With a flash of crimson light, Rias teleported back into Ryuichi's house, bringing him along with her.
The moment they arrived, she walked off with practiced ease, heading straight for the refrigerator as if she owned the place.
Come to think of it, for a high-class Devil like Rias, who always entered by teleportation, his house was basically defenseless.
Ryuichi could only give a helpless smile. By now, he had lost count of how many times she had suddenly appeared here without warning.
After finishing a glass of water, Rias returned and stopped by the bathroom door. She began unfastening her battle gear piece by piece while asking casually,
"Do you usually use the bathtub or the shower?"
"Let's use the shower today," Ryuichi replied. "The tub takes too long—we're short on time."
"I agree," she said lightly.
By the time she finished speaking, she had already disarmed herself completely and stepped into the bathroom first.
"Come on, don't keep me waiting."
"On my way."
Ryuichi stripped off his gear in a few quick motions and followed her in.
It wasn't the first time he had seen her like this, yet his eyes were still irresistibly drawn to her.
Her figure looked almost sculpted—every line elegant and flawless, as though crafted from divine artistry itself.
Catching him staring, Rias smiled knowingly."Come here and wash my back."
"Sure thing."
Ryuichi's lips curved faintly as he moved closer, dutifully attending to his King.
Steam filled the small room, wrapping the two of them in warmth. Rias swept her crimson hair over her shoulder, exposing the graceful line of her back. Ryuichi picked up the bath sponge and began gently washing her skin.
Before long, that pale, porcelain-smooth back was tinged with a delicate blush of pink.
Without turning around, Rias spoke softly."Tell me, Ryuichi… do you ever feel that I'm putting too much pressure on you?"
His hand paused slightly. "What makes you say that?"
"You've already been performing exceptionally—far beyond what any other servant could manage. And yet, I keep pushing you so harshly."
"Is that all? Then it's fine," he replied. "I'm sure the President has her reasons. And I know it's for my sake too."
"…You give me too much credit." She gave a small, self-mocking laugh. "Strictly speaking, I've been forcing you for my own sake."
Rias's voice softened with guilt. "I'm sorry. I know I've been impatient."
Ryuichi stayed silent. He understood—she was burdened by something, something she had been enduring alone.
It wasn't hard to guess. She wanted him to grow stronger, faster—perhaps strong enough to help her face whatever lay ahead.
He exhaled quietly, rinsing away the last of the soap from her back. His tone was calm and steady."You've done nothing wrong, President. I'm your servant—ordering me, training me, pushing me… that's your right. And I'll get stronger. Strong enough to take care of all your troubles. So please, just give me a little more time."
Rias's eyes flickered. Slowly, she turned to face him.
Looking at the boy before her, she realized he had already seen through everything.
He had understood her worries all along.
"Ryuichi…"
Overcome with emotion, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, her heart swelling with warmth and affection.
"You really are such a thoughtful boy," she murmured, her voice trembling with tenderness. "You're making my heart flutter."
She held him close, rubbing her cheek lightly against his, whispering almost to herself, "If only it were you…"
If it were me…?
So the one troubling Rias was someone else—someone powerful.
A Devil, most likely.
A high-class one, perhaps even greater than that.
No wonder she was so desperate for him to become stronger. Whatever—or whoever—she was up against was far from ordinary.
From just that one wistful sentence, Ryuichi had already gleaned quite a lot.
He pressed his lips together slightly.
He didn't yet know what kind of trouble she faced, but thinking about it wouldn't help. The only answer was to grow stronger—fast.
Feeling the warmth and softness of her body against him, Ryuichi let her hold him, quietly allowing her to release whatever emotions she had been bottling up.
"President…" he began.
"Call me Rias."
Her arms tightened around him. Her voice was low, almost pleading."From now on, I want you to call me by my name. Just like you call Akeno and Koneko."
"…Alright. Rias."
Ryuichi's lips curved wryly. "But you might want to let go now. If you keep holding me like this, I can't promise I'll behave myself. I am still a guy, after all."
Rias blinked, stunned for a second—then realized what he meant.
Feeling the heat pressing against her, she couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Planning to assault me, are you?"
"You should already know how dangerous your body is," Ryuichi said dryly. "After all, you're the most beautiful girl in the academy."
Rias chuckled softly. "You really do know how to talk."
Her eyes shone with mischief as she cupped his face in both hands, then leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead."Consider that your reward."
Then, with a teasing glint, she hugged him even closer—deliberately this time, just to fluster him further.
Ryuichi sighed. "…Rias, you're playing with fire."
Her laugh was light and melodic.
Seeing his reactions made her heart feel lighter than it had in days.
Fixing her gaze on him, her crimson eyes sparkled with affection and amusement. Her tone turned playful again, laced with a hint of challenge."So? What are you going to do about it?"
Ryuichi met her eyes for a moment. Then his brow arched—and without warning, he lunged.
But Rias had clearly anticipated it. Laughing brightly, she dodged nimbly out of his reach."Too slow!"
"Stop running!"
"Catch me if you can! Hahaha!"
Their laughter and splashing echoed through the steamy bathroom as they chased each other around, their playful energy filling the air.
It didn't take long, of course, before Ryuichi finally managed to catch her…
A little while later, the glow of a teleportation circle lit up the Occult Research Club's activity room.
Rias and Ryuichi materialized right on schedule.
"Good morning, Rias-senpai, Ryuichi," greeted Koneko and Asia, who had arrived earlier.
"Good morning, Koneko. Asia," Rias replied smoothly.
Koneko tilted her head slightly. The normally stoic girl noticed that Rias seemed to be in a very good mood for some reason.
Asia, meanwhile, noticed something else entirely. Her eyes widened slightly as she glanced at Rias's chest—specifically, the smooth skin near her neckline, where a faint purplish-red mark peeked out just above her blouse.
Was that… a bruise?
"Ah! Rias-senpai, did you get hurt? Should I heal it for you?" Asia asked anxiously.
Rias froze for a heartbeat. Then, realizing what Asia meant, her face flushed an uncharacteristic shade of red.
"Ah—n-no, it's fine! Really, I'm not injured!" she said quickly, waving her hands.
Her voice carried that rare mix of embarrassment and helpless amusement.
Beside her, Ryuichi's mouth twitched as he tried not to laugh.
Rias shot him a sharp glare, her eyes silently promising retribution later.
Asia still looked confused and worried, unsure what was happening.
Of course, there was no way Rias could explain that the "bruise" wasn't from a fight at all…
…but rather, a mark—an accidental hickey—left behind by a certain mischievous boy earlier that morning.