Issei Hyoudou's mornings start early 5 a.m. He changes into a tracksuit, grabs water, and heads out for training. Lacking natural combat talent, he endured grueling training in another world to gain strength. Daily effort maintains and hones it.
"No shortcuts to true strength," he recalls his master's words, dashing out for a 10km run to the next town. Then push-ups, sit-ups, and Rengoku Keikikou training—standing vertically on a tree to sharpen energy control, away from prying eyes.
Recently, there's more.
"Issei, I'm here," Tia teleports beside him.
"Yo, let's do this," Issei replies.
"Take this!" Issei's punch misses Tia, cratering the ground and shaking trees.
They're near Familiar Forest, training in the mountains. Tia, his familiar, spars with him.
"Sharp, but still sloppy!" Tia taunts, firing magic bolts.
Issei dodges, countering with ki blasts, neutralized by Tia's breath. Back in this world, he focused on physical training, lacking sparring partners. Miu offered, but Issei prioritized her studies. They've only lightly sparred, confirming her high-level magic skills.
Issei fights without his Sacred Gear for two reasons: the Red Dragon Emperor's gauntlet amplifies its user's base strength, and he must be ready if his gear is sealed by rare anti-ability artifacts. Sparring Tia bare-handed also sharpens his combat instincts.
After the fallen angel incident, Issei realized his Red Dragon Emperor status attracts trouble, regardless of his demonhood. Years of peace with Miu dulled his edge he won't let that happen again.
"You're already strong, partner," Ddraig says.
Issei disagrees. Without his gear, he's outmatched by Tia.
"She's the strongest Dragon King with far more experience. It's natural you're behind," Ddraig explains.
No settling. Issei refuses to lament his weakness again.
"Here I go, Tia!" He charges, regulating his breathing.
After a 30-minute intense bout, it's nearly 7 a.m. Issei showers and heads to the living room.
"Morning, Issei-san. Good work training. Tea?" Asia offers, wearing an apron from helping with breakfast.
A cute girl's smile first thing? Bliss. "Thanks, Asia. Miu still asleep?"
Scanning the room, no Miu. Asia nods, returning to the kitchen with Issei's mom. Issei heads upstairs to Miu's room.
"Miu, morning!" he calls through the door. No response. Knocking yields nothing she's deep in dreamland.
Inside, Miu's curled up like a cat. She's terrible with mornings, despite once joining his early training. Now, she practices magic indoors. Can't let her be late for school, though.
"Miu, you'll be late," Issei says, shaking her.
"Mmm… five… no, twenty minutes…" Miu mumbles, rolling over.
Twenty minutes!? Issei spots manga stacked on her bed she was up late reading.
Then he notices her pajama buttons are undone, no bra, her chest swaying with each breath. Morning eye candy!
Mesmerized, Miu grabs his arm, pulling him into bed. Her arms lock around his head, pressing his face into her chest soft, warm, fragrant. Could stay here forever…
But breathing's an issue. "Miu… can't… breathe…"
"Hehe, no, big brother…" Miu giggles, still asleep.
She's not listening! "Miu, wake up! I'm gonna ascend to heaven!"
Death by sister's chest… not bad?
"Issei-san, breakfast's ready. Is Miu—?" Asia appears, catching them.
"No, Asia, it's not what it looks like!" Issei panics.
"I want to hug Issei-san too!" Asia dives onto the bed, jealous of Miu.
Later, Issei explains to a now-awake, blushing Miu and Asia, calming their embarrassment.
"Morning, Asia-chan, Miu-chan!" Matsuda greets.
"You two are cute as always," Motohama adds.
"Morning, Matsuda-san, Motohama-san," Asia replies.
"Morning!" Miu chimes.
The duo swoons. "Greetings from beauties! Revives us!" Matsuda says.
Issei gets it daily revival, despite mornings like today. "Hey, I'm here too."
They glare like demons. "Shut up, traitor!" Matsuda snaps.
"You've got Miu-chan, now Asia-chan's homestaying!? Unfair!" Motohama adds.
"And joined the Occult Research Club with all those gorgeous girls? Quit or introduce us!" Matsuda demands.
"Introduce us to cute girls!" Motohama pleads, tears in their eyes.
"Angry or begging, pick one! Get off me!" Issei shoves them.
"You're living the dream while we suffer!" they cry.
Issei sighs. It's mostly coincidence. "I know a maiden…"
"Really!? Introduce her!" they beg.
Issei dials his phone. "Hey, it's Issei. My friends want to meet you. Cool? …Great, thanks." He hangs up, jotting a note. "She'll meet you here, at this time, with friends."
They grab the note, worshipping him. "Thank you, Issei-sama!"
"I owe you forever!" Motohama adds.
Bit guilty… Issei didn't lie. They wanted a maiden, he delivered—Mil-tan.
In the clubroom, Issei plays shogi with Kiba.
"Checkmate," Issei says.
"Two wins, three losses. You've got me," Kiba admits.
"Close match," Issei says.
"Issei-senpai beating Yuuto-senpai at shogi is impressive… and surprising," Koneko remarks.
Why doesn't that feel like a compliment?
"Ugh, I lost again!" Miu groans, defeated by Rias at chess.
Rias smiles. "Miu, your opening's solid, but your endgame's weak."
Miu pouts, teary-eyed. She's a beginner, cut her slack.
"How about Issei-kun plays the President? He might be good at chess," Kiba suggests.
Later, Rias sighs, leaning back. "That was close."
Issei lost their chess match. "You're really a beginner? Only Sona's pushed me this hard," Rias says.
"Just know the rules. Shogi's my thing, maybe that helped," Issei replies, a shogi veteran from games with his dad and late grandpa. Chess's no-capture-reuse rule tripped him up.
"Your piece combos were tricky. You'll make a great King someday," Rias praises.
High-Class demon path, one step closer! "Thanks, President!"
"Amazing, Issei-san!" Asia cheers.
"That's my big brother!" Miu adds.
"Miu and Asia are all about Issei. I'm jealous…" Rias says.
"President? Something wrong?" Issei asks.
"Nothing," she smiles, but her expression seems off.
After dinner, Issei lies in his room. Miu and Asia are bathing together, bonding as girls. Mixed bathing with beauties? Dreamy… But their bath's too small, and with Asia here, it's complicated.
"Decision made! High-Class demon, big house, huge bath, mixed bathing with beauties!" Issei declares, rolling on his bed.
A Gremory magic circle appears. Rias emerges.
"President? What's up?" Issei asks, surprised by her unannounced visit.
She stares silently. Did I mess up? That contract where I binged anime with Mil-tan?
"Did I do something?" Issei ventures.
Silence. Did she say hug? My ears playing tricks?
"Sorry, what?" Issei asks.
Rias pushes him down, straddling him. "Please… Yuuto's too knightly, but you're into this, right?"
"Uh… my brain's not processing," Issei stammers.
"Take my virginity. Now!"