Akeno had mixed feelings, she was happy about her best friend Rias' new engagement.
Akeno saw that Rias and Issei were very close, the last month they spent a lot of time together, since Rias stayed to sleep with Issei to cure him of his training.
It seems that her strategy worked, Rias bet everything on Issei and managed to cancel her marriage with Riser Phenex.
Issei managed to do more for Rias in the rating game than she did. Like the queen of Rias, she did not defeat any enemy.
Akeno confided when fighting with the queen of Riser, she thought that by having the power of lightning, she could defeat Yubelluna.
When Akeno was about to win, she confided herself and did not give the final blow, the Queen of Riser used a tear of Phenex and ended up defeating Akeno.
Even when the Queen of Riser no longer had much magic, she was still able to eliminate Kiba by pointing her magical attack at Asia.
Akeno felt guilty for not contributing anything during the rating game, and if Rias had lost, she would have felt worse.
The best way to fix his mistake is to become stronger for Rias, Akeno knew Rias' goal.
She wanted to show the underworld that she is not just a Gremory. She wanted to be known by Rias, and not by her family's clan.
So the best way to gain recognition in the underworld was with rating games. Rias' dream was to aim for the abyss of the rating game ranking.
Akeno wondered how Rias became so strong, in the training camp, Akeno saw Rias' new ability.
Was that ability something natural about the power of destruction? Or it was something she got because of the influence that Issei had in Rias.
Maybe that's why Rias is so attached to Issei, her instinct told her that she would manage to get stronger around Issei.
Akeno wonders if she can do the same, if Issei is so special that Rias doesn't leave him for a minute.
Akeno decided to slowly approach Issei to see if she too could change like Rias.
"Fufufu" by the way will annoy Rias a little, Rias doesn't care if she plays a little with Issei right. Akeno wondered.
- - - -
After school, the club had its meeting at Issei's house, the school closed in the afternoon, due to maintenance.
So all the nobility of Rias were in the room of the Hyodo residence. They were gathered to review the contracts made by each one.
The end of the month came and it was time to see everyone's results. Starting with Akeno, she completed twelve contracts.
Then there was Koneko with ten contracts, Kiba had eight contracts. And to everyone's surprise.
Issei made six contracts, it seems that he is good at working as a cupid. But outside of there he can't complete a contract of another kind.
Asia didn't do badly at all, for a beginner to make three contracts is fine. Rías was satisfied with everyone's results.
"Well done, Akeno, koneko, Kiba, Issei, Asia." "Keep working like this and you will be able to rise in rank in the nobility."
"Yes" everyone answered in the affirmative.
Now to brighten up the atmosphere, Asia decided to show everyone a photo album of Issei that she found in the guest room.
"Look what I found, this is a photo album of Issei as a child." Asia said as she opened the album.
To show the embarrassing moments of issei as a child while he is naked.
"Ehh." "No, why do you have that?" Issei asked, as he began to feel his face hot.
Issei wanted to take away their album, but Koneko neutralized it with a blow to the stomach. "How cruel Koneko-Chan." Issei said while grabbing his stomach.
"Nothing like watching the embarrassing moments of the pervert sempai." Koneko said while making a V sign with her hand to Issei.
Kiba laughed at the treatment of Issei, and joined the amusement, until he saw a photo of Issei that caught his attention.
In that photo was Issei together with another child, sitting next to a fireplace. Behind them, Kiba saw what a sacred sword was.
Unpleasant memories came to Kiba, and he asked Issei for that photo.
"Issei-kun, this photo. When is it and who is the other person?" Kiba asked.
Issei saw the photo and said. "That photo is a memory of when I went to the boy's house in the photo next to me."
"Why do you ask Kiba?"
Kiba replied. "In that photo, behind the children, there is a sacred sword. I'm someone who forgot why I'm alive. That photo reminded me of it."
Kiba's tone didn't sound as usual, it was a little more serious and cold.
Issei saw Kiba and remembered his past with the sacred swords. It seems that new challenges will come, Issei thought.
- - - -
After the meeting, everyone went to work, it was time to continue making contracts.
This time Issei was surprised to be summoned by Azazel. I didn't expect to see the ruler of the fallen angels.
"So the devil-san arrived."
"Come sit down, can I offer you something to drink?"
Azazel said.
"Some alcohol?" Azazel had in his hand a bottle and two glass cups, and a container with ice on the table.
"No thanks, I'm still a minor." Issei replied.
"A little cold water would be good."
Azazel poured him his glass of cold water and sat on the sofa with Issei.
.
.
.
"So you've been doing well since you reincarnated as a devil," Azazel said after Issei talked a little about his life as a devil.
"Yes, everything has changed since I was reborn." Issei said, while talking to Azazel.
"That's all for tonight, now how do you want me to pay you?"
"Do you want my soul?" Azazel asked while examining Issei to see his answer.
"No, the devils doesn't ask for that kind of payment."
Nor could I make him sign a contract just to talk.
"Well then take that painting from the wall." Azazel said as he pointed to the painting.
It looks like a Van Gogh painting, a field of sunflowers, Issei wonders if it is from that artist and if it is original.
"Don't worry, that painting is original, I'm a collector." Azazel said.
Issei accepted the painting and took it. He wrapped it in a cloth and returned home.