The World Only the Girls Know: A Moonflower's Wish for a Certain Side Story

A Certain Side 3 –Chapter 5

Author's Note: Characters from the Light Novels and Manga will be included as well

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Original Title: The World Only God Knows / 神のみぞ知るセカイ

Original Concept by Tamiki Wakaki

Written by: wrathie


Author's Notes: I commissioned the Character Design for Nakano Rise and Nakano Clair, the link is on my profile. Interested parties can have a look, I'm really impressed by it! As usual, please pardon me for not having any betas for the Side Collection.


..

Complicated indeed as Katsuragi Keima found himself sitting awkwardly with Nakano Rise during lunch, who was trying her best to keep her calm even as she fidgeted beside him. At least her face wasn't flushed red, but she was having difficulty meeting his eyes.

Keima for his part never commented on that, for it would be triggering a flag by itself.

That was the curse of the Capturing God, it could be compared to how when one studies psychology, they would start analysing every one around them without fail to draw incomplete conclusions and perhaps inaccurate assumptions about others without consciously being aware of it, an occupational hazard if one were to be blunt.

So perhaps that example wasn't the best example, but one would get that point by now. The Capturing God was prone to seeing 'flags', 'captures' and possible heroines everywhere, but with his track record and Murphy's Law acting against him, Keima knew that he had to be cautious to not trigger any more flags than necessary.

It pained him to admit it, but the reputation of being a playboy just might be more accurate than he was willing to admit.

Well, perhaps it could be worse, right?

'What's wrong, Katsuragi-san? You are... not like your usual self today.'

Rise managed to muster the courage to ask Keima even as Keima bit back the retort that the question was best presented to herself instead. Kanon had sent a mail to him earlier in the morning telling him that she had a conversation with Rise about him last night.

Although Kanon didn't outright say that she discouraged or was forbidding Rise from having an interest with Rise, what was important was that she made it very clear that she knew of Rise's interest in Keima, hopefully that would make Rise think twice about what she could and should do.

However how did Rise react, or what she told Kanon in the light of the revelation of her feelings was not made known to him. Which was a pity for he would be able to gauge the situation for him much better than Kanon would, but it was a little hard to imagine that Kanon would tell him about such a sensitive subject herself. There were so many scenarios that he could think of at the top of his head after all.

Was Rise upset at being found out? Did she realize her feelings for him by herself? Or was it Kanon's words that made her really realize what she was doing? Or was Rise upset at Kanon trying to interfere or step in on what she was feeling? Maybe she was afraid and after the conversation with Kanon, felt more comfortable with her own feelings? Perhaps she was in denial that she had really fallen in love with him?

There were so many possibilities that made Keima unsure what the actual situation was like, he'll have to get the facts from Kanon later on if it was possible to have a better grasp of the situation so that he could control it better.

From how Rise was still willing, no that wasn't right, she could still speak to him in this fashion, she was still nursing the crush that she had developed over the past few days. It was a little too fast but it wasn't totally impossible, seeing how he had captured Ayumi's heart within a week as well.

The conversation Rise had with Kanon had obviously not stopped her from having feelings for him, not that Keima really thought that it would be that easy in the first place.
Girls in love were the most stubborn beings in the world, but he had harboured the hope that at least Rise would try to keep her distance while figuring out her feelings for him. That would be a precursor for Keima to step in to stop the crush from developing even further by either rejecting her, or making her give up for the sake of Kanon. Or perhaps even to encourage her to figure out whether it was really a crush or just a simple misunderstanding?

It might be cruel yes, but that was the best and most efficient way to stop this relationship from forming in the first place. Besides, it was a better alternative than rejecting her outright, right?

Plus seeing that the two of them were not girls with Weiss in them, there was no way that he could ask Elsi or Haqua to modify their memories. Which would also ironically make Rise the first girl which Keima had to turn down.

Somehow, that fact was enough to cause Keima to sigh again while Rise looked even more concerned at Keima, the younger girl playing with her fingers nervously as she looked at him nervously.

'Is it something that the two of us did? Is Katsuragi-san upset at us?'

Rise whispered softly, disappointment and worry evident in her voice while Keima turned to look at her before shaking his head.

'No, it's not the two of you. I was just tired. It had been a long day today. I apologize for making you worry.'

Keima replied before turning back to look at the direction where Clair had run off to get them some drinks for lunch.

..

The location for lunch today was at the corner of one of the rooftops of the Middle-high section of Maijima High instead. Instead of trying to look for an empty space in the High-School section, the twins had decided that it was a better idea for Keima and Kanon to eat lunch on their side of the school instead.

The middle-school students had given him odd looks as he was led by Rise and Clair, but they refrained from commenting in ear-shot, which Keima was grateful for. Who knows how outrageous the rumours were a this point in the Middle-School section, considering how the High-School side was up in arms to some degree at how Keima was with yet another pair of attractive girls. This time the transfer students in Middle-High! It was enough to even cause the more popular students in school to start cursing his name.

'I... It might be our fault yesterday... I'm sorry... we shouldn't have dragged Katsuragi-san around with us.'

Rise looked genuinely apologetic as she bit her lip nervously, her hands gripping and worrying her skirt now as she looked at her lap, refusing to meet Keima's eyes.

'No, that's not it... there's no need to be so hard on yourself. Rather... why are you doing that to yourself, Rise?'

Keima asked patiently even as he continued to wait for Rise to speak again, from his reading of the situation, there was a possibility that Rise might confess to him now, but that was only a very remote chance at best.

Actually, if Rise did confess to him now, it would be a relief as it would surely be a 'crush' rather than something deeper like 'love'.

The two situations were totally different from one another, the first was perhaps an infatuation that was brought about without any real emotional attachment to them, well, that could be debated. But as compared to 'love', a crush paled in comparison to the amount of emotional investment, attachment and hurt that it could cause an individual. A relationship was something that was very serious and should not be trifled with after all.

Back to topic however, Keima suspected that like Kanon, Clair and Rise were just too sheltered, or perhaps never had the chance to really interact with boys of their own age, causing this situation to develop in the first place without them realizing it.

Well, Kanon certainly had experience, but her experiences were probably not as an ordinary student, but after she became an idol. Kanon had all but confessed that to him and the 'captured' girls by saying that she wanted an ordinary school life. It was also necessary for an Idol to be warned or at least be briefed and lectured about her interaction and relationship with others, especially with individuals of the opposite gender closer to their age.

The only flaw with his reasoning was that Clair and Rise were ordinary junior high girls who were relatives of a high school idol, and no idols in their own right. That meant that they shouldn't be as sheltered as they seem to be right now!

So Kanon and the twin's experience wouldn't be the same. Still, there was one thing that Keima hadn't been able to confirm with Kanon or the twins, he'll have to raise his suspicion about the 'work' issues that Rise had raised at the cafe a few days ago.

..

Anyway, back to topic, if Rise only had a crush because she had never met a boy who had really cared for the two of them before, the situation was much easier to handle than he had suspected. Sadly, Keima wasn't sure it was going to be that easy, the real never made it easy.

'As... I don't want... Katsuragi-san to be mad at me or Rise...'

Keima noticed that she mentioned her name first instinctively, perhaps he was over thinking it but it could be a sign that she was putting herself over Clair in this particular incident.

'… You're being silly. I wouldn't be mad at the two of you for doing nothing wrong.'

Keima shrugged dismissively but Rise was allowing her to just wave off this incident so easily as she raised her voice slightly while saying that they did something wrong after all.

'Oh... what did the two of you do wrong yesterday? I did say that I would accompany the two of you, right? I see no reason for me to break my promise.'

Keima crossed his arms while elaborating, hinting that he was getting a little frustrated at how they were going in circles. It was true too, Rise was obviously stalling, stalling for what he wasn't sure. This question would be better posed earlier with Clair, the more energetic of the two would have been able to get an answer from him faster after all. The only reason that Rise could have picked this time to ask was that she didn't want to be overheard. Wasn't Rise supposed to be the more discrete one among the twins?

If she wanted to get her answer in private between the two of them, she shouldn't be stalling like this.

Perhaps Keima was right to say that Rise was still affected by her feelings for him. Alternatively, she could be stalling for Clair to be present when she dropped the question, or perhaps Rise had asked Clair to give them some privacy, meaning that Rise was trying her best to form her words just the same. Like how he had raised earlier, he was perhaps over-thinking things after all.

'We shouldn't have went out with Katsuragi-san... Katsuragi-san... is someone that Kanon-nee likes after all. Being with us... would make Kanon-nee sad... And, Katsuragi-san... only did so because Kanon-nee asked that you take care of us.'

Rise stumbled with her words a few times, but she was able to get her message across. Her words were to the point, well-thought out and actually quite valid in her assumptions with what she had to work with.

Keima was sure that Clair would certainly not be able to do as well as Rise, but perhaps that was to be expected from what he knew of the twins. Rise was the smart and methodical one while Clair was the energetic and impulsive one on the opposite of the spectrum. It was something that was common in the ideal and the real as well, so it was well documented.

'I don't think that Kanon would be sad that I am spending time with the two of you since she did ask me to take care of the two of you.'

Keima reminded Rise of the facts even as he unfolded his arms to look at Rise patiently, the younger girl seeming to draw strength from what she had said earlier as she shook her head at him.

'N-No, that's not right! I... I'm sure that Kanon-nee had... other things in mind... then what... I … and Clair had in mind... for yesterday. I'm sorry...'

Once again Rise had placed her before Clair, she was perhaps subconsciously trying to emphasis her opinions over Clair, especially since she might not know what Clair thought of their little date yesterday. For all he knew, Clair was very happy with the way things had turned out and had no regrets at all regarding what had happened. That was actually more believable considering what Clair said in their first meeting in Café Grandpa.

'So what was Kanon thinking of that was different from the two of you?'

Keima had experience as the clueless protagonist, but he still gave the best impression of a very supportive senior to Rise even as the younger girl swallowed and turned redder than ever.

Rise accepted the hand that Keima offered for comfort even as she fidgeted in her seat happily, Keima wasn't worried that his actions might actually get her to confess now, but if it did happen then it would be the best situation as mentioned earlier.

'Kanon-nee... w-was... probably asking for help to keep... the two of us out of trouble.'

Rise manage a shy giggle in embarrassment and was made even more so when Keima agreed by chuckling in agreement, but that was not the point she was trying to make as her features changed almost immediately as she looked down again. She was mature, mature above her age, that was for sure and Katsuragi groaned internally.

It was always a little harder to deal with those that knew of the rules and interactions in relationships, even if he was merely two to three years older than her himself. Then again, he was God after all, that allowed him some leeway actually.

'K-Katsuragi-s-san...'

Rise's shoulders dropped slightly even as Keima continued chuckling, but Rise eventually recovered from the teasing before trying again.

'Katsuragi-san knows that Kanon-nee likes... you, right?'

'She might have mentioned that once or twice... yes, what about it?'

Keima gave a vague reply, handwaving it even as Rise swallowed, the spots of red on her cheeks growing even as she looked down to the ground briefly before continuing.

'S-So Kanon-nee she would be unhappy... to... to see us... having a d-date... with Katsuragi-san...'

..

Keima had many things to reply to that statement, like how he didn't view it as a date. It was a triggered flag even no doubt, but it wasn't really a date. But one might call the Capturing God's classification to be more than a little... too high a standard to meet, so to speak, others would die for the chance to be with any of the 'captured' girls and the twins here.

'Was that what you wanted in the first place, Rise? Or was that what Clair wanted instead? Or was it planned between the both of you?'

Keima asked casually even as he looked away from Rise, looking and sounding not as disturbed as he should be. With him throwing the ball back to Rise's court for her to deal with, Keima was all but asking Rise to actually confess now, right now, to tell him what she felt.

If she didn't it was still going to be quite obvious as well, as no matter if she denied it or said that Clair wanted it, she had more or less shown herself to be interested. It was perhaps just as planned maybe by the Capturing God to drag this scenario to exactly what he needed?

However, the loophole in this sequence of events was that perhaps Clair would actually was working with her as well. So technically it wouldn't be a lie if Rise used Clair as a shield to hide behind.

'… T-That's... what... t-the both of us wanted. T-To... go on a date with... K-Katsuragi-san.'

'... I wouldn't think that you would want to go on a date with me, Rise.'

Keima gave Rise a surprised look, not at how honest she was being, but to admit that Clair had been roped in as well. The question was whether Clair was doing so out of the childish crush she had on him, or was it due to something else? To help her sister maybe? He wouldn't have thought that Clair would be willing to help her younger sister in something or someone that she had declared an interest in barely a day since they had first met. Keima would argue again that the time frame for Rise's crush was just too fast to be real, or for it to have any real emotional value to them, but he was the Capturing God, and the case example of Ikoma Minami,which he had made her develop a crush after one meeting was not making things good for him. Still In comparison, at least Rise was probably mature enough to deal with issues of the heart, people do go out in junior hight after all!

So, what was Clair's take in this anyway?

But it was a good thing that Keima had turned to look at her as Rise had gotten the courage to look back at him firmly, her eyes watering a little as she gripped her dress tightly as well.

'I... I would like to spend... more time with Katsuragi-san... As... I think I like Katsuragi-san as well.'


..

Nakano Clair found herself stiffening as she caught her small gasp at hearing what her twin sister said. Her twin sister... even if she had been with her as back as she remembered, sometimes she couldn't quite believe it herself.

She had heard others tell her about it as well, how Rise was so different as compared to her. She hadn't really mind it, Rise was family after all and she was someone who knew her inside and out, same as how she knew her in the same way.

At least, she had thought she did. Sometimes she felt like she never knew Rise at all, like she was a stranger that was someone else. That shouldn't be there, getting in her way of what she wanted to do. That wasn't right, and Clair found herself very guilty at what she had thought and imagined in her mind.

That was not right, Rise was her sister after all, and she had done so much to pull the two of them out of trouble more than a few times in the past and in their childhood together, she had always been the troublemaker, more curious than she had the right to. Rise on the other hand, seemed to have gotten all the common sense, or perhaps she had to be the who had to take care of the rest as Clair had taken the role of the troublemaker from her. The perks of being the older sister!

Perhaps that's also why Clair was undoubtedly better in whatever the twins tried to do, Clair had the talent and Rise had to catch up with sheer grit and determination.

Clair had tried her best to help Rise, she had, but the gap still remains, it was frustrating for her, but Rise didn't seem to mind, she never did, it was like she was satisfied and happy that she was happy in whatever she wanted to do.

At least till now, Clair wasn't happy with what Rise had just told Katsuragi-kun. She had said she liked Katsuragi-kun first! Even if it was said more out of a whim at first than anything else, it had turned into something different quickly.

Clair never acted on anything less than her instincts, and perhaps her instincts were right the first time when Katsuragi-kun had told her off, there was something in him that was nice, that was not just her desire to emulate Kanon-nee.

He was, someone different! Someone who actually took her seriously, who her immediate family and caretakers actually like and respected!

That was very, very rare! Others normally couldn't stand her, it wasn't her fault that they couldn't keep up with her energy and drive in everything that she tried her hand in.

Oh, she wasn't a genius in everything, but she didn't give up experimenting and wanting to know more!

That was the sole reason that she had agreed to hanging out with Katsuragi-kun at first, he was someone that Kanon-nee liked! Anyone that Kanon-nee liked was someone that she might like too! She hadn't had much hope with it, she and Kanon-nee were totally different and liked different things, but she did look up and worshipped Kanon-nee, so there was the chance that whatever the person was like, it would give her a chance to know what she liked too!

Boys had never really interested Clair, at the start they were fun because of their energy and their natural inquisitiveness that made them good friends to be with when she was young.

When they hit a stage, it had just gotten annoying when a lot of them flat out started avoiding her, or simply had other reasons to try and approach her.

It got even worse when they got older, but by then Clair had been warned and advised by Kanon-nee and her caretakers on what Rise had probably realized a long time ago. To many people, the Nakagawa family were an oddity for sure, the odd-colored hair that would make any geneticist freak out at the sure outrageous hair color, probably a mutated gene, but they were also known for being very attractive.

It didn't help that there were only girls born so far. So to be fair, boys had quite a bad reputation as far as Clair was concerned.

..

That's why it's so extra amazing and happy for her to actually meet with someone who could actually be fun to be with, to be interesting and yet patient with her, to be able to interact with Clair and to make Kanon-nee heads and heels over him.

Katsuragi-kun was someone that Clair was very happy to spend time with, but to say that she liked him, well, that was true too! At least she was aware of it for real now when she heard Rise confess to him softly as they sat together. It... sounded better, and more real now then she did so before. It wasn't the first time that she had to say that she liked someone before after all!

She noticed absent-mindedly that she had dropped the canned drinks that she had brought for all three of them only when she almost slipped on them after trying to lean closer to listen to the two of them speak again. She didn't want to hear this, but she didn't want to bend down to pick those drinks up as well in the case that she missed something they said.

Clair was not happy that she had given Rise this chance at all, not at all and it hurt her the more she thought about it.

But she kept quiet, against her nature because it was her twin sister there, someone who she did not want to hurt.

She was her sister after all, right?


..

'…'

Rise waited patiently for Keima to say something, anything, to make the situation less awkward, even if the seconds slowly turned to minutes as the two of them sat beside each other on the rooftop.

She was also glad that Clair did not interrupt the two of them just yet, she had been a little worried that she would do so if she couldn't read the mood. Clair always did go against common sense, and even if she could read the mood accurately, more so than her, there was no telling what she would actually do in the name of fun and chaos.

Sometimes, like Clair herself, Rise wondered if they were really twins. So when Clair didn't immediately burst in after her confession, which had left her more than a little hot under the weather, she deduced that either Clair was stalling someone or had actually found it more interesting to listen in than to barge in.

That actually made Rise dread a little at what was going to happen regardless of Katsuragi-san's reply.

Rise knew intellectually that it was a lose-lose situation for her, no matter what his reply was, someone was going to get hurt. It was either her, Kanon-nee, or the two of them together.

What's worse was how Clair thought that it would hurt him the most, that much Rise could instinctively tell just by his reaction the time the two of them had actually saw him look pensive and hurt. He really was someone kind to be hurt beforehurting the two of them, or was that how people normally should feel? Rise had no experience in this matters after all.

It was an expression that they had learnt to pick up over time from what Kanon-nee and her caretakers had taught her, it had been helpful for Rise as it would get herself and Clair out of trouble. And it was an expression that they they had seen only twice so far when spending time with Katsuragi-san and Kanon-nee.

That wouldn't be unusual by itself, people get sad and hurt all the time, that was what life was after all... but what made them worry was how Kanon-nee also seem sad and unwilling to talk about the issue, or at all even if it was obvious that Kanon-nee knew what was the matter, but she choose not to raise it in front of him or to the two of them for that matter.

Katsuragi-san was hurt by someone, or something, and giving her an answer her as to what hurt would simply make it hurt more. That was what Rise felt inside her strongly.

Sadly, like Keima, she also came to the conclusion that if she didn't tell him what she feel now, it would only strain relations between the two of them.

It didn't help that Kanon-nee had all but tried to persuade her from doing more or learning more, or even to sleep on it... but she just had to know, like any of the girls that Kanon-nee had portrayed on TV, that the feeling she felt was love would be enough.

It really wasn't, Rise was sure of it, somehow. But she still wanted to do so no matter what.

..


..

The Capturing God, Katsuragi Keima found himself enjoying the silence as he considered his own options. All things considered, Rise confessing to him now as opposed to later was what he wanted, it was what he had baited her to do so after all. But it was also a little jarring to have her pick up the cues so easily even if Rise was a smart girl, it was like she was expecting Keima to lead her on to this to some extent.

Keima had already known that unlike her sister, Clair, Rise had a maturity that wasn't really common in her age but that was not the point here, they were supposedly only two years apart after all and in the same class as Minami too. Minami was perhaps a little naïve and shy when with him, but girls of her age were at least comfortable and aware of the ties and bonds of relationships. But apparently Clair and Rise were not as, aware or accepting of the situation as girls of their age. Which was surprising, as the two of them were very attractive and Keima had expected them to have some experience with such complicated bonds by now.

Perhaps they had, judging from how Clair dropped that bombshell on them before, but they were simply unaware of the implication of those words. At least Rise was, Clair certainly was aware but even if she had been, she almost seemed disconnected at the start before she started changing her opinion and subsequently, her own feelings towards him.

What makes thing more complicated Keima had no doubt that despite the two of them being in the third and final year of Middle-High, the two of them were probably younger than that. Normally he wouldn't care, but in this instance there was just too much that doesn't make sense for him not to care about it. The varying differences in their personalities, the maturity, the way they viewed the world as well as how they navigated it spoke of familiarity in social situations, but not in anything else. That was... worrying. It was like the both of them were never at school long enough to actually do any studying in anything at all. Like the world was a huge play ground!

Younger girls were more difficult to deal with by nature due to their maturity and their general naiveness and lack of situational awareness.

Normally characters like this wouldn't be heroines, but when they were, they'll be hand-waved as being older in age than what they appeared to be, Keima hadn't thought that the real would pull a similar stunt like this as well! Well played, really!

..

Keima would love to do a more detailed background check, but since they were Kanon's cousins, it was probably going to be a little more difficult than that as information might be hidden or at least withdrawn due to their connection to an Idol.

If the two of them were in a different school year than their real peers, how could they actually skip a few grades? Were they like Fuse Aoba, geniuses at certain subjects? He'd wondered why Clair always took the lead, it wasn't uncommon for the younger sister to follow the elder sister out of their long relationship, but most often people followed someone due to respect and reverence, Clair might really be a genius in something. Pity she doesn't talk about herself much, neither of the girls did actually.

Either that or it was just a ploy by Kanon and her manager to get the girls to someone safe and near by forging their papers to get them transferred into Middle-High. It was possible, but not really practical. He'd have thought that Ms. Okada would be more down-to-earth then that, then again Clair seemed willing to play around, so it wasn't an entirely impossible situation, so Keima couldn't quite right it off just yet.

It was a complicated situation, but Keima knew what he should say here as he reached out to run through her hair gently, causing Rise to turn pinker than ever before he replied.

'... I was hoping that it wouldn't turn out like that...'

Keima paused for a moment before continuing, his voice soft and gentle as he reminded Rise of the current situation.

'Things are... complicated... I know you know my relationship with Kanon is odd.'

Keima chuckled again when Rise nodded her head, looking not at all upset at what Keima was insinuating about how Kanon would probably not be too happy at this.

'I... I know, it's... odd, but if it's Katsuragi-san... I don't think it's unlikely...'

Rise actually looked indignant as she puffed her cheeks out, and even if it did surprise Keima for her to be so perceptive, perhaps even more so than some of the other older girls, Keima did nothing but wait patiently for Rise to continue, as she would no doubt have more questions.

'…'

But the silence dragged on again to Keima's surprise, Rise couldn't have already came to terms with it could she? He looked back to Rise only to see the younger girl waiting patiently, the blush on her cheeks already receded as she waited for him to continue.

Oh damn, this was going to be trickier than he imagined.

'And even knowing that, you're still willing to tell me that? Rise... Rise...'

Keima gave a dry chuckle while shaking his head, sounding resigned. He was resigned and so it was much easier to do so, Keima noting the way Rise looked away in shame briefly before nodding her head again.

'I know it's wrong, but... I just thought that it's best if... I said it now... and to perhaps give up...'

'But you won't give up, won't you?'

Keima cut Rise off and when Rise looked down again, Keima shook his head and asked out loud why was all the girls around him so stubborn.

'Because... Katsuragi-san, is someone amazing.'

Rise answered, a small but very happy one that made Keima stare at her for a moment.

'… You're not making it easy for me, Rise.'

'I didn't... I... really didn't mean for that...'

'But you still did...'

'Then... it will only make me... like Katsuragi-san... more.'

Rise scooted closer to sit beside Keima, a contented expression on her face before saying the line that Keima could see from miles away but was unable to prevent it. Curse them all, the 'captured' girls and the others that were dragged for the ride. Perhaps it wasn't just the looks that was hereditary, the stubbornness and dedication from Kanon was passed down as well within the family tree, if that was even possible. Well, it was, but that's another thing altogether.

'I'm... happy just by being your side, Katsuragi-san... so, even if Katsuragi-san like Kanon-nee more, it's okay. P-Please... don't push me away, Katsuragi-san?'

Rise asked in a more childish and begging voice that was more Clair before resting her head on his shoulders, seemingly content just being staying in that position.

'…'

Honestly, it could be far worse.


..

'… Keima-kun, must you always...'

Kanon found herself unable to continue what she was planning to say at the sheepish look on Keima's face. After escorting the twins back to their classes, with Clair looking a little subdued, she probably had been eavesdropping, Keima had waited to walk to class together with Kanon to fill her in on what had happened.

Keima couldn't blame Kanon for being shocked, he himself wasn't too surprised at Rise's feelings, putting Kanon's feelings in front of hers was something that he expected. Rise had always displayed signs of being a follower than a leader, with high levels of conflict avoidance that made her perfect for a peacemaker, ironically at that. So for her to give up her position for Kanon was expected, not like Clair ever had a chance, she was probably aware of that.

'It's not my fault this time. You know that I can't reject anyone that easily without a good reason.'

Keima did reject someone before, Kureha Haruka was the first and probably would not be the last, at least the 'captured' girls hoped so.

'And there's no good reason to reject Rise-chan? S-She's... fourteen, Keima-kun!'

'Fourteen huh... so she did skip a few grades... I guessed as much.'

That was one part of the mystery solved and even if Kanon had clapped her hand over her mouth at her slip up, looking quite horrified before she scowled and repeated her point.

'T-That aside! She's fourteen, Keima-kun. She isn't ready for a relationship!'

'I'm not sure whether you're saying that to help yourself, too over-protective over the two of them or truly think so. If it's the last of them, you are a bad liar, Miss Super Idol.'

Keima was being very snarky, and a little too sarcastic than usual. What made Kanon stunned was how Keima actually raised an eyebrow while chuckling back at her and it was enough to cause Kanon to gawk at him like he had gone crazy. It was a private side of him that was normally only seen in front of his family and Haqua, the few that he had actually pulled off his mask to speak with.

Chihiro was close, Kanon herself was a wee bit closer, Fuse Aoba was closest among all of them, but it was always business between most of them, Kanon taking advantage of the opportunity to actually be herself. She had almost never seen Keima as himself, not that she doubted that there was another side that she wasn't fully aware of. Like Rise, she was sure she didn't mind, and seeing Keima like that reinforced her resolve.

..

It was... she had no other way to express it, it was so attractive that it made Kanon's mind blank for a second before she recovered.

'W-Well, maybe children nowadays mature faster... But she's still very young...'

'Precisely why there is no reason that I can see that I should reject her without a reason. Besides, it seems that she has all but rejected herself with what she was implying. She has never once intended to challenge you, Kanon.'

Keima's words made Kanon bit her lip before she huffed and shook her head.

'N-Not... like I ever thought she would actually try... Rise-chan... is a nice girl.'

Kanon emphasized even as she clung on to Keima's hands again.

'So you can't be mean to her at all!'

'Rise, she is more mature than some of you. To come to that conclusion so easily is difficult... I would recommend that you speak to her again tonight. It... should not be an act, but beware a woman scorned.'

Keima recited easily even as he excused himself from Kanon, causing the Idol to frown at Keima trying to play truant.

'You should attend classes, Keima-kun!'

'I know. I'll be right back. Something propped up.'

Keima answered evenly as he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, an unreadable expression back on his face that caused Kanon to pause for a moment. It was the same expression that he had showed when he had made the decision in that fateful night where he had decided to save Miyabi Eru-sempai.

'O-Okay... please... don't push yourself if you are falling sick, Keima-kun.'

Keima nodded, satisfied at how Kanon picked up what was going on before she hurriedly left, leaving Keima alone before he headed up to the roof again.

..

'Did you call me?'

Keima asked patiently at the figure that was leaning against the railings of the roof casually, a wicked smile on her face even as she nodded her head. With long pale green hair and red eyes, she would have stood out amongst a crowd just like Haqua. But the part of her that everyone would focus on would definitely be the two small horns that was on the top of her head like an oni.

'Good! You recognized the message I sent you. I think you already suspected it, so let's cut the chit-chat. My partner is utterly useless, but you're pretty good even without yours. How about we team up for a while for these two, huh, human?'

The demon grinned even as she raised the Weiss Detector beside her, the unmistakable beeping sound confirming his worse fears.

'As long as we make it quick, demon-san.'

Keima answered even as she nodded and straightened her back, a lazy grin still on her face as she slowly wandered over to him.

'Sure, we can do that. I'll be glad to see what's so amazing about the human partner who captured twenty Weiss.'

'Before that... could I have your name?'

Keima closed one eye to calm himself down even as the demon paused before chuckling wildly for a moment, the question enough to tickle her funny bone.

'Good! You got guts... my name is Lune, Katsuragi Keima. Let's get along, huh? Ahahaha~'


Author's Notes: Even if it's a weak and token defence, this is happening within the arc of MW, so Keima has changed alot.

I'm totally breaking Lune's character as I have a fixed view on how she is, and I didn't watch the TWOGK: GA animation at all! My apologies in advance.