Time flew by, and before they knew it, Rias and her companions had been at Light's house for nearly an hour. The relaxed atmosphere was interrupted when Kuroka, quite audaciously considering it was their first day of acquaintance, decided to touch on a personal matter.
"Light-nyah," she began, leaning slightly towards him, "I've heard that you have a special place where one can train for several days, but in the outside world, only a few seconds pass. Would you be willing to negotiate access? And, nyah, is it possible to take more than one person to this place?"
Understanding the gravity of her request, Light interlaced his fingers and adopted a formal posture. "What do you offer in exchange?"
Kuroka didn't hesitate, listing several valuable items she could provide. Among them, a vial containing Phoenix Tears stood out.
After brief consideration, Light proposed: "I am willing to offer 300 days of energy for that vial of Phoenix Tears." In his mind, he thought he was being benevolent to Kuroka. If he wished, he could get a similar vial for less. However, she had provided him with several benefits before, and he saw the extra 150 days of energy as a gesture of gratitude.
Kuroka lit up, visibly surprised and excited by Light's generosity. "Nyah, that's wonderful! I didn't expect such an offer."
Despite Kuroka's seductive aura and playful nature, she had a keen sharpness that contrasted with her carefree appearance. In her internal estimates, she had valued a vial of Phoenix Tears at, at most, between two to three months of the room's special energy. However, Light's surprisingly generous offer of 300 days left her genuinely pleased and glowing. Clearly, she had underestimated Light's benevolence or motives, and this pleasant surprise only heightened her curiosity about him.
Light, however, appeared puzzled. "How did you learn of this special room's existence?"
Downplaying the matter with a mischievous glint in her eyes, Kuroka replied: "My little sister told me, right, nyah?" She glanced at Koneko, who merely nodded in confirmation.
From Koneko's look, Light could tell she was lying, probably having heard it from his inner voice, but he feigned ignorance. After finalizing the transaction, he provided further details about using the room.
"To use the room with more people, everyone must hold the card and activate it together. That's the protocol the system informed me of."
Kuroka, in her typical languid, seductive tone, thanked him: "Thank you, Light-nyah." With that, the negotiation was complete.
Rias, with her penetrating gaze and brilliantly crimson hair, approached Light. "Light-san," she began, her voice seeming casual, "have you heard about some rogue priests and Fallen Angels that disappeared last night?" Although it sounded like mere small talk, there was a clear, probing intent behind her words.
Without faltering, and with a coldness that made the atmosphere feel even chillier, Light replied: "Yes, I'm aware. I was the one who exterminated them." He paused for a moment, allowing the weight of his words to settle. "I can't allow them to live near my family."
Light's response was direct, and there was a hint of truth in it. However, Rias, with her astuteness, felt there was more behind his words than he was letting on.
Rias, maintaining her regal demeanor, replied with a voice that, while calm, carried a cold and authoritative tone: "I'm not here to point fingers. I had been watching those individuals, so I found out about their disappearances so quickly. Had you not intervened, I would have taken matters into my own hands."
She wasn't bluffing. In her heart, Rias had planned an attack against this group. But she had heard Light's inner voice the previous day, of course, she didn't mention this was how she found out about the matter.
Kuroka, with her characteristic enthusiasm, turned to Koneko, her younger sister. "Shirone, come! Let's activate this card together, nyah! I will train you, and we will become even stronger!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with the idea.
Koneko, more reserved by nature, looked hesitantly at the card, weighing her words. "Are you sure, Kuroka-ne-sama? This is truly valuable."
Unconcerned and always confident, Kuroka gave a light tap on her own chest. "So what? I'm your older sister, Shirone. Forget these details and trust me, nyah!"
Eventually, Kuroka's enthusiasm was contagious. The two sisters joined hands, activated the card, and in the blink of an eye, vanished.
Lala, always the most inquisitive, quickly donned a pair of peculiar glasses to analyze the event. However, upon removing them, a glimpse of disappointment was visible on her face, indicating that the mystery of that card remained.
Watching the scene, Light rose from his chair, drawing everyone's attention. "I think I should start preparing lunch," he remarked, in a tone that mixed leadership and affection.
Himari quickly interjected, "But it's still early, young master."
Light, with an understanding look, explained: "Kuroka and Koneko will return with a ravenous appetite after several days feeding on nutrient bars alone. It wouldn't hurt to advance lunch a bit."
Charmed by his consideration and care, Himari approached Light. With a soft voice laden with admiration, she declared, "The young master is so kind~," as she clung to his arm, her bright eyes and innocent flirtation making her appear like a smitten young girlfriend.
A sharp sound of a cough echoed. Rias, with her imposing stance, had interrupted what seemed to be an intimate moment between Light and Himari. The atmosphere, previously laden with sweetness, subtly shifted, as if a sweet essence had been replaced with a bittersweet aroma.
Akeno, with her black hair contrasting the environment, rose, letting out a soft "Ara, ara" from her lips before speaking: "I also think you're kind, Light-san. By the way, I know a bit about cooking, would you like my help in the kitchen?"
Light responded, "Of course, I see no reason not to."
She nodded in gratitude and approached him, her presence radiating unique elegance. Himari, on the other hand, displayed discreet caution. She was well-aware of Light's cooking skills, but that wasn't her concern. It was the aura Akeno exuded, making her feel that her young master was in some sort of "danger," not physical, but perhaps emotional or romantic.
As Akeno passed by, she cast a glance at Himari, her eyes closing into an apparently kind smile. It was almost as if she was reading Himari's insecurity. Yet, the true intent behind that smile remained a mystery.
Contrary to her initial urge to follow and watch, Himari chose to stay behind. Reluctance was evident in her eyes as she watched Light and Akeno head to the kitchen.
The clock barely ticked thirty-three seconds when, in a sudden flash, Kuroka and Koneko reappeared. A charged atmosphere formed around them, particularly Koneko, whose presence now emitted an impressive pressure. A "nyahhh" slipped from her lips, accompanied by the appearance of white feline ears and a tail, adding an almost surreal touch to the scene.
Rias rose from her seat, her posture dignified, and greeted: "Welcome back, Koneko, Kuroka." Her eyes, particularly, were fixed on Koneko, observing the visible transformations suggesting intensive and productive training.
"Already-nyah?" Kuroka expressed her disillusionment in an almost melancholic tone. The contradiction of wanting to spend more time with her younger sister, and at the same time, the weight of training almost incessantly for nearly 200 days, was evident in her voice.
With gratitude, Koneko turned to Kuroka, speaking emotionally: "Kuroka-ne-sama, I will be eternally grateful for what you did for me during these days. I feel rejuvenated, stronger, and confident." Clenching her hand into a fist, determination was almost palpable, signaling a hidden strength.
Switching her attention to Rias, Koneko firmly promised, "Buchou, I will work even harder from now on!"
"I'll be counting on you, Koneko," Rias replied, her smile radiating pride and affection.
However, the atmosphere quickly shifted with Kuroka acting impulsively, enveloping Koneko in an unexpected hug. "Koneko is mine now-nyah!" she declared, causing a brief panic in Rias. Noticing this, Kuroka let out a teasing laugh: "Nyhaha! I'm just joking. As much as I'd like to have her with me, she has declined my offer countless times." Her playful tone gave way to subtle melancholy, resembling the image of a lost and lonely kitten.
Lala, with her characteristic contagious joy, watched the scene before her that resembled a theatrical performance, and couldn't hold back her laughter. "Hahaha, you guys are entertaining~!" she exclaimed, enthusiastic.
Kuroka, for her part, seeming to have momentarily forgotten about her previous hunger, now put a hand over her stomach, with a dramatic flair. "I'm starving! Isn't there something to snack on around here?"
It was Kiba who answered. He had been silent for most of the interaction, like a lurking observer, waiting for a timely moment to engage. "Akeno and Light-san are in the kitchen preparing something. It will take some time, so I ask for your patience."
As he finished speaking, a surprised "Nyahh!" echoed through the room. It was Kuroka, who had been startled upon noticing Megumi right behind her, almost like a silent shadow. "Girl, where did you come from?" she inquired, clearly taken aback. Not noticing the girl's presence was disturbing for someone with her keen senses.
With her typical neutral expression, Megumi dryly said, "I have a discreet presence."
Kuroka, with widened eyes, responded, "Discreet-nyah? Your presence is practically a void!" Kuroka's mind was filled with possibilities and theories – if Megumi chose the path of an assassin, who could detect her?
Megumi's answer was simple and direct, and perhaps the only emotion she showed was related to one person: "Light would notice." Answering the question that was practically written on Kuroka's face.
Kuroka's eyes narrowed, showing her disbelief. "Seriously-nyah?" Megumi's presence was so subtle that Kuroka felt that if she blinked, she might lose sight of her.
As the group indulged in lively conversations, Koneko had already readjusted to the atmosphere. Discreetly, she grabbed a snack that Himari had brought over and settled on the couch, methodically biting into the food.
Sensing the aroma, Kuroka's eyes slid towards the food, and she asked with a hopeful air, "Himari, do you have something for me too?"
Without delay, Himari extended a package with some sweets. "Here, these are for you."
Kuroka then disengaged from the almost imperceptible presence of Megumi. With a grateful gesture, she sat beside Koneko, focusing on the sweet in her hands. The mere taste and the comforting presence of her sister made Megumi fade from her thoughts, even if just for a brief moment.
The reality was that Megumi Kato's low presence only worsened after she reincarnated as a Devil. And indeed, the only one who felt her presence, even now that he became a Devil, was Light.
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