KU DXD Chapter 3 An Exciting Night

Hyoudou Residence, Issei’s Room, Night

The once-quiet room was now a storm of tension. Moonlight poured through the open window, catching the faint gleam of metal as the two Devilukeans stood poised like shadows in black suits. Their tails swayed lazily behind them, predatory, confident.

Issei gritted his teeth. Every muscle in his body screamed to move, but an unseen pressure wrapped around him, tight, suffocating, unyielding.  Invisible hands crushed the air from his lungs, pinning him in place.

“W-What the hell…!? Why can’t I move!?” He gasped and growled, his legs trembling as he fought against the unseen force.

The taller of the two aliens gave a faint smirk, his hand continued to glow faintly with psychic energy. “You humans are so fragile. Don’t strain yourself,it’s pointless.”

The other stepped forward, his hand reaching for Lala. “Princess, enough running. It’s time to return. Your father awaits.”

While the other with his free hand grabbed Peke.

“Let go of me!” Lala shouted, jerking her arm back as the man’s fingers wrapped around her wrist. Her tail flicked sharply in agitation, the air humming faintly with power.

“Princess,” The man said coolly, “resistance is unwise. His Majesty—”

“I said let go!” She screamed, twisting violently.

“Lala!” Issei shouted, straining so hard that the veins in his neck burned. The psychic pressure grew heavier, locking his body in place as he trembled. ‘No! I won’t just stand here!’

He could see the fear in Lala’s eyes, the same girl who had smiled so brightly just minutes ago. She was being dragged away, helpless. Something inside him snapped.

“Damn it!” Issei roared, his voice cracking with desperation. “I need power… Let me move! I have to save her!”

The room suddenly pulsed with light. A surge of heat coursed through Issei’s arm, wild, primal, and alive. A flash of red ignited across his wrist, spiraling into shape. Metal fused with flesh, forming into the outline of a red gauntlet that shimmered with energy.

The psychic pressure shattered.

Issei’s breath hitched as the burning red light solidified into a red glove that gleamed under the moonlight.

The taller Devilukean froze, his eyes widening. “What—!?”

Before either could react, Issei moved.

Faster than he realized, his arm lashed out, an after-image cutting through the air. The psychic hold broke completely, and a wind erupted through the room. Both aliens were hurled backward, slamming into the far wall with a crash that rattled the window frame.

Both Lala and Peke were now free from their grips.

Lala gasped, her emerald eyes wide. “Issei…?”

The glow of the Sacred Gear pulsed. Issei stared at his hand, stunned for half a second, before the reality of the moment crashed back down. The aliens were recovering fast.

No time to think. He turned to Lala, instincts taking over. “Hold on!”

“Eh—?” She squeaked as Issei scooped her up effortlessly, one arm under her knees, the other braced behind her back. Meanwhile Peke could be seen held in Lala’s arms. The sudden closeness made her blush faintly, her heart skipping. “W-Wait, Issei—!”

“No time!” He barked, and with a burst of motion, he vaulted toward the window. Wind flashed by as they plunged into the night.

The cool air slapped against their faces as Issei landed on a neighboring rooftop, his bare feet scraping tile. He crouched low, balancing Lala against his chest as the red glow of the glove pulsed faintly. The adrenaline in his blood made every sound sharp, every breath alive.

Behind them, the Devilukeans shook off the impact, their suits sparking faintly from the blast.

“They’ve escaped through the window!”

“Let’s go!” The taller one ordered. “We can’t lose her again!”

Their tails lashed behind them as they quickly jumped and ran after them with their incredible speed.

Meanwhile, Issei leapt from one rooftop to the next, every muscle fueled by instinct and the strange power coursing through his arm. Tiles cracked beneath his feet as he jumped again, carrying Lala as if she weighed nothing.

Lala clutched at his shirt, eyes wide with shock—and something else. Awe.

“Issei… you’re so strong…” She whispered, the wind whipping through her pink hair.

He glanced down at her, his face flushed from effort. “Don’t thank me yet—we’re still being chased!”

Issei then turned his head back to look and noticed that the aliens in black suits were chasing after them. “They’re gaining after us!?”

“They won’t stop until they have me!” Lala shouted over the wind. “We have to keep going!”

“I am going!” Issei yelled back, gripping her tighter as he vaulted another rooftop.

Behind them, the two Devilukeans ran and jumped after them, their forms streaking through the moonlit sky.

Lala’s heart pounded against Issei’s chest as she looked up at his determined face, the red glow from his Sacred Gear reflecting in her wide eyes. For a moment, even amidst the danger, she couldn’t help but stare, her cheeks warming. ‘He really is amazing…’

But the moment was fleeting. “I’ll be honest, this is officially the craziest night of my life!” Issei shouted. “And that’s saying something!”

“Don’t worry!” Lala said brightly, as if chaos were an everyday thing. “I’ll think of something soon!”

The rooftops blurred beneath them as the chase tore across the neighborhood.

—---------------------------

Hyoudou Residence, Living Room

Downstairs, the Hyoudou home was unusually quiet, save for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall and the low hum of the refrigerator. The chaos upstairs had subsided not long ago, and both Miki and Gorou Hyoudou sat together on the living room couch, still trying to process what they’d just witnessed.

A pink-haired alien girl. A tail that moved on its own. And their son, of all people asking them if she could stay.

Miki rubbed her temples, letting out a long sigh. “Aliens… I can’t believe I’m even saying that word seriously.”

Gorou leaned back, arms crossed and eyes on the ceiling. “Yeah. One minute I’m watching the news, the next there’s an extraterrestrial girl in my son’s room. Not exactly the kind of ‘first contact’ the movies promised.”

Miki shot him a glare. “You’re awfully calm about this.”

“I’m not calm, I’m just trying to process all this.” Gorou said quickly, holding up a finger. “Big difference.”

Miki pinched the bridge of her nose, exhaling. “We should have said something… I don’t know, more responsible. Maybe told her to call her parents, or… whatever planet she’s from.”

“Planet Deviluke,” Gorou corrected, his tone flat.

“Right, Deviluke,” Miki muttered, shaking her head. “Still sounds like something out of a manga.”

For a moment, they sat in silence again. The glow from the lamp cast soft amber light across the room, reflecting off the framed photos on the walls—Issei as a baby, his awkward middle school years, and his first day of high school. Miki’s eyes lingered on one picture in particular: Issei grinning ear to ear, covered in mud after helping fix a neighbor’s bike chain.

She smiled faintly, but it faded quickly. “Do you think… we’re making a mistake letting her stay?” she asked quietly. “Aliens, kidnappers, space travel… this is so far beyond anything we can handle.”

Gorou sighed, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. “Maybe. But… when have we ever seen him that serious before?”

Miki turned to him, her brow furrowed. “You mean when he asked us to let her stay?”

“Yeah,” Gorou said softly. “He wasn’t cracking perverted jokes, or hiding behind excuses. He looked us straight in the eyes and said he’d protect her. I’ve never seen that look on him before.”

Miki hesitated, her frustration softening into thoughtfulness. “You’re right…”

“He’s always been a handful,” Gorou continued with a small, knowing smile. “But tonight? That was different. For once, he wasn’t thinking about himself. He was thinking about someone else.”

Miki sighed again, but this time, her tone was gentler. “Still… I wish he’d think a little less with his heart sometimes. He’s just a kid.”

“Yeah,” Gorou chuckled. “A kid who somehow managed to bring home a literal alien princess.”

Miki gave him a flat look. “Don’t make it sound like an achievement.”

“Too late,” Gorou said, smirking faintly.

Their brief moment of levity was shattered by a sudden crash upstairs—something sharp and heavy, followed by the unmistakable sound of furniture scraping. Both parents froze.

Miki stood up instantly. “What was that?”

Gorou frowned, already halfway to his feet. “Sounded like it came from Issei’s room.”

A few seconds later, another noise echoed—a deep thud and then a distant whoosh of wind, as if something—or someone—had just left the house in a hurry.

Miki’s heart skipped. “Oh, don’t tell me—”

She didn’t wait for her husband’s reply. She hurried up the stairs, her slippers thumping against the steps. Gorou followed behind, slower but tense, muttering, “Please let this not be another alien thing…”

When Miki reached Issei’s room, she stopped dead in her tracks.The window was wide open. The curtains fluttered violently in the night breeze, and moonlight spilled across the empty bed and scattered sheets.

The air still hummed faintly, like static—unnatural and foreign.

“Issei…?” she whispered, stepping inside cautiously.

But the room was empty. No Lala. No Issei. Only the faint scent of ozone and the sound of crickets outside.

Miki’s eyes darted to the open window, her stomach twisting. “Oh no… what did they get themselves into now?”

Gorou finally caught up, panting slightly as he peered inside. “What’s going on?”

“They’re gone,” Miki said quietly, her eyes never leaving the window. “Both of them.”

Gorou frowned, stepping closer. The curtains brushed against his arm as he looked out into the night sky. For a brief moment, he thought he saw faint streaks of  light flashing in the distance, cutting across the rooftops—gone as quickly as they came.

He exhaled heavily, rubbing the back of his neck. “You think we should… call someone?”

“Who exactly?” Miki asked dryly. “The police? NASA?”

“…Point taken,” Gorou admitted.

Miki crossed her arms tightly, her expression torn between worry and reluctant acceptance. “Wherever they are… I just hope he’s safe. And that girl too.”

Gorou nodded slowly, glancing once more at the empty room, the glowing moon reflected in the open windowpane. “Something tells me,” he said softly, “our son’s life just stopped being ordinary.”

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

The night air tore past him in sharp gusts as Issei Hyoudou sprinted down the empty street, his heart hammering in his chest. His breath came out in ragged bursts, but his legs refused to stop. In his arms, Lala clung tightly, her pink hair whipping in the wind as he ran.

They had made it off the rooftops a few blocks back. Now, the quiet residential district of Kuoh flashed by in blurs of streetlamps and shadows. The red glow from the strange glove on his left had pulsed faintly with each heartbeat.

Behind them, faint sonic cracks echoed through the night. The two Devilukeans were still on their trail, fast and unrelenting.

“Damn it… how far do I have to run!?” Issei muttered, teeth gritted. He ducked around a corner, shoes skidding against the asphalt. “They’re still following us!?”

The weight of Lala in his arms wasn’t the problem. In fact, he barely even felt it. What unsettled him was everything else—the adrenaline, the glowing red glove, the strength surging through his muscles. None of it made sense.

‘Who the hell were those guys? What was that weird power they used to hold me down? And this glove… where did it come from!?’

He had never been the fastest, never the strongest. Yet right now, he felt like he could outrun a car. Every step hit the ground with explosive force, propelling him forward faster than he thought possible.

‘What’s happening to me…?’

Before he could dwell on it further, Lala spoke softly, her voice almost trembling against his chest. “Issei… why?” she asked.

He blinked, glancing down at her as he kept running. “Huh? Why what?”

Her eyes met his, wide and shimmering in the streetlights. “Why are you doing so much for me? You barely know me… yet you’re risking your life.”

Issei couldn’t help but chuckle—a nervous, breathless laugh as he swerved around another corner. “Why?” he echoed. “That’s easy.”

He grinned, though sweat dripped down his face. “A true man never lets a cute girl get kidnapped in front of him. Besides, I made you a promise, didn’t I? I said I’d protect you—and I’m not the kind of guy who breaks promises.”

Lala’s lips parted in surprise. His words were simple—stupidly straightforward even—but there was no hesitation in his voice. Just raw sincerity.

Her chest felt tight, her heartbeat quickening in rhythm with his strides. ‘He’s… really different from anyone I’ve met before.’
No one had ever stood up for her like this—not the guards back home, not the suitors who only wanted her title. But this boy, this human, was fighting just because he wanted to.

“Issei…” she whispered softly, her cheeks flushing pink.

Up ahead, Issei spotted the park—a stretch of open space framed by trees and benches under flickering lamplight. “Perfect,” he muttered. “We’ll lose them through there.”

But before he could even set foot on the grass, the air split open with a deafening roar.

Something massive streaked across the sky like a comet—metallic and burning. It came hurtling down at blinding speed and slammed into the street just a few meters ahead.

BOOOOOOM!

The explosion of dust and concrete nearly threw Issei off his feet. He stumbled back, shielding Lala as debris scattered across the park’s entrance. When the smoke cleared, his eyes went wide.

A truck was thrown through the park into the asphalt, its frame blocking the path forward.

“What the hell!?” Issei shouted in disbelief. “They just threw a truck!?”

Behind him, he could hear it—the rhythmic thunk of boots landing on solid ground. Two shadows emerged from the darkness, their suits gleaming faintly under the moonlight.

The taller of the two straightened his cuffs, completely unfazed by the destruction. “Enough running,” he said calmly. “You’re only making things harder for yourself, human.”

His partner stepped forward, voice colder. “Stop interfering before you get hurt.”

Issei’s jaw clenched. He could feel his pulse hammering. “You think I’m scared of you guys!?” Without a word, he gently set Lala down on the ground behind him. She looked up at him in surprise as he took a step forward.

“Issei…” she began.

He raised his arm slightly, the red glow flaring brighter across his knuckles. “I’m not backing down and letting you take Lala.”

The taller Devilukean gave a faint smirk. “Foolish. You can’t hope to stand against—”

But he didn’t finish. Because behind Issei, Lala suddenly shouted, her voice trembling with both anger and defiance.

“Stop it! Leave him out of this!”

The aliens turned their attention to her, unimpressed.

“It’s time to stop running away from home, Princess,” Said the shorter one. “You know how much trouble you’ve caused. Your father’s patience grows thin.”

“I don’t care!” Lala shouted, her voice echoing through the park. Her tail lashed furiously behind her, sparks of energy dancing in the air. “I’m not going back! I don’t care if I’m the successor! I’m tired of being treated like a tool to marry someone I don’t love! I’ll decide on my own future!”

For a brief second, silence fell. Even the night breeze seemed to stop.

Issei stared at her, stunned—not just by her words, but by the fire in her eyes. She wasn’t just a runaway, she was someone fighting for freedom. 

The taller Devilukean sighed, clearly unmoved. “We expected as much. But your personal wishes are irrelevant, Princess. You’re coming home.”

The shorter one raised his hand again, energy swirling in his palm. “Restrain her.”

“Over my dead body,” Issei growled.

Both men’s eyes snapped to him, startled by the venom in his tone. His determination reflecting in his brown eyes.

Lala gasped, her heart leaping as she saw him step forward—unafraid, unyielding. ‘He’s standing up for me… again.’

The taller Devilukean sneered, his tail twitching in irritation. “You really don’t know when to quit, human.”

Issei smirked, lowering his stance. “Guess not.” The red light on his arm burned brighter.

And as the two Devilukeans prepared to strike, Issei clenched his fist, and prepared himself for the fight.

When suddenly Lala’s expression shifted from fear to irritation. Her tail snapped once behind her, and her emerald eyes hardened.

“That’s it,” She muttered, pouting as she pulled something from between her clothes, a metallic, pink-and-white flip phone that looked like it had come straight out of a sci-fi movie.

The moment the device unfolded, the two Devilukeans froze mid-step, their confident smirks vanishing.

“W–Wait… is that—!?” one stammered, his eyes widening.

The other cursed under his breath. “Oh no… not one of her inventions!”

Issei blinked, thrown completely off by the shift in tone. “Uh… what’s with the phone?”

Lala ignored him, her fingers flying over the keypad in rapid succession. “Let’s see, if I press this, then that…” she muttered to herself, her cheerful voice tinged with irritation. “I told them to leave me alone, but they never listen!”

The device let out a series of rapid beeps, and then—

FWOOOM!

A bright blue light shot from the phone and into the sky. Issei instinctively ducked, covering his head. “What did you just do!?”

Before anyone could answer, the air shimmered above them, and a massive shadow appeared, round, mechanical, and pulsating with faint lights from its eyes.

A mechanical octopus, with a large dome-shaped head and stubby tentacles, hovered menacingly over the park. 

Issei’s jaw dropped. “WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!?”

Lala grinned proudly. “It’s one of my inventions! I call it Go Vacuum-kun!”

The two Devilukeans immediately stepped back, alarm clear on their faces. “No! Not one of her inventions! Get rid of it before it—”

“Go Vacuum-kun!” Lala shouted over them, pointing dramatically. “Suck them up!”

Go Vacuum-kun’s eyes flashed in response, and a huge circular mouth opened beneath it. A moment later, the machine inhaled.

The wind roared, powerful enough to rattle nearby lampposts.

The two Devilukeans screamed in panic as they were lifted off the ground, arms flailing. “W-WAIT—STOP! NOT AGAIN—AAAHHHHH!”

Their voices faded as they were sucked directly into Go Vacuum-kun’s swirling mouth, vanishing inside the machine with a satisfying whoomp!

Issei stood frozen, eyes wide. “D-Did it just eat them!?”

Lala puffed up her chest, hands on her hips. “Of course! Mission complete!”

“Mission—Lala, it just ate people!” Issei shouted. But his words were drowned out by another, louder roar of wind.

Go Vacuum-kun’s body started to get bigger as its eyes flickering wildly as the suction intensified. The trees around the park bent dangerously, dirt and leaves spiraling upward.

The nearby benches, trash cans, even a few unlucky bicycles began to lift off the ground and get sucked toward the vortex.

“Uh… Lala?” Issei said, his voice shaking. “Tell me that’s supposed to happen.”

Lala blinked, tilting her head in confusion. “Oh… hmm. Maybe I pressed the wrong button?”

“What!?”

“What’s wrong, Lala-sama?” Peke in her arms, asked. 

“It’s been a while since I last used Go Vacuum-kun! I don’t really remember how to turn it off!” She said cheerfully, even as her hair whipped around her face from the increasing wind.

“YOU DON’T REMEMBER!?” Issei screamed.

Go Vacuum-kun’s suction roared louder, pulling at Issei’s shirt and nearly dragging him forward. He grabbed a nearby tree trunk for balance, his muscles straining.

The vacuum began pulling up entire bushes, rocks, and chunks of the ground itself. The park was turning into a swirling storm of debris.

Issei’s instincts kicked in. Without thinking, he lunged for Lala, scooping her back into his arms. “We’re getting out of here before that thing eats the whole neighborhood!”

“Wait—maybe if I press the—”

“NO MORE BUTTONS! WE’RE LEAVING NOW!” He barked, sprinting away as the world behind them turned into a cyclone.

The wind howled so violently it nearly lifted them off their feet. Go Vacuum-kun wobbled erratically in the air, its dome swelling as it inhaled everything not nailed down. Its lights flashed red—faster, brighter, more unstable.

“Lala, I think it’s—” Peke yelled as Issei kept running.

“Overloading!” She finished, eyes widening in horror. Peke could be seen holding onto Lala for dear life. “Oh no! Run faster, Issei!”

“I’m TRYING!”

The moment they cleared the park gates, a blinding flash erupted behind them.

BOOOOOOOM!

The explosion shook the entire neighborhood. A shockwave blasted outward, scattering leaves and sending dust flying for blocks. The night sky lit up with red and pink light as Go Vacuum-kun imploded, bursting into a cloud of smoke and glittering debris.

A moment later, silence returned—broken only by the soft rustle of leaves drifting to the ground.

Issei stood in the middle of the street, panting heavily, still clutching Lala close. His hair was a mess, his shirt covered in dirt and the weird red glove was suddenly gone making him feel even more exhausted. “What… the hell… was that!?”

Lala looked back at the rising plume of smoke and gave a sheepish laugh. “Ehehe… I might’ve forgotten to install a safety limiter.”

“FORGOT—!?”

Lala clasped her hands behind her back, giving him a nervous smile. “But at least it worked, right? Those two won’t be bothering us for a while!”

Issei stared at her blankly. “You nearly blew up half the town!”

She tilted her head innocently. “Only the park, technically.”

He groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you might actually be more dangerous than the guys chasing you.”

Lala pouted. “Hey! I was trying to help!”

“I know,” he said, sighing. “And that’s the scary part.”

For a moment, they just stood there in the quiet aftermath—the distant sirens beginning to wail somewhere far away. While several devils that were calmly out at night fulfilling wishes suddenly rushed toward the park. The moonlight bathed them both, soft and cool, as the chaos slowly settled.

Lala looked up at him, her voice gentle now. “You really did save me, Issei. Again.”

He met her gaze, his exhaustion giving way to a tired smile. “Yeah, well… that’s what I said I’d do, right?”

Lala’s tail flicked once, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. “You really are amazing.”

Issei chuckled weakly. “If by amazing you mean out of my mind, then yeah.”

She giggled softly, leaning her head against his shoulder as they both looked toward the smoking remains of the park.

—-------------------------

Kuoh Park

The night was heavy with smoke. A soft breeze carried the faint stench of ozone and scorched earth through what was once a peaceful corner of Kuoh. The park, normally serene beneath the silver moon, now looked like a small war zone.

Trees were uprooted. Benches lay overturned or crushed beneath fragments of concrete. The fountain near the center had been reduced to rubble, water still trickling weakly from its cracked basin.

The source of the destruction was unknown. The humans in the area had been put to sleep or redirected from the area, blissfully unaware of what had just transpired. But to those attuned to the supernatural, the disturbance had been impossible to ignore.

And now, under the pale glow of the moon, two powerful presences arrived.

With a flash of crimson light, Rias Gremory appeared at the edge of the park, her long scarlet hair flowing behind her like a silken banner. The magic circle beneath her feet faded, leaving her surrounded by her servants Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko.

Almost at the same time, a second magic circle shimmered nearby, blue and elegant. From it stepped Sona Shitori, the cool and composed Student Council President of Kuoh Academy, followed by Tsubaki, Momo, and the rest of her peerage.

Both heiresses looked over the scene in silence for a long moment. Only the faint hiss of smoldering metal broke the stillness.

Rias folded her arms, her blue eyes narrowing. “This energy signature… it wasn’t demonic.”

Sona adjusted her glasses, her expression unreadable. “Agreed. Whatever caused this didn’t leave any trace of magic as well.”

Akeno stepped forward, her usual teasing smile replaced by curiosity. “Ara~… how strange. There was a huge explosion here strong enough to shake the ground, but it doesn’t feel like any power we know.”

Kiba knelt beside one of the scorched craters, brushing his gloved fingers across the ground. The soil was hot to the touch. “No magic residue, no summoning circle, no barrier remnants. Whoever—or whatever—did this… didn’t use anything we can trace.”

Koneko, standing a few paces behind, sniffed the air softly. Her golden eyes flicked toward the wrecked fountain. “Smells… metallic. And burnt. Like machines.”

“Machines?” Rias echoed, raising an eyebrow.

Koneko gave a small nod. “There’s oil and wiring scattered near the trees. Not human-made, though. It feels… wrong.”

Sona crouched down beside Kiba’s inspection point, her gaze sharp behind her glasses. “That aligns with what my familiars detected. The energy spike was sudden—no prior buildup, no demonic pulse. Just… an explosion.”

Akeno tilted her head. “So… not a fight between stray devils?”

“No,” Sona said firmly. “There are no magical signatures here at all.”

Rias sighed softly, brushing a strand of crimson hair from her face. “Which means this was something else entirely.” She glanced around at the scattered debris—shredded trees, melted stone, and what looked like the faint outline of a blast radius centered near the destroyed playground. “Whatever caused this had enough power to level the park, and yet…”

She gestured around. “No casualties. No signs of blood, no bodies, no lingering aura. Just destruction.”

Momo stepped forward hesitantly, her hands clasped together. “Maybe… whoever caused it was trying to protect people?”

The others turned to her, surprised by her quiet comment.

Rias’s expression softened. “Perhaps. It doesn’t seem like stray devil activity… and the park isn’t sealed off. No human noticed a thing.”

“Meaning someone strong—and careful—acted here,” Sona concluded.

Akeno chuckled lightly, though there was a spark of intrigue in her tone. “Ara~. A mysterious hero, perhaps?”

Kiba smiled faintly. “If so, they’re certainly messy.”

“Messy or not,” Rias murmured, her gaze drifting toward the smoke rising from the park’s center, “whoever they are… they caused a disturbance large enough to be felt across Kuoh’s borders. That alone is enough reason to find out who did this.”

Sona stood, adjusting her glasses again. “I’ll have my peerage begin the repair effort before sunrise. If humans see this in the morning, we’ll have far too many questions to answer.”

“Agreed,” Rias said. “Akeno, coordinate with Tsubaki. Koneko, Kiba—help with the restoration spells.”

The devils nodded and quickly moved to work.

As the two heiresses watched, the faint glow of magic began to ripple through the park as the peerages worked together, undoing damage stone by stone, tree by tree. The eerie stillness of the destruction slowly gave way to the whisper of spellcraft—a quiet rhythm of crimson and azure light mending what was broken.

Still, despite the magic’s efficiency, both Rias and Sona felt the same unease settle in their chests. No clues. No signatures. No trace of who—or what—was responsible.

Rias exhaled softly, looking up at the fading smoke. “Something new is happening in this town,” she said quietly.

Sona nodded in agreement, her expression calm but thoughtful. “And whatever it is… it doesn’t follow any rules we know.”

Their gazes met briefly—an unspoken understanding passing between them.

—----------------------------- 

The night sky stretched endlessly above them — a sea of stars glimmering across the dark canvas of Kuoh’s horizon. The city lights sparkled faintly below, and the wind whispered softly as Lala Satalin Deviluke soared gracefully through the air, carrying Issei Hyoudou in her arms.

“Waaah—! You sure this is safe!?” Issei shouted, gripping her shoulders tightly as they flew. His hair whipped wildly in the wind.

Lala giggled, her voice light and cheerful despite the chaos they had just escaped. “Of course! I’ve flown like this plenty of times!”

“Yeah, but usually people don’t fly through the sky with an alien princess carrying them!” Issei muttered, eyes darting to the ground far, far below. 

Lala only laughed again, her long pink hair fluttering like a banner in the wind. She wore a newly materialized outfit courtesy of Peke, a futuristic white bodysuit trimmed with blue accents and a short skirt that shimmered in the moonlight. Her white gloves and boots gleamed softly, and her large white headwear with large black bat-like wings.

Issei tried not to stare… and failed miserably.

Every movement of hers caught the corner of his eye. The wind tugged at her skirt just enough to make his brain short-circuit.

‘Okay, Hyoudou. Don’t look. Don’t stare. Don’t die of a nosebleed mid-air.’

He coughed awkwardly, looking off to the side. “Uh, sorry for making you carry me like this.”

Lala smiled down at him warmly. “It’s fine! It’s the least I can do after you helped me so much tonight.” Her voice was sincere, and for a brief moment, Issei forgot how high they were. The soft glow from the city reflected in her eyes — bright, gentle, and full of gratitude.

Still, he couldn’t stop his eyes from drifting again toward her outfit. “I, uh… gotta say, that’s some… outfit, Lala.”

“Oh! Do you like it?” she asked, spinning slightly in midair. Her skirt twirled as she smiled proudly. “Peke made it for me! Isn’t it cute?”

Issei felt heat crawl up his neck. “C-Cute!? More like… uh… yeah, cute! Totally cute!”

Lala beamed. “Thank you! Peke worked really hard on it!”

Issei glanced at the little robot that had become the clothes and the large hat. “Yeah, uh, thanks, Peke. You did… great work.”

Peke blinked, her swirl-shaped eyes glowing softly. “Acknowledged. You are welcome, Hyoudou Issei.”

Lala giggled. “See? Even Peke appreciates your compliment!”

“Y-Yeah, sure,” Issei muttered, rubbing the back of his neck with one arm as he looked away. ‘I’m gonna die. She’s literally going to be the death of me.’

They continued flying in comfortable silence for a moment, the night air cool and crisp around them. Lala’s grip on him was secure but gentle, and every now and then, Issei could feel her heartbeat against his chest. It was strangely calming after everything that had happened.

Then, Lala broke the silence. “Hey, Issei?”

“Yeah?”

Her voice softened. “Thank you… for everything. You didn’t have to help me. But you did.”

He blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in her tone. “Ah, don’t mention it,” He said, scratching his cheek awkwardly. “In the end, you were the one who saved us with that crazy octopus thing even if it exploded.”

Lala puffed her cheeks playfully. “That wasn’t exactly part of the plan!”

He laughed. “Yeah, I figured.” Then his tone grew softer. “But still… you didn’t deserve to be chased like that. Nobody should. And nobody should be forced to marry someone they don’t love.”

Lala’s eyes widened.

He looked out over the glowing city below. “You should get to choose for yourself. Who you love, what you want to do. That’s your life, right? If you’re gonna get married, it should be with someone who makes you happy, someone you actually love.”

His words carried no hesitation, no teasing edge. Just quiet, honest conviction.

Lala’s heart fluttered. Her chest felt warm, almost too warm. Her tail curled slightly as she stared at him, the human boy who kept risking his life for her without ever asking for anything in return.

Her cheeks glowed pink as she smiled softly. “You really are different from everyone else, Issei.”

He blinked, turning toward her. “Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?”

Lala tilted her head, her blush deepening. “It means you understand me better than anyone back home ever did.”

Before he could respond, she hesitated for just a second — then asked, “Issei… do you like me?”

He froze. His brain practically short-circuited. “Wh-What kind of question is that!?”

Her eyes sparkled with innocent curiosity. “I mean, you said I should marry someone I love… so, do you like me?”

Issei swallowed hard, scratching his cheek again as he tried to find the words. “Well, yeah. Of course I like you. I mean, you’re funny, kind, and you’re—uh… you’re you! What’s not to like?”

Lala’s face lit up instantly. “Really!? You like me!?”

“Y-Yeah, of course!” he stammered. “I mean, who wouldn’t—wait, why are you—”

Before he could finish, Lala let out a joyful laugh and wrapped her arms around him midair, pulling him into a tight hug. “That makes me so happy! Then it’s decided!”

“D-Decided!?” Issei yelped, nearly losing balance in her arms. “What’s decided!?”

Lala’s eyes shone brighter than the stars as she declared, “We should get married!”

“W-What!?”

“Yup!” she said cheerfully. “You like me, I like you — that’s how it works, right?”

Issei’s brain completely shut down. “That’s not how—! Wait—hold on—LALA!”

Lala just smiled wider, holding him tighter as they soared through the air, her laughter echoing across the night sky.

Meanwhile, Issei’s panicked shout trailed off into the distance. “WAIT WHAT IS GOING ON!?”

—-----------------------------------

The quiet neighborhood of Kuoh slept peacefully beneath the silver moonlight—until a faint whistle echoed above the rooftops.

It grew louder and louder. Then—

CRASH!

A blur of pink and brown streaked across the night sky and slammed into the Hyoudou backyard, leaving a crater right next to Miki’s flower garden.

“WAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

A plume of dirt and smoke rose into the air, followed by the muffled groan of one very unlucky high school boy.

Inside the house, the noise made the furniture rattle. Miki, halfway through cleaning the dinner table, froze mid-step. Gorou nearly dropped his cup of coffee.

The two exchanged wide-eyed looks.

“...Please tell me that wasn’t our son,” Miki muttered.

Gorou sighed deeply, setting the cup down. “Hopefully he’s not hurt or we’ll have to go check the insurance policy.”

Another loud thud followed—this one smaller, accompanied by the unmistakable sound of cheerful humming.

A second later, the back door slid open, revealing a completely dirt-covered Issei Hyoudou, staggering slightly, smoke curling from his hair. His face was blank with shock.

Behind him floated Lala Satalin Deviluke, pristine and smiling as though nothing had happened, her pink hair glowing in the moonlight and her bat-winged headpiece still in perfect shape.

“Ah! We made it back!” she said brightly.

Issei coughed, wobbling slightly. “Made it back!? You call that landing!? We just broke the sound barrier and my spine in one go!”

Miki and Gorou could only stare from the kitchen entrance, mouths agape.

“...You two were flying,” Miki said flatly.

“Correction,” Issei croaked, “She was flying. I was hanging on for dear life!”

Lala floated down beside him and landed gracefully, hands clasped in front of her chest. “I told you it would be fine! See? You’re safe!”

“Safe!?” Issei sputtered. “You nose-dived into the yard!”

Before he could continue, Miki stepped forward, her tone that of a woman balancing panic and parental fury. “Would someone please tell me what in the world is going on!? What happened out there!?”

Gorou followed, looking between his dirt-covered son and the alien princess, his expression a strange mix of confusion, awe, and reluctant admiration. “And why were you both outside?”

Issei ran a hand through his messy hair, still dazed. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you…”

“We’re already past the point of disbelief, sweetheart,” Miki deadpanned. “Try us.”

Issei opened his mouth to explain—but before he could, Lala floated up beside him, absolutely beaming.

“Oh! That’s easy!” She said cheerfully. “We’re engaged now!”

Silence. Absolute, ringing silence. Even the crickets outside stopped chirping.

Miki blinked once. Twice. Then her jaw dropped. “...You’re WHAT!?”

Gorou’s tea cup hit the floor with a clatter. “Engaged!?”

Issei’s soul visibly left his body. “Lala? What do you mean by engaged!? When did this happen!?”

She blinked, tilting her head with innocent confusion. “You said you liked me, right? And I like you too! So, that means we’re engaged! Plus you grabbed my breasts so you did propose to me and I accepted. That's how it works on Deviluke!”

“WHAT KIND OF LOGIC IS THAT!?” Issei shouted, grabbing his head.

Miki clutched her chest, trying to process everything. “You mean to tell me—our son—just got married—to an alien—in one night!?”

Lala nodded proudly. “Yup!”

Gorou’s eyes sparkled faintly. “Our boy’s all grown up…”

“GOROU!” Miki snapped. “Not helping!”

Issei flailed his arms in panic. “Mom! Dad! This is a huge misunderstanding! I didn’t agree to any of this!”

“But you did say you liked me, and you grabbed my breasts.” Lala pointed out innocently, smiling sweetly.

“That doesn’t mean I—!”

“On Deviluke, that’s the same as a marriage proposal,” Lala said matter-of-factly, her tone completely serious.

Miki took a slow, deep breath, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I don’t even know what to say right now.”

Gorou scratched his head, glancing between them. “Well, uh, welcome to the family, I guess?”

“GOROU!!”

He shrugged helplessly. “What? She’s polite, beautiful, and apparently rich. We could’ve done worse!”

Issei groaned, his face redder than a tomato. “Dad, please stop talking.”

Lala, still smiling, floated toward Miki and bowed politely. “Thank you for letting me stay here, Mother-in-law! I’ll take good care of Issei!”

Miki’s eye twitched violently. “M-Mother-in—what!?”

“Oh, and Father-in-law too!” Lala added, turning to Gorou and clasping his hands. “I’ll make sure Issei stays happy and healthy!”

Gorou looked ready to cry from joy. “What a sweet girl!”

“GOROU!” Miki barked again, this time with a sharp elbow to his ribs.

“Ow!”

As the arguing continued, Issei slumped against the wall, dragging a hand down his face trying to cover his blushing face. “I can’t believe this… a beautiful girl actually likes me.”

Miki covered her face with her hands, muttering, “I need a drink.”

Gorou sighed but smiled softly as he looked between them. “Well… looks like our peaceful days are over.”

Issei then turned to Lala and asked. “Why are you choosing me to marry!?”

Lala just giggled, leaning close to him with a bright, teasing smile. “Because you’re special to me, Issei~.”

He blushed furiously, his protests dissolving into incoherent mumbling as Lala giggled and twirled happily around the living room.

Finally done. Comment, tell me what you think and if I made any mistakes. This commission was brought to you by Galaxy Shard Star, so make sure to thank him.