were a bunch of children. No magical attack or barrier could stop him."
"But how!? How can a human be so strong!? I detected no magic from him. Doesn't that mean he shouldn't have a Sacred Gear either?" Kiba was beyond confused.
Rias was equally confused as she shook her head, "I don't know either. It's really mysterious but I can confirm that he should be connected to the supernatural world. He wasn't even a bit surprised by us being Devils or facing magic attacks. I can only think he's used to fighting supernatural beings."
"Could it be some kind of Black Magic? I've heard some sacrificial magic could permanently enhance strength and so on." Akeno tried to provide a reason only for Rias to shake her head again.
"Black Magic is relatively rare plus it leaves unavoidable residues in the body or mental issues. His mental state was too composed while talking to us and fighting. He threw Kiba as a distraction to counter Akeno and was also aware of my sneak attack." Rias was a noble Devil trained and educated from birth.
She might seem foolish but don't be fooled. She can be very smart when required. The only flaw she had was her emotions butting in but that was what made Rias who she was and why her peerage members loved and respected her.
"Then… why?"
The Occult Research Club was extremely troubled.
"But what about Ichika? Will he hurt her because of us? Shouldn't we have tried to keep her?" Kiba felt concerned.
Rias hesitated and Akeno frowned remembering the earlier conversation.
"He let Ichika join my peerage. I'll give her the bishop piece."
Kiba was surprised, "I suppose that's for the best but I'm still worried about her."
Akeno, who was already beyond frustrated, said, "He gave Rias a condition."
"What condition?" Kiba was confused.
Rias seemed distracted as she bit her lower lip, "He said… He said he wanted to become a Devil under me as well. He promised to never lay a hand on Ichika ever again if we agreed."
Koneko and Kiba were stunned beyond belief.
Anger surged inside their heart as they simultaneously shouted, "No! Absolutely not!"
"You agreed, Buchou?" Koneko was a bit sad as she asked Rias.
Rias shook her head, "I haven't agreed…"
"Really—" Koneko smiled only to have it freeze a second later as Rias continued.
"...yet."
"Can't you ask Grayfia-san or the Maou to teach him a lesson?" Kiba was a bit miffed, his pride was hurt with how easily he was manhandled. It made him feel all his efforts were useless and worthless.
Rias shook her head with a small smile.
"How can I bother them over something like this? They'll only think I'm incapable of handling things on my own. It'll only give them another reason to forward my engagement with that Riser." Rias was frustrated, "And even if I could it would be a very bad decision…"
"Why…?" Koneko was confused.
"You didn't see it but both siblings obviously held a deep love for each other. Even when she was warning Tatsuya to not fight it was over concern we would hurt him. How can she trust another species, especially Devils whose reputation is already in the dirt, over her blood brother who she respects so much? And Tatsuya too stopped his attack towards Rias, though it's uncertain if it was because he felt there wasn't a need to continue or he was worried Ichika would've been hurt. The force he was using could easily kill a normal human." Akeno had noticed all these small details.
Rias nodded approvingly, "Correct. I scanned Ichika earlier and I didn't see any bruises or injuries. Perhaps he's only abused her a few times throughout the years or the abuse is limited to light beatings. We're still not clear what exactly is going on. I didn't expect a fight to break out so suddenly… Maybe we can reform him once he joins the peerage."
"But Buchou…" Koneko frowned and her cat ears drooped sadly, "He's not a good person at all. He even used Kiba-senpai as a shield."
"...While I agree with your sentiments, no— in fact, I hate him for that action alone but you have to consider this, for him we are enemies and neutralising one of us by using him as a shield was a tactically correct action." Rias narrowed her eyes as she worded her opinion carefully.
Kiba felt a little disappointed but he soon shook his head. He wasn't a fool. He knew why Rias hadn't outright refused yet. There were multiple methods to make sure Ichika wasn't abused, she didn't have to agree to his absurd condition.
Rias genuinely wanted Tatsuya in her peerage.
The sole reason being his terrifying strength. If he becomes a Devil and trains for even a year Kiba reckoned he could destroy half of Riser's peerage alone.
For Rias who was nervous about the state of her peerage, acquiring Tatsuya was like a gift from heaven.
Kiba looked towards Akeno who was also aware of what was going on. Akeno only shook her head in response suggesting she'd listen to Rias.
In fact, Rias should not have to be as careful as the Master of the peerage. If she wanted Tatsuya the others could only agree.
They wouldn't even feel too bad about it.
Akeno, Kiba and Koneko had faced the worst tragedy one could face in life and it was Rias who pulled them out of the deep abyss of darkness. They were willing to give their life for her much less accept an unfavorable person in their team.
"I guess we can help Ichika-senpai." Koneko's thoughts were much simpler. She didn't want Ichika to have a brother she would hate.
She wanted to improve the siblings' relationship because Koneko herself was filled with hatred towards her sister.
Rias looked at the members of her peerage and felt disappointed in herself.
She could understand them but…
She couldn't give up on Tatsuya. She mentally consoled herself, deluding herself into thinking it was all for Ichika. All so that she could fix him and turn their relationship back to normal.
It's all for Ichika...
Her heart echoed.
____________________
A/N— How was the fight? I'm not really used to righting them but I'll improve as I continue to.
The Story starts to take a turn here, the next few chapters will be unpredictable for you lot no matter how much you claim to know what Tatsuya will do. And as for becoming a Devil, it'll be worth it as you read on, after all, I haven't disappointed before have I?
Also about to drop another spicy lemon today on Patreon haha, will be a double update for Patrons.
Read Advanced Chapters— Patreon.com/AlmightySkyDxddy
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