HM & DF Chapter 4 The Wild Ones

California, USA, Evening

The late afternoon sun hung low over the Californian skyline, painting the buildings and palm trees in soft gold.

Asia Argento walked quietly along the sidewalk in a quiet suburban street, her boots scuffing against the pavement, her small frame carrying exhaustion but determination. The faint sound of waves in the distance mixed with the hum of passing cars. She clutched her satchel tightly, her hood now lowered, there was no reason to hide her face anymore.

After stepping off the bus hours ago, she had wandered aimlessly, hoping to find a church, a shelter, or at least a kind soul who would let her rest for the night. But every street seemed to lead to another, unfamiliar one. The signs were in English, the buildings strange, and everything felt too large.

The road curved gently ahead, lined with palm trees and small houses with bright gardens and parked cars. Families were out for walks, children rode bicycles, and laughter echoed faintly from a nearby park.

Asia adjusted the strap of her worn satchel and looked up, her golden hair catching the last of the sun.  Floating above her, the three little cherubs twirled and darted through the warm air like living sparks of light. Their tiny wings shimmered, leaving behind faint motes of radiance as they played around their “mother.”

Tia zipped ahead to inspect a streetlight turning on, Luke hovered protectively by Asia’s shoulder, and Ikaros spun gently in the air, giggling in soft chiming tones that only Asia could understand.

Asia giggled softly, her voice light for the first time that day. “Be careful, you three… you’ll make people stare if you glow too much. You three really do love flying, don’t you?”

Luke chirped proudly in response, puffing up his tiny blue wings. Ikaros twirled through the air and landed on Asia’s head, her pink light flickering playfully, while Tia floated close to her cheek and tugged lightly on a strand of her hair.

“Alright, alright,” Asia said between quiet laughter. “Let’s focus, okay? We still need to find somewhere to rest for the night.”

Her tone softened as she looked around. The streets were wide and unfamiliar, and though the people here seemed kind, she knew she couldn’t simply ask for shelter. The few coins she had left wouldn’t be enough for a motel.

She sighed. “Maybe a church… if there’s one nearby, they might let us stay…”

But then — it hit her.

A sharp pain like a jolt of lightning flashed through her head.The world around her seemed to pause.

Asia gasped, staggering slightly as her vision went white. Her body trembled, and for a heartbeat, everything around her vanished.

In its place came fire.

She saw it as clear as daylight, a sudden explosion, buildings shattering, flames tearing through the street, a shockwave rushing outward. She could almost feel the heat on her skin, and hear the screams that followed. The sound was deafening, the blast wave tearing through the air. Screams echoed. A shock of destruction rippled through her senses, making her clutch her chest.

And just as suddenly as it came, the vision ended.

Asia blinked, breathing hard. The world returned, the quiet streets, the evening sky, the sound of traffic in the distance.

Her legs felt weak. “An explosion…?” she whispered, glancing around in confusion. “But… where?”

Her emerald eyes scanned the area. Everything seemed normal, people walking their dogs, a couple chatting at a café table, cars driving by without a care.

But her heart wouldn’t stop pounding.

She knew these visions too well. Every time they came, they were true. Always.

The cherubs, sensing her fear, circled her worriedly. Luke’s soft blue glow pulsed in agitation, while Tia’s golden light flickered faster than usual.

Asia took a deep breath, pressing a trembling hand over her cross pendant. “It’s okay… I’m okay,” She whispered, trying to steady herself. “Maybe… maybe it hasn’t happened yet.”

—---------------------------

She kept walking, her pace quickening now, her eyes scanning every street corner, every alley. darting between alleyways and rooftops, trying to find the source of the unseen danger.

“Please…” She whispered, “show me what to do… how to stop it…”

Her footsteps echoed on the sidewalk. The further she went, the quieter the world became. The laughter faded. The noise of cars vanished. Even the air felt… different.

She slowed to a stop. The world around her began to grow quieter, fewer people, fewer cars, until the sounds of civilization seemed to fade entirely.

A strange unease prickled at the back of her neck.

She slowed, realizing the air itself felt… heavier.

The sunlight dimmed unnaturally, as though a veil had been pulled over the world. The wind no longer touched her face. The hum of distant conversation was gone and then she felt it, a faint ripple that passed through her body like a cold current.

Her breath caught. “A… barrier?” She whispered. “It’s separating this place from the world outside.”

She turned, glancing behind her. The street she’d come from shimmered faintly, distorted like heat rising from asphalt. The moment she’d stepped forward, something had changed.

Luke chirped sharply in alarm, hovering closer to her.

Asia looked around. The air ahead shimmered faintly, colors bleeding and folding like glass underwater. She recognized this feeling. “Yes,” Asia said softly, “it means something supernatural is happening here.”

Her steps grew cautious. “I must have crossed into a boundary field.” She murmured, gripping her satchel tightly.

Her voice trembled as she whispered to herself, “Then the explosion… it’s going to happen here.”

The cherubs floated closer, their tiny wings glowing brighter as they formed a small protective circle around her. Ikaros chirped softly, frightened but brave.

Asia gave them a small, reassuring smile. “It’s alright. We’ll be careful,” she said softly. “But if something bad is going to happen… we can’t just ignore it.”

Her gaze turned forward to the empty street ahead. She could feel it now, a pressure, faint but building.

Something was about to happen.

Something powerful.

Asia whispered a quiet prayer under her breath, her fingers brushing the cross at her neck. “Lord… please guide us.”

Then, taking a deep breath, she stepped further into the strange silence unaware that her every step was carrying her deeper into a battlefield.

—-------------------------------

The air grew colder with every step. As Asia walked through the barrier, it felt like walking through water. The air rippled around her, her breath catching as a wave of pressure rolled over her skin causing her body to tingle.

She turned, but the street she’d come from was gone. In its place was a distorted mirage, a hazy outline of a normal city street that seemed impossibly far away.

The three cherubs hovered close, their glows dimmed instinctively, like candle flames in a storm.

Luke chirped softly, uneasy.

But then the silence was broken. A boom echoed in the distance. Then another.

Asia flinched, clutching her brown boots as the ground beneath her trembled. Dust rained from the rooftops nearby. Her eyes widened as the sky ahead flared with light, a streak of blue energy cutting through the clouds.

She ran toward it.

The world changed as she ran. Buildings were destroyed, twisted and burned as many were covered in flames. The air shimmered with unstable mana, humming with energy that stung her skin.

And then she saw it.

Beyond the rows of abandoned cars and cracked asphalt, a war was raging.

At the far end of the shattered street, shapes began to emerge from the drifting smoke — rows of armored men and women moving in tight formation. Their armor gleamed faintly beneath the flickering streetlights, marked with luminous sigils that pulsed like living veins of light.

They moved with practiced precision — a military rhythm that spoke of discipline born from countless drills and secret wars.

Government soldiers and agents, clad in enchanted tactical gear and reinforced coats lined with silver thread, raised their weapons in unison. Each rifle bore glowing seals etched along the barrel, the runes humming softly with sanctified energy. Their armor carried a single emblem. The (USSARD) United States Special Anomalous Response Division, the American government’s secret branch for supernatural threats.

Behind them came the mages. Dozens of them, each wearing modernized robes woven with arcane fiber, their hands alive with radiant sigils. Some bore corporate insignias; others wore the metallic collars of government contractors. Their movements were sharp and fluid, weaving complex geometric circles of energy in the air before releasing bursts of light that cracked like gunfire.

Bolts of condensed mana streaked across the battlefield, tearing through air and concrete alike. The resulting explosions scattered sparks and debris like glowing embers in a storm. And then the air changed.

Asia felt it immediately, even from her hidden vantage point behind a collapsed wall. The aura that rolled across the battlefield wasn’t magical, it was something deeper.

Her breath hitched. ‘Sacred Gears…’

Among the soldiers, several figures stood out, men and women whose presence alone distorted the atmosphere. Their eyes burned with arrogance and power, their silhouettes radiated power that even her divine senses could barely define.

Sacred Gear Holders. Each one unique and terrifying.

One agent soared above the battlefield on wings of steel, his feathers gleaming like blades as he cut through the smoke, rifle slung under one arm. Another raised a hand, and the gravity around him bent, dragging broken vehicles and metal beams alike into a crushing implosion as they were slammed into the ground.

A third moved through the chaos wreathed in light, his every step leaving behind blinding trails of light as he struck with precision, clinical and merciless.

Asia’s stomach knotted. Even at this distance, she could feel their overwhelming strength.

Explosions erupted in waves, each one flashing white-blue with the energy of sanctified gunfire and spellfire colliding. Mages fired lances of arcane plasma that carved molten scars across the asphalt. Federal agents moved like a machine — covering angles, sweeping corners, shouting tactical codes between bursts of fire.

The air was thick with the smell of ozone, burnt metal, and scorched earth.

Asia stumbled behind a toppled street sign, covering her ears as a deafening blast shook the ground.

“Wh-what is this…?” she whispered.

—---------------------------------

Across the battlefield, their enemies stood defiant, a small group of Native American warriors, shamans and mystics, their clothes and markings glowing with runes of nature and spirit. Some wore feathered cloaks that flared with ethereal light, while others were surrounded by an aura of animal spirits, wolves, hawks, and bears made of living mana.

Beside them fought creatures that looked as though they had stepped straight out of myth.

A coyote spirit, its body made of shifting sand and starlight, weaving between enemies with supernatural grace.

A stone-skinned giant, towering above the others, roaring as glyphs along his arms cracked and glowed with magma-like light.

And eagles of pure flame, circling overhead, their wings scattering embers like sparks of creation.

But they were losing badly.

Their barriers cracked under the relentless assault of the government’s mages. Every time one of their summoned beasts lunged forward, it was torn apart by a barrage of magical bullets or nullifying sigils.

The humans with guns and spells had them surrounded. Their chants were synchronized, and precise. Bullets laced with silver and enchanted mercury ripped through barriers of wind and stone.

Asia’s heart clenched as she saw a young woman fall, a shaman clutching a staff carved with eagle motifs. She shouted something in a language she didn’t understand before collapsing, her spirit companion vanishing in a burst of light.

One by one, the native warriors fell with their spirit companions flickering like dying candles.

The cherubs clung close to her shoulders now, trembling. Luke’s blue glow dimmed, while Ikaros let out a sorrowful chirp.

Asia whispered, “They’re… fighting humans? Why…?” she murmured, her voice shaking. “Why are they fighting?” 

Asia’s gaze drifted to the far side of the battlefield.

There, upon a hill of shattered concrete and uprooted trees, stood a small band of Native Sacred Gear users. Their silhouettes were framed by the burning horizon, the last defenders of the old world standing against the new.

They were young, hardly older than Asia herself. Their faces were streaked with blood and soot, but their eyes burned with unyielding fire.

Each one held a different totem and their weapons alive with spiritual essence. One young man raised a spear crackling with lightning, its tip dancing with stormlight that smelled faintly of ozone and rain. Another stood behind him, antlers of pure energy forming from his head like a living crown, the glow pulsating with the rhythm of his heart.

A girl with long black braids stood at their center, her lips moving in constant prayer. Her voice rose above the carnage, soft but unwavering — a haunting melody that wove through the screams and explosions. The song wasn’t just words. It was a barrier. A spell of protection born from love and fear.

But they were surrounded.

The USSARD agents advanced in a wide semicircle, their enchanted armor glinting in the unnatural light. Shields of blue energy shimmered before them, deflecting stray bolts of magic. Drones floated overhead, metallic eyes that hummed with quiet menace as they locked on to targets.

Their guns glowed faintly along their runes, humming with divine resonance.

“Containment field ready!” Shouted the lead agent, his voice amplified by a comm spell. He raised his hand, his tone cold and resolute. “No survivors. Eliminate the resistance.”

But before anyone could act, a lone figure stepped forward from among the defenders.

A young man in shamanic garb, his long black hair tied with feathers that fluttered in the heat of the fires. His bare chest was painted with swirling sigils of red and white, glowing faintly as though alive.

He was unarmed, save for the gleaming bracer on his right arm. It pulsed red and gold, runes shifting across its surface. The very air around it vibrated, another Sacred Gear.

His expression was calm, even as his breathing quickened. His gaze met the approaching army, filled with both courage and the sorrow of someone who already knew how this would end.

“I won’t let you take our land and freedom!” He shouted.

His voice carried through the smoke and fire, strong, and defiant. Even Asia, hiding far behind the wreckage, felt the words resonate in her heart.

He raised his arm skyward. The bracer flared brilliantly, bathing the hilltop in blinding light.

Then the earth moved.

From beneath the cracked asphalt, roots exploded upward, thick and powerful as iron beams. They twisted violently, tearing apart the road, wrapping around drones, smashing through energy barriers.

The air filled with the sound of splintering earth and shattering glass as the roots grew, thickening into wooden spears.

The mages shouted in panic, desperately reinforcing their shields.

The roots surged forward. And the agents retaliated.

“FIRE!”

A salvo of magical artillery screamed through the air, dozens of glowing orbs leaving trails of light behind them. They collided with the roots midflight, and the world erupted in white fire.

The explosion was deafening, a thunderous roar that swallowed the battlefield whole.

Asia screamed and ducked behind an overturned car as the shockwave rushed past her, blowing dust and sparks through the air. The cherubs darted around her, glowing brighter in panic.

—-------------------------

When the blast faded, the shamanic warrior was on his knees, blood dripping from his mouth, his bracer cracked and flickering.

Smoke and ash filled the air, the smell of ozone and blood mixing into something metallic and suffocating. The once-quiet suburban valley had become a battlefield of shattered earth and burning cars, littered with craters, burning sigils, and the broken bodies of mages.

The young shaman she had seen earlier was still on his knees, clutching his cracked bracer, his face pale with exhaustion. Around him, several wounded lay motionless, their magic spent.

The Native mages and their Sacred Gear holders lay scattered on the cracked earth. Some still groaned, reaching weakly for the fallen, while others lay motionless, their spirit companions fading into thin air. Their defeat was certain.

Asia stood frozen behind a half-shattered car, her small hands trembling as she clutched her cross. Her heart thudded painfully in her chest as she whispered, “They’re… going to kill them all.”

Her eyes darted toward the government soldiers advancing through the smoke. Their boots crunched over glass and soil. Rifles lined with glowing enchantments clicked as they reloaded. The mages behind them prepared containment circles, their voices echoing coldly in rhythmic chants.

The government forces closed in with mechanical precision, their rifles glowing with anti-spirit wards. Behind them, a unit of corporate mages adjusted their gauntlets, chanting synchronized incantations.

The leader raised his arm. “Containment team, prepare for elimination. No witnesses.”

Asia’s heart froze and her breath hitched. She knew she couldn’t stay hidden. If she did nothing, more innocent people would die. She could already feel Twilight Healing burning faintly in her chest, begging to be used.

She took one trembling step forward. But then the world erupted.

—--------------------------

Elsewhere

From the treeline beyond a shattered highway came a sound, deep, feral, and ancient.

It began as a distant rumble, a low growl that rolled through the trees like thunder crawling across the earth. The vibration carried through the soil, rattling bullet casings and shivering through the metal of overturned cars.

Then, one by one, the howls began.

A chorus of primal voices, some high and haunting, others guttural and furious, answered from the darkness. It was not the cry of beasts. 

Every gunman on the line froze.

“Contact from the north sector!” One of the agents shouted, panic slicing through his voice. “Multiple unidentified entities—!”

He never finished.

A black blur erupted from the treeline, crossing the distance in a heartbeat. It hit him like a cannonball, sending his armored body flying into the side of a burning vehicle with a metallic shriek.

And then, from the shadows, they came.

Figures moved through the smoke, monstrous silhouettes, their eyes burning with anger. Claws flashed like silver under the firelight.

The first wave tore through the soldiers’ formation. Armor split like tin beneath their strength. Enchanted bullets ricocheted off thick hides as spells exploded harmlessly against natural wards.

“OPEN FIRE!” someone screamed. But the order came too late.

Gunfire erupted, muzzle flashes lighting the night in staccato bursts. Bullets hissed through the air, but the creatures were too fast as streaks of motion left only blood and torn fabric behind.

One of the soldiers spun, trying to chant a binding incantation, only for something appeared before him, face pale and beautiful,with eyes glowing crimson. Its clawed hand pierced through his chest in one smooth, effortless motion.

The soldier fell.

Another creature, the size of a car crashed through a concrete barrier, roaring, its fur bristling with shards of silver light where the bullets failed to pierce through. It swung a broken vehicle door like a weapon, sending three more agents scattering.

A cold wind swept through the carnage, as towering, skeletal things with hollow glowing eyes and long, bony fingers that left trails of frost in the air. Their screeches were like grinding metal, their touch turning the ground white with ice.

Spells burst in response, lighting up the field in colors of red, gold, and blue, spells clashing, seals breaking, sigils flaring as battle mages fought to contain the surge.

Then the ground shook.

From the rear ranks of the horde, something massive emerged — a shape of fur and shadow, nearly three meters tall. Its roar shattered glass and silenced even the others for an instant.

Its eyes gleamed gold beneath its matted hair, its fists glowing faintly with residual nature energy with raw power that rippled through the barrier itself.

When it charged, the earth seemed to bend beneath it.

The human forces broke formation. Mages scrambled to reform shields. The night devolved into utter chaos, bullets, claws, spells, and roars blending into a single, unending storm of violence and fire.

The once-clear highway became a blur of destruction. Every flash of light revealed something worse, another creature joining the fray, another soldier falling.

—--------------------

From the rooftops, dark shapes dropped into the smoke. A chorus of inhuman roars and snarls tore through the night.

The leading agent shouted, “Contact! New signatures incoming from the north!”

But it was too late.

The first of the attackers hit the ground like thunder, tall, fur-covered shapes that moved with frightening speed and strength. Their eyes glowed red, their claws slicing through the air with terrifying precision.

Gunfire filled the night. The agents spun around, firing into the shadows, but the enemy was everywhere.

Asia ducked instinctively as a soldier was sent flying over her hiding spot, his armor crushed like paper. When she looked up again, she saw what the agents were facing.

They weren’t demons. They were monsters.

Vampires moved first, pale, fast, and elegant, their eyes burning crimson as they blurred through the lines, tearing through mages with movements too quick to follow. Their clothes were tattered, modern but regal, a blend of nobility and feral instinct.

Werewolves followed, their form massive, hulking figures with fur bristling silver under the moonlight. They leaped across barricades, rending weapons in half, their snarls echoing with centuries of hatred.

From the darkness of the forested edge came the chilling shrieks of Wendigos, twisted, skeletal beasts with elongated limbs and hollow eyes that glowed faint blue. Their movements were jerky, unnatural, yet swift.

And towering above them all were Bigfoots or what the soldiers called Sasquatches.

Their bodies were colossal, covered in coarse brown fur, their eyes intelligent yet wild. They moved with an almost human coordination, their sheer strength ripping through armored vehicles and magical barriers alike.

The air filled with chaos — gunfire, roars, and the screams of the wounded.

Asia’s hands shook as she tried to process what she was seeing. “Monsters…? But why are they—” She stared in shock from her hiding place. “W-What… what is happening?” 

Luke chirped rapidly from her satchel, his glow flaring as if warning her to stay hidden.

Her question was cut off as a vampire woman, her pale face smeared with blood, darted past her, dragging one of the wounded shamans to safety.

Some of the monsters, particularly the Bigfoots and a few of the werewolves, weren’t attacking the natives. They were protecting them, dragging the injured shamans out of the crossfire, roaring to clear paths through the confusion.

The realization struck her like lightning. “They’re… helping them?”

Werewolves covered retreating mages, Bigfoots lifted fallen warriors with their massive hands, and vampires shielded them with barriers of dark magic.

Whatever these creatures were, they weren’t the villains here.

—--------------------------------

The battle intensified.

The government mages regrouped, chanting counter-incantations. One of the Sacred Gear holders, a man wielding a crimson blade that hummed with divine frequency, cleaved through a werewolf, his armor glowing with magic.

But the tide had turned. The sudden intervention had shattered the agents’ formation.

Within minutes, the monsters began pulling back, their mission seemingly complete, rescuing what remained of the native fighters.

Asia sighed in relief. “It’s ending…”

Asia stepped out from behind the wreckage, her heart pounding, trying to see more. Her cherubs, Luke, Tia, and Ikaros fluttered close, their soft glows cutting faintly through the smoke.

“We have to help them,” Asia whispered. “They’re saving the others—”

But before she could take another step, a massive explosion erupted nearby, throwing her off her feet.

She landed hard, the air knocked out of her lungs. Dazed, she tried to get up, her vision spinning.

The monsters were retreating now, leading the natives into the nearby forest. But one of them — one of the Bigfoots — suddenly stopped.

He turned his massive head toward Asia.

For a moment, the world seemed to still.

Their eyes met.

Asia froze.

She didn’t sense hostility, only a look of something similar resembling curiosity. 

The creature tilted his head slightly, letting out a low, rumbling sound that wasn’t quite a growl.

Asia whispered nervously, “Oh no…”

Then the Bigfoot moved, impossibly fast for his size.

Towering above her was one of the Bigfoots, its fur matted with dirt and blood, its massive frame blotting out the moonlight. It looked down at her with intelligent, curious eyes that shimmered faintly gold.

Asia’s breath caught in her throat. She tried to speak, but no words came out. Before she could react, his enormous hand closed around her waist, lifting her effortlessly off the ground.

Asia yelped in shock, her small hands grabbing at his fur. “W-Wait! What are you doing!?”

The Sasquatch didn’t answer, only grunted something guttural and unintelligible. His eyes glowed faint gold for a moment, almost as if enchanted by something unseen. The Bigfoot held her with alarming gentleness, tucking her under one massive arm like a child.

“E-Eh!? W-Wait! I— I’m not—!” Her words turned into a startled squeak as the creature bounded away with long, powerful strides, vanishing into the smoke and trees.

“Luke! Tia! Ikaros!” She cried, reaching toward the satchel still hanging from her shoulder.

The three cherubs burst out in a flash of light, chirping furiously, wings beating fast as they chased after the fleeing beast.

Luke shouted a defiant “Piiiii!” that echoed like a tiny war cry.

—--------------------------------------

Saturday, Morning

Kouh, Hyoudou Residence

Issei Hyoudou stood in front of the mirror of the bathroom, his reflection staring back at him with equal parts excitement and panic. He tugged at the collar of his blue shirt for what must have been the tenth time, trying to make it sit right. 

“Alright, Ise, you got this,” He muttered to himself, voice shaky. “Just a normal first date… with a stunning, elegant, completely-out-of-your-league girl who might think you’re a dork.”

He leaned closer to the mirror and sighed. His brown hair was the same chaotic mess as always, no matter how much he tried to flatten it. “Yeah, no hope there. You’re a lost cause, buddy.”

He gave himself a weak grin anyway.

He straightened his shirt again, checked his breath, then stepped back and looked himself over. Not perfect, but presentable.

‘Good enough for her to not run away screaming,’ He thought nervously. With a deep breath, he grabbed his phone and wallet from the counter and headed downstairs.

—----------------------------------------

In the kitchen, the familiar smell of breakfast greeted him. His mom, Miki Hyoudou, stood by the stove flipping pancakes, while his dad, Gorou Hyoudou, sat at the table reading the paper.

Both of them looked up as he appeared in the doorway.

Miki’s face immediately brightened. “Oh~ there’s my handsome young man! You look so grown up, Issei!”

“Mooom,” He groaned, rubbing the back of his neck, cheeks reddening.

Gorou peeked over the newspaper, smirking. “Big day, huh, son? Going to meet that girl you’ve been rambling about every day this week?”

Issei froze mid-step. “…I don’t ramble.”

Both parents exchanged a knowing look. “You totally do,” Miki teased. “Her name’s Melusine, right? You keep saying she’s beautiful, polite, and—what was the word you used? ‘mysteriously graceful.’”

Issei buried his face in his hands. “Why do you remember that!?”

“Because it was cute,” she said with a laugh.

Gorou chuckled, folding his newspaper. “Well, your mom’s right. You’ve been talking about this girl nonstop. It’s good to see you this excited.” He leaned back in his chair, eyes softening. “Make sure to be yourself out there, alright? That’s what’ll win her over—not trying too hard.”

Issei nodded, smiling nervously. “Yeah… I’ll try.”

Miki stepped closer, fixing his collar with motherly precision. “You don’t need to try to be anyone else, honey. You’re sweet, funny, and honest. If she can’t see that, then it’s her loss.”

He laughed awkwardly. “Thanks, Mom… but let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

As he slipped on his shoes by the door, both of them stood behind him.

“Good luck, Issei!” Miki called out. “And don’t forget to bring her by one of these days! We’d love to meet her!”

Gorou nodded. “Yeah! Don’t keep her a mystery forever, kid.”

Issei turned, smiling sheepishly. “I’ll… try to arrange that soon. If the date goes well, maybe she’ll actually want to meet my parents.”

“Smart move,” Gorou said with a wink.

Issei laughed, his nerves easing just a little. “Alright, I’ll see you later! Wish me luck!”

“Luck!” both of them chorused.

—----------------------------------

As he stepped outside, the cool spring air hit his face. The sun was shining, birds were singing, and his heart was racing faster than ever.

He glanced down at his phone — a message from Melusine had just come in. “Good morning, Issei. I’m already at the park entrance. Don’t be late.”

“Ah crap, she’s already there!?” He yelped, quickly shoving his phone into his pocket as he ran down the street.

Neighbors turned to look at the rushing teenager in confusion, but Issei didn’t care.

Today wasn’t just another Saturday. Today was his first real date with Melusine du Lac.

—-------------------------------------

Kouh Park

The morning air in Kouh was crisp, touched with the faint scent of blooming cherry blossoms. Sunlight filtered gently through the trees, scattering soft petals across the winding paths of the park. And at the park’s entrance, standing near the old fountain, was Melusine du Lac.

She stood out like a painting come to life. Her white short dress fluttered lightly in the breeze, trimmed with lace at the hem that caught the sunlight with every subtle movement. A wide-brimmed hat framed her long silver hair, which cascaded down her back. A delicate ribbon tied beneath her chin completed the image, simple, yet breathtaking.

She looked poised and serene, her golden eyes scanning the path ahead, though the faint tapping of her finger against her handbag betrayed a hint of impatience.

—-----------------

“Okay, okay, you can do this,” Issei muttered as he jogged the last few meters toward the gate. “Don’t trip, don’t stutter, don’t—”

“—You’re late.” Her voice was cool and precise, cutting clean through his internal monologue.

Issei froze mid-step, panting slightly as he straightened his jacket. “M-Melusine! You—uh—you look…”

He stopped, blinking rapidly. The words refused to form. She was dazzling, and for a full five seconds, his brain flatlined.

Melusine arched a delicate eyebrow. “I look…?”

“Like an angel who just escaped from a luxury fashion magazine!” He blurted out before realizing what he’d said.

A faint flush crept up her cheeks, though she quickly averted her gaze, hiding the small smile that tugged at her lips. “Your choice of words is… unrefined. But appreciated.”

“Ah, sorry!” Issei rubbed the back of his neck, grinning nervously. “You just look amazing, that’s all.”

She gave a soft exhale that might have been a sigh, or maybe a laugh. “I suppose that will suffice. Come, the weather won’t stay pleasant forever.”

They began walking down the park’s main path. The gentle sound of the fountain and the distant chatter of families surrounded them, though Issei could hardly focus on anything but the woman walking beside him.

Melusine’s every step carried quiet grace. Every so often, she’d adjust her hat with a slightly awkward tug or glance at the ground with the faintest pout when her heel caught a stray pebble.

Issei noticed, smiling faintly. “You know, for someone who looks like she just walked out of a fairy tale, you’re surprisingly… normal sometimes.”

Her eyes flicked toward him. “Normal?”

He laughed softly, hands in his pockets. “Yeah. You trip over things, frown at getting dirty, get shy when someone compliments you.”

“I do not get shy.”

“But you do.”

She stopped walking, blinking as if processing his words. The faint pink coloring her cheeks betrayed her before she could speak. “…That was merely the sunlight reflecting off my face.”

“Sure, sure,” Issei teased lightly. “Must be some powerful sunlight.”

Her lips twitched but she didn’t look away. Instead, she tilted her chin up slightly, her tone calm but faintly playful. “You’re awfully bold for someone who was trembling from nervousness earlier.”

He froze. “H-How’d you—!?”

“I could hear your heart beating from the moment you arrived,” She said matter-of-factly. Then, seeing his stunned expression, she smirked, a small, rare expression that completely disarmed him. “I am not completely ordinary, you know.”

They continued walking, side by side. The awkward tension from earlier slowly melted into comfortable conversation.

They talked about school, Melusine admitting that she found the curriculum “basic but tolerable,” while Issei admitted he found math “a form of torture approved by demons.”

—------------------------

After leaving the park, the two walked side by side along Kouh’s bustling main street. The weekend crowd was lively, vendors calling out their specials, students laughing near the crosswalks, the faint aroma of roasted chestnuts and sweet crepes filling the air.

Melusine du Lac, ever elegant and poised, drew attention wherever she went. Her light blue dress fluttered in the wind, her hat’s ribbon trailing gracefully behind her. Yet her calm expression and refined presence made her seem untouchable, a princess walking among commoners.

Meanwhile, Issei Hyoudou walked beside her with the nervous energy of a man simultaneously on a date and in the presence of divinity. He tried to keep his cool… and failed within two minutes.

“Man, I forgot how packed it gets on Saturdays,” He said, scratching the back of his head. “Guess everyone wants to enjoy the day.”

Melusine nodded lightly. “It is… lively.” Her eyes darted across the street, curious but cautious. She was clearly unused to crowds. Her posture stayed perfect, her hands folded neatly in front of her, but there was a faint stiffness in her shoulders.

“Too noisy?” He asked.

She hesitated, then exhaled softly. “A little. I’ve never been fond of… excess commotion.”

Issei grinned. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you from all the dangerous noise, Lady Melusine.”

She gave him a sideways glance, her lips twitching. “That’s not how sound works, Issei.”

“I can still try!”

Her laugh, soft, unguarded and slipping out before she could stop it.

They wandered toward the market street, where the air was rich with the smell of food. Colorful stalls lined the way, takoyaki, taiyaki, grilled skewers, and too many sweets for Issei to handle responsibly.

The moment he saw them, his eyes sparkled. “Oh man, look at all that! Melu, you have to try these!”

Before she could protest, he had already dragged her toward a taiyaki stand.

The old vendor grinned. “Young love, eh? One with custard, one with red bean?”

“Yup! You heard the man, Melu!” Issei said cheerfully, paying before she could even reach her purse.

“Ise, you didn’t need to—”

He waved her off. “C’mon, it’s fine! You can buy me dinner sometime if it makes you feel better.”

Her golden eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “You assume I will agree to a second outing.”

“Oh, so you’re saying there will be one?”

Melusine blinked, caught in her own words, before quickly turning her head away, cheeks faintly pink. “You’re insufferable.”

“Yeah, but I’m funny, right?”

“Barely.”

They walked along the stalls eating in companionable silence. Melusine took a careful bite of her taiyaki, and her eyes widened slightly as the sweetness hit her tongue.

“…It’s… pleasant,” she admitted after a moment.

Issei smiled proudly. “I’m glad you're enjoying our food.”

They stopped near a small clothing shop, and Melusine slowed, drawn to the display window. Inside hung a row of dresses, modern, soft, colorful. A far cry from the formal clothing she was used to.

Issei followed her gaze. “Are you thinking of trying one?”

“I… might,” She said softly. “My wardrobe is somewhat… outdated.”

“Outdated? Nah. You make everything look good,” he said without hesitation. “Seriously, you could wear a potato sack and still turn heads.”

Her head whipped toward him, and he froze, realizing what he’d just said. “Uh — n-not that I’m saying you should wear one! You’d just— it’s a figure of speech, I swear!”

Her lips curved slowly into a smirk. “You have a habit of putting your foot in your mouth. How charming.”

“Ahahaha… please don’t be mean to me.”

She chuckled — genuinely amused now. “Relax. I’m not that cruel.”

He exhaled dramatically, slumping in mock relief. “Thank goodness. I’d hate for my first date to end because of my mouth.”

“Your first date?”

He blinked. “Uh, yeah. Why?”

For a moment, she said nothing, only studied him with unreadable eyes. Then her expression softened. “…I see.” The two then continue on their date.

Finally done. Tell me what you think and if I made any mistakes. This new story was commissioned by Dayfox, so do remember to thank him.