The dining table was filled to the brim with an array of dishes Haruka had worked tirelessly with the help of Rias.
Go sat at the head of the table, Haruka sat to his right, Ryusei across from her, with Rias at Ryusei's side.
Go clasped his hands together, smiling as he looked between his granddaughters. "It's been far too long. Haruka, Ryusei… how are you two holding up?"
Haruka returned his smile. "We're doing fine, Grandpa. The house is steady, school's going well. Ryusei's been keeping herself busy."
Go's gaze shifted to Ryusei, his greenish-gray eyes softening for a moment. "You've grown into a fine young lady, Ryusei. Last I saw you, you were so tiny you could barely grasp my finger."
Ryusei rubbed the back of her neck, blushing faintly. "Y-Yeah… well, I guess people change in sixteen years."
Go chuckled heartily at that, then his eyes landed on the girl sitting beside Ryusei. "And who's this red-haired friend of yours?"
Rias straightened, offering a polite yet confident smile. "I'm Rias Gremory. Ryusei's… girlfriend."
The words landed with weight, and the table went quiet for a second.
Ryusei nearly choked on her tea. "R-Rias!"
Go blinked once, then broke into booming laughter. "Hah! So that's how it is, eh? My granddaughter's already found herself someone special." He leaned back, stroking his chin. "Good taste too. You've got a sharp presence about you, girl. Strong eyes."
Rias's smile softened, her cheeks tinged pink. "Thank you. I'll do my best to take care of Ryusei."
Ryusei buried her face in her hands. "Why are you two talking like I'm not here…"
Haruka covered her mouth, laughing quietly. "Because it's cute watching you get flustered."
Go pulled out a neatly kept photo album, its leather cover worn with age. He flipped it open and proudly held up a page for everyone to see.
There was a young Haruka, maybe five or six, holding a chubby-cheeked baby Ryusei in her arms. Beside them stood Go himself, looking exactly the same as now, only with less gray hair and even broader shoulders.
"Look at this one!" Go laughed, tapping the picture. "Ryusei was so small she couldn't even open her eyes properly. And Haruka here was already bossing everyone around like a little general."
"Grandpa!" Haruka whined, her cheeks turning pink. "Why'd you have to bring that?!"
Ryusei buried her face in her hands. "This can't be happening…"
Go ignored their protests and flipped to another photo. This one showed him holding baby Ryusei high in the air, her tiny hands clutching at his beard while she drooled happily. Haruka stood beside them, smiling proudly in a little dress.
Rias leaned in closer, eyes sparkling with amusement. "Aww… Ryusei, you were adorable."
Ryusei peeked through her fingers, her ears burning red. "S-stop looking at those, Rias…"
Rias smiled sweetly, her voice playful. "I think I'll need copies of these later."
Go laughed. "A partner should know all the embarrassing stories."
Ryusei groaned, sinking lower in her chair, while Haruka giggled at her sister's misery.
As the evening went on, Go rose from his seat, straightening his suit jacket. "It's about time I head back. Your grandmother will scold me if I'm late again."
Haruka frowned lightly. "Already?"
He smiled, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'll be back soon. And when I do, the both of you should come stay at the main Okkotsu family home. It's too big for just me and your grandmother, and it'd be good to have you close."
Ryusei blinked, taken aback, but nodded. "…We'll think about it."
Go chuckled. "That's all I ask."
After saying his farewells to Haruka and Rias, he stepped toward the door. Ryusei followed him outside into the cool night air.
For a moment, the two simply stood under the streetlamp, the hum of cicadas filling the silence.
Go's voice dropped lower, gentler. "…I'm sorry, Ryusei. For not seeing you sooner. I should've been there more."
Ryusei shook her head. "It's fine. Really. You had your reasons."
He sighed. "I did. As Chairman of the Japanese Hunters Association, my responsibilities kept me tied down. But seeing you now, standing tall as a hunter—it eases my heart. You've walked the path on your own, and you've done well."
Ryusei glanced away, her chest tightening at his sincerity. "…Thanks."
Go patted her shoulder. "You should consider retaking the Rank Evaluation Test. The reports I've seen don't match your real strength. Don't sell yourself short."
Ryusei gave a small smile. "Maybe. We'll see." Then her tone softened. "But next time… bring Grandma. I've never met her."
Go's eyes warmed. "I promise. She'd like you."
For a moment, they stood in silence, grandfather and granddaughter bound by blood and distance. Then Go's expression shifted, a spark of pride lighting in his eyes. "You've already made me proud. Especially with how you beat Riser Phenex."
Ryusei's head snapped up, brows furrowed. "…Wait. How'd you know that?"
At that moment, a sleek limo pulled up to the curb. The driver stepped out and opened the door.
Go offered no answer. He simply smiled, gave her one last wave, and slid into the car.
"Grandpa!" Ryusei called after him, but the door shut, and the limo began to roll away.
Later that night, the house was quiet. The dishes had been washed, the lights dimmed, and only the sound of the crickets outside filled the silence.
Ryusei pushed open her bedroom door, stretching her arms with a sigh. Charcadet was curled up on the blankets, softly snoring, its tiny body rising and falling with each breath.
"Guess someone's already asleep," Ryusei whispered with a faint smile.
She slipped off her tie and unbuttoned her shirt halfway when she felt warmth at her side. Rias slipped behind her, arms sliding around Ryusei's waist. Her fingers traced gently across the firm lines of Ryusei's stomach, and she leaned close, her voice a sultry whisper.
"…So strong. You really should let me appreciate these more often."
Ryusei flushed red, half-glancing at the sleeping Charcadet. "R-Rias… not in here…"
Rias smiled knowingly. "Then let's go to my room. We could use a little… alone time."
Ryusei sighed, defeated but secretly flustered, and allowed Rias to guide her toward the guest room.
The two girls slipped under the covers, Ryusei on her back while Rias curled against her side, fingers idly tracing circles on her chest.
For a long moment, they simply lay together, the silence comfortable, their breathing in rhythm.
Then, Rias spoke quietly. "There's something I should tell you."
Ryusei tilted her head. "Hm?"
Rias's crimson eyes met hers in the dark. "…While you're asleep, Rika and I have been talking. A lot."
Ryusei blinked, unsure how to respond. "…Talking?"
Rias nodded slightly. "Yes. About you. About us. We… made a compromise."
Ryusei raised a brow. "…What kind of compromise?"
Rias's lips curved into a small, knowing smile as she pressed closer, her forehead resting against Ryusei's shoulder.
"We agreed to share you."
Ryusei's face went crimson, her voice catching. "S-share…?! W-wait, you mean—"
Rias silenced her with a finger against her lips. "Don't overthink it. You're ours, Ryusei. That's all that matters."
Ryusei swallowed hard, her heart hammering as Rias kissed her cheek softly, then nestled against her.
"…Good night, my love."
"G-good night!"