DxD: Despair X Despair

Disclaimer: Don't take this piece of crap seriously.

Depressing.

Such was the atmosphere by the time I'd get to class.

But before we go there, let's go back a few before that. 

Obviously, I'd been reprimanded by the student Souna for running late.

Well, that was more of a force of nature than anything.

My answer had been, "I saw an old granny on the road and had no choice but to help her."

Surely, there were no lies in my words; after all, only God—oops, I forget the Biblical God is well… gone, it's Micheal now— yes.

Only Micheal knows how old she is.

And, if it wasn't obvious, Raynare "DID" need the help, really.

So there were no lies in my words.

But 'Old granny?'

Pfft—Raynare would be shocked till the end of time if she heard that.

But technically, fallen angels counted as ancient, right?

"Haah. Fine, you are excused for now."

That was her reply, unaware that this "class rep" — me— had helped "granny's" victim's death.

The assist was a godly one, no?

Not to brag, but I know how well to keep my facade. I was the class rep for my class.

And what do you know? I'm in the same class as the boy who just met his end at Raynare's hands yesterday.

Entering the class, I had seen Matsuda and Motohama hunched over Issei's empty desk, their sobs raw and ugly. 

The room felt tomb-quiet, save for sniffles and the creak of chairs. The atmosphere in the class was far from lively.

It was dead even.

For some reason, it didn't feel as good as I thought it'd be.

Not that I was feeling remorse, but seeing their depression didn't hit.

Oh yes. I more or less enjoy the despair of people, but in this atmosphere, one of depression… me and depression don't see eye to eye, ugh.

"As unbothered as ever, no? Class rep. No, I guess you don't know yet."

Approaching me is a girl, and for some reason, she keeps her eyes on me, also occasionally glancing down at me.

"Aika."

I muttered her name.

Funny how her name alone reminds me of another Aika, the Fuwa one. From that one tempest something anime or so.

"What happened?"

As I asked that, she turned away from me slightly as her glasses shone white, her lips tightening, quivering even.

"Issei… is gone."

Aika said curtly, and I could tell, yet, how sentimental, I couldn't help but think. But, I just have to go with the flow. 

I let her words sink in before slowly widening my eyes.

That is to say. I was feigning it.

Then, for dramatic effect, I looked towards Issei's desk, where Matsuda and Motohama were, still sobbing, like real serious.

"... How?"

With my feigned act, I continued. Then I saw Aika swallow hard.

"From what I overheard, he was found dead at the park. From what they said, he went on a date with a girl."

I was surprised they revealed this much to the school, not to mention students; the police are rather, I don't know if I should say competent.

Regardless. They already know this much; no wonder the depressing atmosphere.

Soon, the teacher came into class and began by telling all students to give a moment of silence to Issei.

Then, he talked about visiting his parents for consolation, which would be scheduled for tomorrow.

Naturally, as class rep, I ought to be one of them.

Matsuda and Motohama, of course, will join the condolence visit.

And so. The day passed. I spent most of the time staring out the window just lost in thoughts.

Then soon, classes ended.

I picked up my bag and immediately strolled out of the class. I had nothing much to do here anyway.

Like that, I left the school. I was one of those in the go-home club.

"Hmm."

I let out a hum; for some reason, I had a feeling this might happen, but to really think it'd happen.

"Yo. Come with me."

A meatwall of a man blocked the sidewalk.

Leather jacket two sizes too small, knuckles suspiciously clean for a "delinquent." 

Behind me, Sniffer #2 cracked his gum like a bad extra in a yakuza B-movie.

'Raynare, you basic bitch.' 

I'd thought she'd try to pull one on me. But this is somewhat in expectation.

Why did I say so?

I don't pick fights with a thug, nor do thugs have any reason to have a beef with me.

May not look like it, but I'm confident in how I act.

I'm the type of nice guy you'd see anywhere; that's how I act.

"What do you want?"

I asked, all polite concern. Model student voice activated.

Sniffer #1 jerked his chin toward an alley. "Just shut up and come."

I tried my best by asking, and that was the reply I got. Really, there's no helping it there.

With a nod, he turned his back, and by the time he'd turned back, sniffer #2 was still there, so… 'I'm cornered.'

They made it so I can't escape, huh?

Fine then. I'll play with them.

By the time we'd come to a stop, we were at a dead-end narrow alleyway.

And by the time they'd stopped, five more, counting the two that had led me here, were waiting in ambush.

"Heh. Is this him?"

"What the hell, that's a kid!"

"There's no helping it. Orders are orders."

"Nothing personal, kid."

As expected of a third-rate story in a third-rate world. A kind of scene I like. Raynare, I thank you for the gift.

I'm the kind of person that enjoys things like this.

After all, thugs are mostly used as cannon fodder, simply for a particular character to shine.

They are important in every world.

Mobs.

However, "Raynare," I said, watching Sniffer #1 twitch.

"Or 'Yuuma,' if we're using her dating profile. Mind Control is a bit crude, no?"

It was more of a wild guess, if anything—courtesy of overthinking.

Of course, I may be wrong, but if that weren't the case, I wouldn't be approached by them.

Still, this situation was exciting.

"Kuh!"

Regardless, that didn't change the fact that I saw them wince slightly when I mentioned the Yuuma name.

"And so what? There's nothing you can do barehanded against this many people."

They suddenly got closer and closer. As my lips slowly widened.

The first one approached me, his hands outstretched in a grab; however, before he could, I sent my bag flying towards him.

Bam!

"Ugh."

My bag hit him square on the face, as he let out a low grunt of pain. By the time he'd get the bag off his face, he staggered.

"*Cough*! Im-...poss… ible."

"Black bear!"

"Aniki!"

"This bastard!"

Why were they agitated and shouting, well. Currently, I had a knife lodged into his stomach.

First rule of fist fights: always bring a knife. Second rule: hide it in your math textbook.

"I made sure to avoid vitals; he'll be fine if you stop this bullshit and get him to the hospital quickly."

I'm considerate, just like that. He'll live…. probably.

However, while I had said such, my words fell on deaf ears.

If anything, they were quick to their death. And, honestly, I love that, too!

"This may sound narcissistic, but I'm basically Batman. If Batman took painkillers like Tic-Tacs."

No one laughed. Rude.

I'm strong. For a human that is. I'm like Cid Kagenou.

But the crazier version. I've done lots of stupid things, past and present.

I add painkillers into my food; I add just the right amount to make sure it doesn't affect my day-to-day life.

Yes. You can say I am now addicted to drugs. But did you expect me to be sane?

I also try to bathe in extremely hot or cold water without flinching.

This was my way of training my body. And due to this, my body is really in a bad state.

My body is a wreck to the point I don't feel pain from cuts. But I don't need to live that long.

One thing I heard when coming to this world was to enjoy yourself.

Hence, I'd do as I like—

I dodged a fist, then slashed his wrist, making a cut on them that's not enough to kill them.

Then the other with a kick, while another approached from the back.

Since the place was narrow, I decided to use it to the fullest advantage.

As they closed in on me, I jumped to the wall, kicking my foot off it, as they clashed against each other.

Wham!

Then from there I jumped down.

"M-monster…!"

"Hiieck!"

"Don't worry. I won't hurt the two of you. I'm not that evil."

Was that really something I should really be saying? No, I don't think so.

I grabbed my back while twirling my knife as I let a smile slip.

"Keep up the good work."

With a pat on their shoulders, I left the alleyway, heading straight home for the day.

-Raynare-

It's real.

His omniscience is real. He knew I mind-controlled them.

And that human, why does he casually have a long kitchen knife in his bag?

Moreover, even though he looked human, why is he capable of combat like this?

What sort of human is he? A scary one, that's what.

Now what should she do?

Surely, he probably knows her next move. And she wasn't wrong.

If anything, he seems to be guiding her actions, making her options narrower.

That way, he'd be able to predict her next course of action.

That's what he had been doing till now.

Not only that… She didn't know what was going on in his mind, and she didn't like it.

He seemed to be the type that would do anything crazy just on a whim.

Damn right she was.

She could try to seduce him using another form. It wouldn't' work regardless.

He doesn't seem to be the type interested in her; besides, he'd find out at a glance.

Well, she's not wrong. And even so, if she were to do so, he'd simply reject.

What about targeting his family?

Sure, as if targeting the family of an omniscient person would work; those were Raynare's thoughts.

But in reality? Parents? Where?

He came to this darn world alone and has been surviving all by himself; such a threat wouldn't faze him.

What about friends? Surely he'd have one—no, he's very much a lonely person without friends.

There was no way she could catch him off guard; it wouldn't work. She had nothing on him.

She was watching everything, albeit from far away; she really was.

Tightening her lips, she seemed to have given up on thinking more about it. Why not just give up and surrender to him?

"Yeah. That's for the best."

Currently, she was on a chessboard, the king—an enemy piece of his—and with his plans and cornering, she had been checked by multiple chess pieces.

It was over for Raynare.