Akeno stopped at Rafsan’s door, raised her hand to knock, then hesitated.
“Ufufu…
What am I doing?” She glanced at the door again.
“Coming here alone while Rias isn’t home…” Her lips curved into a playful smile.
“How suspicious.” Before she could knock, the door opened, and Rafsan stood there.
“Akeno.” “Good evening, Rafsan-kun.” Akeno gave a sweet smile.
“How rude.
You opened the door before I could knock.” “You were taking too long.” “Oh my.
Were you waiting for me?” “No.” “How disappointing.” Rafsan stepped aside.
“Come in.” “Thank you.” Akeno stepped inside.
“So cold.” “You came here voluntarily.” “That’s true.” She slipped off her shoes.
“Then I’ll forgive you.” “You don’t have to.” “Ufufu.
You’re learning.” Rafsan gave her a look.
Akeno’s eyes danced.
“I came to make dinner.” “You don’t have to.” “I know.” “Then why?” “Because I wanted to.” Akeno tilted her head playfully.
“Is that a problem?” Rafsan gave her a long look.
“Ufufu!” Akeno laughed and tied her hair back.
“Now, let’s see whether you’re useful in the kitchen.” After a few minutes, she glanced over her shoulder.
“You’re not going to help?” “You seem capable.” “Are you calling me reliable?” “Yes.” “How sweet.” Akeno pushed a vegetable toward him.
“Then chop those.” Rafsan looked at the vegetable, then at Akeno.
“You said I didn’t have to help.” “I changed my mind.” “Convenient.” “Of course.” He started chopping.
Akeno watched him chop for a moment.
“You really don’t complain much, do you?” “Depends.” “On what?” “Whether complaining changes anything.” Akeno laughed.
“That’s such a Rafsan-kun answer.” “What does that mean?” “It means you’re boring.” “Then why are you here?” She paused, then smiled.
“Because you’re interesting.” Rafsan met her with a steady look.
“Now stop staring.” Akeno quickly turned toward the stove.
“Ufufu.
You’re terrible at flirting.” “I’m not flirting.” “Exactly.” She laughed and kept working.
“There.” Akeno placed a bowl in front of him.
“Try that.” Rafsan took a bite.
“It’s good.” Her smile dropped.
“Just good?” “Very good.” “Much better.” She rested her chin on her hand.
“You’re lucky I’m in a generous mood.” He ate, and she studied him.
“Are you happy?” “Yes.” The answer came immediately.
Akeno’s smile twitched.
“Because of Rias?” “Yes.” “Ufufu…” She lowered her eyes to her tea.
“Such a quick answer.” “Was I supposed to think about it?” “No.” She smiled.
“Actually, I like that.
Rias really is lucky.” “She is.” Akeno’s fingers tightened around the cup, and then she laughed.
“You’re supposed to say that you’re lucky.” “Why?” “Because husbands usually praise their wives.” “I praise her.” “When?” “When she’s around.” Akeno stared, then burst out laughing.
“Ufufu!
That’s terrible!” “What?” “You’re really hopeless.” “Probably.” She leaned back, her smile playful.
“So…
what if another woman liked you?” Rafsan put down his spoon.
“Akeno.” “Yes?” “Why are you asking?” “Curiosity.” “You’re lying.” “Oh?” She touched a finger to her lips.
“How cruel.” “You asked the question.” “Maybe I wanted to know what you’d do.” “I’d tell her no.” Akeno’s smile faded.
“So quickly?” “Yes.” “Not even a little temptation?” “No.” “How boring.” “You asked.” “I did.” She met his eyes.
“And if she was someone you knew?” “No.” “If she was beautiful?” “No.” “If she was very persistent?” “No.” Akeno’s smile returned.
“What if she was me?” Rafsan held her gaze.
“No.” Silence stretched.
Akeno covered her mouth and laughed softly.
“Ufufu…
That was rather merciless.” She lowered her eyes.
“You’re really loyal to Rias.” “She’s my wife.” Akeno’s voice softened.
“Yes.” He returned to his food, and she watched him for a moment.
“You know what I dislike about you?” “No.” “You don’t react.” “To what?” “To me.” He gave the smallest of shrugs.
“You’ve noticed.” “Of course I’ve noticed.” She smiled.
“Most men become nervous when I tease them.” “Then tease them.” “Oh?” Akeno’s eyes narrowed playfully.
“Are you jealous?” “No.” “How disappointing.” She laughed, then quieted.
“You’re different from them.” “I know.” “…Maybe.” Rafsan looked at her; she immediately laughed.
“Ufufu.
I’m joking.” “You don’t sound like it.” “Perhaps I’m not.” She looked away.
Rafsan slowly put down his spoon.
“Akeno.” “Hm?” “Stop smiling.” Her eyes widened.
“What?” “You don’t need to.” Her smile didn’t move.
“How rude.” “I’m serious.” “And I’m perfectly fine.” “You’re not.” Akeno’s smile finally disappeared.
“…You really are annoying.” She looked down.
“Do you know why I smile?” “Because you’re Akeno.” She blinked.
“That’s not an answer.” “It’s the only one I have.” He shrugged.
She laughed softly.
“You really don’t know how to comfort people.” “No.” “At least you’re honest.” She wrapped the cup between both hands and, after a moment, spoke more quietly.
“My father…” She stopped; Rafsan waited.
“I hate talking about him.” “Then don’t.” Akeno looked up.
“That’s it?” “Yes.” “You’re not going to tell me to forgive him?” “No.” His eyes softened.
“Because that’s your decision.” She stared for a beat, then smiled faintly.
“You really are strange.” “People have said that.” She lowered her gaze.
“I hated him.” Her voice was quieter.
“I hated his blood.” Rafsan stayed silent.
“I hated that part of myself.” She gave a small, bitter laugh.
“Isn’t that ridiculous?” “No.” His quiet reply made her eyes narrow.
“You’re supposed to disagree.” “Why?” “Because I’m obviously being unreasonable.” “You were hurt.” He continued gently, “But being hurt doesn’t mean you have to stay hurt forever.” Akeno looked at him.
“That’s easy for you to say.” “Yes.” He blinked, then gave a small shrug.
“I don’t know what it was like.” For some reason, that honest admission touched her more than any speech could.
Akeno smiled.
“You’re surprisingly considerate when you’re not trying.” “I wasn’t trying.” “Exactly.” She laughed.
“You’re impossible.” “Maybe.” She stood and began gathering the plates.
“Rafsan-kun.” “Hm?” “Take care of Rias.
Don’t make her cry.” “I won’t.” “Don’t betray her.” “I won’t.” “Don’t let her skip meals when she’s busy.” Rafsan paused.
“…That one sounds familiar.” Akeno grinned.
“Good.
Then listen.” She picked up her bag and, at the doorway, glanced back.
“Rafsan-kun.” “What?” “Thank you.” “For dinner?” Akeno softened.
“For listening.” He nodded.
“You’re welcome.” She reached for the handle.
“Good night.” “Good night.” She stepped into the evening air.
“One last thing.” She paused, turned, and smiled mischievously.
“If I ever tease you like that again…
don’t take me seriously.” “I wasn’t.” Her eye twitched.
“…You really know how to ruin a girl’s mood.” The door clicked shut behind her.
Outside, Akeno laughed softly.
“Ufufu…
Rias really did find someone troublesome.” She shook her head and walked off into the evening.
Inside, Rafsan glanced at his phone.
A message from Rias: I’ll be home late tonight.
Don’t wait for me.
“Of course,” he sighed.
He placed an order for her dinner.
“She’ll complain if I don’t.” He set the phone aside.
A quiet evening.
Perfect.
And he intended to keep it that way.
It really helps the story reach more readers.