Early the next morning, Shuo wasted no time. Under the girls' collective glare—equal parts longing and jealousy—he grabbed Akeno's hand and whisked her out the door, determined to escape before the mood could turn into a battlefield.
They spent the morning like any ordinary couple: strolling through the city, window shopping, picking out clothes. With each step, Akeno's smile grew softer, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she clung to Shuo's arm.
Eventually, Akeno led him out of town, up a winding path of stone steps to a crimson torii gate—a shrine nestled in the quiet countryside.
Inside, she slipped away to a side room. When she returned, she was dressed in a red-and-white shrine maiden's outfit, every detail perfect.
Shuo stared, utterly captivated.
Thunder Priestess. She was exactly as he'd imagined.
Akeno blushed, rare color blooming on her cheeks.
"Ara, you're staring so hard… are you planning to devour me?"
Shuo grinned, not bothering to hide his admiration.
"You look incredible, Akeno. I'm hopelessly in love."
Akeno's lips curled into a pleased smile.
"Ara, Shuo-chan, your compliments are too sweet."
She settled beside him, nestling into his arms, savoring the rare peace.
After a quiet moment, she spoke, voice trembling just a little.
"Shuo-chan, you've already saved Rias and Yuuto. I wonder… can you save me, too?"
Shuo pulled her close, voice gentle but firm.
"Akeno, you're mine. Of course I'll save you."
He brushed a stray tear from her cheek.
"So… will you tell me about your past?"
Akeno nodded and began to unravel her story.
Her mother, Himejima Shuri, was a shrine maiden from one of Japan's five great exorcist houses. Her father, Baraqiel, was a high-ranking Fallen Angel—once called 'God's Thunder.'
Shuri had nursed Baraqiel back from the brink. Kindness blossomed into love, and Akeno was born. She grew up cherished, but her black wings marked her as an outcast. The Himejima clan's rules were absolute. When Baraqiel left on a mission for Azazel, Shuri's uncle—the clan head—sent men to demand she surrender her daughter for punishment.
Shuri refused. She paid with her life.
Baraqiel returned too late, slaughtered the murderers, but couldn't save his beloved.
Akeno's grief curdled into hatred—of her black wings, her Fallen Angel blood, and her father, whose presence had doomed her mother. She rejected Baraqiel's protection and wandered alone, surviving by exorcising spirits.
The Himejima family hunted her relentlessly. She survived only thanks to Shemhazai and Azazel's interventions. Eventually, in devil territory, she caught Rias's attention.
On the brink of death, she was rescued by Rias and Agrippa, who negotiated her protection under the Gremory family.
Akeno moved into the Gremory household, grew up alongside Rias, and became her closest friend—and peerage member.
As she finished, memories flooded back. Akeno clutched her head, anguish twisting her face.
"I have Fallen Angel, devil, and human blood… I'm such a wretched woman."
Her laughter turned brittle, edged with tears.
"Hehe… hehehe…"
Shuo's heart ached for her.
He cupped her face, wiping away the tears.
"Akeno, I don't care about your bloodline. I loved you before, and I love you now. Nothing's changed."
Akeno gazed at him, relief and gratitude mingling in her eyes.
"Ara ara, Shuo-chan… I think I need you more than ever."
She leaned in, arms circling his neck, and kissed him fiercely.
Shuo wrapped his arms around her slender waist, kissing her back.
For a long moment, the world faded away.
When they finally broke apart, Shuo smirked, voice teasing.
"If we had more time, I'd have to teach you a lesson for being so tempting."
He held her close, then glanced at the sky.
"All right—Michael should be arriving soon."
Akeno blinked, surprised.
"Hm? Shuo-chan, how do you know Michael-sama is coming?"
Shuo just winked.
"Big secret. You'll find out soon enough."
He kept her close, waiting.
Moments later, a figure appeared, radiant with holy light. Twelve golden wings fanned out behind him—a handsome man, every inch the archangel.
Shuo greeted him before he could speak.
"Vice-Lord of Heaven, Archangel Michael. Long time no see!"
Michael paused, visibly confused.
"Um… Shuo-kun, forgive me, but have we met before?"
Even Akeno was baffled.
"Shuo-chan, you know Michael-sama?"
Shuo smiled, a secret glint in his eyes.
Of course we've met. You just never saw my real face.
He turned to Michael, voice playful.
"We've definitely met. You just don't remember. Give it time—you'll recall everything."
Michael hesitated, still puzzled, but let it go.
He had more pressing matters—the three-way summit awaited.
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