High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

Chapter 76: Chapter 74: Let’s Go on a Date!!

The day after the battle with the Hero Faction.

I stood in front of a convenience store near the station, our meeting spot. Checking my reflection in the glass—no bedhead, teeth brushed. Perfect!

At 10 a.m., a girl my age in a frilly, cute dress approached.

”Uh, Akeno-san...?” I stammered.

”Sorry, did I keep you waiting?” she asked.

”N-No,” I replied, heart racing.

Akeno had her hair down, wearing a youthful outfit and boots—new to me. So cute! I’d pictured her usual mature, older-sister style, like when she went out with Buchou. Today, she wasn’t just beautiful—she was adorable!

”Staring like that... it’s embarrassing. Is it... weird?” she asked, glancing up shyly.

Ugh, that look! My heart!

I shook my head, giving a thumbs-up. ”No! Super cute!”

Akeno blushed, looking pleased. Too maidenly today!

”Today, Issei-kun’s my boyfriend for the day. Can I call you... Issei?” she asked, cheeks red.

Uwooooh!? Too unfair!

”Of course!” I blurted.

No reason to refuse—impossible to, anyway! Who could say no to that? No one!

Akeno’s face lit up. ”Yay! Thanks, Issei.”

Guh! Her expression’s a critical hit!

Then I remembered something from before our meeting with Michael.

”Uh...” I hesitated.

Akeno looked puzzled. ”What? Did you... not like it?”

”No, I recalled something you asked me before,” I said.

”Asked? Did I ask you something, Issei?” she said, confused.

Guess she forgot. Fine, I’ll say it!

”...Akeno,” I said.

”Eh?” She blinked, stunned.

”Uh, after meeting Michael, you said to call you ’Akeno’ when we’re alone, right?” I explained.

”...!” Akeno froze, shocked.

Then, trembling, she covered her face. Did I make her cry!?

”W-Wait, did I mess up? Calling you that was too much, huh?” I panicked, apologizing.

What a way to ruin the date!

Akeno, wiping tears, grabbed my hand. ”No... I’m happy. You called me ’Akeno,’ and I’m so happy... Sorry for startling you.”

”Phew, glad I didn’t hurt you,” I said, handing her a handkerchief.

She dabbed her eyes, chuckling. ”You’re unfair, Issei, with that surprise attack.”

Haha, you’ve hit me with plenty, so we’re even!

We giggled together. Looks like the date’s on track. Phew!

But then... I glanced back. Red hair caught my eye. Behind a pole, a red-haired woman in sunglasses and a hat watched us. A teary-eyed blonde in glasses, a petite girl with cat ears poking from a wrestler mask, a paper-bag weirdo, and Kiba, waving apologetically.

Buchou and the club, right? What are you doing!? Except Kiba, you’re total creeps!

Some are missing. Miu said she’s shopping with Xenovia, Irina, Reyna, and Mom, so that explains it.

Don’t you know I can sense your presence? You’re not even hiding! I feel your angry aura!

Koneko’s using senjutsu to mask her presence, but it’s not perfect. I’ll train her later.

”My, too many for a cheating sting,” Akeno teased, smirking.

She snuggled close, linking arms. Her hair smelled amazing, and her chest pressed against me. Heavenly!

Crack! A dull sound behind us. Buchou, trembling with rage, had cracked the pole!

Buchou, scary! Fix that property damage!

”Hey, Issei, if you’re dropping honorifics, skip the polite speech too, okay?” Akeno said.

”Uh, sure,” I agreed.

She poked my nose. ”Still too polite.”

”Right, habit. Got it, like this?” I said.

She smiled. ”Thanks for indulging my selfish request.”

”No way, a cute request like that? I’m all in,” I said.

”Fufu, shall we go, Issei?” she said.

”Yeah, Akeno,” I replied.

We headed into town. Glancing back, Buchou was magically fixing the pole.

Three hours into the date.

Akeno dropped her older-sister tone, acting fully like a teenage girl. At a clothing store, she’d ask, ”Issei, does this suit me? Or this one?” like any girl. I gave thumbs-ups, saying, ”Both look great!” Everything suited her!

Sharing a crepe from a stall, she said, ”Tasty, right, Issei?” We held hands the whole time, her cheeks flushed. So cute—how many times have I said that? That’s how adorable she is!

I’m going all out today!

”Akeno, anywhere you wanna go? I’ll take you!” I said, pulling her hand.

”Okay!” she replied, with the cutest smile.

We headed to the aquarium at her request.

”Deep-sea fish have such weird faces,” Akeno said cheerfully, leaving the aquarium.

It’d been a while since I visited the town’s small aquarium, but it was fun. The dolphin show was a hit, and Akeno looked satisfied.

”Where next?” I asked.

”Hmm,” she mused.

Then I spotted Buchou’s red-haired posse trailing us again. Their pressure was intense—worse than battle!

I might not survive this date...

Akeno noticed them, flashing a mischievous grin. She grabbed my hand, pulling me.

”Whoa! What’s up?” I said.

”Let’s lose Rias and the others!” she said, grinning.

Bold move!

Buchou’s crew noticed and bolted after us. They’re fast—way too fast! Desperate much?

Fine, I’m in!

”Akeno, hold on!” I said.

”Eh? Kyah!” she yelped.

I grabbed her hand, scooped her up, and sprinted. My right arm’s limited, but this I can do! Weaving through empty streets, I shook them off, outrunning Koneko’s detection.

Their presence faded in another direction. I set Akeno down.

”Phew, we lost them,” I said.

Miu would’ve caught us...

I’ll face their wrath later. For now, enjoy!

Akeno seemed thrilled being carried.

”Was that too rough?” I asked.

She fixed her hair. ”No, the breeze felt great. I knew you were fast, Issei.”

”Training pays off,” I said, striking a pose.

She giggled, covering her mouth.

Time to resume the date.

”Where next?” I asked, scanning the area.

Then I saw signs: ”Rest ¥XXX, Stay ¥XXX.” My fatal mistake hit me.

This is a love hotel district!!

How did I end up here!?

Akeno’s face turned red, realizing it too.

”N-No! I didn’t mean anything shady!” I blurted.

Would she buy that? She was carried straight to a love hotel street!

I ruined everything. This was supposed to be a carefree date...

I’m done. She’ll hate me...

Then—

”...It’s okay,” Akeno said.

”Huh?” I asked, stunned.

She leaned close, looking up with moist eyes. ”If you want to go in, Issei... I’m okay. It’s fine.”

Blood gushed from my nose.

Seriously!?

”A-Akeno-san...” I said, slipping back to honorifics.

She hugged me, face against my chest. ”Call me ’Akeno’ like before... or I’ll be upset.”

Ugh, how can I resist!?

This is it, right? I have to!

Akeno’s ready, and I want this with her!

Let’s do it!

I wrapped an arm around her. ”Akeno, I—”

A presence approached. I pulled away, eyeing the source: an old man in a hat and casual clothes, with a burly guy and a stern woman in a pantsuit.

I didn’t know the guy, but the old man and woman looked familiar. I’d talked to the old man before!

”Old man Odin!?” I exclaimed.

It was Odin, Norse chief god! We teamed up to save Buchou from the Old Demon Faction.

”Ho ho ho, Red Dragon Emperor lad. Trying to get frisky in broad daylight, eh?” Odin chuckled.

”Why are you here?” Akeno asked, shaken.

Yeah, why’s he in Japan during terrorist threats? Reckless!

”Odin-sama! You can’t wander such places! Act like a god!” the woman scolded.

She wore armor in the Underworld, right?

”Relax, Rossweisse. As a Valkyrie hosting heroes, learn from these scenes,” Odin said.

”I’m just a plain Valkyrie. And you kids shouldn’t be here either! High schoolers, go home and study!” Rossweisse lectured.

Ugh, scolded by her too. The love hotel mood’s gone. Regret...

I glanced at Akeno, who was being confronted by the burly man.

”...You are,” Akeno said, eyes wide.

”What’s this, Akeno?” he asked, voice sharp with anger.

Intense pressure. A fallen angel, by his aura?

”None of your business! Why are you here?” Akeno snapped, glaring, her maiden vibe gone.

”Doesn’t matter! Leave, it’s too soon for you,” he said, grabbing her arm to drag her away.

”No! Let go!” Akeno resisted.

Hey, what’s his deal!?

I grabbed his arm, stopping him. ”I don’t know you, but she’s uncomfortable. Hurt her, and I won’t stay quiet.”

I glared, exuding menace. Sweating, he said, ”I’m here as Odin-sama’s guard. Barachiel, Grigori cadre—and Himejima Akeno’s father.”

”—!” I froze, speechless.

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