SAK Chapter 4 Trouble in Akihabara

Issei gently unlocked the door and stepped inside, flicking on the lights with a tired sigh. “Welcome to my home.” He said, gesturing dramatically with one arm.

Kanna stepped in behind him. Her blue eyes scanned the room, her expression blank but clearly observant and noticed that compared to Kobayashi’s apartment it was clearly lacking.

“Yeah,” He said, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s not much. Kinda temporary, y’know? Only staying for the summer, so I’m not bothering to decorate. The old furniture came with the place.”

Her eyes scanned the bare walls, the single futon, an old TV and the lonely little table. “No personality.”

“Gee, thanks,” Issei muttered.

Then she spotted something by the corner, a suitcase leaning against the wall. Kanna silently walked over to his suitcase and unzipped it.

Issei didn’t stop her. Then again… maybe he should’ve as he quickly remembered what he left hidden in there..

“H-Hey—wait a second—!”

Too late.

Kanna pulled out a rolled-up magazine with suspiciously glossy pages, the corner of a rather large and very exposed pair of breasts visible on the cover.

She slowly turned her head toward him.

Her eyes narrowed. “…Pervert.”

Issei went stiff, then turned away as if he were struck by an arrow.

His voice cracked. “I-It’s not what it looks like! I-I mean, technically, yes, that is what it looks like, it’s porn!

Kanna stared, holding up the second magazine. This one had the words ‘Oppai Collection MAX Vol. 7’ plastered across the top.

“Seriously?” She asked flatly.

“I’m a teenage guy!” Issei protested, sweating. “It’s in my blood!”

“You didn’t even hide them.”

“…T-They were in my suitcase!”

Kanna blinked once, then calmly went through the suitcase, ignoring most of the r-rated content.

Something soon caught her attention. “What are these?” She asked, pointing at them.

Issei looked down to his bag and saw the small stack of video games he brought and two consoles, a GameCube, a PlayStation 2, and a couple of controllers.

“Oh! Those are video games and consoles.” He said, instantly perking up.

“Video… games?” Kanna asked tilting her head in confusion.

 “They’re for entertainment. You use these controllers to interact with the game on the TV. Fighting monsters, racing, puzzles, that sort of thing. It’s like an adventure.  I brought them just in case I got bored.”

Kanna stared. “Is it magic?”

“Not really. It's kind of hard to explain but it's really fun.”

She walked over and picked up a controller, turning it around in her hands like it was an alien artifact. “Can we play?”

That made Issei grin. “Well, lucky for you, this place came with an old TV. Hang on.”

Luckily the apartment came with an old TV, he quickly knelt by the TV and turned it on. He then began unpacking his old GameCube, untangling the cords and plugging everything into the small, slightly yellowed TV in the corner. It buzzed to life with a faint crackle, and soon the familiar music of the title screen echoed through the apartment. 

Once it was ready, Issei handed her a controller. “Alright, rookie, let’s start simple.”

Kanna watched silently, her tail swaying slightly.

They sat side by side on the floor, legs crossed, controllers in hand.

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

Later That Night

The room was dim now, lit only by the glow of the TV and the occasional flickering pixelated explosion on screen.

“Stop using Pikachu,” Kanna said flatly with a pout.

“Hey, it’s not my fault you keep falling off the edge.” Issei responded with a grin.

“You keep spamming.” Kanna pressed a button with a small twitch of her brow.

“I am playing strategically. It’s called ‘zoning’—it’s a legit tactic!”

“I’m going to bite you.”

Issei snorted with laughter. “That would be cheating.”

She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t care, I’m a dragon.”

They played game after game, trying different characters, laughing, and gradually leaning closer as the hours slipped by.

Eventually, after their third round of Mario Kart Double Dash, Kanna set her controller down and let out a small breath.

Issei blinked. “You good?”

She nodded. “I haven’t played anything like this before. It’s… fun.”

He grinned. “Told you. Video games are universal.”

She turned her head toward him. “You’re not a bad host.”

He blinked. “Uh… thanks?”

They then changed the game and began racing karts through rainbow tracks, fought off cartoon dinosaurs, and even took turns in a co-op dungeon crawler. Kanna’s stoic face barely changed even when she won, but her competitive side became obvious in how fiercely she leaned toward the screen whenever things got tense.

“You’re pretty good at this,” Issei said after she beat him for the third time in a row.

“I learn fast,” she replied flatly, though there was a tiny flicker of satisfaction in her eyes.

Time slipped by unnoticed. At some point, Issei had ditched sitting upright in favor of lying on the floor with a pillow, controller still in hand. Kanna followed suit, curling up next to him without a word, her small frame surprisingly warm in the cool night air.

The glow of the TV bathed the room in soft light as they continued playing, the quiet hum of the console filling the silence between their sparse but comfortable exchanges.

Eventually, Issei glanced at the clock. “...Whoa. It’s past midnight.”

Kanna didn’t look away from the screen. “One more round.”

Issei chuckled. “Fine, one more round.”

As they continued playing Kanna paused the game, then tilted to the side slightly.

He watched her with curious eyes as she slowly leaned until her head came to rest gently against his shoulder.

Issei froze as his eyes widened. ‘Oh crap oh crap oh crap what do I do?! Is this a test?! A cute girl is leaning on me.’ 

Kanna’s voice came out softly. “...Tired.”

“Y-Yeah,” Issei said, very aware of the fact that he was now her pillow. “Me too.”

She didn’t say anything else. Her eyes slowly closed.

And so, side by side in the soft glow of the TV, the dragon girl and boy dozed off together—peacefully and quietly.

But soon Issei thought, for just a moment before sleep claimed him. ‘This summer might not be so bad after all.’

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

Morning

Kobayashi's eyes were fixed in a glare sharp enough to slice through steel as she stormed down the hall toward Issei’s apartment.

Behind her, Tohru scrambled, heels being dragged against the floor as she dug both hands into Kobayashi’s shirt in a desperate attempt to slow her down.

“Kobayashi-san, wait! You’ll be late for work!” Tohru strained, her feet skidding slightly on the floor as she tried to counter Kobayashi’s forward momentum.

For some reason, Kobayashi felt stronger than usual today, an unstoppable object powered by caffeine and familial protectiveness. Tohru, despite being a dragon, found herself being dragged down the hallway like an anchor caught in the current.

“I have to check on Issei,” Kobayashi said firmly, eyes forward. “He’s alone with a cute girl. What if something happens?”

Tohru blinked. “Something? What kind of ‘something’ are we talking about?”

“You’ve only known him for a short time, so you can’t possibly know what he’s capable of. He’s my family, which means I know exactly the kind of trouble he could get into.”

Tohru huffed. “Since he’s your family, I doubt Issei would do something inappropriate.”

Kobayashi shot her a sharp glare. “You don’t know that. Plus if it weren’t for you shoving alcohol down my throat last night, I’d have stopped this living arrangement before it even started.”

Tohru’s tail twitched in embarrassment. “That was… a necessary distraction.”

Kobayashi’s lips pressed into a thin line. 

The memory from the night before flashed in her mind—the moment Kanna had run away with Issei. Kobayashi was left stunned, but soon her thoughts refocused and  her intent on storming next door to stop whatever nonsense they were plotting. But before she could get far, Tohru had wrapped her arms around her like a boa constrictor, pinning her in place.

And then, in a moment Kobayashi would never forget, Tohru had taken out a bottle of sake. “Here, Kobayashi-san~ Just one drink to relax you~”

One chug had turned into two. Then three. What followed was a slow spiral into tipsy rambling, muddled logic, and her babbling about how adorable her nephew was and her desire for maids. By the time she’d woken up, Kanna had spent the night with Issei.

Her jaw tightened at the thought. “If it wasn’t for you, I would’ve put a complete stop to this whole ‘living together’ thing. Why don’t you want me to separate them?” Kobayashi asked, suspicion narrowing her eyes.

Tohru crossed her arms, her expression firm. “Because if Kanna is keeping Issei’s attention, it means he’s not busy trying to seduce you.”

Kobayashi froze mid-step, blinking. “What the hell are you talking about? There’s nothing going on between me and my nephew!”

Tohru leaned in, her eyes narrowing like a cat about to pounce. “Oh? And if Issei-kun looked you right in the eye and proclaimed his dying love for you, you wouldn’t accept?”

That made Kobayashi falter. Her brain helpfully supplied an image.

For the tiniest of moments, her lips curved into a slow, indulgent smirk, her cheeks warming. A dangerous thought, an entire series of them, slipped into her mind: Issei, earnest and flushed, confessing; her leaning down to pat his cheek with that soft, knowing smile she rarely let anyone see; the inevitable hug… and maybe her fingers would curl around his collar, pulling him closer—.

Kobayashi’s lips curled into a faint, involuntary perverted smile. A tiny bead of drool actually threatened to form.

Tohru’s eyes widened, her pupils sharpening. “I knew it!” she snapped, her voice dripping with jealousy, her tail flicking dangerously behind her.

Kobayashi jerked her head and shook herself violently, banishing the image. “N-No! That doesn’t matter!” she barked. “As the responsible adult here, I must check up on my nephew. End of story.”

Tohru huffed and crossed her arms but trailed behind, glaring holes into Kobayashi’s back the whole way.

They stopped in front of Issei’s apartment door.

Kobayashi reached into her bag and pulled out a small silver key, the spare she’d been given “just in case.” Her eyes narrowed.

Tohru’s tail twitched nervously. “Kobayashi-san, maybe you should—”

Click.

The key slid into the lock.

“Too late,” Kobayashi said flatly.

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

The moment Kobayashi and Tohru stepped inside, the first thing that hit Kobayashi was the sight.

The living room had become disorganized. Empty snack wrappers littered the floor, open soda cans sat abandoned on the low table, and the GameCube she’d personally bought for her nephew was still on, its fan making a faint, tired whirring sound. The TV screen displayed a static “Press Start” menu, music looping endlessly in the background.

But then she saw them and her blood boiled.

On the floor, right in front of the TV, lay Issei and Kanna, both sprawled out, fast asleep… and cuddled together. Kanna’s head rested on Issei’s shoulder, her arms lightly draped around him. Issei, in turn, had one arm tucked protectively around her without even realizing it.

It was an innocent, peaceful scene.

Kobayashi didn’t care. “ISSEI! KANNA!”

Both teens shot upright. Issei blinked blearily, wincing at the daylight stabbing his eyes. “Wha—?!”

Kanna squinted, rubbing her eyes. “Morning.”

They both froze when they turned toward the source of the yell, Kobayashi was standing in the doorway, radiating pure fury.

For a moment, neither of them moved. Then both winced and grabbed their heads, groaning in unison. Staying up so late had left them with matching sleep-deprivation headaches.

Kobayashi planted her hands on her hips, looking down at them like a judge about to pass a sentence. “What were you thinking, staying up all night and turning this place into a garbage dump?”

While she unleashed her scolding, Tohru had already wandered in and begun picking up wrappers, humming cheerfully as she cleaned.

Issei turned toward Kobayashi with bleary confusion. “Wait, Auntie… why are you here?”

Kobayashi froze mid-rant. “Why am I—?!” She stopped, straightened her back, and remembered her mission. Her voice dropped an octave. “Right. I came here to say this. You and Kanna cannot live together.”

That woke him up completely. “What? Why not? She doesn’t have anywhere else to stay, and I’ve got more than enough space here.”

“She can stay with me and Tohru,” Kobayashi countered.

From the other side of the room, Tohru gasped. “Ehh?! Nooo, I don’t want to share Kobayashi with anyone else! What if Kanna steals your attention from me!”

Kanna, still sitting cross-legged on the floor, blinked as she realized what they were arguing about. “I want to live with Issei.”

All eyes turned to her.

She calmly added, “Last night was very fun.”

Issei grinned smugly, turning back to his aunt. “See? Kanna wants to live with me, and Tohru doesn’t want to share. That’s two against one.”

Kobayashi’s eyes narrowed, her gaze slowly shifting to Tohru.

Tohru looked the other way and started whistling tunelessly, pretending to dust the air with her tail.

“Uh-huh,” Kobayashi muttered. “Thought so.”

But she wasn’t ready to give up. “Even if you think it’s fine, your parents would not approve of this.”

That earned her a grin so smug it should’ve been illegal. “If you really think my parents wouldn’t approve, why don’t you call them right now? Tell them their son is living with a girl. The moment they hear it, they’ll be jumping for joy at the… implications.”

Kobayashi opened her mouth—then closed it. ‘…Damn it, he was right.’

Her Nee-san and that hopeless husband of hers would be thrilled at the idea. Her older sister’s voice echoed in her mind: ‘Our Issei finally has a girlfriend?!’ Followed by her brother-in-law’s: ‘Atta boy!’

Her jaw tightened as the bitter taste of defeat crept in. She hated it when the kid had a point. She scowled. “Tch… fine. You win.”

Issei grinned in victory—until she held up a finger.

“But there are rules.”

Issei crossed his arms. “…Rules?”

“One,” She said firmly, “there will be no funny business. You are too young for anything mature to happen, and I will not hesitate to move Kanna back to my place if I think you’re crossing a line.”

Issei groaned. “You seriously think I’d—?!”

“Two. Taking care of Kanna will be your responsibility. That means feeding her, making sure she has what she needs, and keeping this place clean.”

He nodded reluctantly. “Fine, fine…”

“And three,” Kobayashi continued, narrowing her eyes, “you will respect Kanna and never push her into anything she doesn’t want to do.”

Issei bristled. “Why would you even say that?! I’d never—”

“I know you wouldn’t,” she cut in. “But it’s important I say it anyway.”

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Alright, alright. I get it.”

“Good.” She straightened, glancing at her watch. “I have to get ready for work. Both of you, come to my apartment for breakfast in ten seconds.”

With that, Kobayashi turned and headed for the door with Tohru, muttering something under her breath about “nephews growing up too fast” as she left.

The moment she was gone, Issei leaned back against the wall and let out a breath.

Issei and Kanna exchanged a glance.

“Well,” Issei muttered, “I guess we’re officially roommates now.”

Kanna looked at him, completely unfazed. “You got scolded a lot.”

“Yeah…” He smirked faintly. “But I finally won an argument against my Oba-chan.”

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

The breakfast was laid out on the table. Miso soup, grilled fish, tamagoyaki, fresh rice, everything was presented with picture-perfect care.

And sitting at the head of the table, chest slightly puffed out in pride, was Tohru.

The family of four, Kobayashi, Issei, Kanna, and Tohru, were enjoying the meal together. The only sounds were the clink of chopsticks, the soft slurping of soup, and the occasional hum of satisfaction.

“Again, this is really good,” Issei said, leaning back slightly as he polished off a piece of fish.

Kanna, chewing quietly, gave a small nod. 

Tohru’s tail swished happily behind her, moving with the eager rhythm of a wagging dog’s. “I’m so glad you’re enjoying it! I put extra effort into today’s breakfast!”

“Not bad,” Kobayashi said after finishing her coffee, though the slight upward curve of her lips betrayed her approval more than her words did.

Tohru’s cheeks pinked at the praise, her tail swishing even harder. “Thank you, Kobayashi-san~!”

Kobayashi glanced at her clock, then pushed her chair back with a sigh. “Alright, I’d better head out. I’m leaving you three alone. Please try not to blow anything up, break anything, or start any weird dragon fights while I’m gone.”

“We’ll behave,” Tohru promised quickly, her voice almost too cheerful.

“Yeah, I’ll keep things under control,” Issei said, raising a hand in a mock scout’s pledge.

Kanna didn’t look up from her rice. “Mm.”

Kobayashi eyed them all one last time before heading to the door. “Don’t make me regret trusting you.”

The moment the door closed behind her, Tohru clasped her hands together with a bright smile.

“Well! Now that Kobayashi-san’s gone, it’s time for Kanna and me to head out.”

Issei blinked mid-bite. “Huh? Where are you going?”

“To introduce her to the city, of course!” Tohru announced proudly. “Kanna’s going to be living with you now, and since she’s new here, it’s my job to teach her the common sense of this world!”

Issei’s eyebrow twitched. “Common sense. From the dragon who fed me part of her tail.”

“It was delicious, wasn’t it?” Tohru said without missing a beat.

“That’s not the point!”

Kanna looked between them. “What are we doing?”

“I’ll show you the basics,” Tohru said confidently. “How to navigate the streets, how to order food, the rules of human etiquette—” She leaned in with a mischievous smirk. “—and where to find the best snacks.”

Issei’s unease grew. The last time Tohru had set out to “teach” someone, it had ended with him having to fight her.

“Yeah, no,” Issei said, standing up. “I’m coming with you. Someone has to make sure you two don’t end up causing a citywide incident.”

Tohru crossed her arms and grinned. “Nope. This is a girls’ trip.”

“Girls’ trip?”

“Exactly. Just us ladies. Bonding time,” She said, patting Kanna’s head. “It’ll help her settle in.”

Kanna, still chewing, gave a small nod at the thought of spending time with her friend. “I want to go.”

“See? She agrees!” Tohru said triumphantly.

Issei groaned. “Fine, but if you cause an incident, don’t call me.”

Tohru winked. “We’ll be fine.”

“Uh-huh. That’s what people say right before they break something.”

But it was clear Tohru wasn’t changing her mind. She and Kanna gathered their things, and within minutes, they were out the door.

The apartment was suddenly quiet.

Issei stood there for a moment, staring at the empty table. ‘Well… guess I’m alone for the morning.’

He walked over to the window, peering out at the bustling streets below. Cars, people, the hum of the city—Tokyo really was alive in a way his hometown wasn’t.

‘Hmm… Actually this could be a good chance.’ A slow grin spread across his face.

‘I’m in one of the biggest cities in the world. Next to the holy land of entertainment, Akihabara. All kinds of things I can’t get back in Kouh… I could find some rare games, maybe some… special magazines… maybe even meet a cute girl with big oppai…’

He grabbed his wallet and keys, his mind already racing with possibilities.

Today could be interesting.

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

The train doors slid open with a hiss, and Issei stepped out into Chiyoda-ku Station with the kind of giddy excitement usually reserved for children on Christmas morning. His sneakers squeaked faintly against the platform as he joined the bustling crowd flowing toward the exit.

Akihabara wasn’t far now.

The very name felt like a blessing in his ears.

He grinned like an idiot as he climbed the station stairs, visions of game shops, maid cafés, and towers of limited-edition figures dancing in his head. ‘This… this is it. The holy land.  the mecca of all things anime, games, and figurines. My people await me.’

Adjusting his backpack strap, he started walking, his pace quickening with every thought of second-hand figure shops and rare doujin finds. 

The summer air hit his face as he emerged into the street. Signs in vibrant neon screamed down at him from every building, anime mascots, pixelated arcade logos, “Grand Opening” banners for new hobby shops. The air was filled with the hum of voices, and the clatter of footsteps.

‘Wait. Where was everyone?’

Issei slowed his steps. The noise… was gone. The sidewalks were empty.

His brow furrowed. Just seconds ago, he’d been shoulder-to-shoulder with a sea of commuters, shoppers, and tourists. The streets had been packed. Crowds bustling past in every direction, conversations overlapping with the distant roar of traffic.  Now it was like someone had flipped a switch, and the world had… paused.

“…Okay. That’s not creepy at all.”

There was no way he should be standing in the middle of Chiyoda with not a soul around.

(Partner.) The deep rumble of Ddraig’s voice rolled through his mind, calm but edged with warning.

Issei blinked. “D-Ddraig? What’s up?”

(Be on guard. You’ve just stepped into a barrier.)

“A… barrier?”

(An invisible field) Ddraig explained. (It pushes away the mundane so the supernatural can act without revealing itself to them. To everyone else, this street is still crowded. But to you, it’s empty.)

Issei’s grip on his backpack strap tightened. “Why?”

(So they can act freely. Fight. Kill. Hunt. Without exposing themselves to human eyes.)

Issei stopped in the middle of the road, his sneakers squeaking faintly on the asphalt. “…So you’re saying I’m in some kind of invisible zone?”

(Precisely. Now that you’ve awakened some power, you can resist its effect. Which means…)

“Which means… I just walked into a place I’m not supposed to be and can no longer be ignorant like the rest.”

(Exactly.)

The weight of those words settled in his stomach like a stone. “…That’s… not exactly reassuring.”

Issei scanned his surroundings. The glass fronts of shops reflected his own nervous expression. Nothing moved. Not a single car passed.

The silence was broken by a deep, echoing BOOM.

He spun around. In the distance, far down one of the main streets, a plume of smoke curled upward into the sky.

Another explosion followed. This one came from the opposite direction.

And then a third, somewhere off to his right.

“…That’s three different—”

(Three different battle sites.) Ddraig finished for him. (Whoever’s fighting, they’ve already engaged on multiple fronts. It’s likely more than one group is involved.”

“Fantastic,” Issei muttered. “A supernatural gang war. In Akihabara. While I’m here. Alone.” Issei is already turning back the way he came.

Another blast shook the air, the shockwave faint but tangible.

(You should be cautious, Partner. Where are you going?)

“Back. To the station.” Issei interrupted, already turning on his heel.

(You’re not even curious?)

“Absolutely not. This is how people die in movies, Ddraig. First it’s ‘Oh, let’s check it out,’ and next thing you know, boom, you’re collateral damage in a magical fight between people who could sneeze me into the afterlife.”

(But you’re the Red Dragon Emperor. We could- .)

“Nope. Nuh-uh. I’m a Red Dragon Emperor who’s not suicidal, thank you. I came here to have fun. Not to get roasted, zapped, or exorcised by some lunatic with a grudge.”

He picked up his pace, heading back toward the way he’d come.

(So you intend to… run?)

“Yes. Barrier or not, if I get back to the station, I’m out. Nice and simple.”

(Cowardice does not suit a dragon.)

“It suits a living dragon,” Issei shot back. “And I plan to stay that way.”

He passed a vending machine, the only sound his own footsteps echoing in the unnatural stillness. The empty street felt wrong, like something was watching him.

And then—

“Stop right there!” The sharp, commanding voice cut through the air, freezing him mid-step.

He turned, expecting maybe some security guard or city worker.

What he got instead made his brain short-circuit.

Coming toward him at a brisk, determined pace was a tall young woman with long brown hair that swayed behind her, emerald-green eyes locked onto him. A pair of rectangular glasses framed her face perfectly, giving her an almost scholarly air—though the effect was completely overshadowed by what she was wearing.

A miko outfit.

A very, very form-fitting miko outfit.

The white haori and deep red hakama clung in all the right places, showing off toned curves, long legs, and…

Boing.

Issei’s brain immediately derailed. ‘Oh… my… Oppai.’

Her chest rose and fell with every breath as she closed the distance, the subtle bounce hypnotizing him more than any spell could.

He vaguely registered words leaving her mouth, something about “finally finding one of the youkai destroying the city,” “restoring honor to my family name.” His mind and eyes were too focused on the heavenly fun bags in front.

“…and I, Mina Tadayuki, will end your rampage here!” She declared.

“…Wait, did she just say—?”

Before he could finish that thought, Mina’s hands whipped out several paper talismans with practiced speed.

“Begone, foul creature!” She cried, flinging them toward him in a flurry.

Issei blinked. “Wait, what—?”

(MOVE, PARTNER!) Ddraig’s roar snapped him out of his daze.

The talismans were already closing in.

And then they exploded.

The pavement cracked, smoke and dust billowing up. Issei stumbled back, coughing, his heart pounding.

“Wha—hey! I didn’t even do anything!” He protested, raising his hands in a pacifying gesture. “I’m not a youkai! I haven’t done anything wrong!”

Mina’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Don’t think you can fool me with that human guise. A person releasing that much aura is never here with good intentions.”

“Aura? What aura?!” Issei threw up his hands, dodging another set of talismans. “Lady, I didn’t even do anything! I just came here to shop!”

She ignored him, her gaze sharp. “Excuses are the coward’s weapon!” More talismans appeared between her fingers.

“Oh, come on—”

The next barrage came fast. Issei threw himself sideways, barely avoiding one talisman that burst into a shockwave of searing heat, then another that exploded into freezing mist, and a third that crackled with electric sparks.

“Ddraig!” he shouted in his head. “What the hell is she talking about?!”

(She’s sensing your presence. Now that you’ve awakened the Boosted Gear and become part-dragon, you’re radiating energy that anyone spiritually or magically awakened can detect. It’s like a beacon.)

“…So she thinks I’m trouble because I’m… glowing invisible dragon energy?”

(More or less. Most beings learn to suppress their aura to avoid spooking people or to hide hostility. But you? You’re walking around broadcasting like a damn flare.)

“Great,” Issei muttered, sidestepping a lightning talisman. “And Tohru or Kanna didn’t tell me this because…?”

(Because compared to theirs, yours is a candle next to a bonfire. They probably didn’t notice.)

Issei grit his teeth, narrowly sidestepping another talisman as it blasted the ground where he’d been standing. “Great. So now I’m getting attacked for something I didn’t even know I was doing.”

His first instinct was to call on the Boosted Gear and end this quickly, but Ddraig’s voice rumbled with authority.

(Don’t. This is a good opportunity to see what you can do without relying on it. Learn to use your natural abilities. You’re stronger now—far stronger than a human. Prove it.)

Issei’s face contorted. “Yeah, but it’ll make this fight way harder—”

(Man up, Partner.)

Issei groaned under his breath. “Fine, fine… but if I die, I’m haunting you.”

The next volley came. Issei moved on instinct, weaving between blasts, ducking under a flaming sigil, then vaulting over one that froze the ground in jagged spikes. His reflexes felt sharper than ever, his body moving before he had time to think.  He weaved between talismans, each narrowly missing him before bursting into magical effects, thunderclaps, bursts of flame, walls of ice.

“Stay still!” Mina barked, frustration clear in her voice, she wasn’t a pushover as she adjusted her throws, changing the timing and angles, mixing her attacks—fire, lightning, ice—in unpredictable sequences.

Still, Issei dodged, getting closer step by step.

‘Almost there…’

Then, he switched tactics. Instead of sidestepping her next talisman, he charged straight at it.

“Gotcha,” Mina murmured, flicking her wrist.

The talisman exploded against him in a burst of searing light and concussive force, filling the street with smoke and debris.

“Its over,” she whispered, adjusting her glasses.

Then the smoke shifted and Issei stepped out without a scratch, his expression somewhere between annoyed and smug.

“What—?!”

Before she could react, he closed the distance in one lunge, tackling her to the ground. The impact knocked the wind from her, her glasses slipping away and fell to the ground.

Her green eyes widened in surprise. Issei kept both of her wrists pinned above her head with one hand, his body leaning over hers to stop her from kicking free. The cold pavement pressed into his knees. Mina’s green eyes glared up at him, defiant despite the fact that she was well and truly trapped.

“Stop struggling,” He said, his voice low but firm.

She twisted, arching her back, her legs shifting as she tried to buck him off. But no matter how much she fought, her strength was nothing compared to his. Even without the Boosted Gear, the dragon blood in his veins gave him the edge.

“Seriously,” Issei continued, tightening his hold slightly, “You’re just gonna wear yourself out.”

She didn’t stop. Her lips curled in frustration. “No matter what you do to me, I will never admit defeat—even if you…” Her words caught for a fraction of a second before she forced them out. Her voice trembled just slightly. “…Even if you defile me.”

Issei blinked. “…What?”

Then it hit him, and his eyes went wide—not with embarrassment, but with offense. “H-Hey! What the hell kind of disgusting—?! I’m not here to do anything like that! I just want you to stop trying to blow me up!”

His voice rose without him realizing, but before he could say more, something else caught his attention, small, trembling drops sliding from the corners of her eyes, streaking down her cheeks. He could see the girl trembling in fear.

Issei’s anger faltered instantly. ‘Great. Now I feel like the bad guy…’

“Damn it…” With a heavy sigh, he released her wrists and pushed himself back, giving her space.

Mina blinked, startled by the sudden freedom. Slowly, she sat up, grabbing her glasses and pushing them back into place. “…You’re… letting me go?”

“Yeah,” He muttered, stepping back. “Watching you cry kinda makes me feel like a jerk.” He extended a hand toward her. “If you stop attacking me, I won’t hurt you.”

Her gaze lingered on him, searching for some hidden trick. When she found none, she hesitantly accepted his hand. His grip was steady and warm as he helped her to her feet.

“…Why didn’t you attack me?” She asked quietly, brushing the dust from her hakama.

“I already told you—I’m not here to fight,” He said. “So why did you attack me?”

Mina looked genuinely confused, then tilted her head slightly. “…You don’t know?”

“Know what?”

“There’s a war going on in Tokyo right now.”

That made Issei freeze. “…Come again?”

She nodded gravely. “It started about two months ago. Something happened in Saitama Prefecture,a very powerful being took over that entire territory and claimed it as their own.”

That caught Issei’s full attention. His aunt had told him Tohru came into her life about… two months ago.

Mina continued, oblivious to the connection forming in his head. “That event forced various youkai, spirits, minor gods, and supernatural families to flee their homes and seek refuge elsewhere. Many ended up in Tokyo, encroaching on other groups’ territories. And now…” She gestured to the distant smoke still rising from the earlier explosions. “…now everyone is fighting over land and power.”

Issei felt a bead of sweat trickle down the back of his neck. ‘Oh crap.’

“Mina, right.” He said carefully, “do you… know who took over Saitama?”

She shook her head. “No. But whoever it is must be cruel, powerful, and selfish—someone who doesn’t care about how many people they hurt.”

Issei swallowed hard, his guilt creeping in like a cold fog. ‘Ddraig… You thinking what I’m thinking.’

(Unfortunately, yes. The most likely culprit is Tohru.)

Issei sighed through his nose. ‘Perfect. Just perfect.’

Mina drew herself up, some of her earlier confidence returning. “As an Onmyoji, it’s my duty to deal with these disturbances. I won’t stop until I calm this chaos and restore balance.”

He tilted his head. “Okay, but then why were you so dead set on taking me down?”

For the first time, Mina’s cheeks flushed, and she looked away. “…While this situation is… terrible, it’s also an opportunity.”

“Opportunity?”

She nodded, though her voice lowered. “I am Mina Tadayuki, of the Tadayuki clan. We were once one of Japan’s most respected spiritual families, descendants of Kamo no Tadayuki, the teacher of the great Abe no Seimei himself. But now… we’ve fallen into decline. We’ve lost most of our influence and reputation. If I can help solve this crisis, I could restore my family’s standing.”

Issei studied her for a moment, noting the flicker of pride still burning in her despite the way her shoulders slumped. “…That’s… a lot for one person to take on. Don’t you have anyone else to help you?”

Her eyes dimmed. “No. I’m the last member of the Tadayuki. If I don’t act, there’s no one else left to carry the name.”

The words hung in the air, heavy with quiet loneliness.

Before Issei could respond, another deep BOOM echoed in the distance, shaking the pavement beneath their feet.

Mina’s head snapped toward the sound, her grip tightening on the talismans still at her side. “I’m sorry for attacking you. I’ll make it up to you—somehow. But right now, there’s trouble I can’t ignore.”

She turned and sprinted toward the rising smoke.

Issei watched her go, his gut twisting. She was running headfirst into something dangerous.

And if Tohru was the cause of all this chaos…

“Dammit.” He clenched his fists and took off after her. “No way she’s handling that alone.” 

Done, tell me what you think and if I made any mistakes. What do you think of this new arc? While Issei will be dealing with the characters of Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid, he will also have to deal with this problem throughout summer. I made a mistake in the first chapter saying it was two months but Japan only gets 1 month of summer vacation. Tell me what you think of this OC. And do say thank you to Luis for this commission.