Rise of the Strongest Exorcist (DxD parody)

"Argh! I really messed up, didn't I?" Groaning at how her earlier behavior must have looked when she'd barged in on Sharon's meeting with Leo Karteros, Rayne couldn't help but feel bad for her friend. 

Taking a deep breath to control her emotions and erratic state of mind, the redhead looked gave Sharon an apologetic look. "I truly am sorry. I didn't mean to disrupt your discussion with him."

Sharon, hearing Rayne's sincere apology, could only give her a bitter smile as a response. She didn't hold Rayne responsible for Leo's cold demand that they leave him alone, nor did she blame her for anything. She knew well that Rayne wasn't devious. 

She was just… desperate.

"Don't worry about it," she told Rayne. "This gave me a chance to observe Leo Karteros up close, as well as some time to straighten out my strategy. Besides," Sharon said with a smirk, "it looks like Miyu will get a date out of it."

Despite his words at the end, the blonde felt like a seed of friendship had been planted. At the worst, she'd dispelled any misunderstanding that could easily have sprouted between them. It was a win in her book.

"You got something out of it, too. Though we don't know when, he agreed to meet with Shuri in the Occult Club—though that was probably because he wants to hear how her cousin Saori is doing. Don't worry, Shuri is a skilled negotiator. I'm sure she'll find some way to bring up having Leo join your Circle."

"I know. I fully believe in her."

Rayne gave a soft smile at hearing the charming blonde praise her queen. Shuri had been the redhead's first non-devil friend. Saving her seven years ago had been one of the best decisions she had ever made.

Sharon didn't want to pop her friend's bubble and crush her hopes. But if he wouldn't even consider her offer, there was no way in hell Leo Karteros would join Rayne Mephisto's Circle. The redhead had been so thrilled that Shuri had secured a future meeting with Leo in the clubroom that she hadn't seen the look of anger that had flashed across the young man's face when he'd glanced at Rayne.

She changed the topic. "That reminds me… I wanted to ask you about your sister…" Sharon tapped a finger on her full lips. "Why has Mimi been skipping classes?"

Rayne grimaced hearing Mimi's name. "You know she isn't comfortable around me. This whole dispute with who the heiress will be… it's causing problems for her." She massaged her temples.

Currently, the Mephisto house was divided between who should become the clan's heiress. Rayne was the eldest daughter of the house, but she had not inherited the hereditary power of the clan—Gravity magic. Instead, she had inherited the power of destruction from her mother, just like her elder brother Salvatore. And though Mimi was her younger sibling, she had fully inherited the Mephisto's gravity magic. This made her the perfect heiress candidate. 

This succession rift had caused a moderate headache for everyone involved. If she were honest with herself, Rayne cared little about being the heiress. Her sister could have it… and the troubles that came with it. Unfortunately, she couldn't relinquish it—not now.

Kaiser Zepar was being encouraged by his house to marry the Mephisto heiress. If Rayne surrendered her title to her sister, Mimi would be the one who would have to marry Kaiser. And Rayne wouldn't wish that fate on her worst enemy, let alone her sweet little sister.

If Rayne had barely any hope of breaking off the engagement through a Masque Game, for Mimi—who only had Maria as a rook in her Circle—it was a complete impossibility. How could she sacrifice her little sister's happiness for her own? Just thinking of Mimi being in the clutches of that vile, lecherous Kaiser made her skin crawl.

Rayne was determined to break off the engagement using a Masque Game. 

Amongst the underworld's nobility, Masque Games were where one matched the strength their Circle against another's Circle. It was how matters of honor were decided. After Rayne ensured that no Mephisto heiress would ever be that sicko's 'pet', she could pass the title of heiress to Mimi with neither guilt nor regret. She hoped that would solve the current troubles and the source of bitterness between them.

On the other hand, should she fail, then she would be the one sacrificed to that lecher and Mimi would be safe. It would be terrible for her, that was clear, but if it meant her little sister could live a happy life? As long as Mimi was sage, she was willing to make the sacrifice. 

Sacrifice or not, though, she was not going to back down without a fight.

Rayne gave Sharon a bright smile, hiding the pressure that weighed heavily on her shoulders. She masked everything troubling her behind a bright exterior. "Mimi is just being stubborn, but she should come back to school soon."

The pressure and anxiety were so intense that her gut twisted itself in knots. Every breath was heavy and painful. Nevertheless, it was her burden to carry. And she wouldn't let others worry for her. 

This was her duty. 

It was the duty if an older sister to protect her cute and loveable little sister. And Rayne would go to any lengths to do so.

***

Elsewhere in the school.

"Mimi, when are you coming back to school?" 

Maria couldn't help but whine and complain into her phone. It had been a few days since Mimi should have rejoined her classes. Their professors were starting to suspect that Mimi hadn't come down with some weird rash that kept her from coming to class.

"I am sorry Maria. You know I don't feel comfortable there. I am living with the Naruso's in own. So please don't worry about me. As long as you keep sending me the homework and assignments, it'll be fine."

Maria groaned. 

The Naruso's were a human family who had contracted with Mimi. A contract was an act that bound a human or group of humans to a devil or group of devils. In exchange for a designated price, the human or group of humans could have their fondest wish realized. The price the devil charged could be anything—from money to an object or even their lives.

Few humans were dumb enough to sell their souls or their lives these days. At some point, they had learned to read all the fine print before signing a contract without thinking. Furthermore, one thing the Angels had demanded in the Accords that framed the current cease-fire between the factions was that the price a human paid and the wish the devil realized for them required at least the semblance of equality.

The humans Mimi was living with were a poor, older couple who could never have children. The contract they had with Mimi was to at least know how it felt to be parents—at least for a short while. This was perfect for Mimi, who needed a place to get away from the tension at home.

Maria knew the Naruso's were decent folk, and they were taking very good care of Mimi. But that wasn't the problem.

"Mimi… Didn't you tell me you wanted to become stronger? That you wanted to share the burdens your sister Rayne and your brother Salvatore bear?"

[…]

"We finally have an opportunity to become stronger. And while it's true that Leo might refuse us, we don't know that will happen. We don't know what could happen. Aren't you at least willing to try?"

[…]

Mimi heard the deep disappointment in Maria's voice. She sighed ruefully. "Very well, I… I understand. Can you see if we can meet him this weekend? Just invite him to an activity at school—it doesn't really matter what it is. I really want the meet him." She giggled. "You keep praising him so much that I want to see what he looks like."

"Sure thing, Mimi! It will be done. You can count on me!" Maria's voice was notably happier.

After hanging up, she clenched her fist and thought about how important it was to secure Leo. Maria just had to get him to sign a contract with her mistress, Mimi.

"The full moon is coming soon, right?" she murmured to herself.

If necessary, she was even willing to use a special ritual to seal the contract.