Chapter Text
It was summer vacation. The time when every hot-blooded teenage boy was supposed to be at the beach, ogling beautiful women in swimsuits, enjoying the sun, and spending long nights gaming or sneaking out with friends.
But for Issei Hyoudou, that fantasy had been shattered.
The gentle hum of the train filled the room as Issei sat slumped against the window, his cheek pressed to the cool glass as he watched the Tokyo skyline gradually come into view. The familiar countryside had given way to towering buildings and the bustling energy of the city. Normally, he’d be excited about such a change of pace.
But not this time.
“Tch... can’t believe this...” He muttered under his breath, arms crossed as he kicked his backpack lightly with his foot. “Instead of spending my summer looking at big, soft oppai on the beach with Matsuda and Motohama, I’m being shipped off .”
He leaned back, scowling at the ceiling as the announcements played overhead. “Now arriving at Tokyo Station. Please collect your belongings before exiting the train.”
Issei sighed and slowly got up, grabbing his suitcase with one hand and slinging his backpack over his shoulder. The paper with the address—his aunt’s address—was clenched in his other hand like it was some kind of prison sentence.
“Seriously... living next to my aunt? They even rented me an apartment? This is clearly a setup,” He muttered, stepping off the train and into the swarm of people. “I bet Mom and Dad just wanted the house to themselves. Disgusting. What are they even doing right now...?”
That thought sent a shiver down his spine.
“ Nope! Not gonna think about that. Not gonna imagine my dad in a speedo and my mom saying weird stuff. Nope nope nope.”
Dragging his suitcase along the concrete, he took a moment to breathe in the Tokyo air. It was hotter than he remembered, muggy and thick, with the sounds of cars, footsteps, and the faint beeping of crosswalks creating a lively, chaotic background.
Then his mind shifted to the person responsible for taking care of him this summer.
“Ugh... Aunt Kobayashi,” he said, rolling his eyes.
He remembered her well, small, flat-chested, serious, and all about logic and responsibility. She worked some kind of programming job and had that air of “don’t screw with me or I’ll erase you from existence” energy, kind of like the student council president, Sona. Yet for all her no-nonsense attitude, she was oddly doting when it came to him. Always made sure he ate well, stayed clean, and didn’t get into too much trouble. Though when she got drunk, she could get weirdly affectionate.
Like really affectionate.
A memory popped into his head of a New Year’s visit a few years ago—Kobayashi with bright red cheeks, hugging him close while mumbling something about him being the only “decent man” she knew.
“...God, I hope she hasn’t started drinking more. That’d be so awkward,” He said to himself, blushing at the memory.
He checked the paper in his hand again.
“Okay... apartment block B, third floor. That’s her place. And mine’s right next to hers,” He read aloud, his voice echoing slightly as he approached a modest building tucked into a quieter part of the city. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it looked new enough and had a clean, well-maintained vibe. Potted plants by the entrance, a vending machine humming by the side, and an odd... chirping noise?
“...Weird.” Issei climbed the steps, suitcase thudding behind him. When he reached the third floor, he turned down the hallway until he spotted it, Room 303, with a neatly labeled nameplate: Kobayashi .
Just beside it was Room 304, the temporary bachelor pad of one unlucky teenage boy.
He glanced between the doors, then nervously adjusted his collar. A part of him hoped she wasn’t home. And maybe he could go inside his own apartment, set his stuff down, and relax a bit before dealing with the awkward family reunion.
Click.
The door to 303 suddenly opened.
Standing there, holding a mug of steaming coffee and wearing her signature casual button-up shirt and jeans, was Kobayashi herself. Her eyes blinked lazily behind her glasses as she stared at him, deadpan. Her red hair was still in the same style as before.
“You’re late.”
“Ugh. Nice to see you again too, Oba-chan.” Issei said with a cheerful tone as he forced a grin.
She took a sip of her coffee. “The train got delayed?”
“No. Just... I had to mentally prepare myself. You know, for all the joy and excitement of being banished to Tokyo.”
“Mm.” She gave a dry hum. “Teenagers and their drama. Now come in and give me a hug.” Kobayashi with a serious face then brought her arms up waiting for Issei to come forward.
But Issei, seeing this, started to get embarrassed at what her aunt wanted. “That’s not necessary.”
“Issei, I'm waiting.” Kobayashi simply got an annoyed expression as she kept waiting.
Issei, seeing no choice, got closer and gave his aunt a deep hug. Where the two showed just who close they were.
“GASP” From behind Kobayashi, a tall, bright blonde and golden eyed girl suddenly appeared into view. The moment she came and saw the scene, she suddenly got furious.
Issei, still hugging his aunt, blinked as he was startled by the mysterious girl.“Whoa! What the—!?”
There was a stunningly attractive woman in a maid outfit that did nothing to hide her extremely generous figure.
“Kobayashi-san! Are you cheating on me!” The blonde turned furious as Issei started to notice the temperature increasing and flames coming off of the maid.
“Oi. Didn’t I tell you that my nephew was coming here.” But Kobayashi simply turned around and calmed the girl.
“Oh!” She said, perking up and calming down. “You must be Kobayashi’s nephew! Hello there!”
She quickly got close with inhuman grace and bounded over to him, grabbing his hand and shaking it with energetic excitement. “I’m Tohru! Kobayashi’s maid! It’s an honor to meet a member of the family!”
Issei’s jaw dropped. “Her what now?! ”
“You’ll be staying next door this summer, but first—we need to set some ground rules. No hurting Kobayashi. No seducing Kobayashi. And definitely no peeking at Kobayashi when she showers!”
“...I wasn’t planning on it?!” Issei said incredulously.
“Good because she’s mine.” Tohru says with a proud smile.
Issei stood frozen, trying to process everything.
‘So… his aunt had a maid . A blonde bombshell of a maid.’ In a classic maid outfit that left very little to the imagination. Who breathed literal fire when angry. And had just accused him of trying to seduce his aunt.
Tohru was still holding his hand, shaking it with enough strength to rattle his bones. “You're surprisingly soft for a boy.” She noted cheerfully.
“Wha—?! I’m not—!”
“She’s just messing with you,” Kobayashi said flatly, stepping inside. “Come on, both of you. Let’s get out of the hallway before the neighbors start complaining.”
Tohru nodded and practically dragged Issei inside by the arm, which he noticed was oddly warm.
The interior of Kobayashi’s apartment was… exactly as Issei expected. Neat. Organized. Spotless. It smelled faintly of green tea and laundry detergent. On the shelf near the door were programming books, manga volumes, some maid themed figurines of chibi-style characters lined up with military precision.
“Make yourself at home,” Kobayashi said, dropping into her computer chair and spinning lazily in it.
Tohru had already vanished into the kitchen. Pots and pans clanged immediately.
Soon Issei sat down on the couch and waited to start asking his aunt the various questions that he needed to know. “So. When did you get a maid? I know about your fetishes, Oba-can but I didn’t think you would make your girlfriend dress up in it.” Issei asked cautiously, glancing at Kobayashi.
“First you out of anybody don’t deserve to criticize anyone of a person's fetish. Plus I didn't force her. She learned about my fetish when I was drunk and decided to dress up that way. Also she’s not my girlfriend.”
“Then what is she to you Oba-chan.” Issei says suspiciously.
“She’s just a good friend that decided to live with me.” Kobayashi said while looking away.
Tohru peeked out from the kitchen. “Tea’s almost ready! Should I prepare meat as well? I’ve been perfecting my human cuisine!”
“Just tea, Tohru,” Kobayashi sighed. “It’s not dinner time.”
Tohru pouted. “But Kobayashi, we have a guest! What if he’s starving from his long, difficult journey?”
“I’m not—” Issei started, but the moment he said that, his stomach betrayed him with a low rumble.
Tohru’s eyes sparkled. “Ha! I knew it! Just give me five minutes and I’ll whip something up!”
Before Issei could even argue, she was back in the kitchen moving like a blur, ingredients flying, flames dancing from her mouth as she sautéed something in a wok.
“Is this normal? That she can breathe fire.” He asked Kobayashi.
“Yes,” She said, unphased, answering quickly in hope that Issei would not question it further.
“You’re way too calm about living with a fire-breathing maid.”
She shrugged. “You get used to it.”
Issei slumped further into the couch. “This is going to be a long summer.” Just then, the smell of garlic, soy sauce, and some kind of meat hit his nose. He sat up slightly. “...Okay, not bad.”
Tohru returned proudly, placing a plate of perfectly stir-fried beef and vegetables in front of him. She beamed. “Please enjoy! It’s made with love and a sprinkle of scales!”
“Wait, what now— ?”
“ Joking~! ” She sang, pressing her fingers to her lips playfully.
Issei slowly picked up the chopsticks. “Hopefully I don't get poisoned.”
“You won’t.” Kobayashi said. “Tohru’s cooking is terrifyingly good,” She added under her breath.
As he took his first bite, Issei’s eyes widened. The savory flavor exploded in his mouth—meaty, rich, and somehow perfectly balanced. “Oh. This is really good.”
Tohru glowed at the praise, as it was coming from the woman she loved and her love’s family member, suddenly making her tail come out swishing behind her happily.
Shocking Issei at the sudden appearance of the tail coming out as he looked down.
A large, emerald-green, reptilian tail —thick, scaly, and lazily swishing back and forth as it peeked from under Tohru’s skirt.
The chopsticks clattered out of his hands and onto the floor.
His whole body locked up, a cold sweat breaking out across his forehead.
“W-WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!” He shouted, scrambling backwards off the couch so fast he nearly flipped it over.
Tohru froze, eyes wide. She twisted her body slightly, glancing behind her—and instantly turned red. “Oh no... I forgot to retract my tail!” She cried, covering her mouth.
“ TAIL?! WHY DO YOU HAVE A TAIL?!” Issei shouted, now backed against the farthest wall of the room. “Are you some kind of... monster?! Or... or some kind of government experiment?! Is it even real?!”
“It’s very real,” Tohru said with a sheepish smile, lightly flicking it once as if to prove her point. “Sorry! I usually hide it, but I got excited when you praised my cooking!”
“Excited?! That's not the kind of thing you casually let show!!” Issei looked like he was about to hyperventilate. “This is not normal! Even if it looks cute, you don’t just throw a tail into the mix and expect me to act like it’s nothing!”
Kobayashi, who had remained eerily calm this entire time, finally let out a tired sigh. She placed her coffee down, adjusting her glasses. “Well. I was hoping we could keep it under wraps for at least a few days.” She added, glancing at the dragon girl.
Tohru gave an apologetic bow so deep her head nearly hit the floor. “I’m sorry, Kobayashi! I really did try! But... but he complimented me and I got all fluttery and forgot to hold it in!”
Kobayashi waved it off. “It’s fine. I figured this would happen sooner or later.”
Issei’s eyes snapped to his aunt, narrowing with intensity. “ You knew?! Oba-chan, what the hell is going on?!” he asked, voice still on edge. “I thought you were living a boring and normal life! You’re telling me you knew she was a lizard person or something?!”
Kobayashi pinched the bridge of her nose. “She’s not a lizard person. She’s a dragon.”
There was a beat of silence.
Issei stared blankly.
Then blinked once.
Then again.
“What?”
“I mean an actual , fire-breathing dragon ,” Kobayashi said calmly, “Tohru, you might as well show him.”
Tohru nodded and poof! With a brief shimmer of magic, her tail extended fully, and two large horns protruded from her head. “Ta-daa~,” She said weakly, flashing a smile that was trying way too hard to be innocent.
Issei’s mouth opened. Then closed. Then he opened it again. “ A DRAGON?! Oba-chan! ARE YOU TELLING ME SHE’S A DRAGON?!”
Kobayashi sighed again, long and deep. “Yes. Tohru is a dragon.”
“Wha… what?!” Issei shouted. “Since when do dragons exist?! Since when do you—flat, boring, programming-obsessed Oba-chan—live with a DRAGON?!”
Tohru puffed her cheeks. “Kobayashi-san is not boring. She’s elegant and beautiful and—”
“TOHRU,” Kobayashi said with embarrassment.
But Issei wasn’t finished as he had another question. “You let a dragon move in with you?! What part of that makes any kind of sense? You’re not exactly the impulsive type!”
Kobayashi scratched her cheek and muttered, “It just happened. I was out one night completely drunk and one thing led to another.”
“Ahhhh.” Issei nodded slowly in understanding, crossing his arms. “Now that makes more sense.”
“She had a sword stuck in her side and I offered to pull it out. One thing led to another, I let her stay, and she’s been with me ever since. She then insisted on becoming my maid.” Kobayashi said flatly. “And here we are.”
Issei looked between the two of them, his no-nonsense, maid-addicted aunt and a literal dragon in a maid outfit who acted like a love-struck housewife. His brain still refused to catch up.
“But still! If you were trying to hide her weirdness, why agree to let me stay here in the first place? Did you forget?”
“I didn’t forget,” Kobayashi said flatly.
Issei gave her a look.
Kobayashi looked away. “...Okay, I forgot. But to be fair, I agreed to you staying here before Tohru moved in.”
Tohru nodded. “I only came here after that!”
“That’s not helping your case.”
“I only remembered when Onee-chan called me yesterday and reminded me.” She muttered, looking uncharacteristically sheepish. “She already paid for your summer rent. She was really excited to spend some alone time with Gorou.”
Issei’s face contorted with horror. “...That’s not something I needed to hear. My parents. Completely alone in our house. For two months ,” He muttered, his soul visibly leaving his body.
Kobayashi looked away, clearing her throat. “It’s not just that. I also thought... maybe it’d be a good chance to spend some time with you again.”
She gave him a sideways glance, a light pink tinge dusting her cheeks.
Issei blinked, surprised.
“You... wanted to spend time with me?”
“Don’t make a big deal out of it,” She muttered, sipping her coffee with forced nonchalance.
Issei rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a little embarrassed himself. “I mean... yeah. It’s been a while since we hung out.”
But before the warmth of the moment could settle, the temperature in the room spiked.
Tohru’s smile twitched. Her tail stiffened. Flames subtly licked at the corners of her lips. She was glaring straight at Issei. “ Again?! ” She hissed under her breath. “Why does Kobayashi get all soft when it comes to you?!”
“I’m not doing anything special!” Issei protested, hands up.
“You’re not allowed to take her affection from me!” Tohru shouted, stepping forward dramatically.
“I’m only her nephew! ”
“That makes it worse! You’re family!”
Issei ducked as a small fireball flew just over his head.
—-----------------------
After some firm talking from Kobayashi, along with a death glare, Tohru finally calmed down.
Issei, now seated again and nervously sipping tea, cautiously eyed the maid who had just threatened to incinerate him out of jealousy.
“I told you, Tohru,” Kobayashi said firmly, arms crossed. “Issei isn’t here to steal me away. He’s my nephew. Family. There’s nothing weird going on.”
Tohru crossed her arms, puffing her cheeks out. “Hmph. I suppose he’s not a threat... yet.”
Issei muttered, “I feel so safe.”
Now that the room was no longer on fire, literally. Issei leaned forward, curiosity taking over. “Okay, putting the crazy jealous act aside... you’re seriously a dragon ?”
Tohru flipped her hair back smugly, her golden eyes gleaming. “Of course I am. A magnificent, superior being beyond the understanding of you pitiful humans.”
She stood proudly, one hand on her hip and her tail now out in full view, swishing behind her with flair.
“In my true form, I’m enormous, strong enough to crush mountains, fast enough to circle the planet in seconds, and I possess magic powerful enough to end the world if I wanted to!”
Issei’s jaw dropped slightly, his eyes sparkling. “...That’s so freaking cool.”
Kobayashi groaned from her chair. “Don’t encourage her.”
But Issei was already leaning in further. “Wait, wait. What else can you do?!”
Tohru, now basking in his awe, gave a proud nod. “I can regenerate any lost limb instantly. Even if someone cuts off my tail, it grows back in no time.” She leaned forward and grinned with a sparkle in her eyes. “In fact... the meat you just ate? That was part of my tail.”
There was a moment of silence.
Issei blinked. “...What?”
Kobayashi froze, the mug halfway to her lips. “ What did you say? ”
Tohru tilted her head innocently. “You said he was hungry, so I figured this would be a good way to impress your family—”
“ YOU FED ME A PIECE OF YOURSELF?! ” Issei screamed, leaping from the couch and clutching his stomach. “WHAT KIND OF HORROR MOVIE AM I IN?!”
Kobayashi stood up in a panic, grabbing Tohru by the shoulders. “I told you to stop trying to feed people with your tail meat thing!!”
Tohru looked confused. “But I removed all the venom and toxins. It’s perfectly edible! I made sure it was the softest, most tender part of the tail too!”
Issei immediately dropped to his knees and started gagging. “I ate a dragon’s tail! I liked eating a dragon’s tail! Am I a cannibal or something?!”
Tohru leaned down beside him, trying to be helpful. “Oh! Would you like seconds?”
“NO!!” Issei cried, gripping the carpet as if he might fall into an abyss.
Kobayashi, flustered and red in the face, snapped, “Tohru! Did you seriously think this wouldn’t traumatize a regular human?!”
“But I thought he’d be honored!” Tohru pouted. “Dragon meat is extremely rare ! It’s considered sacred in some realms!”
Kobayashi pinched the bridge of her nose again. “Okay. Okay. Deep breath. Tohru, does eating your tail have any side effects ?”
Tohru brought a finger to her chin, thinking. “Well… dragon flesh is packed with energy. Eating it might give a human a permanent increase of strength… or make them explode from magical overload.”
“ Explode?! ” Both Kobayashi and Issei screamed in unison.
Issei immediately grabbed Kobayashi’s shoulders. “I don’t want to explode, Oba-chan!! I’m too young to die! I haven’t even touched a real oppai yet!!”
“Issei!” Kobayashi said, hugging and shaking him.
Tohru held up her hands. “Wait, wait! Calm down! It’s only a small piece —the chances of exploding are... like… 12%.”
“TWELVE IS NOT SMALL!!” Issei shouted.
All three of them fell into tense silence as Issei sat there, eyes twitching, waiting to see if he would suddenly glow or erupt.
Five seconds passed.
Then ten.
Tohru leaned forward and gave a thoughtful hum. “...No nosebleed, no spontaneous explosion. No steam. Looks like you’re fine!”
Issei flopped back onto the couch, face pale and spirit broken. “This summer is going to kill me.”
Kobayashi sighed again, collapsing into her chair. “And it’s only Day One. ”
Tohru, completely unfazed, smiled brightly and turned toward the kitchen. “Well, if you do start mutating, let me know! I have a special ointment for that!”
Issei just groaned into the couch cushions, praying to every god he could think of for patience.
—--------------------------------------------
The midday sun cast long shadows across the Saitama Prefecture as Issei, Kobayashi, and Tohru strolled down the sidewalk. The occasional honk of passing cars and the chatter of locals enjoying a warm afternoon or just walking around .
Issei walked slightly ahead of the group, stretching his arms over his head and breathing in the city air. His trauma from earlier had been temporarily forgotten.
“I still can’t believe I ate the tail of a dragon.” He muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.
Tohru walked just behind him, humming happily and seemingly unbothered. Kobayashi, however, looked like she hadn’t had enough caffeine to deal with today.
“So, where exactly are we going to buy food?” Issei asked, glancing over his shoulder.
“We’re going to the department store.” Kobayashi replied flatly.
Tohru blinked, glancing around with a tilt of her head. “Umm, Kobayashi-san... The shopping district is the other way.”
Issei stopped mid-step, a smirk forming across his face. “Pfft—wait, seriously? You’ve lived here longer than either of us, and you don’t even know where the market is?”
Kobayashi's eye twitched as she shot him a glare. “Shut it. I usually shop at the department store near the station. It’s got everything I need—clean, efficient, and doesn’t involve talking to people.”
“That sounds like you,” Issei chuckled. “But still... embarrassing.”
Tohru looked between them with a playful smile. “Would you like me to lead the way?”
Kobayashi sighed. “Fine. You’re apparently better at this than I am.”
“Of course!” Tohru beamed and took the lead confidently, tail swaying behind her (now hidden, thankfully). “It’s this way. Just a few blocks down.”
—-----------------------------
The group turned onto a lively street bustling with people. Vendors lined the sidewalks beneath bright striped awnings, calling out to passing customers with cheerful voices.
“Fresh mackerel! Three for the price of two!”
“Seasonal peaches! Sweet enough to melt your heart!”
Issei’s nose twitched as he caught a whiff of grilled squid on a stick.
“Okay... this place already beats the department store.” He muttered, eyes darting from stall to stall.
As they walked through the crowd, something odd caught Issei’s attention.
Everywhere they passed, people waved to Tohru.
A cheerful old woman selling vegetables called out, “Tohru-chan! You’re looking radiant today! Bringing your family along?”
“Yes I’m here with my beloved Kobayashi and her adorable nephew.” Tohru said with pride, pressing her hands to her chest.
An old man at the fruit stall chuckled looking at Kobayashi and Issei. “That maid of yours has become the mascot for the market. Would you like some apples.”
Another shopkeeper handed Tohru a small bag of steamed buns. “For you and your family! On the house!”
Issei blinked in disbelief as Tohru cheerfully thanked them with bows and giggles. “She’s like... a celebrity here.” He leaned toward Kobayashi. “Did you know how... friendly, she is with the locals?”
Kobayashi stared at the bustling interactions, expression unreadable. “No. I didn’t.”
Issei watched as another person offered Tohru free samples and waved enthusiastically. “Seriously? You live with her and didn’t know she was this popular?”
“I don’t usually go outside with her,” Kobayashi muttered. “She does most of the shopping. Alone.”
Tohru rejoined them, now holding a dozen fresh ingredients and a wide grin. “They were all so sweet today!!”
“You’re saying that like it’s new, ” Issei muttered, still watching a butcher waving after her like she was his own neighbor.
Tohru beamed. “I’ve worked really hard to blend in! I learned how to human-shop, and how not to incinerate rude humans!"
Issei nodded slowly. “Wow. That last one’s pretty important.”
Tohru turned toward Kobayashi and tilted her head. “I tried my best because I wanted Kobayashi-san to accept me.”
Kobayashi looked at her for a long moment before glancing away. “...You’ve done well.”
Tohru practically floated at the praise.
Issei, watching them interact, raised a brow. “You two sure you're not secretly dating?”
“Shut up.” Kobayashi said.
The cheerful buzz of the market was suddenly pierced by a shrill cry.
“ Stop him! That man stole my purse! ”
All heads turned as an elderly woman stumbled forward, pointing a trembling hand down the crowded street. A young man in a black hoodie was already dashing away, weaving through the crowd with surprising speed.
“ Damn thief’s fast— ”
Before anyone could react, a blur shot past the stunned crowd.
“Oi!” Issei shouted, already in pursuit. “Give that back, you bastard!”
He bolted forward, legs pumping as he pushed through the sea of shoppers. A few people gasped as he rushed by, narrowly missing a fruit stand and hurdling over a child’s toy cart.
Kobayashi blinked, slowly turning her head in the direction her nephew had sprinted. “...Did he just go after the thief?”
Tohru, blinking as well, stepped beside her. “That was unexpected. Should I pursue?”
Kobayashi sighed deeply and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Of course he went after the thief. He’s reckless, hormonal, and wants to show off.”
She looked up with a tired expression, muttering more to herself than to anyone else, “I forgot he had a hidden heroic complex under all the pervy nonsense.”
Tohru tilted her head. “So.. should I intervene?”
Kobayashi gave a small nod. “Just... don’t kill anyone. And don’t let him get hurt.”
“Understood.” Tohru smiled sweetly.
And then she vanished.
To the untrained eye, it was as if Tohru simply disappeared. One second she was beside Kobayashi, the next, gone—only a faint whoosh of displaced air hinting at her movement.
Meanwhile, Issei was still sprinting, weaving between people with impressive reflexes, pride swelling in his chest. ‘ I’ve got this!’
The thief glanced back and his eyes widened with panic as he saw a determined teenage boy gaining on him.
But before Issei could close the gap—
Fwump!
The thief’s world turned upside down. One moment, he was running.
The next he was in incredible pain as he was sent flying backward through the air.
And then— CRASH! —he slammed hard into the ground with a thud so loud it silenced the crowd.
Standing over him was a towering figure.
Tohru, with her maid outfit still pristine, her fist clenched, gazed down at the now unconscious thief with a soft, polite smile. “Please refrain from committing crimes in Kobayashi-san’s presence. It’s very rude.”
The crowd stared in stunned silence. No one had even seen her move.
Issei skidded to a halt a few feet away, gasping for breath. “Wha—?! How did you—?! I was just about to catch—!”
Tohru turned, cheerful as ever. “Thank you for distracting him, Issei-kun! That was very brave of you!”
Issei’s eye twitched. “I wasn’t distracting him! I was trying to catch him!”
Police officers, alerted by the commotion, soon arrived. One approached Tohru cautiously. “Ma’am... did you apprehend the suspect?”
“Yes,” she said sweetly. “He’s all yours!”
She stepped aside, allowing the officers to cuff the unconscious man who was now moaning about seeing stars and golden eyes.
Kobayashi finally caught up, a paper bag in each arm. “Issei. Are you okay?”
“I... yeah. Just winded,” He huffed, still annoyed. “I almost had him.”
Kobayashi patted his shoulder. “You did good. Next time, though, maybe let the fireproof dragon punch the thief?”
Issei groaned. “Yes Oba-chan.”
Tohru leaned closer, tilting her head. “You were plenty cool to me~”
Issei froze and slowly turned red. “C-Can you not say that when I didn’t even catch the thief?!”
More people gathered around the scene, clapping and praising Tohru and Issei for their quick thinking. Tohru waved happily. Issei showed embarrassment as he felt that the praise was undeserved but made sure to give the grandma her purse back.
Kobayashi just chuckled and turned away. “Come on, we still need to buy eggs.”
—--------------------------------
The sky had already begun to dim by the time the trio returned to their apartment complex. The warm hues of sunset bathed the quiet neighborhood in soft orange light, casting long shadows across the sidewalk. The chatter and bustle of the market were now a distant memory—though Issei could still hear faint clapping in his ears from people praising Tohru back there.
Issei walked a few steps behind Kobayashi and Tohru, a slight bounce in his step as he glanced between the two women.
Just as they were about to enter Kobayashi’s apartment, Issei stopped in front of the neighboring door—Room 304.
“Actually…” He began, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the key. “This might be a good time to finally check out my new place. I haven’t even dropped off my stuff yet.”
Kobayashi turned to him, pausing mid-step. “That’s true you haven’t even seen the inside of your apartment yet?”
“I mean, I got the key before the trip, but... no. Not really,” he admitted with a sheepish grin. “I just sort of got dragged into... you know. Dragon stuff.”
Tohru gave a proud nod. “You’re welcome!”
Issei chuckled nervously. “Right…”
Kobayashi adjusted her glasses and glanced at his suitcase. “Need help unpacking? Or maybe a hand cleaning? The last tenant might’ve left behind something weird.”
Issei held up his hand, shaking his head. “No, no. I got it. I mean, the last thing I want is to make you or Tohru clean up my mess. I’m not that helpless.”
Kobayashi sighed, already turning toward her apartment. “Alright, alright. Just don’t take forever. Once you're settled, come over. We’ll start dinner soon.”
“Got it,” Issei nodded. “And uh... thanks again. Both of you.”
He gave them a quick wave before sliding the key into the lock. With a soft click, the door opened, revealing his new summer lair.
The inside of Room 304 was… modest. The kind of apartment you’d rent short-term and never really call home.
There was a small kitchen immediately to the right, barely enough space for a microwave and a fridge. A low table sat in the center of the cramped living room, with an old television resting on a shelf nearby. The floor was covered in cheap but clean tatami mats.
A short hallway led to a decently sized bedroom, complete with a twin futon on the floor, a simple dresser, and a small window with the blinds already half-open. A bathroom was tucked neatly into the corner—no more than a standing shower, sink, and a toilet.
Issei rolled his suitcase in and slowly closed the door behind him.
He stood in the center of the room for a moment, arms crossed, taking it all in. “…Well. It’s not terrible.”
There was no funky smell and no creepy stains. That was already better than he expected.
After dropping off the last of his things and flattening out the futon in the corner of the room, Issei stood in the center of his apartment with his hands on his hips.
The silence was... actually kind of nice.
No yelling. No parents telling him what to do. Just the hum of the old fridge and the occasional creak of wood.
For the first time in a while, he had a space of his own.
‘Alright. It’s not my room or anything worth talking about, but it’s cozy. Private. I could get used to this.’ He sat down on the futon and let himself flop backward, arms spread like he was claiming territory.
“Ahh... my own place. No one barging in. No nagging. No chores... just freedom,” He murmured with a lazy grin.
Then a particular thought crept into his mind. A dangerous, very Issei kind of thought.
"...This could totally be my own bachelor pad. "
His eyes slowly lit up with possibility.
“I mean... Oba-chan's got a hot maid living with her. And if she can somehow land a dragon, then maybe— maybe —I’ve got a shot too.”
He sat up again, scratching his cheek as a wide grin spread across his face.
“Just imagine… a busty elf girl who needs a place to stay... or maybe a lonely devil chick who got kicked out of the underworld. Or—oooh!—a runaway angel with a thing for pervy-looking guys who offer them shelter!”
His voice dropped an octave as he held an imaginary conversation with one of his dream girls. “‘Oh no, Issei-sama, I’m just a helpless, gorgeous mythical babe... may I sleep in your room tonight?’ Heh... yesss, you may, milady.”
He sighed dreamily, hands behind his head as he stared at the ceiling.
“…And if I do meet another dragon, I hope she’s just like Tohru. Cute, energetic, huge—err, hearted. Yeah, huge-hearted.”
He flushed, laughing awkwardly to himself.
“Okay, yeah, maybe the world isn’t as boring as I thought. Dragons are real. Who knows what else is out there waiting for me?”
Just then, his stomach gave a low rumble, snapping him out of his daydream.
“Ah crap. Dinner’s probably ready at Oba-chan’s place.”
He stood and stretched, yawning, but just as he got up from his futon.
“Nngh—?!”
A sudden wave of heat surged through his chest, like he’d swallowed a firecracker that decided now was the time to go off.
His eyes widened. His knees buckled.
“Wh-What the hell—?!”
A burning sensation flared beneath his skin, coursing from his gut to the rest of his body. His vision swam, and he felt like his blood had turned to magma. His breath caught in his throat.
“Am I— Am I on fire?! ” He croaked, stumbling backward.
Then everything went dark.
With a dull thump , Issei collapsed backward.
Luckily, the futon caught him.
From the outside, it looked like he had simply flopped down for a lazy nap after a long day. But internally? A battle was raging.
A spark. A flicker of energy. Something otherworldly now stirred inside his body—an aftershock of having eaten a piece of a living dragon.
—---------------------------------------
Meanwhile, in Room 303…
Tohru, setting plates on the table with practiced grace, paused. Her ears twitched.
“…Something just pulsed,” She said, narrowing her eyes toward the wall that separated her from Issei’s apartment.
Kobayashi looked up from pouring tea. “Is something the matter, Tohru?”
Tohru nodded slowly. “It’s nothing Kobayashi-san. I just felt another dragon nearby.”
Kobayashi sighed and rubbed her temple. “Another one? Is it close?”
“No. I was only able to sense it for a second, but now it’s gone.” Tohru replied with a pout wondering if it was a friend.
Kobayashi gave her a flat stare. “Well hopefully it’s nothing.” Kobayashi then stared at the door. “Issei sure is taking a long time.”
“Maybe he fell asleep.” Tohru answers.
—---------------------------------
Issei’s Soul
Fire. That was all Issei could see.
A world of crimson and molten gold stretched infinitely around him, consumed by flames that danced with unnatural intensity. Ash hung thick in the air like snow, and the sky above burned an angry red, crackling with heat and energy that seemed to defy logic.
Issei stood in the middle of it, completely untouched by the inferno but very much panicked.
“WHAT THE HELL?! Where am I?! Why is everything on fire?! Did I—did I die?! Was it the tail meat?! Am I in HELL for being a pervert?!”
He dropped to his knees, clutching his head. “I never even got to touch oppai! This isn’t fair! I died a virgin!”
His pathetic wailing echoed into the open flame. But then—everything shifted.
The flames surged outward.
The air grew thicker .
A presence made itself known as within the fire, a colossal figure emerged.
Green eyes like emeralds blinked through the smoke. Red scales shimmered under the glow. Enormous wings unfolded with an ear-splitting whoosh , and a tail swept across the ground, kicking up a blaze behind it.
A massive, awe-inspiring red dragon towered before him.
Its mere presence shook the flaming world around them, yet Issei stood frozen—not out of fear, but utter disbelief.
“P-Please be friendly,” Issei whispered. “Please be like Tohru… please don’t eat me…”
The dragon stared down at him for a moment.
Then, its mouth moved—and despite the roar of fire around them, Issei could understand every word as if they were being whispered directly into his mind.
(So... this is my current host.)
Issei blinked, completely confused. “Host?”
The dragon narrowed his eyes, inspecting Issei like a blacksmith inspecting a flawed weapon.
(Strange... It’s rare for a host to awaken me before they even awaken the Boosted Gear. How odd.)
“Wait, wait—what are you talking about? Boosted what now?”
The dragon moved closer, its face now mere meters from Issei. Its breath felt like standing in front of an active volcano, but Issei didn’t burn.
And then, the dragon paused.
Something around Issei shimmered, glowing lines of energy began to swirl around his body like a ribbon of light. It coiled and pulsed with immense power.
The red dragon narrowed his gaze again.
(That aura. You’re wrapped in the energy of a dragon. But not mine. Why?)
Issei followed the dragon’s gaze and looked at his own arms.
“What aura? What’re you talking abou—oh... wait...”
His eyes widened. ‘Oh crap.’
He remembered. The tail meat.
The words Tohru had said. “Dragon flesh is packed with energy… might make a human stronger... or explode.”
Issei gulped. “Okay, okay! Before you freak out and please know that I didn’t mean to! I didn’t know! I thought it was beef or pork or—!”
The dragon stared.
“...I may have eaten a piece of a dragon’s tail. By accident.”
There was a long pause.
Then—
(BAHAHAHAHA!!)
The dragon roared with laughter, so loud it shook the sky. The fire around them whipped into tornados of flame, but the dragon kept laughing.
(You ate dragon meat?! How is that even possible! Dragons would kill anyone foolish enough to think we are food. HAH! Of all the absurd ways to awaken a Sacred Gear—this is by far the dumbest! I love it!)
Issei just stared at him, mouth open.
“Uh... thanks?”
(You ingested high-grade dragon flesh. That kind of power doesn’t just vanish . It seeps into the body. And into me.)
He grinned, showing sharp, thunderous teeth.
(It seems the energy you consumed mutated your body just enough to awaken me prematurely. I wonder how strong you’ve become already.)
“I—I don’t feel strong,” Issei mumbled, lifting his hands. “I feel tired... and kinda sweaty... and like I want to die just a little.”
(That will pass. You are not dead. This is your soul and my resting place.)
Issei, hearing that this was his soul, was left with even more questions. “Who are you? And why are you inside my body?”
The dragon’s body coiled around the burning realm, settling into a half-circular throne of flame behind Issei.
(I am Ddraig. The Heavenly Red Dragon Emperor of Domination . One of the Two Heavenly Dragon Emperors sealed within Sacred Gears by the Biblical God.)
Issei blinked. “...That is a LOT of information to dump all at once.”
(You asked who I was and I answered. Now... tell me this? Who was the dragon, so foolish enough to feed a human some of their own flesh)
“Yeah. So there's this dragon named Tohru. She's... um... living with my aunt, as a maid.” Issei scratched his head awkwardly.
(A maid?) Ddraig questions in disbelief.
“Yeah a person that serves-.” Issei tries to explain but is soon cut off.
(I know what a maid is. I just find it hard to believe that a dragon would lower their pride to willingly serve another.)
“Well my aunt sort of saved her life, Tohru fell deeply in love with her and to repay the favor decided to serve her as a maid.”
(I see. A life debt. That’s understandable, we dragons are honorable and always return the favor.)
“Right and I went to visit them as I was going to live close to them for a month. Tohru then decided that since her tail can regenerate, she could use that to serve as food.”
Ddraig stared blankly. (She must be quite young as I have never heard of her.)
Issei slumped a little. “Well she’s nice! Super friendly, crazy strong... probably stronger than you—!”
Ddraig growled.
“ Probably, ” Issei corrected quickly.
But before more could be said, the flaming world began to tremble.
Issei glanced around as cracks of light opened in the sky. “Hey, what’s happening?!”
(Relax. You’re waking up.)
Issei staggered a little as the floor beneath him flickered and began to pull away.
(When you awaken, focus your will and call upon me . The Boosted Gear will respond.)
“The what?”
(You have to want it . Desire it. Crave power and the rest will come.)
Before Issei could ask another question, the world shattered into light.
—------------------------------------------
Back in Room 304
Issei’s body stirred.
His eyes snapped open, breath catching in his throat.
And a strange glow pulsed faintly from his left arm before fading completely.
Issei sat up, drenched in sweat and was left wondering why his shirt felt tighter. “Okay. That wasn’t a dream.”