Back in the Occult Research Club room, Rias Gremory smiled gently, her crimson hair gleaming in the soft light as she turned toward Ryuichi.
"So, Ryuichi," she asked in her warm, melodic voice. "Did you discover or realize anything after today's battle?"
Ryuichi exhaled, still replaying the fight in his mind. "Whether it's Akeno-senpai or Koneko, their magic power and combat techniques are far beyond mine."
After experiencing a full-scale battle, Ryuichi finally understood the vast difference between himself and his fellow club members. Their strength was overwhelming—almost unreachable for him at this stage.
But he also knew why they were that strong. It was power accumulated through countless contracts, bit by bit, by paying and collecting magical compensation. If Ryuichi wanted to stand on their level, he too would have to follow the same path—make pacts, and accept the price that came with them.
Rias smiled knowingly. "That's exactly the path you'll need to take, Ryuichi. You must work hard from now on. Especially regarding the person who summoned you before… whatever happens, you must try your best to reach an agreement with her. If you encounter any difficulties, don't hesitate to ask us for help."
Her tone carried genuine encouragement—mixed with expectation.
Rias had high hopes for Ryuichi. After all, he had shattered a long-standing limitation of the Evil Pieces system: a single Devil could not possess two roles simultaneously. Yet, Ryuichi existed as both Knight and Pawn—a symbiotic duality no Devil before him had ever achieved.
Such a phenomenon wasn't just extraordinary—it was groundbreaking. Rias knew this was something that would attract the attention of the entire Devil race… and not necessarily in a good way.
For now, secrecy was paramount. Until Ryuichi—and her own peerage—became powerful enough, she couldn't afford for this information to leak. Otherwise, there was no telling what the high-ranking Devils might do in their obsession for the advancement of the race.
They had done… questionable things before, in the name of "progress."
Rias's expression dimmed slightly. A shadow crossed her beautiful blue eyes as she muttered softly, almost to herself:
"Ryuichi, you have to grow stronger… only then can you help me."
Her tone was faint, but the pain beneath it was unmistakable.
Sensing the shift in her mood, Ryuichi looked at her quietly. He could tell she was carrying something heavy in her heart—something she wasn't ready to share. So he didn't press her. When she was ready, when she believed he was strong enough to stand beside her… she would tell him everything.
For now, he simply nodded. "Got it."
Just one word—but the quiet confidence in his voice carried weight.
Rias seemed to feel it too. The faint tension in her features softened. She reached out, her fingers brushing gently against his cheek. Her crimson hair framed her face as she smiled again, her usual warmth returning.
"I believe in you, Ryuichi," she said softly. "You'll grow stronger—very soon. Because you're my most adorable servant."
Her voice dropped to a playful whisper, and before Ryuichi could react, Rias leaned forward. Cupping his face between her hands, she pressed her lips lightly against his forehead.
A soft kiss.
Her lips left behind a delicate warmth, lingering like a spark against his skin.
Ryuichi froze for a moment, feeling his heartbeat quicken ever so slightly.
His feelings toward Rias were… complicated. She had saved his life, made him her servant, and treated him with a kind of affection that blurred the lines between master and companion. Yet, Ryuichi understood—this closeness wasn't the same as human romance.
Devils simply thought differently.
Even though he was now one of them, his heart still beat with human emotion. He knew that Rias's fondness for him was more akin to a master cherishing a treasured possession—something precious, but not romantic love.
Even if they had once shared a bed…Even if she had just kissed him with such tenderness…That didn't mean she loved him.
It was something he couldn't quite accept—and yet couldn't reject either.
After all, who could control their own desire to belong to someone?
Still, whether or not his emotions were returned, Ryuichi owed her his life. That alone was reason enough to repay her kindness—to grow stronger, for her sake if not his own.
He took a quiet breath. Just let it flow naturally, he thought.
Rias pulled back, smiling playfully again. "That was a bit of magic to help you grow stronger. So," she added with a wink, "that's all the affection you get for today."
Ryuichi chuckled. "I won't let you down."
He already had a plan forming in his mind. First, he needed to resolve Sakurajima Mai's situation as soon as possible—and complete his very first Devil contract.
"Ah, right." Rias suddenly brightened, as if remembering something. "Next weekend, the Familiar Forest will open! That means you'll finally be able to get your own familiar."
"Really?" Ryuichi's eyes lit up. He'd been looking forward to this. Having a familiar would make his life as a Devil so much easier.
"Of course it's true," Rias said with a giggle. "Once you have one, you won't need to hand out flyers yourself anymore. You can even make it handle small errands."
Ryuichi grinned mischievously. "Perfect. Once I get a familiar, I won't have to do my homework myself anymore."
Rias: "...Huh?"
Everyone else: "...Excuse me?!"
They all stared at him, speechless.
So that's why he wanted a familiar? To skip homework?
At least pretend you're aiming higher!Even the familiar deserved an apology!
The three girls' expressions all twisted slightly in synchronized disbelief.Sometimes, they really couldn't figure out how Ryuichi's brain worked…
Later that evening, after riding his bike home, Ryuichi finished his nightly training routine, took a quick shower, and went to bed early. Tomorrow, he had promised to meet Sakurajima Mai again.
The next morning, he woke up before sunrise. After tidying up around the house, he stepped out into the golden morning light.
It was the weekend, so the streets were livelier than usual. People filled the sidewalks, couples strolled hand-in-hand, and the city pulsed with calm energy. Ryuichi made his way to the subway station—his meeting place with Mai.
He arrived early. About ten minutes later, a familiar figure appeared, walking gracefully toward him from down the street.
Sakurajima Mai.
Today, she wore casual clothes: a fitted blouse and a short skirt. Unlike yesterday's outfit, which reached below her knees, today's hemline stopped halfway down her thighs—simple, but incredibly charming.
Of course, no one else could see her. To everyone else, she was invisible as ever. But Ryuichi's gaze followed her easily, taking in every step, every flutter of her skirt.
He smiled. "Hmm, looks like you took my fashion advice to heart."
His tone was teasingly serious as his eyes traced her from head to toe. The morning air was still a little chilly, so she'd paired her outfit with black stockings—but to Ryuichi, that only made her look even better.
Mai gave a calm, deadpan reply. "I don't recall saying I'd take your advice. I wore this because I wanted to."
"Oh? You can say whatever you want," Ryuichi said, his grin widening. "You look adorable, though. Honestly, I kind of want to frame you and hang you on my wall."
Mai sighed, unimpressed. "I told you not to flaunt your awful acting skills in front of me."
"It wasn't acting," Ryuichi said with a chuckle. "That was genuine praise."
Mai gave a tiny smile. "In that case… I'll accept it."
Her tone was poised, graceful—but her eyes softened just a little.