School had resumed, and along with it came a new transfer student, Irina Shidou. That night, everyone had a welcome party for her in Issei's newly renovated house.

Everyone from Rias' Peerage was present in addition to their Advisor Azazel and a poor Valkyrie, Rossweisse, who was left behind by Odin for some stupid reason.

Odin left her in Rias' care and on the day she was left behind, she did nothing but crying in the corner of Issei's house, "I don't know why I'm crying, but I should be used to this by now. No other men wanted me by their side, so why should my own boss!?"

Akeno patted her shoulder and tried to console her, "Don't be like that. I'm sure he'll eventually come back for you."

But instead of calming down, Rossweisse broke down even more, "Oh yeah, me too! Once that Titty Bar has a special event, he'll be the first one to fall in line! Maybe I should apply to be a dancer so that he'll see me and realize that he'd forgotten me! But he would be like, 'Get that old lady off the stage and bring a younger one! That one will have more to offer!' Uwaahh!!!"

Akeno had to use a few hours of her life to keep the crying Valkyrie company.

On the night of the party, Irina introduced herself again as a reincarnated Angel of Michael with the position of 'Ace'. Contrary to the system that the Devils used, which is based on chess, the Angels created a similar system with Ajuka Beelzebub's help and based it on playing cards. The only higher position than Irina's 'Ace' was the 'Joker'.

After Irina, Rosseweisse also introduced herself and the two of them became the new residents of Issei's house.

Everyone had a great time till late at night. After the party ended, Akeno bid her farewell, "Well then, everyone, I'm going home."

"Ah, be careful.", replied Rias. At first, Rias tried to stop her from living apart from them, but she accepted it after Akeno insisted on it. Her worry lessened, when Serafall also started living in Urahara's Shop. Though she wondered what's so good about that place aside from the secret base hidden underneath. Rias never told anyone, including her brother, about the secret base. Not for Kisuke's sake, but for Koneko, who was missing, and Akeno, who obviously had some feelings for the owner.

Rias told Akeno, that Koneko might be in his secret base, however, Akeno already confirmed that they were not there. Rias believed Akeno, because she had no reason to lie about that.

"Going home? You're not living here?", asked Irina, as she was the only one who was still unaware about this fact.

Akeno froze for a bit after remembering what Irina was to Kisuke. 'I messed up.', was her first thought. But she also knew that she couldn't avoid this forever.

"Ah, right. You still don't know. Akeno-san is currently staying in Kisuke's Shop." Issei replied to her, "You know what happened to Kisuke, right? Currently, no one's using that place and Akeno-san proposed to take care of it." Issei was also very worried about his childhood friend and hated himself for not being able to do anything to help. However, Ddraig assured him that Kisuke wouldn't perish so easily, as he was one of the most terrifying beings that Ddraig ever met. Not that Issei knew what he meant and what it meant for a Heavenly Dragon to describe someone as 'terrifying'.

Akeno tried to leave before things proceed to a direction she didn't want. However, she was already too late. Irina suddenly grabbed Akeno's shoulder and interrogated her, "Please wait a moment! Why are you staying there!?"

Akeno replied calmly, "It's as you heard, I'm taking care of the place."

Irina continued with her questions, "Why you!? And why did you volunteer for it!?"

Azazel only watched them and decided to keep quit. He also had a feeling that Akeno wasn't staying in Kisuke's place just because she liked him.

"It's for personal reasons. I don't have any obligation to reveal them to you.", answered Akeno as she tried to leave.

Akeno thought that Irina would argue more and got ready for it. But contrary to her expectations, Irina suddenly ran up to her room and came back with her luggage, "Then I'll also stay there!"

With wide eyes, Akeno asked, "W-why?"

"For personal reasons! I also don't have any obligation to reveal them to you!" Irina returned Akeno's answer from earlier with a smug face.

"Tsk!" Akeno couldn't help but click her tongue.

"What was that?"

Akeno then gave Irina a big smile and told her, "My, it was nothing~. Why don't you stay here and leave that place for me? I can take care of it just fine."

"Why don't YOU leave that place for ME! I'm Kisuke's childhood friend and it's also my duty to take care of the things he left behind, so that they'll be in good condition once he comes back!", argued Irina.

"Is that how a childhood friend works?", whispered Xenovia to Issei.

"No... I don't think that's how it works. Irina is just too attached to Kisuke. She was always like this, even when we were kids."

"That doesn't matter. I'm still better than you since I have experience in taking care of the Urahara Household! And I have been taking care of that place for almost two months now and there were no problems!" Akeno didn't back down.

"Even then, I can't trust you! Who knows what sort of things you're doing there! I'm coming with you!", replied Irina back.

Rias could only look away, because she recalled that 'glorious' video clip of her best friend.

Akeno knew that it would be bad if Irina really started to live in Kisuke's shop, because of a certain loli dragon and sweets lover. However, she hadn't any kind of reason to stop Irina further, because it'd look suspicious. Especially to Azazel, to whom she had to be careful with.

While sighing, Akeno said, "Haah... Fine... Whatever you want." She then left. Akeno backed down, but that didn't mean that she gave up. She intended to persuade Irina on their way there.

While carrying her luggage, Irina faced everyone before bowing and giving her farewell, "Well then, everyone~. Thank you for welcoming me! See you at school tomorrow and God Bless you all~!" Before she left, she first gave the Devils some headaches.

Irina silently followed Akeno until the latter turned towards her with a serious expression when Kisuke's shop came into view. "Please turn back now.", said Akeno.

Irina knew that Akeno's words were different from their earlier banter and with the same seriousness, she asked, "Why?"

"For the safety of Kisuke-kun and those who're missing.", replied Akeno while looking straight into her eyes.

Irina furrowed her brows and asked, "What do you know?"

But Akeno just shook her head and said, "The less you know, the better."

"And who are you to decide that? Kisuke is also an important person to me! More than that, I also don't believe that he committed those crimes that he's being accused of!" Irina got riled up, more than from their earlier argument.

Akeno took a step forward and approached Irina with a grave aura around her, "Then are you prepared to become a traitor? To be a wanted person? Just because you tried to help and don't even know if you're helping? Are you prepared to take the burden of being in league with the person who 'killed' so many people from the Alliance? Are you even prepared to 'Fall'? If any of your answers from those questions are 'no', then please turn back. Once you start living in that place, there will be no coming back, and 'we' might have to deal with you ourselves."

Once Akeno finished speaking, she came close to Irina's face, intimidating her.

Irina had to take a step back because of the invisible pressure that Akeno is giving her, "W-what about you? You mean you're ready to take those risks for Kisuke?"

"Don't get it wrong. It wasn't just for him. He isn't the only person missing. If it's just him, then he can take care of himself. But what about you? Are you willing to take the risk just for Kisuke-kun?"

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Editors:

28th00: Ah, Akeno did the thingy. The thingy where the world turns really weird and she gives someone one of those "Red Pill Blue Pill" speeches. The Loli Dragon shall nom, that is the only constant in existence. Sometimes she nap, sometimes she snac, but most of all, she pat.

Alexander