High School DxD: Scattered Cherry Blossoms

Human world, United States of America, Colorado, Colorado Springs.

In the room of a middle-class hotel, James, Mizore, and Cu Chulainn are seated across from Dante, a handsome, half-devil, young man who stans at 6'3" (approx. 1.9 m) with messy, shoulder-length, silvery white hair and piercing icy blue eyes. Carrying a double-edged, great sword on his back and a pair of large caliber pistols on his waist, matched with the red trench coat he wears over a black shirt, black pants, and black boots, he is certainly quite well equipped for his work as a devil hunting mercenary.

After introductions and dispensing with the pleasantries, Dante was ready to get straight to business.

"How do you know my real identity?" Dante asked the question he was most curious about.

Instead of answering the question directly, James began an explanation.

"Sparda, also known as the Black Knight and the Underworld's greatest swordsman, ever, was the original Lucifer's number one general. Before the great war, Sparda had come to see the act of treating humans, which most devils looked down on, as livestock to be an action lacking in honor. And due to this difference in ideology, Sparda betrayed the devils and dedicated his sword to the protection of humans. And during his defection, he engaged Lucifer in combat. Although a victor was not determined in that battle, both Sparda and Lucifer left with severe injuries. These injuries led to the death of Lucifer, and subsequently the other three original Satans at the end of the Great War." James said, explaining what he knew about Sparda according to the historical records.

"That's common knowledge that anyone who cared enough to know could find with little effort." Dante said as his patience began to wear thin. "Anyway, I asked how you knew I was Sparda's son, and not for a damn history lesson."

Raising his hands disarmingly, James replied. "Whoa... Take it easy, I just wanted to make sure we're on the same page."

Grunting in annoyance, Dante gestured for James to continue.

"Now where was I?" James asked himself before continuing. "Oh yeah, that's right. Now, I'm sure you could figure out that the devils weren't happy about Sparda's betrayal. For centuries, assassins were sent after Sparda, with no results to show, other than the loss of many powerful devils. This pursuit lasted until the Devil Civil War began. After centuries of peace in the Underworld and the birth of many new policies, Sparda eventually settled down with a human woman. The couple gave birth to a pair of identical twin boys. You and your twin brother Virgil. After the birth of his sons, Sparda decided he no longer needed his power. Thus, he commissioned two swords, then sacrificed his powers and imbued them into the swords. Leaving one to each of his children, then he passed away several years afterward. Which was inevitable, without his immense demonic energy helping to sustain his life."

Before James could go any further, Dante raised his right hand to signal that he had something to say.

"Yes, Dante-Kun." James said, imitating the tone of a Japanese school teacher.

While Mizore giggled at James little joke, Cu Chulainn and Dante had the same thought.

'This guy is a real pain in the ass.'

"Seriously, how did you get all this information?" Dante asked, rubbing his temples in exasperation.

"Well, I can't tell you how I got this info, unless you accept the deal I plan to offer you." James said, answering Dante's question. He then continued. "But I can tell you that this information was originally collected by the descendants of the original Satans."

Upon hearing James' response, pressure began leaking from Dante due to his surge in emotion. He then spoke with killing intent saturating his tone.

"The Old Satan Faction... Those bastards will pay for killing my mother."

"I guess he knows the end of the story already." James muttered to himself in a voice loud enough that only he and his companions could hear. "Damn spoilers."

Mizore and Cu Chulainn deadpanned at James' distasteful joke.

"Don't look at me like that, I know that was too much." James said in response to their stares.

Eventually, Dante calmed down.

"So, what is this deal you say you have for me?" Dante asked.

"Well, I was going to offer you the chance to open your own devil hunting firm." James said nonchalantly.

"And the catch?"

"I want you to join my peerage... Wait, wait, wait. Put your sword back down." James said, waving his hands frantically.

"Why the hell would I join your peerage." Dante asked with disdain.

"Well, I would pay you for all the work you do for me. That includes investigation work, devil hunting, assassinations, and participation in the [Rating Games]. On top of that, you will receive a salary." James explained, then continued with a smirk. "I know how poor your money management skills are."

Hearing James conditions, Dante's eyes lit up. But when he heard the last sentence, he turned away. With his head still turned away, he asked. "What about the sight for the firm?"

Thinking, 'I got him, now." James responded.

"I'll buy a plot of land and take care of the construction cost and business registration with both the human and the supernatural sides."

"Deal!" Dante exclaimed with his right hand outstretched.

Taking Dante's hand, James shook it then said, "Pleasure doing business with you."

Once Dante agreed to join James' peerage, eight [Pieces] appeared between the two half devils. The mutated [Knight] standing out among the seven [Pawns].

"Damn, your potential is kinda impressive." James said with some praise.

"Shouldn't you be praising my power?" Dante asked with a bit of confusion in his tone.

"Nah, if we fought a death match, you'd lose." James said casually. "If you've awakened your bloodline ability, [Devil Trigger], it would be a toss up, though."

James was not actually sure he could defeat Dante if his [Devil Trigger] was awakened. But a little confident boasting can go a long way sometimes.

James then grabbed the mutated [Knight] and pushed it into Dante's chest, as the other [Pieces] returned from whence they came.

'So, it looks like since the [Evil Pieces] are linked to me, they'll show up when I need or can use them.' James thought to himself as he watched the [Pawn Pieces] vanish. 'Good to know.'

After that, James and Dante hashed out the details of their arrangement. Then, two days later, James, Mizore, Cu Chulainn, and Dante made their way back to the Alaverus Estate through the official entry point to the Underworld.

With the end of November drawing near, the three newly established peerages had a little over a month to get their affairs in order, before their extended stay in the Human World. Not to say they would be confined to the Human World for the duration. But it must be known that much of their time will be spent in there.

Over that month, the group made a few decisions.

First, Rias, the otaku, decided she and her peerage would be living in the Kuoh Academy dorms. Having seen dorm life in anime, she simply thought it would be fun. Kiba and Gasper, however, would remain in the Underworld for a little longer. Kiba, so he could continue his sword training under Sirzechs' [Knight], Okita Souji. While Gasper would continue to work on his energy control. With better control of his energy, the chance of Gasper losing control of [Forbidden Balor View] would decrease, or so Ajuka Beelzebub hypothesized.

Sona decided to buy an estate for herself. One large enough to house a sixteen-member peerage. Sona and Tsubaki would then commute to school from there.

James, like Sona, also decided to buy an estate for himself and his peerage. Leona also bought a plot of land on the outskirts of Kuoh and had construction on Dante's devil hunter shop started. However, the arrangements for James' peerage were a bit different than Rias and Sona's. For one, Cu Chulainn and Dante would not be attending the academy. Cu Chulainn claimed it would be a waste of time, while Dante was a bit too old to be a high school student, plus he had a business to run. Also, Dante would be living in his shop rather than the estate. In his place, Leona would be living in the estate. Claiming she would continue to work as James' manager for his mangaka work. Her real reason? She just was not ready to let her baby grow up without her there to see it.

Shortly after the calendar turned over and the new year arrived, Leona, James, Rias, Sona, and the members of the three peerages made their way to the Human World. Until the school year starts, Rias, Akeno, and Koneko would be living with Sona and Tsubaki. Also, half a month later James, Rias, Akeno, Sona, and Tsubaki would have to take the high school entrance exam. Based on the educational standards they had reached in the Underworld, there would be no problem gaining entry to the academy. But on the off chance they were unable to make it, a little devil mind control would take care of it.

===January 3rd===

The group entered one of the more upscale neighborhoods in Kuoh. It turns out James and Sona's homes were in the same neighborhood. Though James called it a coincidence, the crafty glints in both Leona and Sona's eyes tell a different story. However, when James saw that their houses were across the street from one another, he was no longer able to lie to himself about it. Sona and his mother were working together, and their objective was obvious. Making him unable to run away from confronting his feelings.

Seeing how close Sona was living to James, Rias began to think she made the wrong decision choosing to live in the dorms. However, her otaku spirit convinced her that even if just for a year, she had to experience living in the dorms. Akeno and Koneko on the other hand, had bitterness in their eyes while they looked at Rias. Why would anyone want to live in a student dormitory when they could live in the lap of luxury?

*Whistle!*

Hearing that whistle, everyone turned their attention to its source. There, they saw Dante looking at James' house in admiration.

"So, James, you said that this house was bought with your own money?" Dante asked excitedly. "Like, your folks didn't chip in anything, at all?"

The one to answer Dante's question was not James, but Moka instead.

"You look like a bumpkin right now, Dante." Moka said, disdain lacing her tone. Then, in a proud tone, she said, "If you knew how many copies James' two manga have sold throughout the realms, this mansion would seem like nothing to you."

"Holy shit..." Dante said with a bit of envy in his tone. "So, that's why he could afford to give me such benefits for joining his peerage.

Although he was not paying attention to the conversation between Moka and Dante, James could feel the opportunity to stunt was upon him. So, he turned to his mother and asked.

"Mom, I know I left the choice up to you, but which car did you decide to get in the end?"

"Well, I actually couldn't decide which one was better." Leona said, unaware of her son's machinations. She then continued. "So, I bought them both. They should be in the garage, right now."

Overhearing the conversation, Cu Chulainn asked, "So you got two cars... Because you couldn't decide which one you liked better?"

"Uh... Yeah?" Leona replied in confusion before continuing. "They didn't put any burden on James' finances, so I just went ahead and got both."

Before Cu Chulainn could say anything else, Tsubaki asked with sparkling eyes. "What kind of cars did you buy? Auntie Leona?"

Though it was far from the level of an obsession, Tsubaki had developed a casual interest in cars and automotives after learning how engines worked in one of her science classes in the Underworld.

Leona answered Tsubaki's question casually. "Oh, a Rolles-Royce and a Bentley. I don't remember which models, but they were pretty."

Everyone, aside from James and Leona, had their jaws hit the ground. Although none of them were car enthusiasts, they could all recognize the most luxurious car manufacturers in the world.

*Clap!*

"Okay, let's go inside and put our luggage down." James said after gathering everyone's attention on himself with a loud clap, he then continued. "Once everyone's stuff is in their room, let's celebrate the move. We can order some sushi and just hang out for the rest of the day."

While James was directing everyone out of their stupor, internally he was overjoyed as he thought.

'And that's how you stunt.'