Fatal-fame here with a new chapter.

Last time two teens and a cat fucked shit up.

Now they are trying to do the right thing.

With mixed results.

Fatal-fame does not own Highschool DxD, Persona 5, or any other referenced media. This is for entertainment., not for profit.

Beneath the Mask, Past the Pawns.

Ch.9 Hierarchy.

April 13

The first thing Issei did after waking up was to grab his phone. The next was he went to the internet.

The first thing he wanted to know about was what those cards were about.

Probably not the best to start with, but it was a start.

'The Major Arcana.' Issei read while eating breakfast. 'The first is zero, The Fool.'

'The Fool is just that, a fool. One who does not know the dangers of life, but is also unknowing of its own strength. Usually a jack of all trades. When it comes up in tarot reading, it means to face the future without worry.'

'So I guess that's me.' Getting up from his chair, he made sure to have both his bag and his glasses. 'I guess in normal life, I am not in a good place.'

'On the other hand, it represents untapped potential.' Looking down at his left arm, he squeezed his hand into a fist. 'I guess that means my power of persona.'

'So, I guess I have unlimited potential, without Ddraig.' He never thought that would cross his mind, but hey here it was. 'Still, too early to really say anything about it.

'Best I just do as the card says.' His thumb started to move down the list of cards, casually scanning the text as it went by. 'Worry about the future, later.' He stopped when he landed on one he recognized.

'The seventh Arcana, The Chariot.' Issei read on as he waited for the train. 'Drive and determination. It represents how success can't come through limited thinking, but when your mind, heart and spirit are one.'

'That...certainly sounds like Ryuji.' Issei figured as much, force of nature the blond was. But there was something...off.

The cards...they were damaged. The dog bit the fool, the chariot driver in a cast.

Searching online, he hadn't found a tarot deck like that, So he assumed it was more of a symbolic thing.

He had to find others like himself and help them.

And maybe he could help himself while he was at it.

'So, if I go by numbers then I have twenty more people to meet and bond with.' His thoughts kept going despite being packed in the train car, fingers still bouncing on the screen. 'I guess I'll just have to keep my eyes open and look for others.'

Getting off the train, he kept on moving forward with his fellow students. Hearing some complain about the rally being held, he kept an ear out for info he and Ryuji could use.

'Looks like some people are asking questions.' He thought as he heard someone complain about the shape the volleyball team was in. 'That means it might be easier to get people to come forward.'

"Yo, man." Looking up from his phone, yellow eyes saw Ryuji standing by the gate.

"Mornin'" Raising a hand in greeting, Issei gave him a nod as they walked in the building. "When the rally starts, we make our move."

"Gotcha." Separating and heading to their classrooms, Issei sat down at his desk and prepared for another day of mind numbing learning.

With volleyball sponsored by King Asshole.

Joy.

Nothing he could do now though, better to wait and watch.

After being told to change into his gym uniform, he absentmindedly followed the crowd to go change.

He found himself sitting next to Ryuji, watching as Kamoshida literally tore the students team to shreds.

The black eyed bastard was skilled, Issei would give him that, but it was obvious that he was using this time as an opportunity to bully the students under him.

Watching as the blue haired kid from his class was knocked over by a spike, he grit his teeth as he others on Kamoshida's team congratulated him.

But what really got to him was when he saw the kid backing up slightly while looking down.

The kid knew what was a stake here and he wasn't measuring up.

God knows what that meant for him.

"Hey." He tapped Ryuji with his elbow, getting the blondes attention. "Do you remeber the dude with blue hair from the torture chamber?"

"No, man." Ryuji rubbed his chin in thought as he tried to remember. "I don't think so at least."

"I see." He couldn't remember him either, which he wasn't sure what that meant.

It was obvious that Kamoshida enjoyed picking on the kid, yet he didn't seem to consider him part of the volleyball team.

Was the guy really beneath Kamoshida's notice? Or was there something worse that he was doing to him?

"Still sticks out." He heard his friend say. Looking past him, he could see Takamaki sitting on a chair. Head down and playing with a lock of her hair. "Hasn't changed a bit."

"Takamaki?" He figured there was no harm in asking, if there was any history between them, it might be good to know.

Ryuji answered with a yawn as he stretched his arm above his head, his rolled up sleeves showing his shoulders.

The red track suit was okay to Issei if he was honest.

If only it didn't remind him of Rias.

The thing that puzzled him was the fact that the girls were also wearing track suits.

If Kamoshida was as perverted as Ryuji implied, then why weren't they forced to wear bloomers?

Then again, it could be someone else's decision, so the bastard would have no say in the matter.

"Pretty boring, right?" The blond asked Issei, who smiled past his glasses and looked towards the court.

"I find it pretty interesting." The brunette leaned against the wall as he held up his hand. "We get to see King Asshole's mind at work."

"What makes you say that?"

"Look at how he plays." Pointing towards Kamoshida as the rally continued, he gestured with his other hand. "He knows he's invincible. Plus, with what we've seen of his castle, he also knows that no one has the guts to stand up to him, nor does he have to share the spotlight."

"And that leads to a dangerous combination of being an absolute jack off."

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw that Kamoshida had spiked the ball past the three guys by the net.

And right into the kids face.

The kid went down hard, no doubt as his arms went limp in front of his face. The kid managed to pull himself into a sitting position as a hand went to his forehead.

"That could've given you a concussion." The convict told him as he started to check the kid for signs of injury. "You should probably sit out the rest of the game."

"Wha…?"

"Hey sensei!" Issei turned to Kamoshida, glasses off his face as he gestured behind him. "I wanna take this guy's place."

Everyone stared at Issei in shock, none more so than the kid and Ryuji, as the black eyed bastard seemed to consider it.

"Sure." He agreed to Issei's request, a grin on his face as he did so. "Wouldn't want anyone to get hurt."

"Plus," His grin turned a bit malicious. "It might be a good way for you to learn who's who around here."

"Sounds good." Gesturing for Ryuji to grab the kid, he watched as he was pulled off the court and to the school infirmary. Cracking his knuckles while stretching out his hands, he asked one question.

"Whose serve?"

He honestly didn't care what the points were or who was winning.

All he cared about was getting his hands on that ball.

And when he managed to bump it during a rally, his magic flowed into the ball.

And that was all he needed.

A couple head tilts there, some arm swings there and Kamoshida's team had no chance as the ball went where the golden eyed teen wanted it to go.

Issei smirked at Kamoshida, who was obviously trying to contain his rage as the student team managed to take the lead.

The teacher team held firm as the server got the ball over the net, while Issei controlled where it would land.

After several minutes of back and forth, Issei watched as Kamoshida barely managed to get it over the net with a set.

Just as he wanted.

Jumping into the air and putting as much as he could, both physical and magical, into his arm. He gave the ball everything he had.

Right into Kamoshida's face.

It hit dead on, causing the black eyed bastard to fly back and hit the ground.

Blood pouring out of his nose as he nearly screamed in pain, Issei casually put his hands in his pockets as he surveyed the scene.

The crowd was shocked to silence, much to his joy. His eyes noting Kawakami-sensei and Kobayakawa were absolutely stunned. While looking around, he saw that Ryuji had the biggest grin on his face while the other kid looked in awe.

Issei was happy the kid wasn't apparently suffering from anything major as his eyes went to Takamaki.

Blue eyes were wide open as the blond stared at the sensei's fallen form before moving to Issei.

And then she smiled at him.

A wide beaming smile that lit up the whole gym more than any lightbulb could.

The burnette just smirked back as he turned back to the fallen Volleyball gold medalist.

"Game, set, match." Issei's smirk grew feral as he stared down at Kamoshida, who had turned up to stare at him.

"Sensei-benchwarmer sucks."

The silence after he spoke was deafening, with not a single soul making a sound.

Until a snort from Takamaki got the noise started again.

The students started to laugh as the black eyed bastard was pulled to his feet, a towel under his nose to stop the bleeding.

"I have to admit. Seeing him like that, on the floor, with him bleeding his own blood."

Issei let a bit of magic into his ears as he walked towards Kamoshida, hearing him mutter to himself as Issei looked him in the eye.

"I would suggest more practice, but…" Shrugging his shoulders, Issei closed one eye as Kamoshida glared back.

"Trash will always be trash."

"I think I understood why people enjoy that type of power over people."

Turning his back, the brunette walked back over to Ryuji, who held out his glasses. Taking them and flicking them open. Issei and the blond walked over to the doors.

"Class dismissed."

With a wave of his hand as they walked out the door. The students started gossiping about what had happened.

"Holy shit, dude!" Ryuji laughed out as they continued to walk away from the gym. "I can't believe you did that!"

"Hey, if he can't play, he shouldn't have gotten on the court." Finding their way outside, they decided to chill in a sitting area in the courtyard. Leaning against the wall Issei pulled out his phone.

"Still, who knows how much trouble you'll get into." The blond reached up to scratch the back of his head as Issei continued his browsing. "Kamoshida's not goin' to let something like that go unpunished."

"I'm sure I can swing it as just part of the game." The brunette dragged this thumb across the screen and tapped something else. "Besides, I did what I wanted too."

"And that is?"

"I wanted to show the rest of the students that he's actually a piece of shit." Drag, tap, drag. "This does two things."

"One." Holding up one finger as he continued on his phone. "What's the thing Kamoshida is most dependent on to be king of the castle?"

"The volleyball team."

"Right." Putting the phone back in his pocket, Issei gave the blond a smirk. "And if someone were to show that he actually sucks at the game…"

"Then people will be less afraid to speak up!" Ryuji's eyes lit up. "And the second?"

"Knock the fucker down a peg." Letting out a laugh, he smiled towards Ryuji. "And, as it turns out, I may have hit a nerve with the benchwarmer comment."

"This I gotta hear."

"I just sped through all the men's Olympic Games." The brunette's smirk turned feral. "Guess who's only played a single match in his supposed "gold medal" Olympics?"

"Seriously?!" Brown eyes wide before Ryuji started to laugh harder. "Holy shit dude! You might just cause this place to actually do something about him!"

"That's the plan." Shrugging Issei bought two sodas from the nearby machine. Tossing another to Ryuji, they clinched cans before chugging.

"Still man, you're on thin ice as it is." Wiping his mouth with his arm, Ryuji gave Issei a concerned look. "With your record and all."

"That's just it." Finishing his soda, the bespectacled teen looked down at the can in his left hand. "They don't know me."

"What do ya mean?"

"Will Hyoudou, Issei please come to the main office." They both heard over the speaker.

"Time to go." Turning his gaze to Ryuji, he kept his voice level. "You ask around while I handle this."

"Got it, Issei. But, before you go…" Ryuji looked on to the brunette. "What were you sayin'?"

"To put it simply, people know you're a troublemaker."

The can was instantly crushed in his grip.

"They don't realize just how dangerous I actually am."

And that was how he found himself in the main office, with the principal, his homeroom teacher and the black eyed bastard himself.

They all sat there in silence, trying to see who would break the silence first.

Except for Issei, who proceeded to breathe on his glasses and wipe them down with his shirt in an attempt to clean them.

He wasn't sure it was working.

"I'm sure you know why we called you here." Kobayakawa was the first to speak, causing Issei to raise an eyebrow at him.

"No, to be honest." Letting out a sigh as he put his glasses back on, he gave up trying to clean them. "I have some assumptions, but you know what they say about that."

"I see." The large man placed his hands in front of himself, intertwining his fingers as he gazed at Issei over them.

Issei gazed back, his expression more confused than anything.

'Is he trying to intimidate me?' If the man was, it was the poorest attempt he had ever seen.

Even Gasper was more intimidating when he and Kiba tried to give him lessons on how to be tough.

Granted, Gasper was a demonic vampire who's gaze could stop time.

Kobayakawa was just a big guy.

A big guy who Issei was pretty sure he could beat the ever loving shit out of if he felt the need too.

However, Issei was certain that would never happen.

"We wanted to discuss your...actions at the volleyball rally earlier." The larger man gestured to Kamoshida with his right hand, while the coach glared with barely controlled rage.

"What about it?" He had an idea where this was going, probably somewhere with the word expulsion thrown in.

"Despite your circumstances, we would like to offer you a spot on the volleyball team."

That was not expected.

And judging by the way Kamoshida was nearly foaming at the lips, this is not what he wanted either.

And Kawakami looked like this was a giant pain in the ass.

"Well," The brunette's head tilted side to side as he tried to figure out the best way to put it. "I'd rather go out with my ex again."

"...I'm sorry, can you explain further."

"She stabbed me, first date." Pulling up his shirt, he gestured to the scar of where Raynare had speared him all those months ago.

He wasn't sure why he was so carefree about it.

Maybe the talks with Rias and the rest of the occult helped him get over what happened.

Maybe he was finally learning to move on.

Or he just stopped giving a shit.

"That's horrid!" Issei watched as Kawakami showed something other than apathy. Kobayakawa seemed to be just as horrified and Kamoshida…

Even he seemed disgusted by what was just said, which Issei supposed fit.

Kamoshida was a first class asshole, but he was no killer.

Not this version of him at least.

"Kuoh is a dangerous place." He had no Goddamn idea where he was going with this.

But fuck it, he was all in.

"Simply put, if you don't watch your back, more than likely a knife is gonna find it's way there." Leaning back in his chair. "Just filled with crazy people."

"The worst part was that, while I was flat on my back bleeding, she told me how it was so nice to play house with her." Head dropping forward with a sigh, he brought up his hands to rest his forehead on them. "She laughed as I bled to death, hurt more than the stab wound."

"It messed me up pretty bad, to be honest." Letting his hands drop, the brunette shook his head sadly. "Couldn't work up the self esteem to do much of anything."

"Thought about ending it a couple of times." With that said he lifted his head, yellow eyes meeting the principal.

"And I'd rather go through that again than play for the volleyball team." His tone was fairly casual as he brought up an arm, resting his elbow on the back of the chair. The abrupt shift in his mood seemed to throw them all for a spin.

"I umm." Trying to sputter something out, Issei took that as his cue to leave.

"If that's all sensei, I should get going." Standing up and giving a polite nod to each staff member. "I promised Ryuji we'd hang out."

"Right, yes." Seemingly coming to his senses, Kobayakawa moved to dismiss them. "It is a shame though, I'm sure people would be far more open to you if you joined."

"To be honest, sensei." Issei shrugged as he put his hands in his pocket. He let his shoulders droop as his gaze went back to the floor. "In my experience, the first impression is all people care for."

"Odds are they'll just think I'm being a teacher's pet, then they'll just gossip about how my relationship with the staff is just to cover up some sort of criminal enterprise." Pushing his glasses back onto his nose, he lightly played with his bangs as he let out a breath. "They'll probably be rumours about foul play with the volleyball team, could get them disqualified."

"And we can't have that now, can we."

Seeing the way Kamoshida and Kobayakawa tensed up, Issei felt a disgusted shudder run through him.

"What exactly do you mean by that?"

Eyes turning to the only woman in the room, the brunette's eyes narrowed at his homeroom teacher.

It was entirely possible that she had no idea the students were being harmed by the black eyed bastard.

Which meant he might have just gained some leverage.

"It's just some rumors floating about." Still slouching, but pulling his head up, he addressed her. "For some reason, people seem to think that the Volleyball team is getting abused by Kamoshida-sensei."

"Yes, I've heard all about those rumors." His voice came out garbled slightly, as he rubbed the bandage over his nose. Issei was honestly disappointed.

'Should've hit him harder.'

"And I want to say right now that all the rumours floating about are just that, bits of gossip." He gave them an award winning smile, one that was so fake it made Issei wanna smash his jaw in.

But he couldn't, so he settled for an obvious attack.

"Then why don't you let one of the other staff sit in on one of your practices?"

"Excuse me?" The tone was low, angry, as if the very suggestion was an insult to everything Kamoshida stood for.

And it probably was.

"Have someone watch the practice, beginning to end, and let them dispel the rumors with their own two eyes." The brunette's head tilted to the side as he gave them a small smile, one to show he was innocently proud of his idea.

Proud? Yes. Innocent, hell no.

"That would be the easiest way." Kawakami agreed with the idea, for once looking non-apathetic about something, much to Issei's joy.

If he managed to get most, if not the rest, of the staff in on this,. There would be no way that all of them would be willing to let it slide.

Who knew that manipulating people could be so useful?

"There's no need for that." The black eyed bastard quickly spoke up, directing attention back to him. "As you said, people will talk no matter what happens."

Eyes narrowed at him, from both teen and teacher.

"True, but my circumstances are on record, this could be cleared up in a single afternoon." The teen countered, refusing to let it slide. He needed this to work, every advantage was something he needed to grab.

"I can vouch for Kamoshida-sans character." The principal didn't seem to like where this was going, not that Issei was surprised by that at all. "He would never harm a student for any reason."

"Didn't he break Ryuji's leg?"

"Self-Defense." Was the response he was given. "Sakamoto-san struck first."

Issei grit his teeth as he heard that.

He knew without a doubt that was bullshit, but he also knew there was no chance of getting them to change their minds about it.

Maybe he should go to the castle and smack the king around, might fix him up.

"Well, thank you for taking the time to listen to my concerns." Bowing to them, Issei gestured to the door with his head. "But, I should be going."

"Yes, of course." Walking out of the room and closing the door behind him, the teen's face quickly turned into a scowl.

"Fucking bullshit." He muttered as he stalked through the halls, causing anyone who saw him to turn in fear. "Hope Ryuji has better luck than me."

Pulling out his phone, he turned the sound back on and quickly opened his newest message.

'Sorry man, but no one is fessin up.' He read as he continued walking. 'Meet me in the courtyard when you're done at the office.'

'All right, see you there.' Slipping his smart phone back into his pocket. He quickly started to go through what leverage he had against Kamoshida.

'Right now, everybody is still afraid of Kamoshida, but I don't know if I've had any impact on that.' Going around the stairs, he continued downward. 'However, if Kawakami actually decides to do something, that would be a huge point in output favor.'

He had no doubts that she had only believed that it was just a bunch of rumors made by some kids with overactive imaginations.

But, if she follows through with his suggestion, or at least gets someone else to do so, than just maybe.

"Special coaching?" He heard from the side. Stopping he leaned against the wall and listened.

"Yeah, apparently it's super hard training for those Kamoshida sees potential in." The two students continued talking, not noticing they were being listened on.

"Like who?"

"Mishima for one, the guy with blue hair."

"Really, I always see him covered in bruises, must be hardcore stuff."

'Well, isn't that interesting.' Crossing his arms, he brought a hand up to his chin in thought. 'If this is what I think it is, I might have just hit the jackpot.'

"Can I talk to you for a sec…?" Turning at the foot of the stairs, he turned to see the blonde twin tails of Takamaki just above him. "It'll be quick."

"Sure, what's up?" He pointed down the hallway. "Walk and talk?"

"Okay." Falling into step beside him, blue eyes looked over him, as if she was trying to find something on him. "What exactly is up with you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Like, you being late the other day was a lie and all." She got right down to business, whatever business it was, apparently.

"Wasn't a lie, was late." He carelessly shrugged his shoulders as they entered the courtyard, his eyes scanning for this blond friend.

"Plus the weird rumors."

"What do you mean weird?"

That didn't come from Issei, who spotted Ryuji in the area with the vending machines they were at earlier. "And what do you want with him?"

"Right back at you." She replied. "You're not even in the same class."

"We met on my first day." The brunette interjected, yellow eyes watching through his glasses. "He seemed cool to me, I seemed cool to him, we became friends."

"What are you planning to do to Kamoshida-sensei?" Takamaki looked over at Issei, then back to Ryuji.

Eyebrows raised, Ryuji let out a surprised "huh!?" As Issei tilted his glasses down.

"That really depends." Taking his spectacles off, he looked her in the eye as he gestured to her with them. "What's it to you?"

"Oh, I know what it is." Brown eyes hardened as they turned into a glare. "She's all friendly with Kamoshida."

"This has nothing to do with you, Sakamoto-san!" She responded with a glare of her own, when it looked like Ryuji was about to say something, Issei cut in.

"Actually." Both blondes turned to him, eyes still hard with rage. "I think this has something to do with all of us."

Turning to Takamaki, he asked one question.

"You hate him, don't you?"

The twin tailed girl looked at him for a moment, before turning away.

"We have reason to believe he's been physically abusing the Volleyball team." Yellow eyes looked into light blue as he spoke. "We're looking for people who'll be willing to speak up."

"Dude!"

"We need all the help we can get." Turning back to Takamaki. "If you're willing, let us know everything you hear or know about, if not, I won't hold it against you if you turn away."

Holding out his hand, he offered it to her in silence.

"No one is going to help you." She said after a minute, eyes still cast downward. "No matter what you two try, it won't work."

"Thanks." Pulling his hand back, he put it into his pocket as he gave her a nod. Turning away, she walked away from them, both watching her as she went.

"She's still so aggressive…" The blond muttered as he kicked a small stone by his feet. Issei watched it bounce away and turned his attention to his friend.

"You two know each other?"

"Since middle school, we weren't friends though." Shaking his head he turned back to Issei. "But, that's not what we're here for."

"Like I said before, I had no luck." Giving Issei a frown, he gestured towards him. "How'd it go in the office?"

"I think I may have gotten under Kamoshida's skin." The brunette replied as he looked over the courtyard. "When I talked about the rumors, he tried to shut me down, but it looks like Kawakami is getting suspicious."

"And that helps us…?"

"I asked them to have another staff member watch a practice to verify the rumors, which was instantly shot down."

"Which makes him look suspicious." A smile from the blond was returned upon the brunette.

"And, I also heard about "special coaching." Using finger quotes around the words, he gestured to Ryuji. "Know a guy by the name of Mishima?"

"Yeah, he was the kid that got hit during the rally." Crossing his arms, the blond nodded to himself as he thought it over. "I always see the kid covered in bruises"

"He's our best bet, we'll stay around the entrance and try to catch him there." Sharing a nod, they set off to find their new lead.

They had just rounded the corner when they saw their target halfway through the hall.

"Hey, you got a second?" The blond spoke up first as they caught up to him.

Turning to face them, Mishima took a step back, letting Issei get a good view of the bruising and scratches on his face.

"Sakamoto-san…?" He seemed surprised by them, not surprising Issei in the least. "And you, too…!?"

"Names Hyoudou, Issei." Adjusting his glasses, Issei made sure to look Mishima in the eye. "We just wanted to ask a few questions."

"Like what Kamoshida's been "coaching" you guys?" The blond crossed his arms as he leaned to the side, while Issei put himself halfway between the blunette and the door. "Or is he just physically abusing you all?"

"Certainly not!" It came out in a polite tone, one that spoke volumes to Issei.

"Dude, relax." Holding up his hands in a placating gesture, he shook his head. "It's just that spike to the face you took didn't seem like an accident, you know."

"It's just because I'm not very good at the sport." He turned away from them as he brought up a hand, subconsciously wrapping it around his midsection.

Issei took note.

"Neither is Kamoshida, but they still let him coach." Adjusting his glasses, yellow eyes watched as Mishima jerked up. "Plus, there's more bruises than the ones on your face."

"They're from practice…!" Mishima exclaimed as he glared at Issei, who simply shook his head.

"That just makes me think we're right on target." Glancing at Ryuji, they nodded at each other.

"Is he forcin' you to keep quiet?" The blond's voice was a whisper as he asked.

Turning his head away, the blunette could only let out a hoarse "that's."

"What's going on here?" They all turned to see the asshole of the hour walk towards them. Turning his head, Kamoshida looked at Mishima.

"Mishima, isn't it time for practice?" He asked the teen, although it was obvious that it wasn't a suggestion.

"I-I'm not feeling well today…" Turning away from the larger man, his hand once again went up to his chest.

"What?" Hands on his hips, he looked down on the teen with a condescending look. "Maybe you're better off quitting then."

Seeing the blunette's shock, he continued. "You're never going to improve that crappy form unless you show up to practice."

Nails biting into his palms, the brunette tried to hold back his rage as Ryuji spoke up.

"Didn't you hear?" Glaring up, it was obvious the blond was having just as much trouble holding back his rage. "He ain't feeling well!"

"Plus," This time it was Issei who spoke up. "Maybe the coach isn't good enough."

"What was that?" That got the attention of everyone around the area, students stopped to watch as the gym teacher and criminal faced down.

"I watched the games from when you won that gold medal." Closing his eyes and tilting his head to the side, he opened one just a bit. "You were on the bench for every game."

Pushing ahead, he grabbed onto every bit of hate he had.

"Except for the one we lost, where you played center."

Yellow eyes went around the room as he watched people take out their phones. Looking back at the black eyed bastard, Issei wasn't backing down.

"So maybe you should take your own advice and quit." He stepped up to the gym teacher, eyes closed until they were nearly toe-to-toe.

"Like you would know." Barring his teeth, he glared down at the glasses wearing teen. "My volleyball team is what puts this school on the map."

"Which is why I refused." Taking off his glasses, Issei didn't notice the looks he was getting from the rest of the students. "If I wanted to decay my Volleyball skills, I'll look you up."

The adult was about to retort when he stopped and took a breath.

"Look, all this is doing is making the students anxious." Looking around the room, they noticed the students watching them. "And this isn't getting us anywhere."

"Then get going." Issei gestured with his thumb as his eyes went red. "Mishima-san's not feeling well, so he won't be joining you."

Kamoshida took a step back in shock, having convinced himself that the first time this had happened was simply his imagination.

"Didn't you hear me?" Issei let just enough magic out to affect the older male as his anger was reaching a boiling point, who took another step back. "I said beat it."

"R-right." Taking more steps back, he quickly turned to leave. Only stopping for a final remark.

"This is a place for those with aspirations." Turning back to Issei, he glared as hard as he could. "Unworthy students like you have no right to be here."

"I don't think you'll have to worry about that." He couldn't hold it back anymore, his rage sought out an outlet.

Magic coursed through him his shadow started to elongate and shot towards the older man. Moving faster than anyone could catch, it quickly caught up to Kamoshida as his foot landed on the steps from the entrance hall.

It reached out and twisted his ankle.

Falling down with a cry. Students started to crowd him as he held onto his turned foot.

"What the hell!?" Shock was on the three males' faces as they stared at the Volleyball coach.

"Doesn't matter, let's go." Issei wasn't sure what would happen next, but he sure as hell didn't want to find out. Grabbing both Ryuji and Mishima, he dragged them to the exit. "Practice has been canceled."

He continued on until he was in the alleyway where they exited the metaverse. Letting go of both of them, he turned to Mishima.

"You ready to talk?" He asked as he leaned against the wall, arms crossed and eyes firm. The blunette looked up at him, then looked back down.

"They already know."

"What?"

"The parents...the principal… They all know and say nothing." He shrugged his shoulder, wincing in pain as he did. "Proving it would just be meaningless."

"Is this a joke!?" Ryuji's voice was barely above a whisper as he tried to comprehend what they were told.

"So don't bother." He turned to walk away. "You of all people should know nothing helps."

They both watched as Mishima started to move away from them.

"Fuck!" Slamming the bottom of his fist against the wall, Issei turned to Ryuji. "What now?"

"I'm going to try to convince some other guys." Turning to the brunette he shrugged. "You should head home, before you miss the trains."

"All right, see you later."

One train ride later and Issei was in his room.

Changing into his pajamas, he flopped onto the mattress.

'What the hell happened?' He knew that it was him who attacked Kamoshida, but how? He didn't know how to control shadows like that.

'Are you sure you don't?' A voice spoke up for the first time that day. Turning his head, Issei addressed him.

'Was that you Arsene?' He asked as he sat up, regarding his persona with curiosity.

'I did not.' The red wearing being replied as he gestured to Issei. 'I informed you that my powers were yours.'

'So, I did it with your power.' Letting out a hmm, he started to turn the thought around in his head.

'Either way, it has been a long day and you need rest.' The persona disappeared back into his body as Issei's phone chimed.

'This doesn't make any damn sense.' Was the first message he got. 'Everybody knows, so why is nobody saying anything!?'

'Volleyball makes the school look good.' He wrote back. 'As long as he gets results, nobody gives a shit.'

'Bullshit! Just because he's a medalist doesn't mean he can get away with this shit!' Issei watched as another message appeared. 'Just watch, I'll find somebody to get that bastard.'

'We. We're in this together.'

'Right, sorry.'

'No problem.'

Putting his phone down, Issei took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.

'This is not going well.' If everything Mishima said was true, then there was little to no chance of them getting something done about Kamoshida.

But he couldn't give up. If even their chances were minuscule, they had to do everything they could.

They had to prove that he was abusing people.

For themselves and everyone else.

Chapter nine done.

Next chapter, a team is formed.

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