Chương 116: Chapter 112- The Whip

"You and my husband: I swear you were cut from the same cloth. I hope Akeno does not become like you."

"..." Igor looked ahead at the trio of children. Akeno was biting Issei's wrist and Irina was trying to pull her off.

"Yeah…" He chuckled.

"I hope she really doesn't become like us." For the new generation, there was still hope they wouldn't be tainted.... … |DxD|- Chapter 112- The Whip …... 19/Nov/1998- Monday November 23, 1998, Kuoh Town, Japan. A sunny morning greeted the town of Kuoh. Gorou's glasses dimmed as he glanced at the skies. He was on the porch outside his home, so lost in thought he was only pulled out by a soft punch to his shoulder.

"Gorou." Gorou lowered his head. It was Touji greeting him with a smile.

"Hmph. I could sue you for trespassing."

"You wound me, old friend. Irina. Greet your uncle." Touji shifted aside to reveal Irina. She was in her little Kuoh Academy uniform with bright eyes.

"Hi uncle~. Is Issei awake yet?"

"He's almost done, sweetie!" Miki's shout came from inside the house. The minutes treaded by as the two men talked. Irina was quiet and sometimes glanced at the other homes. The odd car drove by and few people walked across. A few minutes later, shoes clacked on the hardwood floor and Issei burst through the open door with a ball in his hand.

"Irina—oof!" He slammed into his father's thigh. The ball slipped from his grasp and bounced onto the lawn. Irina giggled at his misfortune and Gorou sighed while rubbing his son's forehead.

"Be careful next time, Issei."

"I will, dad. And stop laughing at me, Irina!" Stolen story; please report.

"Hihihihi~!" The two fathers stepped aside and let the two children chatter together. By coincidence, Igor and Akeno flickered on the lawn just a few seconds later. Issei saw them and energetically ran.

"Big bro!" He sprinted towards the duo and stood right before Igor with sparkling eyes.

"Hello, Issei." Igor placed his palm on Issei's hair and ruffled it. Irina came closer and stood with expectation. Igor lowered his hand on her and she closed her eyes, but the heavy weight never came.... She opened her eyes and saw Igor looking at her with a smile. His palm hovered above her, never fully landing.

"You're mean, big bro."

"Hehehe." Igor chuckled and ruffled her hair as well. He glanced ahead and greeted the two men.

"Uncles."

"Igor." Gorou responded and Touji offered a nod. Igor looked at the children and spoke.

"Are you two ready?"

"Yep!"

"Yes, big bro."

"Okay." Igor had scarcely spoken another syllable when Akeno suddenly leaped onto his back and wrapped her legs around his torso. She grinned proudly and placed her chin on Igor's shoulder.

"Hmph! Hmph! Hmph! Hmph!"

"That's enough, Akeno." Igor chided gently then focused on Issei and Irina.

"Alright. You two hold my hands."

"Igor!" Gorou called out. All four of them looked at him and he continued.

"Do guns work on you? Because I never thought my son would be bewitched so much he can't even say goodbye to his father."

"Oh! Hehehehe…" Issei scratched his head and jogged back. Irina, flushed red, also jogged to her father. She couldn't look him in the eye because she'd caught his polite, knowing smile.

"B-Bye, daddy…" Touji said nothing and only crouched down. He pointed to his cheek and waited. Irina wanted to die right then and there. Issei was done with his goodbye hug and called out when Irina kept dawdling.

"Hurry up, Iri!"

"..." Irina clenched her fists and gave her father a quick peck on his cheek. Issei froze, then roared with laughter.

"Hahahahaha!" Irina ran away right to Igor. She wrapped her hands around his leg and pressed her face against his thigh.

"PleaseGoPleaseGoPleaseGoPleaseGoPleaseGo." Igor brushed the back of her head in comfort and stretched out his remaining hand toward Issei. Issei's laughter was interrupted when a force dragged him over. He hovered helplessly and Igor ignored his struggles.

"Uncles. I will see you tomorrow."

"Mn."

"Tomorrow then, Igor." Touji waved his hand in goodbye. He blew a kiss at his daughter, and she quickly hid her face from him again. It was so cute how she was easily embarrassed.

"Wait, big bro! My ball! My ball—" Su! The lawn was free and a ball lay alone on the grass. Footsteps came from behind and Miki peeked out.

"Oh. They're gone already? That was fast." She went back inside while humming a tune, leaving the two men outside. Gorou and Touji shared a look before the former spoke.

"Sooo…can you do that?" Touji raised an eyebrow and chuckled.

"Don't joke with me, Gorou. I'm old now. I'll break my back if I tried." Gorou chuckled as well.

"Indeed. We have gotten old, haven't we? I swear I was just cradling Issei yesterday."

"And now he's the Red Dragon Emperor."

"Indeed. These are very interesting times, Touji." A minute passed in silence. The men stood quietly and contentedly until rushed footsteps came from behind.

"Hey, Mina! Let me hear you say that again. You said Touji is what? You're on speaker."""?"" Both men turned towards Miki with varying expressions of confusion. She had inserted herself between them and her devious smile was aimed at Touji.

"{Um…I think this is no longer appropriate, Miki.}""No, no, no, Mina. I caught your husband lying about his back. You said his back was FINE. I asked if he could still use his whip. You told me it got screams out of you."

"{I did not say that! You're making this up!}""Ohhhh?" Miki giggled and whispered into the phone conspiratorially.

"So you're saying your husband can't perform~?"

"{I…I…MIKI! Stop embarrassing me!}""Awww~. I can imagine just how red you are from here. Why don't you come out so we can see you?"

"Miki! Pleeaaase stop!"

"Hahahahaha!" Miki laughed without restraint.

"You see, Gorou? Your friend lied. His back is JUST fine!" Miki turned around and left. Mina's embarrassed shouts echoed from down the hallway. Gorou looked at Touji's embarrassed expression and chuckled as well.

"Like wife like husband."

"Same sentiments to you, Gorou." Touji spoke numbly.

"You and your wife are perverts."

"Hahahaha! You're right about that!"

END