DXD: A Shidou Koujiro's

"We changed our minds," Karina smiled. "Besides, if anyone knows what Koujiro is going through, it'll be us don't you think?"

"What is that supposed to mean?" asked Irina.

"We were humans once," said Giselle. "We weren't born angels, Irina.

We had our lives before we were reincarnated. We know what it's like to be inducted into a world of myths and monsters.

We can help him through this. "

"We can show him how to control his powers," said Karina. "If all else fails, Koujiro needs to learn how to fight back against his enemies.

"No!" Irina shot to her feet. "Absolutely not! He is not getting anywhere near a fight, especially not at the hands of you four.

"

"W-Wait," said Kouji. "I think they have a point Irina.

"

"Kouji!"

"Think about it," said Kouji. "Restoring this seal is kind of a longshot either way.

If we can't find a way to restore it, I'm going to need to find a way to actually fight back. I can't run for the rest of my life…"

"But…" said Irina. "I can protect you.

Dad and I can-"

"For the rest of my life?" asked Kouji. "Irina I know you want to protect me but at some point I have to figure things out for my own.

I think Karina's right. Whatever is out there will want me dead once they find out I'm alive.

I need a way of actually fighting back…and of course we can still try to find a way to restore the seal in the meantime. "

Karina smiled. "Irina.

May I have a word with Koujiro alone? I promise I won't do anything, just talk. "

Irina sighed. "You know I don't trust you, right? Like at all.

"

"As you should," said Karina. "Trust is earned and we have yet to earn that from you.

"

"What do you want us to do?" asked Giselle.

"Comb through the Archive," said Karina. "See if you can find anything on the House of Valak.

If all else fails there is someone we can talk to. "

"I don't like where this is going," NingNing sighed. "Call us if anything goes wrong.

"

"Will do. "

The three girls got up and left their house before Irina scowled at Karina.

"I'll be in the next room," said Irina. "Don't you even dare try to pull anything.

"

Kouji gulped as Irina left. He had never been in a room alone with an idol before let alone his favorite idol in the world.

It didn't help that Karina exuded a seductive command of attention. She crossed her legs and leaned on her fist, waiting for him to crack.

"So…" Kouji avoided her eyes. "How's Seoul? I haven't been back there in awhile.

"

"You've been to South Korea?" asked Karina.

Kouji nodded. "For school.

My dad sends me to different schools everywhere so I kind of go all over the place. "

"Smart," said Karina. "Keeping you in one place for too long risks discovery if you ever awaken.

"

"That's why he keeps sending me away?" asked Kouji.

"I assume so," said Karina. "But seeing as we've extended our stay in London for a few weeks, it'll give us plenty of time to teach you how to control your powers.

"

"I'm guessing no concerts though?" asked Kouji. "Plus I'm surprised you could even walk around in public like that.

Don't you guys get mobbed?"

Karina smiled. "Winter's exceptionally good at perception magic.

It's like seeing something in the corner of your eye. They won't notice us unless we want them to.

"

"Huh, interesting," said Kouji. "So why exactly did you want to talk to me?"

Karina leaned forward in a more serious tone. "I was an orphan too you know.

I had no idea who my parents were or why they didn't want me. I went from orphanage to orphanage without finding an actual home.

I died without anyone to miss me. "

"Y-You died?" asked Kouji.

"I was reincarnated by a lovely angel," said Karina. "She gave me a new chance at life, to help those who went through what I did.

A few centuries pass and I do as I've always done. And then I met you.

A boy with no choice in his lineage yet chooses to be what fate declared he shouldn't. How can I resist?"

"I'm not sure I fully understand…" said Kouji.

"You don't have to yet," said Karina. "I've looked into your life, Koujiro.

Top student, remarkable academic records, yet your teachers and professors say you're lazy and capable of so much more. Is that true?"

She dug into his life? He's been to at least eight different schools in the past five years. She couldn't seriously have gotten his records from each different school, could she? But even then…his teachers weren't lying.

"Everything feels so…slow," said Kouji. "Information soaks in and stays in easily enough but having to relearn everything at every new school feels like my brain is being dragged through sandpaper.

I can't stay still, I can't focus sometimes…it's like I'm on edge. "

Karina smiled. "Those are your reflexes.

Your body is engineered to fight, it can't sit still. Those instincts and reflexes are what keep you alive during battle.

Does your body ever react before your brain has a moment to catch up?"

"Yes! All the time," Kouji smiled. For the first time in his life, someone understands him.

"That's good," said Karina. "Your body isn't like a human body, Koujiro.

It's so much more durable and so much more capable. Your brain soaks in information because the House of Valak were scholars after the war ended, they crave knowledge and understanding of the universe as a whole.

You, Shidou Koujiro, are not crazy. You're not sick, you're not insane.

You are exactly who you were meant to be and so, so, so much more. "

Kouji felt a tear drip from his eye. Why was he crying? He never cries.

"I'll be in touch," said Karina. "As soon as your sister learns that she can trust us, we'll begin your training.

I promise you, Koujiro, we'll help you in any way we can. "