Rias looked at Izumi with genuine gratitude.
"Izumi-kun, thank you for saving me back there. I really wouldn't have known what to do otherwise."
Riser's sudden intrusion had caught her completely off guard. If Izumi hadn't been here today, she would have likely fallen into that man's clutches.
Hearing Rias's words, Izumi gave her a sideways glance and said with a smirk:
"No worries. You just owe me… in person later."
His seemingly joking remark instantly caused a stir among everyone present.
Asia pouted at him, clearly displeased.
Kato Megumi and Koneko glared daggers at him with piercing eyes.
"Oh my, Izumi-kun… is this really the kind of person you are?"
Akeno chuckled teasingly. She hadn't expected Izumi to be so bold as to speak such words aloud.
Even Eriri was dumbfounded. Was Izumi… confessing to Rias?
For some reason, a pang of jealousy hit Eriri. Surely that was just her imagination, right?
Rias herself was flustered by Izumi's words at first, but then she smiled sweetly.
"Alright, if Izumi-kun doesn't mind," she said.
A sly glint appeared in her eyes. Even though Izumi wasn't a demon, he was an incredible potential asset. Anyone could see that Izumi had limitless potential.
If she could be with someone like him, perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad thing!
Her words undoubtedly fanned the flames, and Asia immediately rushed forward, grabbing Izumi.
"Izumi-sama! You can't do that!" she exclaimed.
"I came first, after all!"
…Her words left everyone present utterly speechless.
Kato Megumi and Koneko exchanged confused glances. "Came first? Weren't they technically first?"
Could there really be a "first-come, first-served" rule in matters like this? The thought left them both exasperated.
Izumi, meanwhile, felt a little embarrassed. Perhaps he had taken the joke too far.
"Cough, cough… alright, I was joking!" he said.
"Rias, let go of me, okay? It's… thrilling, but you're causing a public disturbance…"
"And Asia too!"
Public disturbance, really?
Rias reluctantly released him, trying to hide her exasperation. She wanted to scold him, but… he had just gotten free benefits and still acted coy.
After everyone sat down again, they began discussing the next steps.
"So, Izumi-kun, we're counting on you next week," Rias said.
"My followers currently number only two. Even with the reserve member, that makes three."
"With just our combined strength, there's no way we can defeat him."
"If we lose, my followers and I will all fall into his hands."
"And I'm sure you don't want to just watch that happen either, right?"
Her lips curled into a small smile.
She knew Izumi's possessive nature well—he had acted to intervene earlier, after all. With his connection to Koneko, there was no way Izumi would just let this game be lost.
Even though Izumi had agreed to help, Rias still felt a twinge of unease. Until the matter was fully resolved, she wouldn't be at ease.
Izumi rolled his eyes.
"Fine, fine. I know what to do. Next week, you can just watch the show."
"This will also repay you for helping Asia with her… situation earlier."
He had promised Rias he'd help solve a problem for her back then. And now, Rias had her own trouble.
Besides, he wasn't about to let this luxurious red car—metaphorically speaking—fall into someone else's hands.
This car belonged to him. No one else. Ever.
Even if he couldn't officially join Rias's followers, he could still make her a part of his… registry. Legal, and perfectly fine.
Rias's eyes flickered with a strange emotion. So Izumi had known all along? For some reason, she felt touched.
"I'll thank you in advance, Izumi-kun," she said sincerely.
Izumi waved his hand dismissively. Such gratitude was unnecessary. True thanks came from the heart, after all.
The conversation then shifted away from formalities to matters of training.
Although Izumi had said he would handle next week's battle, Rias still made a request.
"Izumi-kun, we have one week left. Could you train us specially?"
"We want to get stronger too!"
Izumi blinked at her request.
"You're serious?" he asked.
"Are you sure? Special training under me isn't exactly easy…"
He gave her a peculiar look. After all, Koneko had almost exploded under his training—was Rias ready for this?
Rias nodded earnestly.
"Yes! Even if having you next week is enough, if we can help, why not?"
"So, Izumi-kun, please train us! We're willing to endure any hardship!"
Koneko's eyes flickered strangely as she looked at her leader. She wanted to warn Rias not to be reckless—Izumi's training was lethal.
But then she realized… even if she tried, it wouldn't matter.
Seeing Rias so determined, Izumi finally agreed.
"Alright, starting tomorrow afternoon. I'll continue training here; just come after school," he said.
"Just… don't regret this."
…And with that, the plan was settled.
Izumi prepared to leave, bidding farewell to Rias and Akeno. Asia, Megumi, and Eriri followed, trailing behind him with sulky expressions of jealousy.
They first returned to their classroom to retrieve their bags before heading off together.
Eriri broke the silence.
"Um, Izumi-kun, I'll treat you all to a meal!!"
Izumi rolled his eyes.
"We're not in school anymore. Just… go back to your true self. This is weird."
"Anyone who didn't know would think you'd been possessed!"
Eriri pouted.
"What's with that?! You sound like you understand me or something!!"