By the time Ryuichi hurried back to Kuoh Academy, it was nearly noon. He headed straight for the Occult Research Club room.
After waiting for a short while, Rias Gremory entered with Akeno Himejima and Koneko Toujou following behind her.
" Ara ara, you're back already?" Akeno greeted him with her usual soft smile.
"Just got here," Ryuichi replied with a grin, then turned to Rias. "President, I've completed my first contract successfully."
Rias' crimson eyes sparkled. "I already know. I was keeping an eye on you, after all."
"Oh?"
"Of course. You made a faith contract with that famous actress. That means she trusts you deeply, Ryuichi—she's completely satisfied with you."
There was genuine praise in Rias' gaze, and Koneko nodded beside her.
"To sign a faith contract on your very first attempt… Ryuichi, that's impressive."
"Wait, hold on," Ryuichi blinked. "Faith contract?"
Akeno chuckled lightly. "Ara ara, so you don't know about that yet. Normally, Devils form simple contracts with humans. The benefits we gain from those are rather small."
Rias picked up the explanation, her tone bright and elegant.
"That's right. Only a handful of humans who grow very close to their Devil partners ever reach the level of faith. When that happens, the Devil gains an extraordinary increase in power from the bond."
She tilted her head slightly, smiling. "I'm sure you already felt the difference, didn't you?"
Ryuichi suddenly understood.
No wonder his magic had surged far beyond what he expected when he accepted Mai's payment—it was because of this so-called faith contract.
"I see…" he muttered, eyes lighting up. "Then how can I form another one of those?"
Akeno gave a teasing smile. "Ufufu… it's not that easy. You'd need someone who's completely loyal to you and emotionally attached. Humans are… well, fickle creatures."
"Still," she added gently, "you've already managed one by chance. That's quite the achievement. So be sure to maintain that trust, okay?"
"Understood." Ryuichi nodded with a calm smile. He wasn't discouraged—knowing the condition was enough. The rest would depend on fate.
Rias leaned back on the sofa, her posture relaxed and regal.
"Now that Ryuichi has his first contract, it's time to prepare for finding your familiar. But the Student Council might make that troublesome."
"What's the issue?" Ryuichi asked quickly. Anything concerning his familiar was worth attention.
Akeno explained, "Souna Shitori—her real name is Souna Sitri—is an Upper-Class Devil like Rias and also our Student Council President. She's recently gained a new Pawn, so she'll be joining the Familiar Forest selection this time."
Ryuichi remembered that name; it was the same president Rias had contacted when transferring him into the club. They seemed to get along, so why did Rias look so troubled?
"…So it's a competition?"
"Exactly," Rias said with a helpless shrug. "There are only so many high-quality familiars in the forest. Everyone wants the best. Naturally, Souna won't just let us go first."
Rias smiled, but her eyes gleamed with challenge. "We agreed to settle it with a little match this Friday—to decide who gets to enter the forest first."
"A match… You mean a Rating Game?" Ryuichi asked cautiously.
Rias waved her hand. "Oh, nothing that serious! Just a few simple contests—tennis, long-distance running, things like that."
Even so, Ryuichi could see the spark of competitive spirit burning behind her smile. She was clearly looking forward to it.
…Well, as long as she's happy.
Ryuichi chuckled inwardly. It was just sports—what could possibly go wrong? Devils really were a surprisingly friendly bunch sometimes.
When classes ended that afternoon, the club gathered again for their usual work preparations.
Inside the clubroom, Rias was taking a shower. The thin curtain did little to hide her elegant silhouette behind the steam.
Outside, Akeno stood waiting with Rias' clean clothes folded neatly in her arms, while Koneko sat quietly on the sofa, nibbling on a small snack.
The door opened, and Ryuichi stepped in, carrying a small bag. "Here—brought you some sweets," he said, handing them to Koneko.
"…Thanks," Koneko replied softly, a faint hint of happiness in her expression. Ryuichi knew she loved snacks, so he'd stopped by a bakery on the way.
"Ryuichi's here?" came Rias' voice from the shower.
"It's me. Do you need anything, President?" he answered, looking in her direction.
Through the translucent curtain, he could make out her graceful silhouette under the shower spray. Her presence alone carried an overwhelming sense of beauty and confidence.
Rias didn't seem at all bothered by his presence. After finishing, she wrapped herself in a bathrobe, gathering her damp crimson hair over one shoulder. She loosely tied the sash and stepped out barefoot, the soft scent of her shampoo lingering in the air.
"Help me dry my hair," she said casually, taking a seat in front of him.
Ryuichi accepted the dryer Akeno handed him and began to gently blow-dry Rias' long, fiery hair. A subtle fragrance drifted up as he worked.
Rias leaned back slightly, looking relaxed. "Koneko received two requests today. Could you help with one of them, Ryuichi?"
"Of course," he said immediately.
"Good. Then talk with Koneko about the details after this."
Koneko looked up from her seat and gave a small nod of thanks.
Ryuichi smiled wryly. Even Koneko had more requests than she could handle now.
Looks like I need to find a few more clients myself…
After hearing the request details from Koneko, Ryuichi was surprised to learn that her client's wish was simply—to have someone play video games with them.
"…That's it?" he muttered.
Just playing games could form a contract? Compared to the chaotic adventure he went through with Mai, this felt almost unfair.
He sighed in amusement. Well, at least he'd come out of his own deal with a girlfriend. Not exactly a loss.
Smiling to himself, Ryuichi stepped onto the magic circle for transport. A flash of light surrounded him—and as soon as the teleport finished, every hair on his body stood on end.
There was killing intent.