Kuoh Academy, Occult Research Club.
"Hmm~ hmm~ hmm~."
A beautiful crimson-haired woman was enjoying a warm shower, humming happily to herself.
"Rias Bucho, what should we do next?" asked a petite, adorable girl—so cute that anyone who saw her would feel the urge to protect her.
"Ara, nothing has changed. Just do as we planned."
"That guy, Issei, is really dangerous. If he joins Bucho's group, he'll definitely be after Bucho's body."
"Ha ha ha. Don't forget, he'll probably be after you and Akeno too."
"Ara ara, Bucho is joking. Clearly, Bucho is the most captivating woman here."
Rias turned off the shower, dried herself with a towel, then put on a bright red set of sexy lingerie.
"There's no need to humble yourselves. Your beauty is no less than mine. In fact, there are areas where you two surpass me."
"Ara ara, Bucho might be right—because my chest is a little bigger than Bucho's."
The petite girl touched her small chest and let out a helpless sigh.
"Koneko is so cute. There's no way any man could resist Koneko's cuteness."
"…I don't need men."
Rias chuckled softly and said in a teasing tone, "You can say that now, but in the future… no one knows."
"…" Koneko fell silent, lightly pressing her small chest.
Rias laughed quietly, then put on her uniform layer by layer until it fully wrapped her perfect, sexy figure.
Rias sat down on the sofa and sipped the tea Akeno handed her.
"Delicious—just as expected of Akeno."
Akeno smiled faintly, looking happy to receive praise from Rias.
But Akeno's bright expression suddenly sharpened. "Rias, something is wrong with that person. He's not the ordinary human we used to know."
"Hoo? If you're being serious about it, then it must be true," Rias said.
Akeno narrowed her beautiful eyes, staring at Rias in a dazed manner.
"Aren't you afraid?"
Rias placed her cup on the table and looked off to the side with a lonely expression.
"No. In fact, it's better if he's strong."
"Rias, don't tell me you want to—"
Rias smiled slightly, stuck out her small tongue, and winked one eye.
"You're overthinking it. Even if he's strong, I can't force him to help me."
"…" Akeno fell silent, then sighed and nodded in agreement. "That's true."
"Unless he falls in love with me and wants to have my body."
Akeno froze. Koneko, who had been playing a console game, blushed and lowered her head shyly.
"Today's Occult Research Club activities are over. You may go home."
"Yes, Bucho."
"Oh right—where's Yuuto?"
"Kiba-senpai is practicing swordsmanship," Koneko answered.
"Hmm… it's unusual for him to train so diligently."
Akeno nodded in agreement and spoke gently. "Something must have happened."
"…Maybe." A strange light flickered in Rias's eyes, then vanished a few seconds later.
…..
After parting ways with Yuuma, Issei arrived at the warm, love-filled Hyoudou household.
"Welcome home," Miki Hyoudou greeted him.
"You're back a little late, Issei," Gorou Hyoudou added.
Issei froze for a moment, then laughed and said, "Sorry, Dad, Mom. I ran into someone I know on the way."
"I'm not angry. What matters is that you didn't break curfew," Miki Hyoudou explained with a warm smile full of motherly affection.
Gorou Hyoudou chuckled lightly and teased him, "Even if you did break curfew a little, it wouldn't matter. You're an adult now. It's time you got yourself a girlfriend."
"Ahem! Dad's right. I'll get a girlfriend soon and introduce them to you."
Gorou Hyoudou nodded with a satisfied smile, then suddenly realized something and froze. "Them?"
Issei ignored his father's words and sat down with both of his parents.
"…" Gorou Hyoudou fell silent for a moment, shrugged, and stopped thinking about it. He must have assumed he misheard—though he didn't.
Tonight, the Hyoudou family enjoyed one of the most precious moments in the world: having dinner together as a family.
I will protect this life, no matter what it takes.
Issei muttered in his heart, strengthening his resolve to become stronger.
No matter what dirty methods he had to use, Issei would grow strong quickly—until he became unmatched.
That way, he could preserve this peace and live happily together with his harem.
But he was still very far from the ideal life he dreamed of. He had to fight from zero to reach all of it.
The real struggle would begin tomorrow, and Issei couldn't wait to start.
… .. .
To be continued…