22

[If you don't get up, I will chop you dead! Now get up, you lazy piece o—]

Smack! I slap the alarm, jolting awake to find myself face down under the sheets. Wait—what's that feeling? Bat wings…? On my back? Sticking out from under the covers?

I blink at the ceiling, still reeling from the dream.

"Ugh. I'm still sleepy…"

But then—uh oh.

There's a figure beside me in bed.

Wait, is that—Rias?! Like in the anime? No way. Did she sneak in here again?! My mind races as I reach over slowly, imagining a calm, cool embrace… the ideal rom-com opening scene.

But—

Brown eyes stare back at me. A warm tongue licks my cheek.

“Morning, Alpha! I love you!” Woof!

Not Rias.

It's Precious, my overly loyal, overly fluffy, talking dog. Yup. No beautiful devil princess. Just fur. Lots of it.

I sigh. “Precious, why are you in my bed? And… who brought me home?”

She gives her answer in her adorable, cheerful dog-speak.
Woof! “Two ladies with red and black hair brought you in and checked your body. They even made sure everything was working properly—whatever that means! Then, they left in a red light. I’ve been protecting you since!” Woof!

I pet her ears in response. “Good girl.”

Just then—

"Wow, my little brother’s making friends without me!"

That was my sister. And my mom soon yells from downstairs:
[Matsuda! You're going to be late for school!]

Yup. Nagging mom voice. Never thought I’d miss it so much.

“I love this world.”


---

After letting Precious out and dealing with breakfast chaos, I hop into the shower and immediately call the one person who keeps me grounded—Kalawarna.

“Hello, love,” she says with a purr. “Calling me early? Did you miss me that much?”

“I just wanted to hear your voice. I'm okay, but I had a close call. I was reckless and got into it with a Fallen Angel.”

I explain everything—how Rias saved me, how I was reborn as a Devil. There’s a pause before she speaks again.

“If she mistreats you, I’ll descend myself. Don’t think for a second I’d let anyone harm you again.”

Then she says it.

“You have a new reason to survive. Our baby.”

…And that’s when I break down a little. I’m going to be a dad again. And this time—I’ll remember their name. I won’t mess it up.


---

On my way to school, my head spins with thoughts: my new Devil body, wings I can control at will, and my Sacred Gear's insane potential. My solar-enhanced powers mean no sunlight weakness. I’m essentially a Middle-Class Devil at full strength already. I could probably take Raynare in a fair fight now.

She took her shot… but I’m still here. I won’t seek revenge. But if she doesn't run next time, I won’t hesitate.

I spot the usual suspects up ahead—Issei and Motohama arguing.

“Why are you two bickering this early?”

Issei looks frantic. “Motohama doesn’t remember your girlfriend Yūma! He thinks you were with Karen!”

Motohama folds his arms. “Because that’s what happened. Yūma? You had a weird dream, man.”

I shrug innocently. “Yūma? Who’s that? Issei, maybe you need a weekend off. Let’s go hit a club sometime.”

Sorry, bro. Sona's going to have to show you the truth. I can’t break the world logic yet. Motohama doesn’t need a panic attack today.


---

We arrive at school, and I give a loud, cocky greeting.

"Hey Prez! VP! Saji, stop glaring like I owe you lunch money!"

Saji snaps, “Say that again, punk!”

“Saji,” Sona says sternly. “School behavior.”

“Exactly!” I grin. “Special permission is required to be this charming. Right, VP?”

She’s blushing?! Weird. I joke again, “VP… I think your dignity dropped nine levels again—”

No teeth grinding? No retort? Why is this scarier than usual?

I sigh dramatically and slink off, defeated. Behind me, giggles from her Peerage echo. I'm not crying. You're crying.


---

After I leave, Issei nervously approaches Sona.

"Hey, um… Prez? Matsuda doesn’t remember Yūma. Neither does Motohama. Am I losing it?”

Sona eyes him carefully. “I’ll look into it. Momo will explain the basics of memory magic later.”

She then looks toward the direction I went. Her gaze sharpens.

She’s already piecing it together.


---

During class, I finally get to rest at my desk. But peace never lasts.

"Hello, Tanaka. Could I ask you to meet my Club President after school?"

Kiba. With full golden-boy energy. And unfortunately, full classroom attention.

I give him my classic grin and say, “Sorry, I’m not into guys. But Issei might be able to help you out!”

3… 2… 1…

“I’M NOT GAY, MATSUDA!” Issei screams.

The whole class takes one dramatic step away from him.

Trap. Set. Triggered. Perfect.

Then Kiba clarifies, “No, no. Rias Gremory wants to meet you.”

Now that got everyone's attention.

“Sure!” I say cheerfully.

Thud.
I think Issei just fainted.


---

Later, I follow Kiba to the infamous Occult Research Club building. Just walking in, I feel the power humming from every wall. This place was built for Devils.

And then I see it—the Gremory circle. Glowing. Iconic. Glorious.

Oh right. Koneko's there too. She’s… still Koneko. No comment. Moving on.

Just then, the two stars of the show appear, wrapped in towels from post-shower glimmer. Classic Rias and Akeno entrance.

And yup—wings. Mine shoot out. Dramatic pose time.

"I'm Matsuda Tanaka, future greatest Devil of the Gremory House. How you do!"

Click~! A surprise phone photo later, I’m standing in smug satisfaction.

Rias is stunned.

“How do you know all this? Who are you?”

I bow.

“Rias Gremory, my King and Master. I, Matsuda Tanaka, bearer of the Sacred Gear [True Longinus: Eyes of Creation], thank you for saving my life.”

“I promise you—I'll grow stronger than any Devil you've seen. I'll protect your Peerage and everyone I love. I'm going to be a pain in your side—but you’ll never regret saving me.”

Silence.

Then…

“Damn. I overdid it again.”

“Out loud again,” someone mutters.

Rias composes herself. “Let's start with what you do know. And how.”

I summon my Sacred Gear, take a seat near Kiba, and not next to Koneko. I explain the situation.

“I’m a genius, and this is my Gear. The power of divine creation. And Sona? She's still got a ways to catch up!”

Kiba facepalms.

And that’s only Day One.