The restaurant was far more upscale than I'd expected for a devil contract spot. Soft lighting, classical music playing in the background, and white tablecloths that probably cost more than my monthly grocery budget.
Across from me sat a high school girl—maybe sixteen or seventeen—with shoulder-length brown hair and nervous eyes that kept darting around the room.
"Thank you so much for doing this," she whispered, clutching her menu "My ex-boyfriend is here with his new girlfriend, and I just... I needed someone to make it look like I've moved on too."
So I'm playing the role of fake boyfriend for the evening. Of all the contracts I could've gotten...
"It's quite alright," I said smoothly, channeling Kiba's natural charm. "I'm happy to assist."
Even if this is incredibly awkward for someone who's never actually had a girlfriend.
I'd been on this contract for about an hour now. We'd ordered food, made small talk, and I'd even held her hand across the table when her ex glanced at us from afar. The grateful look on her face made the discomfort worth it.
At least she's genuinely nice. Could be worse.
As she talked about their best moments, my mind drifted to the past four days of training with Koneko.
The little Rook had thrown herself into our sessions with single-minded determination. We'd met every day after school, spending hours working on reflexes, combat positioning, and reaction speed. And she'd improved—dramatically.
Her strikes were faster now, her movements more fluid. The hesitation I'd noticed during the stray devil fight was gone, replaced by quiet confidence.
And she's been visiting my apartment almost daily for dinner.
That had become our routine. Training, then food. I'd cook using Sanji's knowledge, and Koneko would sit at my small dining table with that same expression of pure bliss she'd worn that first Sunday morning.
Our bond has definitely grown stronger. She was now speaking in more than five words, a bigger achievement than making a newborn say his first word.
The quest timer in the corner of my vision showed one more day remaining. Tomorrow, I'd receive whatever reward the system had prepared.
Tomorrow.
My jaw tightened slightly.
Tomorrow is also when Raynare makes her move on Issei.
Unlike this pleasant, if somewhat awkward dinner date, tomorrow's date would end in blood and betrayal. Issei would die—or would have, if I let the original timeline play out.
But I wasn't going to let that happen.
I've already made arrangements. The pieces are in place.
"Are you alright?" the girl across from me asked, concern in her voice. "You seemed to space out for a moment."
I gave her my best reassuring smile. "My apologies. I was simply thinking about how lovely this evening has been."
She blushed. "Thank you again. Really. This means everything to me."
Just doing my job as a devil. Even if said job occasionally involves playing pretend boyfriend.
---
An hour later, the contract was complete. The magic circle flared beneath my feet as I teleported back to the Occult Research Club building.
I arrived in the familiar clubroom and immediately noticed something off.
It's quiet. Too quiet.
"Ara ara, welcome back, Yuuto-kun."
I turned to find Akeno standing by the window, her usual serene smile in place. Her very long black hair, tied in its signature floor-length ponytail, swayed slightly as she moved. She was alone.
"Akeno-senpai," I greeted with a nod. "The contract went smoothly."
"I'm glad to hear it." She gestured to the couch with elegant grace. "Would you like some tea? You must be tired."
"That would be wonderful, thank you."
As she prepared the tea with the refined movements of a perfect Yamato Nadeshiko, I glanced around the empty room. "Where are the others?"
"Koneko-chan went home early," Akeno said, her violet eyes twinkling with amusement as she poured the steaming liquid into a delicate cup. "Apparently there's a show she wanted to watch tonight. She seemed quite excited about it."
Koneko getting excited about a TV show. That's actually adorable.
"And Buchou?" I asked, accepting the cup she offered.
"Rias had some important matters to discuss with Kaichou Sona. Student council business, I believe." Akeno settled into the chair across from me, her own cup in hand, maintaining perfect posture. "Which is actually rather fortuitous."
I raised an eyebrow. "Hm?"
"Rias asked me to check on your progress with that breathing technique you mentioned." Her violet eyes studied me with curiosity behind that elegant smile. "She's been quite interested in your recent training regimen."
Before I could respond, a familiar blue screen appeared in my vision.
[Quest: Remove All Doubts]
[Objective: Demonstrate your capabilities to Akeno Himejima. Prove that your training hasn't been in vain.]
[Reward: 1 Character Card]
The system really loves its dramatic timing.
I took a final sip of tea and set the cup down with a soft clink. "I would be happy to demonstrate, Akeno-senpai."
"Ufufufu~" Her melodious laugh filled the room, that playful jump entering her voice. "How eager you are, Yuuto-kun. It's quite unlike your usual composed self."
She's teasing me. Of course she is.
"I simply wish to show that I haven't been wasting my time," I replied smoothly.
"Then please," she stood gracefully, gesturing toward the door with refined lady etiquette, "follow me. We'll need more space than this room to have our fun~"
---
The area behind the Occult Research Club building was perfect for sparring—an open field bordered by trees, far enough from the main school that we wouldn't be disturbed.
The sun had already set, leaving us in the soft glow of twilight. Akeno stood about twenty meters away, her floor-length ponytail swaying gently in the evening breeze.
"Now then, Yuuto-kun," she said, maintaining her elegant demeanor, "show me what you've learned"
I took a deep breath, centering myself. The familiar sensation of Total Concentration Breathing filled my lungs—steady, controlled, powerful. I summoned a sword and got into stance, with dead calm eyes.
Akeno's violet eyes lit up with genuine curiosity as cyan-whitish mist began to emanate from my body, swirling around me like morning fog.
"Ara ara," she murmured with fascination. "So this is the Mist Breathing technique you mentioned. How beautiful, Yuuto-kun."
Yellow lightning crackled around her fingertips, dancing across her arms like serpents. From her back emerged her two black devil wings.
Her refined demeanor never wavered even as destructive power gathered around her. "Don't disappoint your senpai, Yuuto kun~ Let's begin, shall we?"
She fired a bolt of lightning directly at me.
First Form: Low Clouds, Distant Haze!
I lunged forward at incredible speed, the mist trailing behind me as I performed a powerful frontal thrust with one of my demonic swords. The lightning bolt passed harmlessly behind me as I closed the distance, my sword aimed directly at where Akeno hovered.
"Oh my!" She twisted aside gracefully, her wings propelling her out of the way just in time. "Such speed!"
The elegant smile on her face widened as I landed, and I caught that flash of sadistic pleasure in her violet eyes. She was enjoying this.
She retaliated with a barrage of lightning strikes from multiple angles.
Third Form: Scattering Mist Splash!
I spun in a powerful circular slash, the cyan mist exploding outward in a ring as my blade deflected the incoming lightning bolts, sending them scattering harmlessly into the ground around me. Small explosions of earth and electricity erupted where they struck.
"Ufufufu~ Impressive!" Akeno called out, her playful tone never leaving despite the intensity of battle. "You're not just faster....your technique has improved remarkably!"
She rose higher, lightning crackling more intensely around her entire body now. Then she unleashed a devastating rain of lightning strikes, covering a wide area.
Fifth Form: Sea of Clouds and Haze!
The cyan mist around me thickened as I charged forward in a zig-zag pattern at blistering speeds, weaving between the lightning strikes. My demonic swords performed a continuous barrage of slashes, creating a defensive barrier of steel and mist as I closed the distance. The lightning that came too close was either deflected or passed through the spaces I'd already vacated.
"Ara ara, you really have improved, Yuuto-kun," Akeno said, her violet eyes gleaming with genuine respect now beneath that elegant smile. "No wonder Koneko wanted to train with you regularly. You're on par with my power level now."
The assimilation is working perfectly. Muichiro's combat instincts, his breathing technique, combined with Kiba's swordsmanship and Sword Birth. What else I can wish from this dear life.
She wasn't done testing me. Akeno gathered a massive amount of demonic power, yellow lightning swirling around her like a storm. "Let's see how you handle this~"
She released it all at once—a concentrated beam of lightning aimed directly at me. This girl doesn't know how to hold back!
Seventh Form: Obscuring Clouds!
This was Muichiro's personal creation. I moved slowly at first, almost leisurely, the mist around me becoming so thick it seemed to engulf the entire area. Then, just as the lightning was about to connect, I accelerated to incredible speeds.
From Akeno's perspective, I simply vanished into the thick cloud of cyan mist.
The lightning beam tore through where I'd been standing, scorching the earth and leaving a deep trench.
"Where—?" Akeno's eyes widened as she lost track of me.
I reappeared behind her, moving with that same fluctuating tempo—slow, then impossibly fast—making it seem like I was teleporting through clouds of mist. My sword was already in position for a strike, while my wings marking their glory.
"Behind you, Akeno-senpai," I said calmly.
She spun around, genuine surprise on her elegant features before it melted into a delighted smile. "Ufufufu~ You actually caught me off guard, Yuuto-kun. That technique is quite something."
The refined, gentle woman was still there in her posture and smile, but I could see the sadistic battle-lover underneath thoroughly enjoying being pushed. Each of her attacks had carried no mercy, calculated to destroy, yet delivered with the casual elegance of someone pouring tea.
We continued for a few more exchanges. I demonstrated Fourth Form: Shifting Flow Slash—taking a low stance before dashing and slashing in one fluid motion. She countered with more lightning strikes that I deflected or dodged.
The field around us bore the scars of our spar—blackened craters from lightning, scorched grass, trees split and smoking, deep trenches in the earth. The cyan mist still lingered in the air, giving the entire area an ethereal, otherworldly appearance.
Finally, I raised a hand. "That should be enough, Akeno-senpai."
She descended gracefully, landing a few meters away with perfect poise, not a hair out of place despite the intense combat. "Oh? Giving up already, Yuuto-kun?"
I gestured at the destruction surrounding us. "I was more concerned about the property damage. Look at what your lightning did to the grounds and trees."
Akeno followed my gesture and blinked, her elegant composure faltering for just a moment. The field looked like a battlefield—scorched earth, splintered trees, and multiple craters dotting the landscape.
"Oh my," she said with that melodious chuckle, bringing one delicate hand to her mouth. "Rias isn't going to like this. Ufufufu~"
She didn't sound particularly concerned.
"Indeed."
[Quest Complete: Remove All Doubts]
[Reward: 1 Character Card]
[New Card Added to Inventory]
Another card. I'll check it later.
Akeno's expression had changed subtly. The playful teasing was still there, but underneath it was something new...respect. She was looking at me differently now, as an equal rather than just a junior peerage member.
"You really have gotten strong, Yuuto-kun," she said quietly, her violet eyes studying me with newfound appreciation. "That breathing technique of yours... and your reflexes. They're remarkable."
I replied "Koneko-chan has pushed me just as much as I've pushed her."
"Ara ara, still so modest," Akeno tilted her head, that elegant smile never leaving her face even as her gaze turned more penetrating. "But this level of improvement in such a short time is quite impressive."
Too remarkable. I need to be careful not to raise too many questions.
"Shall we head back?" I suggested. "I'm sure Buchou will return soon."
"Yes, let's."
---
Back in the clubroom, I stood by the window while Akeno busied herself with tidying up the tea set with refined, practiced movements. The moment I was sure she wasn't looking, I pulled up my system interface.
[New Character Card Obtained: Manjiro "Mikey" Sano]
[Tokyo Revengers]
[Description: Legendary gang leader with incredible martial arts skills and combat instincts. Known for his overwhelming strength despite his small frame.]
Mikey. That's... actually a great card.
But there was a problem.
His abilities are entirely human-based. No supernatural powers, just peak human combat skills and martial arts.
I was a devil now. My physical capabilities already exceeded normal human limits thanks to my devil physiology. Adding Mikey's skills would certainly improve my hand-to-hand combat, but...
It's not what I need right now. Not when I'm preparing to face Riser and his entire peerage.
I needed power that could match supernatural threats—more breathing techniques, magical abilities, or otherworldly skills. Human-level martial arts, no matter how impressive, wouldn't cut it against an immortal Phoenix devil.
I'll save it for later. Maybe I can use it to help someone else, or find a situation where pure martial skill is what's needed.
I closed the interface and stored the card in my inventory.
"What were you thinking about so intently, Yuuto-kun?"
I nearly jumped.
What the-?
Akeno had somehow moved right behind me without making a single sound, her face mere inches from mine as she peered over my shoulder with that elegant smile. Her long ponytail brushed against my arm.
I stepped back—not dramatically, but enough to restore a comfortable distance."It was nothing. Just... reflecting on our spar."
"Ufufufu~" She smiled, maintaining that refined composure, but her violet eyes were sharp and calculating. "Though I am curious about something, Yuuto kun?"
"Yes?"
"When did you get so strong, Yuuto-kun?" She circled around to face me directly, her movements graceful and fluid. Her expression remained pleasant and elegant, but the question carried weight. "And why are you so motivated to train all of a sudden? This level of dedication... it's as if you're preparing for something specific."
"Is it that surprising that I would train?" I asked
She shook her head, her floor-length ponytail swaying with the movement. "Not at all. We all train. But you, Yuuto-kun..." Her violet eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, the elegant smile seemed less like happiness and more like a mask. "You're training as if danger is approaching. As if you're preparing for a specific threat."
She's not fooled by appearances. Just like how her refined lady persona hides her sadistic battle nature, she sees through others' masks too.
I held her gaze, then let some genuine emotion seep into my voice. "It's for Buchou."
Akeno blinked, genuine confusion flickering across her face. "Hm..What do you mean?"
Time to plant some seeds. If Akeno starts taking her own training more seriously, it'll only help everyone.
"I'm done letting my past control me," I said quietly, determination hardening my voice. "I'm focused on getting stronger now so that I can protect the people I have right now."
Her violet eyes widened slightly. The elegant smile faltered.
"I don't want to lose anyone the way I did in the past," I continued. "And I refuse to be powerless ever again."
Akeno stared at me, her usual refined composure cracking. For a moment, she seemed lost in her own thoughts, her gaze distant as if seeing something—or someone—from her own past.
She understands. She lost her mother. She knows what it means to be powerless when it matters most.
That elegant mask slipped further, revealing something vulnerable underneath—pain, regret, and a sadness she normally kept hidden behind her sadistic persona.
"Akeno-senpai?" I called gently.
She snapped back to reality, though her smile was forced this time, lacking its usual warmth. "Yes?"
"I will do my best to save President, Koneko, and you from any harm that might befall you," I said firmly, meeting her violet eyes directly. "That's a promise."
The silence that followed was heavy. Akeno's expression cycled through several emotions—surprise, uncertainty, something that might have been pain, and finally, something softer. Her elegant composure was completely gone now, replaced by the emotional vulnerability of someone who'd been deeply affected by words that struck too close to home.
"Yuuto-kun..." she began, her voice softer than I'd ever heard it, lacking any of her usual playfulness.
"I should head home," I said, moving toward the magic circle in the corner. "It's getting late, and we have school tomorrow."
"Ah... yes, of course." Her response was almost mechanical, still lost in thought.
I stepped into the circle, feeling the familiar pull of teleportation magic. "Have a good evening, Akeno-senpai."
"You too, Yuuto-kun."
The last thing I saw before the magic whisked me away was Akeno standing in the middle of the clubroom. The refined, elegant smile was gone. In her place stood someone more genuine—someone vulnerable and deep in thought, her violet eyes distant as she processed words that had reminded her of her own painful past and the people she'd lost.
---
Back in my apartment, I immediately collapsed onto the couch and heaved a sigh of exhaustion.
What a day.
The fake boyfriend contract, the spar with Akeno, the conversation afterward—it had all been exhausting in different ways.
But necessary. All of it.
Tomorrow, everything would change. The quest with Koneko would complete, giving me another reward. And more importantly, Raynare would make her move on Issei.
And I'll be ready.
I'd spent days preparing, making sure every piece was in position. Tomorrow would determine whether I could truly change this world's fate, or if I'd just been fooling myself.
No pressure or anything.
I closed my eyes, letting exhaustion finally claim me.
Just one more day. Then we'll see if I can really pull this off.
Outside my window, the night deepened, stars twinkling in the vast darkness above.