The next day, the sun peeked through thin morning clouds, and the city slowly woke up. It was Saturday—finally the weekend, a day of rest and calm. For most students, it meant sleeping in, gaming, or lazing about.
Mephisto was already walking calmly through the city streets toward Issei's house. He wore a simple black shirt, dark jeans, and plain shoes. He didn't stand out, yet most people would still notice him. The quiet confidence he radiated, the charm and grace, drew attention in a way he didn't even try to manage.
He stopped in front of a modest house in a quiet neighborhood. He took out his phone and checked the time—1:43 p.m. Not early, not late. Just how he liked it. He reached out and rang the doorbell.
After a moment, a shorter man with a round face and a surprised look appeared—it was Issei's father.
"Yes?" he asked, a little unsure.
"Good morning," Mephisto said calmly. "I'm Mephisto. I'm here for Issei. We had an arrangement."
"Ah, you're Mephisto! He talked about you," Mr. Hyoudou brightened and stepped aside. "Come in, come in. I'm Gorou Hyoudou, Issei's father. Just take off your shoes, you know the drill."
Mephisto nodded and entered. The entryway was warm, and the air smelled faintly of toast and tea. A homely atmosphere he hadn't felt in a long time.
From the kitchen peeked a petite woman with a mix of surprise and warmth on her face.
"Hi, you must be the new friend!" said Issei's mom, quickly wiping her hands on her apron. "I'm Miki, nice to meet you. Issei's upstairs. But sit down, want some tea?"
"Thank you," Mephisto replied, "but I'll only be here a short while. I don't want to be a bother."
"Oh please! We're glad Issei finally has a calmer friend," she winked at him.
Issei's dad chuckled. "Yeah, most of his friends are... well, a bit loud."
"A bit?" came a shout from upstairs, and soon Issei appeared in a t-shirt with a red dragon and shorts. "Hey! What are you telling them?"
"Just the truth, son," Mr. Hyoudou said with a smile.
Mephisto smiled silently, letting the dialogue unfold. The atmosphere of the house was… pleasant. Ordinary. Human.
"Shall we head up?" asked Issei.
"Sure."
On the stairs, Issei added quietly, "Hey, thanks for coming. I'm really glad that... we're kinda... friends."
Mephisto nodded. "The feeling is mutual."
Issei's room looked just as one would expect—chaos, games, manga, scattered socks, and posters on the walls. But everything had its own order, even if just for Issei.
"So, what do we play?" he asked excitedly. "I've got the new version of Demonic Fighter X, or something lighter—Shadow Beasts Arena."
Mephisto shrugged. "Let's try the first. Sounded interesting."
"Okay! But I'm warning you, I'm level 42."
They spent several hours playing, talking, laughing. Mephisto was mostly silent, but his presence was never heavy. And when Issei occasionally caught his gaze—deep, attentive, as if he already knew everything—he felt a strange sense of safety. Like no matter what happens, this guy would be on their side.
POV: Gorou Hyoudou (Issei's father)
Once the boys closed the door upstairs, Gorou sat at the kitchen table and reached for his tea. A puff of steam gently fogged his glasses, but he barely noticed. His gaze remained fixed on the stairs, as if some echo of that presence still lingered in the house.
"So what do you think?" Miki asked, cleaning up the breakfast plates.
Gorou squinted, then smiled. "Strange boy. Really strange."
"You mean that in a good or bad way?" she asked without judgment, but with a curious tone.
"Good… I think," he said slowly. "He has that look, you know? Not the usual teenage 'I don't care about the world' face. No. With him, it was… like looking into deep water. Calm, quiet… but you feel like if you jump in, you'll never come back up."
Miki paused, frowning slightly. "That sounds almost creepy."
"No, I didn't mean it like that," Gorou shook his head. "He's... calm. Too calm. Feels like he knows more than he should. Like he's seen everything already. You know? Like an adult, but not old-fashioned. More like... older than he should be."
Miki smirked. "You got all that in five minutes?"
"I don't know," he sighed. "Maybe I'm just sensitive. But you know I've got a nose for people. And that kid… he's solid. Very solid. But also… if he wanted to, he could tear you apart with just a look."
Miki paused and then sat down across from him. "But he was polite. Honest. And he's good for Issei—you can see it. The calm he brings... maybe he grounds him a bit."
Gorou smiled. "Yeah, maybe he does. It's a strange friendship. But you know what? I don't mind it. Actually, I'm glad he has someone like that beside him. Even if he was… how should I put it… an angel, a demon, or God Himself—if he treats my boy well, he's okay in my book."
"That's well said," Miki smiled and poured them both more tea.
"And besides," added Gorou with a grin, "it's nice to have someone in the house who finally knows when to shut up."
Miki laughed and smacked him on the arm.