The Occult Research Club had gone unusually quiet.
Rias Gremory sat on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other.
Her crimson hair fell over her shoulder as she studied the young man sitting in front of her.
Rias had expected the Barbatos heir to make an impression.
Rafsan Barbatos didn’t—at least, not the kind she’d pictured.
He sat across from her on the sofa in plain clothes, messy black hair falling over his forehead.
He looked younger than she’d imagined for someone from a major Underworld clan.
Angela stood beside him, green eyes scanning the room like a quiet alarm.
Rias kept her gaze on Rafsan.
He gave no obvious sign of nerves or showmanship.
He held the teacup with the same casual ease as if he had been sitting there for hours.
Akeno smiled as usual, though her attention never left him.
Kiba sat upright.
Asia gripped her cup with both hands.
Koneko watched in silence.
Issei leaned toward Koneko.
“Why does he look cooler than me?” he whispered.
Koneko didn’t bother to answer.
“You were never cool, Issei-senpai.” “What?!” Akeno covered her mouth to hide a laugh.
Rafsan glanced at Issei.
“You’re loud.” Issei jabbed a finger.
“And you’re too quiet!” Rafsan took another sip.
“That sounds like a personal problem.” Issei’s face drained of color.
“…I already hate this guy.” Koneko gave a single, approving nod.
“Understandable.” “Whose side are you on?!” Issei demanded.
Rias rubbed her temple.
The meeting was sliding into chaos.
She turned back to Rafsan.
“So—Rafsan Barbatos.” “Yes.” Kiba bowed.
“It is an honor to meet the heir of the Barbatos Clan.” “Likewise.” Rias leaned forward.
“You know why I asked you here.” “The engagement.” Her face went serious.
“I won’t let my family decide the rest of my life.” Rafsan didn’t flinch.
“I’ll marry who I choose,” she said.
“Not whoever’s convenient for the clans.” He regarded her.
“So you’re stubborn.” “Determined.” “Similar enough.” Akeno’s shoulders shook; Rias shot her a warning glance and returned her focus.
“You don’t seem worried,” Rias said.
“Should I be?” he asked, lifting an eyebrow.
“You’ve just been told your engagement might be broken.” “I don’t see a reason to be upset about that.” Rias blinked.
“Really?” “Yes.” He set his cup down with deliberate calm.
“I don’t have a problem with you.” Rias opened her mouth.
“That isn’t exactly the romantic answer I expected.” “I’m not aiming for romance.” Issei slapped his hand over his face.
“Man, you’re terrible at this!” Rafsan looked at him.
“You talk too much.” “You keep saying that!” “Because you keep proving it.” Koneko agreed.
“He’s right.” “Again?!” Issei protested.
Rias ignored them.
“Then why accept the engagement?” Rafsan leaned back, fingers steepled.
“Marriage is something I’ll face sooner or later.
Our families get along.
The clans fit.” He paused, eyes meeting hers.
“You’re capable, intelligent, responsible.” He added plainly, “And very attractive.” Heat rose in Rias’s cheeks.
Akeno’s smile widened; Koneko’s ears twitched.
Issei’s head snapped toward Rafsan.
“Wait—you actually know how to compliment a girl?” Rafsan’s mouth tilted minutely.
“Was that hard to say?” “YES!” Issei shouted.
Rias turned her face away for a second to blink the sudden warmth down.
“Even if you accept it, I don’t,” she said, forcing the words steady.
“I know.” “Then we have a problem.” “Yes.” Rias stood.
“Then there’s only one way to settle this.” Rafsan raised an eyebrow.
“A Rating Game.” The room shifted.
Akeno’s smile fell.
Kiba straightened.
Asia set her cup down more carefully.
Issei’s eyes went wide.
Rafsan’s posture didn’t change.
Rias stepped forward.
“If I win, the engagement ends.” He looked at her, then gave a small, almost casual nod.
“Very well.” Issei nearly slid off the sofa.
“That’s it?!
You accepted that fast!” “You wanted me to argue?” Rafsan asked.
“Well—no!
But you’re supposed to at least look worried!” “I don’t.” Issei glared.
“You’re seriously annoying.” “I’ve been told.” Akeno tilted her head.
“Rafsan-san, aren’t you worried about fighting Rias?” Rafsan met Rias’s eyes.
“No.” Rias narrowed her gaze.
“Why?” “Because I have a plan for how I’ll fight you.” His jaw tightened a fraction.
“And you think that’s enough?” “Probably.” “You sound very confident.” Rafsan shrugged the barest amount.
“I’ve thought about it.” Rias crossed her arms.
“You haven’t even seen my full strength.” “I know some of what you can do.” Something about his certainty bothered her.
He wasn’t bluffing.
At least, she didn’t think he was.
“When will the Rating Game be?” “One month.” “Why so long?” “I need time to prepare.” “For what?” “Everything.” Rias frowned.
“That isn’t an answer.” “It’s the only one I can give.” Angela said nothing; her quiet composure seemed to steady Rafsan more than anyone else in the room.
“You’re awfully calm about all this,” Rias said to Angela.
A small smile.
“If Rafsan appears calm, it’s usually because he’s already worried about it beforehand.” The corner of Rias’s mouth tightened.
So he’s thought this through.
Rafsan stood.
He smoothed his shirt with a practised motion.
“Our discussion is over.” Rias rose to meet him halfway.
“You’re leaving already?” “I don’t like crowds.” He hesitated, then met her directly.
“One month from now.
Until then, live normally.” Rias folded her arms.
“You really think you’ll win.” “I’m not guessing,” he said, pausing as if weighing whether to show a hint of amusement, “I expect to.” A small, almost private smile ghosted his lips.
“See you at the Rating Game, Rias Gremory.” A faint magic circle flared beneath his feet.
Angela stepped closer; demonic light curled around them.
In an instant, they vanished.
The spot where they’d been felt hollow.
Issei was the first to speak.
He rubbed his temples.
“Okay.
That guy is…weird.” “Very,” Koneko agreed, folding her arms.
Akeno rested her chin on her hand.
“But interesting.” Rias jabbed a fingertip into the sofa cushion until it dented.
He hadn’t insulted her or threatened her; he hadn’t even seemed particularly invested in the engagement.
Still, he’d accepted the challenge without apparent strain.
Her fingers slackened as curiosity edged past irritation.
She let a faint smile form.
“One month, huh?” She set her jaw, eyes narrowing.
“Let’s see what you’re actually capable of, Rafsan Barbatos.” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS Safin_Rafsan If you’re enjoying Rafsan and Rias’s story, consider adding the fanfic to your collection.
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