~Later That Afternoon, Occult Research Club~
The newest episode of The Disastrous Life of Kunio Saitou had spent the last six minutes explaining why coffee jelly was the best and why he, Kunio, had ditched his friends on their trip to Okinawa all while Saitou pretended he didn’t care for his friends as much as he actually did.
Soutarou as usual loved every second.
The large television filled the Occult Research Club with shifting color while Soutarou occupied the center of the main couch.
His school jacket rested over the back…
His tie had been loosened after classes…
And one arm lay comfortably across the cushions behind the crimson-haired young woman pressed against his side.
Rias had begun the episode sitting several inches away…
Then she had moved closer because it was cold and it was hard to see the screen from the edge.
Several minutes later, her shoulder rested against his chest…
Both hands wrapped around his forearm…
And the distance between them had disappeared entirely.
Soutarou glanced down at the top of her crimson head.
‘She can see the screen better from here…
Sure.’
Rias shifted again until her cheek rested against his shoulder.
Rias continued watching the anime with serious concentration.
Soutarou smiled and returned his attention toward the screen.
Rias immediately lifted one hand and excitedly predicted, “Betting Saitou buys all six and waits at the shop for them.”
Soutarou shook his head and confidently replied, “Heh.
Nope Raido, Bendo, Meruhashi, Biyo, and Nera are all there already and bought all six watch.”
Rias looked up toward him and argued, “No way Saitou’s super overpowered no way he’d be there afterwards.
Even in our world he’d be at least Super Devil Level, maybe even my brother would be weaker than him.
No way, not possible.”
Soutarou pointed toward the screen and countered, “Unfortunately it’s not real life~ there are plot mechanics~ Hehe~.”
Rias narrowed her blue-green eyes.
Saitou reached the shop and smiled on the screen…
Soutarou raised both brows and triumphantly declared, “Behold.”
Rias stared at the television before slowly turning toward him.
Soutarou’s smug expression survived for less than a second.
Rias grabbed one of the decorative cushions and struck him across the face.
*Whump!*
Soutarou laughed while catching the second swing.
Rias tugged at the cushion before indignantly accusing, “You already watched this episode.”
Soutarou held the cushion beyond her reach and innocently denied, “*Ahem* I merely made an educated guess.”
Rias leaned farther across him while attempting to reclaim it.
Her long crimson hair spilled over his chest and arm…
Her face drew closer…
And the episode continued unnoticed behind them.
Soutarou looked down.
Rias followed his gaze before realizing how completely she’d climbed across his lap.
Her cheeks gained a faint trace of color while Soutarou’s smile became dangerous.
Soutarou lowered his voice and teasingly asked, “Comfortable?”
But Rias refused to retreat as she lifted her chin and boldly answered, “Very.”
Soutarou’s brows rose.
Rias shifted deliberately and settled more comfortably across him before reclaiming the cushion.
Rias smiled with victorious satisfaction and returned her attention toward the screen.
Soutarou watched her for another moment.
‘She learns fast.’
The clubroom door opened before the soft clink of porcelain entered ahead of Akeno.
The black-haired young woman crossed the threshold carrying a silver tray balanced upon one hand…
Her exceptionally long ponytail flowed behind her…
Kuoh Academy’s uniform remained arranged with graceful perfection…
And a knowing smile already rested upon her lips.
Akeno’s violet eyes moved first toward the forgotten episode…
Then toward Rias sprawled comfortably across Soutarou…
Then toward Soutarou’s arm resting around her waist.
Akeno’s smile deepened as she approached the couch and sweetly observed, “Ara, ara~…
It appears I interrupted something.”
Rias remained exactly where she was and calmly replied, “We’re watching anime.”
Akeno set the tray upon the table before innocently asking, “Is sitting in Soutarou-kun’s lap necessary for understanding the plot?”
Rias tightened her hold around the cushion and evenly answered, “Extremely.”
Soutarou nodded and added, “Mhm.
The underlying messages become much clearer.”
Akeno covered her lips as a quiet laugh escaped…
The rest of the couch remained empty, but Akeno ignored it.
She lowered herself directly beside Soutarou and allowed her shoulder to settle against his free side.
Her perfume carried the faint fragrance of flowers and incense…
Refined enough to suit the shrine maiden image she wore…
Warm enough to remain when she leaned closer.
Rias’s eyes shifted toward her…
Akeno noticed.
Saito and his friends had a happy moment with the Tsundere main character, Saitou admitting it wasn’t so bad…
But Akeno paid no attention to it.
She pressed herself closer against Soutarou before lifting one hand to the side of her face.
Akeno leaned toward his ear until her breath warmed his skin and she sultrily whispered, “Fufu…~ Rias seems to have become terribly greedy…
Rias’s arm tightened around Soutarou as Akeno’s violet eyes fixed upon the movement.
Soutarou noticed it too, but he let several seconds pass…
Enough for Akeno to enjoy Rias’s possessiveness…
Enough for the graceful amusement upon her face to grow increasingly pleased.
Before Soutarou turned and the distance between their faces disappeared until only several inches remained.
Akeno’s eyes moved from his own toward his lips before returning upward.
Soutarou confidently asked, “Are you trying to seduce me, Akeno…
Or are you only enjoying how annoyed Rias looks?”
Akeno’s smile held.
Her gaze flickered once toward Rias.
Soutarou caught it and his eyes lowered briefly before he teasingly continued, “I’m fine with either one…
I’d just like to know which game we’re playing.”
Akeno paused, though only for a heartbeat.
Then her smile returned with greater interest than before.
Akeno tilted her head and playfully replied, “Would Soutarou-kun be disappointed if I said both?”
Soutarou leaned slightly closer and calmly answered, “Not even a little.”
Rias abruptly pulled Soutarou toward her side.
The movement forced several inches of space between him and Akeno.
Rias kept one arm around his waist and possessively stated, “Akeno, the entire couch is empty and available.”
Akeno looked toward the empty cushions before pressing against Soutarou again.
Akeno gently complained, “But those cushions aren’t nearly as warm.”
Soutarou glanced down at himself and incredulously repeated, “Warm?”
Akeno rested two fingers against his chest and thoughtfully added, “Firm too.”
Rias caught Akeno’s hand before it could wander farther.
Rias narrowed her eyes and warned, “Behave.”
Akeno’s smile became angelic.
Akeno softly questioned, “Ara?
Whatever do you mean Rias?”
Soutarou watched the pair stare at one another across him.
With the end credits now playing in the background…
Soutarou sighed in satisfaction.
‘Truly…
Kuoh Academy was the right choice.’
The episode ended beneath a burst of ridiculous music.
Rias finally moved from Soutarou’s lap…
Though only far enough to settle against his side with one hand still wrapped around his arm.
Akeno poured the tea.
She filled Rias’s cup first…
Then Soutarou’s…
Before preparing her own and remaining close enough that her knee rested lightly against his.
Soutarou accepted the cup and casually thanked, “Much appreciated.”
Akeno leaned closer and warmly answered, “Anything for Rias’s precious new…
friend.”
Rias’s gaze shifted toward her Queen.
Akeno lifted the cup toward her lips while hiding another smile.
A crimson magic circle suddenly unfolded above the central table.
The atmosphere changed before the message fully formed.
A sealed envelope emerged from the light…
Dark crimson wax carrying the Gremory crest…
Rias became still and Akeno’s playful expression faded by an amount most people would’ve easily missed.
Fortunately Soutarou missed very little.
Rias released his arm and reached toward the envelope.
The seal recognized her touch and opened without resistance.
The letter inside carried only several lines.
Soutarou didn’t attempt to read them and honestly he didn’t need to.
Rias’s fingers tightened against the page.
Her blue eyes lowered…
The warmth that had filled them throughout the episode retreating behind a practiced calm that didn’t belong in the room.
Akeno looked toward her and Rias returned the glance.
No words passed between them before Akeno’s eyes softened and Rias looked away first.
Soutarou lifted his teacup and quietly watched the exchange above its rim.
‘Well…
That didn’t take long.’
Rias folded the message and placed it back inside the envelope.
She straightened her uniform…
Smoothed her skirt…
Then rose from the couch with a composure that failed only when her hand lingered against Soutarou’s shoulder.
Rias forced a small smile and apologetically said, “My family needs me in the Underworld.”
Soutarou rested his cup upon the table and lightly asked, “Anything serious?”
Rias hesitated, her fingers pressed slightly more firmly against his shoulder before she withdrew them.
Rias quietly answered, “Nothing I can’t handle.”
Akeno’s gaze lowered and Soutarou looked from one woman toward the other.
‘Liar.’
Rias summoned a crimson teleportation circle beneath her feet.
The light climbed slowly around her legs before she glanced toward Akeno again.
Rias attempted to restore some levity and instructed, “Akeno…
Entertain Soutarou until I return.”
Please take all the time you need, Rias.
I’ll make certain Soutarou-kun never feels lonely.”
Rias’s eyes narrowed while Akeno’s smile widened.
Rias pointed one finger toward her Queen and firmly clarified, “Entertain him.
I didn’t say to eat him.”
Akeno leaned more heavily against Soutarou and innocently questioned, “Is there truly a difference?”
Rias’s brow twitched.
Soutarou lifted one hand and supportively added, “I’m willing to participate in the experiment.”
Rias looked toward him in disbelief, but Soutarou just smiled.
For a moment, Rias’s expression almost recovered and then the message inside her hand caught her attention again and the smile disappeared from her eyes.
Rias looked toward Akeno one final time.
Akeno gave the smallest nod.
The circle brightened and Rias vanished within crimson light.
Silence settled after her and suddenly the clubroom felt too large.
Akeno remained pressed against Soutarou’s side.
Her pleasant smile returned almost immediately…
Smooth…
Graceful…
And bright enough to conceal the concern that had crossed her eyes.
Akeno reached toward the remote and restarted the next episode before softly asking, “Now then…
How should I entertain you, Soutarou-kun~?”
Soutarou looked toward the fading remnants of Rias’s teleportation circle.
Akeno shifted closer.
Her fingertips trailed lightly across his loosened tie before she gently tugged him toward her.
Akeno’s violet eyes curved with practiced mischief as she offered, “Would you prefer another episode…
Tea…
Or perhaps something more comfortable?”
Soutarou allowed her to pull him closer.
Akeno’s smile became more confident.
Then Soutarou reached up, caught the hand wrapped around his tie, and turned it until her palm rested inside his.
Akeno blinked.
Soutarou studied the elegant fingers within his grasp before tracing one thumb across her knuckles.
Akeno’s gaze sharpened.
Soutarou leaned toward her and quietly asked, “Is this how you always distract people when you don’t want to answer questions?”
Akeno’s expression didn’t change, but her pulse did.
Soutarou could feel it beneath his thumb.
Akeno covered the pause with a soft laugh and teasingly replied, “Ara, ara~…
What question could Soutarou-kun possibly have when a beautiful woman is offering him her complete attention?”
Soutarou brought her hand closer before pressing a light kiss against the back of it.
Akeno’s eyes widened.
Only slightly.
Soutarou kept hold of her and casually answered, “How much stronger do you and Rias need to become before you can beat the flaming chicken?
Confidently that is.”
Akeno froze.
The playful atmosphere vanished so quickly that even the ridiculous opening song playing from the television began sounding misplaced.
Akeno slowly withdrew her hand.
Soutarou allowed it.
Akeno’s smile remained, but the warmth inside it disappeared.
Akeno lightly questioned, “Flaming chicken…?”
Soutarou leaned back and clarified, “Riser Phenex.
Blond hair…
Bad personality…
Probably smells like burnt feathers and expensive, yet cheap smelling cologne.”
Akeno’s lips twitched despite herself.
The amusement lasted less than a second.
Akeno lowered her cup and carefully asked, “How much do you know?”
Soutarou crossed one leg over the other and honestly answered, “Enough.”
Akeno watched him.
Soutarou continued, “Enough to know Rias didn’t just get called home for a family dinner…
Enough to know the Phenex side has likely started pushing the schedule forward…
And enough to know neither of you liked whatever that letter said.”
Akeno’s violet eyes lowered toward her tea.
Akeno quietly replied, “It’s a Gremory family matter.”
Soutarou nodded once and agreed, “It is.”
Akeno looked up.
Soutarou’s expression remained calm as he added, “But also…
Rias is also my closest friend.”
Akeno’s fingers tightened around the porcelain cup.
Soutarou continued evenly, “Which means I don’t care whose family matter it started as.”
Akeno attempted to soften the discussion and murmured, “Rias would never want you dragged into an arranged marriage dispute.”
Soutarou dismissed the concern with a small shrug and replied, “I revealed my two supposed extinct Pillar bloodlines, made Serafall Leviathan cry, Grayfia Lucifuge bow, and got conditionally engaged to Sona Sitri on my first day here.
I think I’m more than just dragged into every political dispute within a hundred miles.”
Akeno released a quiet breath through her nose.
Soutarou leaned forward and rested both forearms against his knees.
His expression became more focused before he sighed.
Soutarou plainly offered, “If you don’t want me to intervene.
At least let me train you.”