New Devil of The Gremory House
Life 6: Together
I tried making a chapter around just these two. I just felt like they needed to be stuck in a room together with no one else.
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Rias looked at the blond man she had called outside to talk to and smiled. She nodded, "What do you say?"
Naruto replied, "No."
"Oh come on~. Why not?" Rias replied exhaustedly as she started following behind Naruto who walked through the partially empty gym field. She ran up to his side, "We have tests tomorrow and I'm sure you need to study. I've been told how atrocious your grades are."
"Yeah. You've told me. Akeno Himejima has told me. Kaichou has told me. The teacher has told me. And I'm starting to get the message you all are trying to get across." Naruto deadpanned as he rolled his eyes.
"Then why are you disagreeing?"
Naruto looked at her, "Because I don't want to have a study hall at my place. I kinda like to think that's my little place to unwind and leave all my worldly troubles behind. Especially school."
Rias was quiet as she just blinked, "So you never study?"
"Nope."
"Even though your grades suffer?"
"And I couldn't be happier."
Rias just scowled, "You're a very stubborn man, you know that?"
He gave a cocky smile, "It's been two weeks Rias. I thought you would have realized that about me already."
Rias had a stern look on her face before he turned around. But she was already in front of him and pointing at his face, "And you should know just how stubborn I can be when I want to. So...I've prepared a compromise."
Naruto raised his brow while Rias took on a stern and serious expression. She closed her eyes and concentrated before looking up at him...
"If you let me study with you at your place, I will pay for any food you might want delivered."
...
"Pizza?"
"Yes."
"Ramen?"
"Of course."
"Fast food?"
"Yep."
"I might eat so much you could go bankrupt."
"I would love to see you try."
"Anything?"
"Anything you can get your little mitts on." Rias smiled and held out her hand, "Do we have a deal?"
Naruto looked between the girl and her hand. For one, he just knew if he did this something bad was going to happen. On the other hand, he could eat like a fat King and still not feel guilty about it.
"Dammit. Where'd you learn to manipulate people over with such good deals?"
"Hehe, I grew up with my older brother. If I wanted anything in the world, I just had to promise him a smile, hug, or kiss on the cheek and he was puddy in my hand."
"You're the devil."
"Thank you for the compliment."
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"Okay everyone, class dismissed. Don't forget that we have exams tomorrow, so if you have to, spend some time tonight studying. If you miss the first bell then you will be locked out of class and unable to take the exams." The teacher packed up his supplies and started heading for the door, "I will see you all tomorrow."
Naruto let out a long sigh of relief that he was able to survive another day in this boring hell known as school. He started gathering up any papers or supplies in his desk and put them in his school bag.
"So, I really, really want to know..." Naruto looked up just in time to see Akeno leaning over his desk. She looked at him, "Is there a plan you have for the tests tomorrow? Or are you just going to hope for a miracle?"
Naruto sent a small glare at her, "Is that any of your concern?"
Akeno shook her head, "Not concern. More of an innocent interest."
"Right. An innocent interest." Naruto snarked, "And I'm a straight A student."
Akeno giggled at the obvious joke.
Before they could contiune, Sona walked out of her seat and came over to them, "I'm actually quite interested as well. From what I've seen so far, you come up with different ways to sort out your problems, Uzumaki-kun." She crossed her arms, "Will you actually attempt to work on the exams, or can you not be bothered?"
"Oh, I wish I couldn't be bothered. But unfortunately, I have many different pains in my ass that constantly take time out of their schedules to remind me. Two of which I'm talking to right now." The two girls looked between each other indignantly as the blonde man leaned back, "But if you have to know, then I found someone that's going to 'help' me study. It just came at a terrible, terrible price."
Sona and Akeno were intrigued. Sona asked, "And what terrible price might this be?"
"Naruto!" Everyone in the classroom looked towards the door as the crimson-haired, most popular girl in school appeared just outside their room. Rias seemed eager as she stood at the doorway ready to leave, "Don't just sit on your butt, hurry up. We've got to get moving!"
Everyone in the classroom was silent before they mechanically turned their heads towards the whiskered blond. He felt their stares and grumbled a little before he pushed himself out of his chair. He started making his way to the door as Rias jumped on her feet and started going for a head-start. As Naruto was about to walk through the door, he saw people lean in towards each other to start whispering.
He immediately pointed at them, getting everybodys' attention. He shook his finger, "Not. A. Word. Not even when I'm gone."
Naruto walked out of the room as everyone left inside were completely silent. They didn't want to invoke the blond's anger but at the same time the need for gossip was becoming unbearable.
Sona sat on Naruto's desk and smiled, "A study session with Rias?"
Akeno placed a hand on her cheek, "Ara Ara, he wasn't kidding about paying a terrible price."
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"Well, I have to say, I'm a little jealous."
"Why would you be jealous?"
"Because I found your ramen shop first that same day. But you didn't show me any special treatment. I think you are picking favorites."
"Stop complaining."
"I'm serious." Rias pouted at the taller blond, "When I showed up, you were doing everything you could to push me away. But not only do you invite Koenko, but you also paid for her meals!"
Naruto slumped a little, "That was a serious mistake on my part."
"So why did you do it?"
"I don't know." Naruto shrugged as they walked through the local park, "I saw her after school, told her we all had lunch together, she seemed kinda upset that she wasn't included, and so I tried to make it up to her. There's something about the disappointed look on that girl's face that just compels you to try and make up for it."
Rias looked off to the side with a sympathetic nod, "I know what you mean. Once, I forgot to buy her the special limited sale chocolate she asked for and she didn't say anything for a week. I nearly bought out an entire candy shop to make it up to her." Rias smiled, "That girl is still a mystery to me even after all this time."
After the two seniors finished their discussion of their favorite precocious little freshman, Rias took a moment to look around where they were passing through. She noticed that there were fewer and fewer people around this part of town, and even that some of the accommodations were less than up to date. She spoke, "Do you live all the way out here? If you do, I'm sorry I've been asking you to make the trek to school."
"Don't be. It may seem pretty far but I can be fast when I want to. By the way..." Naruto looked over to the crimson-haired girl, "Fair warning, I live in a place that's kinda like a mix between an apartment complex and a motel. And its cleanliness is about as comparable to a...let's see..."
Rias chimed in, "A pig sty?"
"I was going to say shit stain but if you want to be polite about it."
After a few more feet, Naruto stopped in place and pointed forward, "Here it is. Home sweet home."
Bordering close to the edge of town, there was this two story building that looks like it had survived through the worst possible scenarios. Some of the paint and skin had started to chip away from such poor caregiving. Rias didn't even need to see the wages to know this place was probably for people that didn't have much money to use.
Rias thought for a moment before nervously chuckling at the sight of the place, "Well, I guess you weren't kidding."
"No I was not."
As the two teenagers talked, a stocky old man with thinning hair walked out with a newspaper in hand. He spotted the tall blond and walked up to him, "Uzmeki!"
"It's Uzumaki, Taichi-San."
"Whatever." The crotchety man groaned before he continued, "The water heater sprung a leak today. So there might not be much warm water in your shower for a while. I'll try to get it fixed by tomorrow."
Naruto slumped, "The last time you said that we were out of warm water for almost two weeks."
"Then I'll get to it when I have the time." He replied in a short manner before he saw the girl accompanying his tenant. He looked towards her, "Who's the girl?"
Rias blinked when she realized she was being addressed and Naruto opened for her, "This is Rias Gremory. A student from my school. She's here t-"
"Ah, stop right there." Taichi interrupted, "I don't want to hear about the gross stuff you two are going to be doing in your room."
The teens looked between each other before they realized what he was implying and panicked. Rias blushed a little as Naruto shook his head, "N-no, we aren't doing anything like that."
"Look, you two have fun. Just remember my rules: Don't be too loud. And if you shit on the floor, you owe me ¥10,000."
The owner of the building walked away and towards his office before Naruto could say anything. Rias looked at Naruto, "He was...not very pleasant."
"You don't need to try so hard. I'd just call him an asshole." Naruto said with a smile, getting Rias to giggle a little. He started heading towards the only staircase on the building that lead towards the second floor.
As the two teenagers made their way towards the blond's room, another man walked out of his room and was heading towards the stairs. He was a foreigner at least in his 30's, with brown hair and standing about the same height as Naruto. He saw his fellow tenant and waved, "Hey, Naruto m'boy, how's it goin'?"
"Hey Marco, off to go on another bender?"
"Ah, ya know it mate. Stuck in this country 'til god knows when, imma make sure I can at least grab a drink when I can." He grinned, "Yer welcome t' join me at any time."
"Still not legal."
"Then fuck it, I'll drink fer the both of us." The foreigner realized there was a stunning beauty behind the blond teen that was looking at the scene in confusion. Marco pushed Naruto over like a log and looked the girl over, "Why 'ello there beautiful. And who might you be?"
Rias recognized he was European and nodded her head, "Hello, I'm Rias Gremory. And I'm a friend of Naruto's."
"Nice t' meetcha." He bowed in a showy manner, "Name's Marco, lover from beyond the seas and lover of women a plenty. And tell me beautiful, what's a lovely lady like you doin' in this neck of the woods."
Before Rias answered, Naruto popped back up like a balloon and held the man back, "Control yourself horn-dog, she came with me."
Marco's eyes widened, "She came...with you...and..." Marco nudged the blond with a grin, "Wow mate, didn't know ya had so much game. Ya got t' teach me yer secret."
"If you don't stop, I'll make you stop."
Rias leaned over and waved to get their attention back, "Um, what's going on here exactly?"
Naruto pushed Marco's elbow away from him before gesturing to the older man, "This guy is Marco, some weirdo from across the ocean that came here after him and his wife got a divorce."
"Basically, me ex was bein' a cunt and I wanted a break. So now I'm here." Marco proclaimed proudly, "I'm travelin' the world! Seein' the sights! And leavin' me mark everywhere I go!"
Naruto leaned in towards Rias to whisper, "And by that, he means genetic mark."
"What can I say, ladies love a man wit' confidence." Marco made a scowl, "But now I'm on me last leg. Gotta wait 'til me mate back home can wire me some cash. 'Til then I'll just look around and see what this place has t' offer. But enough 'bout that..." He leaned in towards the two students, "What might you two be doin' tonight, eh?"
They could easily guess what he was implying. Rias answered, "We have exams tomorrow so we are gonna study tonight."
"Ah, 'study'. I get ya. But trust me, it's best not to get caught up in what ya been hearin' around the bend." Marco pulled out his wallet and took something from inside. He grabbed Naruto's hand and placed it inside before looking into his blue eyes, "Keep it sacred. Keep it safe."
Before Naruto or Rias could ask what he meant-
"Marlo!"
They all looked over the edge to see Taichi waving his fist in the air, "You owe me ¥10,000 you son of a bitch!"
Naruto and Rias looked at the reckless party man in horror at what he had done. He winked before running past them and down the stairs. They watched the landlord chase the party man down the street while yelling obscenities at each other.
Naruto took a moment and looked down at what he had been given by Marco.
A condom.
He threw it over the edge with as much force as he could muster. Rias caught the end of his action and wondered what he had thrown. She asked, "Did you just throw away the thing Mr. Marco gave you? What was it?"
Naruto didn't look at her, "Nothing. Come on." He pulled out his key and unlocked his apartment, walking in first before keeping it open for Rias to follow in. When Rias walked in, she looked the small apartment complex over. The room they had walked into had a small table in the center, Naruto's futon over near the corner, a window just above the bed, and a small sink and fridge off to the side. On the right wall were two doors, probably one a closet and the other a bathroom.
Naruto walked in and placed his bag on the floor before heading to the small fridge, "Make yourself at home. Kind of cramped but as long as you don't freak out about small spaces then it can be a pretty cozy place to stay."
As Naruto looked in his fridge, he realized that the red-head hadn't said a single word since they had come in. He look over to see her still looking around like she was trying to find something. He stood up, "In case you're wondering, yeah, this is all there is. I don't have a lot of income so I've got to make sure I spare as much as possible. The rooms are small and the landlord's a total tool but this place is cheap so I can't complain."
Rias shook her head, "No, it's fine. I don't mind the size or condition of the room. It's just..." Rias looked around a little more before looking at the blond with a confused gaze, "You don't live with your parents, do you?"
Naruto was silent for a moment before he shook his head, "No. But I can't live with people that aren't living anymore so I've got this place to myself."
Rias thought it was a possibility that the whiskered blond lived alone. Ever since the scene in the middle of school the other day when Yuuto convinced everybody that Naruto and Asia were family, she had been thinking about where the blond's family was in all of this. Now, in his living quarters, with no room for family and not even a single photo anywhere to be seen, Rias knew he was alone here. She spoke earnestly, "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It's not your fault. They've been gone a long time." Naruto looked down for a moment before looking over at her, "Let's stop with all the sad talk. It's depressing. You came here to force me to study, right?"
Rias didn't say anything before she gave a small smile and nodded. She took off her shoes and sat down at his table as he looked back into his firdge, "I have water. Cola. Tea. And iced coffee. Do you want anything?"
"I'm fine with just water. But I'm hungry too." Rias started taking out some books, "Do you have anything to eat?"
Naruto came over and placed a bottled water in front of her with iced coffee for him. He shook his head, "Nothing substantial. Perhaps it's time to start calling in all that delicious food now."
Rias looked at him wearily, "Really? We haven't even started yet."
Naruto just stared back silently, "But I'm hungry."
Rias sighed, "Okay, fine. Just call them up and tell me the menu."
Naruto blinked, "How am I gonna call them? I don't have a phone."
Rias looked at him in disbelief, "What do you mean you don't have a phone?"
"Look at the place I live. Plus, who the hell am I gonna call? Gramps?"
Rias felt her eye twitch before she pulled her cell phone out and handed it to him. He smiled and grabbed the phone before he started typing in the numbers. Rias started flipping through her book and just knew it was gonna be a long night.
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The sun started to lower through the window as Rias picked out some rice and chewed on it, savoring the taste from the delicious takeout. She pointed at the guy across from her with her chopsticks, "So, what can't you understand about this again?"
"I hate math. That's all I really understand about it."
"Look." Rias stood up and walked to sit by his side as she leaned in, "It isn't that hard. For this equation, you have to find the missing side of the right triangle. And to do that, you just have to remember what I said about how to find an hypotenuse. To find the third side, you have to add the squares of the other sides. So if you do this and this..."
Naruto thought for a moment, "I...I get this, right?"
Rias nodded.
"Yes! Is that it?!"
"No, that's just one formula. Now you have to learn about some more algebra, degrees in geometry, a little calculus."
"Ughhhhhh..." Naruto slammed his head and groaned, "I don't get this."
"Why don't you get this?" Rias started looking over some more of his papers, "Some people have trouble with subjects like this but they still learn the basics of it in secondary school and their first year of high school." She looked over at him, "Did you not learn any of this back where you came from?"
Naruto shook his head, "We never bothered with stuff like this. Where I come from, our school specialized more on hands on stuff for our jobs."
Rias looked over her book a little more before asking, "What kind of school was that then? Some kind of agricultural school?"
"You could say that."
Rias pouted at his useless answer before she looked back at his work, "Fine. Don't tell me. But this won't disappear just because you don't want to do it. Now, for this next part-"
Naruto lifted his head back up, "Okay, seriously, how does any of this stuff matter? We're supposed to be planning for our future by learning this, right?" He lifted up his workbook and pointed at it, "Where in the world am I ever going to need to use a triangle in real life?"
"I don't know Naruto, maybe it's supposed to help with a job you get?" Rias took the workbook from his hand and pointed at him, "It's all supposed to help with your future!"
"How? I don't know what I want to be in the future! But I swear it won't have anything to do with triangles!"
Rias was about to argue before she realized what he said. She placed the book down and looked at him, "You don't have anything you want to be when you grow up?"
"Not really. You can't predict your future or what it holds. So what's the point in planning something you can't control." Naruto said as he fell back and laid on the ground of his apartment.
It was silent for a moment before he heard Rias ask, "Really? Nothing?"
He shook his head, "Not that I can think of."
Rias felt disappointed for a moment before she looked at the lying blond, "Have you ever wanted to be anything in the future?"
Naruto was silent for a moment before he opened his eyes again. He lifted himself up on his elbows to look at the red-head, "Well, yeah, of course I've wanted to be something before."
Rias turned around to listen to him more clearly. Naruto saw her eagerness to listen and sat up before continuing, "When I was a kid...and I mean a really little kid, I wanted to be the public leader of the place I grew up in. I didn't have any family and nobody really talked to me so I thought, 'Hey, maybe if I become the boss, people will notice and respect me! Then they'll have to like me!' And for a really long time, I believed that."
Naruto continued, "So I worked hard all the time and did everything I could to try and prove myself to everybody. It was a pretty rough start, to say the least, and almost everybody ridiculed me for even thinking I could do it, but I still tried. And after a while, I started making a difference. I made friends. I proved myself to people. I showed them I wasn't the complete and utter failure they thought I was. And everything was starting to change."
"Before I knew it, people were supporting me and telling me I was gonna reach that point someday soon. All those people that were bringing me down and telling me otherwise were starting to smile and cheer me on. I had never been so happy before. And even if I didn't become the leader, I knew these people were going to stay by my side forever. I really thought..." Naruto looked off for a moment with a fond smile, "I was going to make it."
Rias looked at the blond as he told her more about himself. Nothing specific or detailed but she could tell just by the tone in his voice and the look in his eyes that this was more than enough. She looked at him for a moment, "What happened?"
Naruto's smile lowered for a second and he looked at Rias, "Like I said, you can't control the future."
"No." Rias crawled up to his face with a stern look in her eyes as she was sick of him cutting her out, "You have to tell me something about you! No more of this 'mystery' stuff! Please!"
Naruto blinked for a moment and looked into her eyes, "So, you want me to strip the veil and tell you everything?"
Rias nodded her head. Naruto smiled and chuckled for a moment before lifting his hand and flicking her forehead, eliciting a little squeak from her, "Nope."
Rias massaged her forehead and pouted at him as he laughed at the look she was giving him. Rias sat on her feet and looked at him, "Can you at least tell me what you are doing here? I can at least know that, right?"
Naruto pulled himself up to the table, "I got hurt pretty bad when I first came here last year. I didn't have any money and nobody knew me so things were looking bleak. But Gramps picked me up and paid for my medical attention, or at least most of it. But to do that he had to pay it out of his retirement fund and life savings. So, you can imagine how guilty I felt when I found out about this. So I promised that I would pay him back all the money he used to help me. I tried to get a job but I didn't get hired because I didn't have credentials, or nobody wanted a weird foreigner who talked in a weird accent, or I beat up on assholes who were causing problems. So he offered me a job and said half the check he paid me would go to paying him back. That's why I'm here. To make sure I can pay back Miyamoto-jichan so he can have a good retirement."
Naruto looked over to see Rias was silent after what he said. It was quiet between them a little longer before she giggled, "You beat people up at your old job?"
Naruto listened to her laugh before he chuckled as well, "Hey, they said that I needed to be a bodyguard that didn't let anyone act creepy to the dancers. When someone tried to sniff a girl's hair, I spun him in the air and tossed him out a window. And when the manager tried to tell me to stop, I accidentally threw him out as well. He wasn't too happy about that."
Rias couldn't control herself and laughed even louder at his expense. She wiped a tear out of her eye before she said, "Want to know something? I've never actually had ramen before."
"What?!" Naruto yelled in disbelief. He immediately dove for her phone, "Okay well I know what we're having next."
"No, Naruto. We haven't even finished the sushi we ordered before."
"I can finish that stuff up easily. But you need to have ramen and see how good it is, right now! No arguments!"
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The sun had finally started to set and the sky went black as the two young adults continued working. They had moved on from math and were now on history. Rias was relaxing on Naruto's small but comfy bed as she went over the notes she had brought with her. It had been a few minutes since they had finished their ramen, which Rias had to admit was delicious, and she was helping him study, "After Houjou Tokimune's death, the magistrate Adachi Yasumori was defeated by the Houjou family steward _. So, what was the steward's name?"
Rias waited for an answer but didn't receive one. She realized she was hearing a very soft and rhythmic snoring and looked over to see Naruto sleeping on his arms on the table. Rias narrowed her eyes before she grabbed the pillow behind her and threw it at his head, startling him awake, "AH-WHA-What happened?!"
"Geez, we're supposed to be studying you jerk!" Rias complained from the bed, "You can at least try to stay awake!"
"How? This stuff is boring enough to put anybody to bed. How are you still awake after all of this?"
"Because I like to study subjects like this. Japanese History has always been my favorite subject." Rias said as she curled up and smiled while looking over her favorite parts written in her notebook, "It's so rich and diverse and romantic and enticing."
Naruto looked at her in mild amusement before shaking his head, "Y'know, a lot of people tell me I've got stamina to spare, but I don't think I've ever seen someone as energetic as you just to learn this stuff. It's exhausting just being around you."
"You complain just like Akeno. She's always telling me about how I smother her while we study together."
"And why isn't she here right now, enjoying the mind numbing experience of cram studying with us?"
"Because I thought I would give her a little break." Rias said, "She's got years of study dates over you so just one couldn't hurt."
"She's dealt with this for years?" Naruto asked in disbelief, "Geez, I actually have to give that girl some respect for being able to handle that."
Rias gave him a conflicted look, "Hey, you make it sound like I'm a newborn puppy that doesn't stop barking."
Naruto shrugged, "You kinda are."
He immediately felt her notebook slam into the back of his head as Rias pouted at his teasing.
Naruto pulled the book off his head and handed it back to her, "So, you've been with that crazy sadist girl for awhile, huh?"
Rias took the book back and nodded, "Yeah, for as long as I can remember. Akeno has always been the person that stood by my side during everything."
Naruto turned back around but showed interest by asking, "How exactly did that happen?"
"Well, I met Akeno when she snuck into the territory of one of my family's servants. I came up there to play and see the sights so I was outside near the forest all by myself. Then, I noticed someone running over twigs and hiding behind trees, like she was hiding from something. It was really cold up there in the mountains so I kept calling to her to come out so I could help. After what felt like hours and was definitely one of the most annoying colds I ever got, she finally came out of hiding and faced me. And even back then Akeno was possibly the prettiest girl I had ever seen."
Rias wrapped her arms around her knees and looked up at the ceiling while she dug into her memories, "She was having some family issues after her mother passed away and she was just wandering around, looking for something to do with her life. I found out she helped exorcise an innocent civilian of an evil spirit in the town down hill and I just knew I had to meet her again. When I found her, my family made some changes and we were able to adopt her into our house. And since then she's basically been the closet thing I've had to an annoying sister ever since." Rias formed a small smile, "Although now that I think about it, she probably just took up my offer to come with me because I kept bugging her."
Naruto shook his head, "I don't think so. If that weird girl was anything like Koneko, I'm sure she was earnest and completely honest about her choice to follow you." He turned around and saw Rias looking at him in mild surprise before he shrugged, "She told me about how you picked her up and took her in as well. She kept saying that she would never be able to pay you back for all the kindness and love you showed her."
Rias blinked a little before giggling a little, "That silly girl. Why would she ever think she had to pay me back for being my friend." She shook her head, "Her and Yuuto have the same problem in thinking they have something to do for me."
Naruto actually turned in place to face her and listen to her, "Yuuto has always acted like that. He tries to handle anything and everything by himself because he doesn't want anything forced on me. Even if he might get tired or hurt in the process, he still strives to fight on and win. That's something I've admired about him...about all of them. Yuuto's bravery and calm in any situation. Koneko's heart and kindness to those she meets. Akeno's loyalty and courage to face what's new. That's why I always wanted to stay by their sides."
Naruto heard the pride and almost envious tone when she talked about her friend's traits and strengths. Despite what he may have thought about a girl that said these people were her servants, they were closer than family to her. She did not show a single ounce of regret for bringing these people into her life, and she probably never would.
Naruto had to ask, "Why did you resurrect Asia when you had never even met her before?"
Rias thought for a moment, "Because she was someone you all proved was worth fighting for. She was an innocent girl that was exposed to unfortunate circumstances. Someone with a heart like a saint that didn't see people because of their religion, class, race or even faction standing. She was a girl I thought would do anything in her power to help people in need. And as it turns out, I was right."
"What about Issei? You didn't just accept him for his perverted tendencies, did you?"
Rias laughed, "No, of course not! It doesn't matter about his personality or even if it's a problem for him. He summoned me with the very last breath in his body and I came to the scene of his death. He's just an innocent boy, used by a woman he loved and then killed because of a gift he never asked for. He didn't deserve something like that. So I gave him a second chance. And now, despite his rowdy behavior, he's happy and content with his new life. That's more than I could ask for."
...
"Then why me?"
Rias looked over to him as Naruto looked straight at her, "I didn't have a special power that you knew about. I didn't summon you. We didn't know each other before hand. And yet you used one of those [Evil Pieces] to resurrect me, someone you had never met before that day. So why?"
It was silent between the crimson-haired beauty and the whiskered male as Naruto's question hung in the atmosphere.
"You make it sound like you aren't worth the time. Like it was a mistake. But I know that's not right." Rias sat up on his bed and looked at him, "You're right, I didn't know you. And I couldn't sense anything from you like a Sacred Gear. But let me ask you something..." Rias' eyes softened for a moment, "Do you remember what happened before you died?"
Naruto stayed quiet for a moment as he tried to think back to that night. Saving Issei from the Yuuma woman. Some arguing. A piercing and crippling pain through his body as everything went cold and...nothing. He was gone.
"I was summoned and I saw that both you and Issei were already gone. Just a few seconds, but it was too late. I remember that you and I had met in the hallway earlier that day and I felt guilty that I wasn't able to save you. But as I reached out to move your hair out of your eyes, your hand shot out and grabbed my arm." Rias looked down and held the place Naruto grabbed her, "I thought you were dead. No, you were dead. Your blood was spreading around you like a massive leak and the pain should have killed you but it didn't."
"Despite blood loss and a hole through your chest, you willed yourself alive and grabbed the closest thing to you. And with the last of your strength, you looked up at me. And I looked into your eyes. I didn't see anger. Or fear. Regret. Pain. In your last moments alive, you didn't show any hesitation of death, because you didn't believe this was the end. In your last moment..."
"I saw a tenacity to live that was stronger than anyone else I had met before. A stubbornness to not give up so easily." She looked into Naruto's blue eyes, "I tried to save you with a [Bishop], a [Rook], a [Knight], and any of my [Pawns] but nothing seemed to work. But, as if by chance, an extra piece I received that shouldn't have even been able to function resonated with you. Even if it's an irregular piece, with no functioning sense or Promotion, you made it work and fought for your life."
She leaned in a little closer, "You act like you're no one or like you can't do anything but I saw what you are Naruto Uzumaki. What you think no one else can see. I know you're a survivor. And even if the whole world came tumbling down on you, you would still keep moving because that's who you are."
Naruto and Rias were silent after the pure-blooded heiress had spoken her part with a firm strength in her voice. Naruto looked at the table for a moment before asking, "Did you come here tonight trying to convince me to join your peerage?"
Rias sat back down after her little burst of spirit and just looked forward. She answered, "I don't know. My head was so jumbled up with everything that I wasn't thinking straight. I just came here because...I thought I could step back from everything and take a moment to breathe."
"...Did you get what you wanted?"
Rias looked back towards him for a moment before she grabbed her notebook and opened it up again. She sat there silently and read the lines of text as Naruto decided to do the same. And for the next hour or so, they were silent.
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Rias turned her phone on as she rested her head on the table. She looked at the screen and felt a sense of nervousness, apprehension, and worry build up in her stomach.
Thursday
23:51
"Okay." Naruto slammed the book close and rubbed his eyes before moving to his temples. He groaned, "That's enough studying...for like...the rest of my life."
Rias smiled and lifted her head while wiping some fatigue from her eyes. Even she had to admit that this was a long study session. She mused, "Do you think you'll be ready for the exams?"
"I don't know anymore. I don't care anymore. I just want the week to end and the break to begin." Naruto said with a laugh before he looked up through his window to see that the lights had started going off and the moon was high in the sky, "It's pretty late."
"Almost midnight."
"Seriously?" Naruto scratched his head, "I didn't think we would be doing this stuff for that long. Sorry about that."
"Don't be." Rias said as she leaned against her hand for support on the table, "I quite enjoyed today, whatever it's ups and downs were."
"Yeah but I bet you would have liked to study some in your place, where I bet there was a ton more space than here." Naruto waved his hand around the small room, "It's got to be better in a big luxurious room than this cramped closet of an apartment."
Rias just shrugged her shoulders, "Big, small. Cramped or cozy. It's all the same if you don't have anyone to enjoy it with."
It was silent between them before Naruto asked, "Do you want me to walk you home?"
Rias looked at him, mildly surprised by his genuine offer to guide her, and shook her head, "No, don't worry. I can go back home any time I want with my magic circle."
Naruto remembered that little trick with the intricate circle under her feet that helped her teleport and decided to leave it at that. He stood up, "Well, is there anything else you want before you go?"
"Actually, could I have another cola, maybe with ice." Rias looked up at him, "I think I need something to help keep up my energy."
"There's a machine for ice downstairs. I'll have to go get it." Naruto opened the door and spoke over his shoulder, "Be back in a minute."
Rias was left sitting in the room with a conflicted look on her face. She struggled for a minute and looked back down at her phone...
Thursday
23:54
Naruto grabbed some ice out of a machine by the side of the building and placed it in a small plastic bucket. He looked around, noticing there was no one anywhere to be seen as he closed the machine and made his way upstairs. He opened the door again and walked in, "The ice is from a machine Taichi-San monitors, so it might not be that great. You might want to check the taste and...Rias?"
Naruto noticed the lights had turned off and the room was empty. The room was noticeably darker and there was no sign of the busty young woman anywhere in sight. Naruto thought she had left early and closed the door, only to then notice that she was standing behind it.
He turned around, "What are y-"
Before Naruto could finish, Rias tackled him forward and ran with him long enough before they both fell on his bed, Naruto accidentally dropping the ice on the floor. Naruto was surprised for a moment before he looked up at the girl sitting on him, "Rias, what the hell are you doing?!"
"I'm sorry Naruto. But I just need you to stay quiet and go along with me, okay?" Rias immediately sat up and undid the black collar that surrounded her shoulders and threw it off to the side. And after that, her hands went down to the sides of her skirt and started to pull down the zipper.
Naruto felt his composure and calmness start to lose itself as the beautiful crimson-haired girl started to undress herself, taking off her skirt and revealing her white lingerie panties. He almost choked on his tongue as he felt heat go to his face, "W-what are you doing?"
"You said that you didn't want to have anything to do with my group and our dealings, right?" Rias started to unbutton her shirt and once it came off, she threw it to the side. Rias was straddling Naruto in her underwear, revealing her gorgeous and curvaceous figure. Naruto's eyes roamed over her long and milky white thighs, her round and plump hips that sat on his chest, her thin waist that went up to a pair of large round breasts barely contained by her bra. Rias fiddled with the strap on her back, "Then we can work something out if you do something for me..."
Rias finally unhooked her bra and slowly slid it off her bountiful chest. Her breasts bounced after her brasserie was removed and she placed it by the side of the bed. She reached down for Naruto's hand and placed it on her left boob, feeling his large rough hand press against her nipple and slowly sink into her breast. She moved some hair out of her face...
"I need you to have sex with me."
Naruto's mind nearly short-circuited. He had to admit, his mind would sometimes go to the gutter, and he did wonder what a gorgeous girl like Rias would be like in bed, but he at no point believed today would lead to anything like that. And at the moment, with a stunning beauty sitting on his chest and his hand forming into her boob, Naruto had but one single regret.
He just had to throw away the fucking condom!
Naruto's mind started to kick back into work and he tried to think about what was happening. Rias was naked. It was late. Rias was naked. They were tired. Rias was naked! He felt his heart almost jump out of his-
...
Heart.
Rias started to grab the ends of Naruto's shirt and pull it up in an attempt to prepare for the activity at hand. But Naruto's free arm came up and grabbed his shirt before she could take it off. She blinked in surprise before looking at Naruto's stone-faced expression, "Naruto? What's wrong?"
Naruto closed his eyes before a dry smile appeared on his face, "You know, I always wondered what my first time would be like. Would it be planned? Spontaneous? Would it be with someone I loved? Or would it be with the first person who offered? Would I remember it? Or would it be one of those next morning experiences you come to regret? I thought a lot about what could happen...but I always thought that whatever happened, we would both be excited about it. And the thing is...your heart isn't beating any faster."
Naruto sat up and tensed his right hand a little, causing a small flinch in Rias' face from where her sensitive breast was squeezed, "You aren't doing this because you're horny. Or because you're experimenting or curious either. And I know you aren't one of those sluts that just throws themselves at any guy that shows them the least bit of help or hospitality. So then, Rias..." Naruto let go of her breast and grabbed her shoulders before looking straight at her, "What the fuck are you doing?"
Rias was caught off guard for a moment before she spoke again, "Maybe you don't know me quite as well as you thought. What if I am really one of those bimbos you see in movies and shows that-"
"Rias." Naruto's firm voice interrupted her as he got her attention, "I hate it when people lie to me. And even more when they lie to themselves. So please..." He almost pleaded with her, "Stop lying."
Rias was silent for a moment as she looked into Naruto eyes. The air of desperation faded around her and she let her head hang for a moment. She raised a hand to cover her eyes and shook her head. She whimpered, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry Naruto. But I just thought that if I could do this, then maybe I could finally put my mind at ease."
Naruto felt the regret in her voice and let go of her shoulders, "What do you mean?"
Rias lowered her hand for a moment before grabbing her bra. She covered her breasts up and snapped the clip back together before she hugged her own arms. She spoke with a sad tone, "Everything's about to change. Something is about to happen and I might lose everything because of it. My life. My choices. Everyone in the club. I came here because I tried to think of a way that I could escape from that possibility. And I thought maybe if I slept with someone, I wouldn't be wanted anymore and I would be free."
Naruto looked off to the side and joked, "If you wanted that, maybe you should have tried to sleep with Kiba or Fuck-face. I'm sure they would have taken the chance."
Rias actually giggled at his little joke before she shook her head, "They probably would have. But I would have felt lower than scum if I actually did it."
Naruto inquired, "What is it that's about to change?"
"It doesn't matter now." Rias lowered her head and voice, "I can't stop it now without going against my family and everything they are trying to protect."
Rias stayed quiet as she thought over her predicament with a solemn atmosphere. Naruto thought for a moment before he held her shoulders and pulled her off him long enough to get his legs out from under her. She looked up at him as he stood up and stepped to the side, "You know, that doesn't seem like the stubborn, unwavering type of girl you've been showing me you are for the last few days. But if you want, you could try going with my type of approach." He knelt down and grabbed her shirt before walking back over to her...
Rias looked up at him, "And what would that be?"
Naruto draped her open shirt over her shoulders and Rias grabbed the sides to keep her covered. He knelt down in front of her, held her shoulders, and looked in her eyes...
"You can fight Rias. You can go against what's been planned for you and what's been decided because only you can choose your life. It's hard. It's painful. And you might not even succeed...but you can fight for yourself. And if that's all you can do, then make sure it counts."
Rias looked at the whiskered blond as his words sunk in. Her gloomy expression turned into a small smile and she grabbed his hand, "Thank you Naruto." Rias looked at the phone on the table, "And not a moment too soon."
Friday
00:00
The entire apartment was basked in a bright light that caused the two young adults to squint their eyes. When the light faded, a tall and beautiful woman with braided silver hair in a maid outfit was standing there with her hands placed in front of her. She looked at Rias, "Ojou-sama, it's time to go. We need to prepare for tomorrow."
While Naruto was still surprised by the busty older woman's entrance, Rias nodded her head and took her friend's hands off her shoulders, "Of course Grayfia. Give me a moment."
Rias stood up from the bed and started to collect her things. She placed any of her clothes she had casted off in her bag and picked up her shoes and phone as well. She walked over to the circle and held out her bag, "Could you hold this for a second. There's one last thing I need to do."
Grayfia bowed her head, "Of course Ojou-sama."
Rias looked back at the blond looking up at her from his bed. She walked over to him and knelt down to face him with a smile, "Thank you, for clearing my head and stopping me from making a horrible mistake, Naruto."
Naruto was a little overwhelmed for a moment before he just joked, "Is sleeping with me horrible mistake?"
Rias playfully shook her head, "You get what I mean. I don't know what's going to happen after this. Whether it'll be for better or for worse, it's my decision from now on." She raised her hand and gently stroked his cheek, "So thank you."
She leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before standing back up and walking to her family servant's side. She turned back and waved goodbye to the blond before she disappeared in a bright light.
Naruto was left alone in his room in the dark after the two ladies had vanished. His hand slowly came to his cheek and he felt the small place that Rias' soft and warm lips had kissed him. He sat up against the wall and stared off silently.
While his thoughts continued to linger on the crimson-haired girl.
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"Okay everyone, that's the end of your exams. I hope you all studied appropriately and I'll see you after the break."
The class started to exit out of the room as Naruto gathered his things together again. He got up from his chair just in time to see Akeno standing in front of him. She motioned out the door, "Can you come to the club? There's something happening that we need to be present for. I know you said you aren't a member but-"
"Does this have something to do with Rias?" Naruto asked. His thought process had continuously gone back to the girl and what had happened last night.
Akeno just nodded her head. Naruto walked past her, "Then let's go."
As the two classmates walked towards the abandoned school building, Akeno spoke, "Buchou told me what happened last night."
"What did she say?"
"Well, other than the fact that you seem to be a very childish study partner that always tries to avoid the subject..." She looked up at him, "She told me you helped her out a lot last night."
Naruto deadpanned, "Did she mention she left me kinda blue-balled as well?"
"Yes. That too." Akeno covered her mouth, "I have to admit, that was actually quite amusing."
Naruto felt like blowing his top and arguing with the girl but when he looked to the side, he saw she had a relieved look on her face, "Thank you for helping her last night. She hasn't shown it but this problem has been all she's thinking about for the last week. And despite how we act and argue with each other, I'm very grateful for your help. Thank you Naruto-San."
Naruto noticed the sincerity in her voice and felt his argument just wither out.
Akeno then aimed a pleasant smile up at him, "But if you did actually sleep with Buchou, I don't know what I would have done to you. It would not have been pleasant. Well, not for you at least."
"Big talk from a girl that can't say no to a study session with Rias. Talk all you want, she already told me you try to avoid the subject like I do."
"Still get better grades."
"Still a sadistic witch."
Their jabbing ended when they walked into the club room together and happened upon the sight of Rias sitting on the couch with a stern expression and the same silver-haired maid from last night standing behind her.
Moments later Koneko, Kiba, Issei, and Asia entered the room as well. The more veteran members looked at their president in worry as Issei and Aisa looked around in confusion. Issei spotted the tall blond senior and whispered, "Hey, what's going on?"
Naruto just shrugged his shoulders, curious about what was happening as well.
Asia looked at the expression on Rias' face and worried, "I-is Buchou-San okay? She seems distant."
"She's thinking." Kiba answered.
Akeno continued, "She's been thinking and preparing for what's about to happen."
The moment she said that, everyones' attention was garnered by a large magical circle forming near the door of the room. The sound of sizzling fire and storming wind filled the room as a bright red circle with what looked like a bird in its center appeared.
They all looked towards it and Asia nervously asked, "W-what is that?"
Koneko narrowed her eyes and responded...
"Phenex."
And the entire room was engulfed in a blazing hot flame.
||||||||Omake: It's a Hard Knock Life For the Boy||||||||
"Okay everyone, it's the end of the week." Sona placed the Kuoh Academy suggestion box on the table of the Student Council room and addressed everyone in the Council/peerage, "Just before we go off on break, I want to make sure we read through all of these suggestions."
Her vice-president and [Queen], Tsubaki Shinra, grabbed the box and dumped its contents on the table. She looked at all the younger members of the Council, "Now we can't fulfill each and every desire these students have, but we can at least read through them and respond back. So make sure to take the time and notice every detail."
"But you guys say it like these are actually suggestions. But every time we actually look inside..." Momo Hanakai, one of the [Bishops], opened up a letter and held it out to the president, "It's usually just fan letters to you."
Dear Souna-sama,
If you would, please make me your slave.
Sona paid no mind and continued to look through the letters, "Even so, that doesn't mean we can just leave them alone. If we all take a part of the pile we should be able to finish in no time. Is that clear?"
"Yes ma'am(x6)."
The Student Council started reading through each and every one of the letters. Saji actually took a moment and looked at Sona in amazement, "Woah Kaichou, you have so many admirers. I bet there's a letter here from almost everyone in the school."
Sona smiled, "Well, I hope they're content with the work I've done. But we still gave a lot left to do."
Tsubasa Yura, the [Rook] with dark blue hair opened up one letter and was surprised to see it wasn't addressed to either the president or vice-president. She looked to the only boy in the room, "Genshirou, this one is addressed to you."
Everyone looked in mild surprise as Saji was shocked to hear that. He had a big smile, "Really?! Let me see!"
Tsubasa handed the letter over and Saji immediately opened it. And everyone watched as all the color and life in his face instantly disappeared.
Written over the paper, in what Saji could only hope was messy red ink, read as such...
Hello you little fucking shit stain of a human being...
If you touch any of the sweet little angels in the Student Council...
I personally promise to come into your house at night and rip your asshole out through your throat.
Saji shook in fear before he heard the girls address him.
"Hey, I found another one for Gen-chan!"
"Me too!"
"Here's another for Genshirou-senpai!"
All the notes laid open in front of him and his eyes picked up the keywords...
Cunt blasting-
Castrated in an open-
Left bloody on a road-
Squeeze your testicles-
Fisted through the urethra-
The most terrifying part was that Saji could easily see that some of these notes were written by girls.
Sona smiled, "Goodness Saji, you seem to be quite popular, don't you think...Saji?"
Saji was cowering in a corner and muttering to himself, "I think I might regret taking this position now."
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Done
I'm going to update Knight next and after that, I'm going to add a new story just to peak my interest. But I hoped you enjoyed Naruto and Rias spending an afternoon with each other. I needed to set up this next arc in some way.
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Thank You and Bye