DxD:BattleFront

Chapter 2

The plane touched down smoothly, and Victor stepped onto Japanese soil with Valerie by his side. The early morning breeze carried a hint of spring, crisp and invigorating. As they walked out of the airport, Victor stretched, rolling his shoulders. "Alright, Valerie, we're here. What's the first thing on our agenda?"

Valerie tilted her head thoughtfully, her silver hair catching the sunlight. "Securing supplies for the week," she replied. "Food, toiletries, essentials."

Victor raised an eyebrow. "Grocery shopping? That's your priority?"

She nodded with a small, amused smile. "Unless you'd rather starve tonight?"

He sighed dramatically, throwing his hands up in mock defeat. "Fine, fine. But what about the housing situation? Are we supposed to camp out under a bridge until then?"

"Father has already taken care of it," Valerie said smoothly. "We'll check it out after we're done shopping."

Victor shrugged, falling into step beside her. "Lead the way, boss."

The grocery store was a hive of activity, the steady hum of carts rolling and conversations creating a strange sense of calm. Victor grabbed a basket as they walked in, glancing at Valerie. "So, how do we want to do this? Divide and conquer?"

Valerie shook her head. "I think it's better if we stick together. Besides, I'm curious to see what kind of food you'll pick."

"Oh, so this is a test now?" he teased, smirking. "Alright, let's see..." He grabbed a box of her favorite cookies off the shelf and tossed them into the basket without hesitation. "Start with something easy."

Her eyes lit up with a mix of surprise and amusement. "You remembered."

"Of course I did," Victor said casually, walking ahead. "What kind of partner would I be if I didn't?"

As they moved through the aisles, Valerie disappeared for a few minutes, leaving Victor to peruse the snacks. When she returned, she was holding a set of casual clothes and shoes in his size. Victor stared at her, bewildered. "Uh, Valerie? Did we switch lists?"

She handed him the items without a word, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "You didn't pack enough."

Victor chuckled, shaking his head as he took the clothes. "You're impossible."

"You're welcome," she replied lightly.

They continued shopping with an ease that felt almost domestic. Victor grabbed a pack of instant ramen, only for Valerie to replace it with a higher-quality brand. He rolled his eyes but let it slide. In turn, she reached for an expensive bottle of imported wine, and he switched it for a more reasonably priced one.

"We're not hosting a gala," he pointed out.

"Fine," she relented, placing the cheaper bottle in the basket. "But only this once."

By the time they reached the checkout, their basket was full of a mix of essentials and indulgences—a snapshot of their shared tastes. Valerie placed a hand on the edge of the cart, glancing at Victor with a rare softness in her eyes. "This feels... normal," she said quietly.

Victor smiled, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "Yeah. It does."

The house was tucked away in a quiet neighborhood, its modern design blending seamlessly with the surroundings. Victor stood in front of it, hands on his hips, surveying the two-story structure. "Well, this is... modest," he remarked. "For a Reinherz, anyway."

Valerie rolled her eyes. "It's perfect."

He gave her a sidelong glance. "Compared to the Reinherz estate, this place is practically a shoebox."

"Then why don't you step inside before judging?" she said, walking ahead and unlocking the door.

Victor followed her in, his skepticism fading as he took in the interior. The living room was cozy yet stylish, with sleek furniture and warm lighting. The kitchen was modern, equipped with state-of-the-art appliances. It was a far cry from the sprawling luxury of the Reinherz manor, but it had an undeniable charm.

"Alright," Victor admitted, "it's not bad. But still—"

"Wait," Valerie interrupted, leading him toward a hidden door near the back. She opened it with a flourish, revealing a staircase leading underground. "Before you say another word, let me show you something."

Curiosity piqued, Victor followed her down the stairs. The first underground level opened into a sprawling gym, complete with every piece of equipment he could possibly need. The second level was an obstacle course, the kind designed to test agility, strength, and endurance. And the third level…

Victor's jaw dropped as he stepped into the underground swimming pool. The water sparkled under the adjustable lights, and the currents could be controlled to simulate various conditions. It was a training ground disguised as a luxury.

"Well?" Valerie asked, a triumphant smirk on her lips. "Still think the house is too small?"

Victor let out a low whistle, scratching the back of his head. "Alright, I'll admit it. I might've underestimated this place."

"Say it," she prompted, crossing her arms.

He sighed, defeated. "You were right. I was wrong. Happy?"

She grinned. "Very."

As they climbed back up to the main floor, Victor glanced around the house with a newfound appreciation. It wasn't the size or the grandeur that mattered—it was the thought behind it. Valerie and Klaus had made sure he had everything he needed, wrapped up in a package that felt like a fresh start.

"Thanks, Valerie," he said quietly.

She looked at him, surprised. "For what?"

"For everything," he replied, his voice sincere. "For putting up with me, for making this place feel like home already... for being you."

Valerie's cheeks turned the faintest shade of pink, and she quickly looked away. "Don't get sentimental on me now, Victor. We still have unpacking to do."

He chuckled, grabbing a bag of groceries. "Alright, alright. Let's get to it."

As they settled into their new home, a sense of peace settled over Victor. For the first time in a long while, he felt like he could breathe, like the weight of his past had loosened its grip just a little. And as he looked over at Valerie, who was busy unpacking with a small smile on her face, he couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, this new chapter was exactly what he needed.

Got it! Here's the continuation:

It was almost evening, nearing 3 PM, by the time they unpacked everything. Well, mostly just Victor unpacking while Valerie busied herself in the kitchen, preparing dinner. The faint aroma of freshly washed vegetables and simmering broth wafted through the house, lending it a warm, homely atmosphere.

Victor slumped onto the living room sofa, sighing in relief. His arms felt like noodles from lugging around bags and boxes. "Finally," he muttered, sinking into the cushions. "Time to relax."

Just as he was about to close his eyes, Valerie's voice cut through the calm like a knife.

"Victor," she said with an all-too-innocent tone, standing in the doorway with her arms crossed. "You still need to submit your enrollment documents."

Victor groaned loudly, throwing his head back in frustration. "Can't I do that tomorrow? It's practically dinner time!"

Valerie raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "The sooner you handle it, the less likely you'll put it off. Besides, the deadline is today."

He sat up, pointing at her with mock outrage. "You planned this, didn't you? You knew I'd get comfortable just to ruin it!"

"Don't be so dramatic," she said, smirking. "Now, go. It won't take long."

They went back and forth for a few minutes, Victor grumbling about unfairness while Valerie countered with cool logic and unwavering patience. In the end, as always, she won. Grumbling under his breath, Victor grabbed the documents and shoved them into his backpack.

"Fine, I'll go," he muttered, slipping on his shoes. "But if I get lost, I'm blaming you."

"You'll be fine," Valerie said, waving him off. "And don't forget to be polite."

Victor made his way to Kuoh Academy, the bustling atmosphere of the school grounds catching him off guard. Students were scattered around, some chatting in groups, others rushing to finish tasks before the day ended. He approached a group of students hanging near the gates and cleared his throat.

"Excuse me," he said, holding up the folder of documents. "Could anyone tell me where I'm supposed to submit these?"

One of the students, a tall boy with glasses, glanced at the folder and then at Victor. "You'll want to go to the Student Council room," he said. "The president, Souna Shitori, handles enrollment matters directly."

Victor nodded, offering a polite smile. "Thanks. Where can I find the Student Council room?"

The boy pointed toward the main building. "Third floor, second door on the right. Can't miss it."

"Got it. Thanks again," Victor said before heading off.

As he climbed the stairs to the third floor, Victor couldn't help but feel a strange sense of unease. It wasn't the physical exertion—though he did grumble about how many stairs there were—but something else entirely. A faint prickling at the back of his neck, like someone—or something—was watching him.

When he reached the Student Council room, he paused outside the door. His senses tingled, a familiar feeling stirring deep within him. He sniffed the air subtly. There it was—faint but unmistakable—the distinct scent of supernaturals.

Victor stood before the door to the Student Council room, the stack of enrollment documents tucked under one arm. His free hand hovered over the handle, hesitation gripping him. That scent—that unmistakable aura of the supernatural—clung to the air like an invisible shroud. It wasn't overpowering, but it was distinct enough for someone like him to notice.

"Great," he muttered under his breath. "Of course, the first thing I run into at this school has to be... them."

With a resigned sigh, Victor pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was immaculate, the kind of tidy that spoke to a near-obsessive sense of order. A large desk dominated the far end of the room, flanked by shelves filled with neatly arranged binders. Behind the desk sat a girl with short, dark hair and glasses perched on her nose. Her gaze lifted from the papers she was reviewing, and her eyes met his.

"Can I help you?" she asked, her tone polite but with a hint of authority that immediately set Victor on edge.

Victor cleared his throat and stepped forward, placing the documents on her desk. "Yeah, uh, I was told to bring these to the Student Council president. That's you, right? Souna Shitori?"

Her eyes flickered briefly to the documents before returning to him. "That's correct. And you are?"

"Victor," he said, scratching the back of his head. "Victor Cross. New student."

Souna gestured for him to sit, and he reluctantly dropped into the chair across from her. She picked up the topmost document and began skimming through it, her expression unreadable.

Victor shifted uncomfortably, his senses still on high alert. The smell of supernatural energy clung to her like a second skin, subtle but undeniable. She was a devil, no question about it. Her calm demeanor, her measured movements—they all screamed control. It annoyed him.

"Everything seems to be in order," she said finally, setting the papers aside. "Welcome to Kuoh Academy, Victor."

"Thanks," he muttered, crossing his arms. "So, uh... you're the big boss around here, huh? Keeping everything running smoothly?"

Souna's lips twitched upward ever so slightly. "Something like that."

Victor's eyes narrowed. "You don't seem surprised to see me."

"Should I be?" she countered, her tone cool.

He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. "I don't know. You're giving off this... vibe. Like you've already got me figured out."

Souna's smile grew fractionally. "You're perceptive. But perhaps it's you who's trying to figure me out, Victor."

Victor bristled, his instincts flaring. She was sharp—too sharp. Her calm, calculated demeanor reminded him of people he'd dealt with in the past, people who thrived on staying three steps ahead.

"Look," he said, straightening up. "I'm just here to go to school, okay? I'm not looking for trouble."

"Good," Souna replied smoothly. "Neither am I."

For a moment, the room was silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Victor couldn't tell if she was testing him or if this was just how she operated. Either way, he wasn't about to let his guard down.

"If there's nothing else," Souna said, breaking the silence, "you're free to go."

Victor stood, his movements deliberate. "Yeah, sure. Thanks for... whatever this was."

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Victor," Souna said, her tone neutral but with a hint of something he couldn't quite place. "I hope you'll enjoy your time at Kuoh Academy."

He nodded curtly and turned to leave, his mind racing. As he stepped out of the room and into the hallway, he couldn't shake the feeling that their conversation had been more than just an exchange of pleasantries. Souna Shitori was no ordinary devil—that much was clear. And if she was going to keep tabs on him, he'd have to be extra careful.

"Great," he muttered to himself, heading for the exit. "First day, and I'm already on a devil's radar. Just my luck."

Still, a small part of him couldn't help but feel curious. Souna Shitori was interesting, in a way that both intrigued and annoyed him. He'd have to keep an eye on her—just as she was undoubtedly keeping an eye on him.