I'd like to start this chapter by thanking you all for being beautiful people, I never imagined that the number of people interested enough to stick around would break into the triple digits.
With that said, while I didn't have anything commemorative in mind, this chapter will contain the first lemon of the series. Possibly limes as well, but I haven't figured out the slang for that one.
I debated quite a bit with myself as to whether I'd include lemons, but I kept coming back to the fact that in his own series, Yuuji has canonically banged the entire student body. Step up your game Issei, Yuuji only had a trilogy and some extras.
This was possibly the best after school activity ever.
A step or two above even hunting Stray Devils, and would likely remain on top until the weekend.
Woman's intuition told her that her first date would easily take the title, and remain unchallenged until Yuuji and her deepened their relationship further.
She suppressed a shudder that had nothing to do with her current activity.
What was the activity she, Himejima Akeno was currently occupied with?
Currently, she was on her knees in the clubroom, in front of the couch where her boyfriend, Kazami Yuuji was sitting.
... Sucking on and swirling her tongue around his finger in her mouth.
Of course, this had a purpose beyond sexy fun with her boyfriend.
Best. Ritual. Ever.
He wasn't entirely certain, but Akeno might be having too much fun with this.
They'd probably need to try it a few more times for him to be sure.
Three times in as many days was far from an adequate basis for any credible thesis.
After the events of the Rating Game, it had been revealed during the medical examination that extended use of the Arsenal caused the 'slight chill' he was used to turn to what was essentially 'premature rigor mortis'.
His hands weren't just stiffening and going numb, the energy of his Sacred Gear was interfering with blood flow to his hands to the point where necrosis was a very real concern.
And now that he'd used it enough to 'break the dam' so to speak, a low amount of power from his Arsenal leaked out into his right hand on a constant basis.
The treatment?
Well, Akeno sucking on his finger had more purpose than sexy fun times.
The thin, mostly see-through white robe that barely covered her legs and only sort of covered her bust, the same robe that was even more see-through because she'd just gotten out of the shower?
Or the heavy lidded, seductive gaze that never left his, the muffled, mildly obscene moans, and the occasional slurp?
That was probably all Akeno.
She'd been alternating with Rias, but she seemed to be getting a little more excited each time she did the ritual, which was getting hard to ignore.
He was a guy after all.
Luckily, the date was soon, so maybe she'd calm down a bit once their relationship had advanced in a more concrete fashion.
He expected she was feeling just a little bit threatened by certain developments.
For reasons he had yet to understand, Rias had become a lot more… forward after the Rating Game.
… No, that was wrong.
Yuuji understood exactly why Rias had become more affectionate as of late.
While the irony of him being the one to fill that role made him choke a little, he'd essentially been the knight in shining armor to her princess, and swooped in to save her when she was in need.
For lack of a better idea, however, he'd have to pretend not to notice for now.
With any luck, once she was less starry-eyed it would fade to simple gratitude.
It wasn't unheard of for a rescued girl to have a bit of a crush on their 'hero'.
In the end, he hadn't really done anything more than his duty as a Pawn.
While he could understand it, the level of gratitude still made him feel uncomfortable, and maybe a little fake.
Kazami Yuuji was no hero.
He'd try not to think about what would happen if it wasn't just a little crush.
While he'd be lying if he said he had no interest whatsoever in Rias, he'd already made his choice and was happy with it.
He was just a little worried as to what might happen to their relationship if they tried to force a choice between the two of them.
Jealousy was a dangerous thing.
That being said, he should probably focus on the task at hand, Akeno was getting a little flushed in the cheeks, and he knew for a fact that all that squirming had nothing to do with the ritual.
The ever pervasive chill seemed a distant memory, meaning his hand was probably fine for now.
"... I think I'm okay for now, Akeno."
In response, Akeno let out a low hum and slowly, sensually drew his finger out of her mouth with a slight pop, and then licked her lips, having never once broken eye contact.
Yeah, she was probably enjoying this.
"Ara ara, that session was shorter than the last. Even if I'm glad you're getting better, it's a shame to think we won't get to do this anymore."
As Akeno spoke, she put her hands on his legs and lifted herself off of her knees until their faces were inches a part.
Fluttering her eyelashes, Akeno continued in a husky whisper.
"But maybe we can replace it with something a little more-"
Whatever she was going to say was lost as Yuuji leaned the rest of the way to give her a quick peck on the lips, before leaning back again as if nothing had happened.
Akeno didn't move at all, frozen in place like a statue, a slowly reddening statue.
Slowly, she removed her hands from his knees and sank back to the floor, one trembling hand going to her lips.
Then she put both hands on her cheeks and began to giggle, closing her eyes and twisting her upper body back and forth.
This, of course, was the moment when Rias opened the clubroom door and stepped into the room.
Yuuji twisted his head to answer the unspoken question.
"Buchou, this…"
He looked back at the oblivious Akeno, who continued to giggle and squirm, and nodded once.
"Is exactly what it looks like."
"Kala."
"Y-yes, Yuuji-sama?"
"I want you to know that I trust you."
"T-thank you."
"I also trust your sense of direction."
"... Thank you?"
"So I'd like you to tell me, did I make a wrong turn? Or are we in fact where we were intending to go?"
"... No, I believe we are in the right place."
"Thought as much. Give me a moment, would you?"
["Rias speaking, can I... oh, hello Yuuji."]
"Buchou."
["Yes, Yuuji?"]
"Where the hell is my house?"
Kazami Yuuji, along with his housemates, was standing outside his usual, single bedroom flat.
Of course, that's what he should be doing.
Instead, he was glaring daggers at the glass front door of a three story white walled dormitory, taking up almost half the block.
Come to think of it, where the hell were his neighbors?
As if reading his mind, Rias' voice emerged once more from the phone by his ear.
["If you're wondering, Yuuji, your next door neighbors found cheaper, more conveniently located accommodations, available immediately. To make up for any possible inconvenience, we even covered the moving expenses so they didn't have to lift a finger."]
"Rias, we've been gone less than eight hours."
["Plenty of time for them to settle in."]
"...You hypnotized the entire block, didn't you?"
["While I admire your faith in me, something of that level is a little too much for me to do on my own."]
"So yes, but you didn't do all the hypnotizing?"
["Are you coming in or not? You'll worry the neighbors."]
"Coming in? Rias... where are you?"
"Welcome home, everyone."
Rias said that while smiling warmly at the group standing outside…
She had just rounded a corner from inside and was holding open the glass door.
Yuuji didn't move, unheeding of the excited noises that a nearby blonde was making.
One eyebrow slowly rose.
Rias blinked cutely at him and cocked her head to one side.
"Buchou."
"Yes, Yuuji?"
"My house has vanished."
"If you want to look at it that way I suppose."
"This is a high school dorm."
"That was the idea, yes. I've always wanted to live in a dorm fufu~."
"How many of us live here?"
"All of us?"
"Why did that sound like a question, Buchou?"
"Because I don't understand what you're asking?"
"Buchou."
"Yes, Yuuji?"
"You know I love you, right?"
"Y-y-you do!?"
"Yes, which is why I'm doing this out of love. Come here for a moment."
"Doing what out of lo- eep!?"
Rias Gremory found herself abruptly forced to look at the world from a different angle, as one Kazami Yuuji flung her over his shoulder like the world's most elegant sack of potatoes.
Ignoring her protests and squirming, he turned to the girls that were staring at him like he'd grown a second head.
"I can see a floor plan on that notice board, might as well go see your new rooms. I'll be five minutes."
The trio by the door were suddenly very interested in the new decor.
"Y-Yuuji!? Where are you taking me!? I'm your King!? P-put me down! Don't just stand there! D-do something! Y-Yuuji!"
They were gone for exactly five minutes.
When they returned, Yuuji had his usual blank expression in place, with just the faintest smug undercurrent if one knew what to look for.
A flustered and bedraggled redhead sprawled listlessly across the couch of their new lounge.
No one had the courage to inquire further.
Let it be known to all, Kazami Yuuji did not in fact like surprises.
All in all, the dormitory was probably a good choice for renovations.
They could even ward off any scandal of having Kalawarner living with several of her students, as she was officially the dormitory supervisor, and thus was expected to stay on the premise as much as possible during after school hours.
Hers was the only room on the first floor, though Yuuji had a feeling that pajamas and the like from both Raynare, and Asia, would mysteriously find their way there.
Each room had its own shower, bathroom and kitchenette, with a shared laundry room residing on the first floor, accompanying the lounge, and a larger communal kitchen and dining room.
In a failed attempt not to draw too much attention, the dormitory had not one, but three basement levels.
The first was home to a movie theater, several training rooms and a large indoor bath.
The second basement level had the main feature of a heated indoor swimming pool.
The third was a library, and mostly storage.
... Yuuji didn't even want to know what mostly meant just yet.
He had a feeling Rias didn't really understand the concept of a dormitory all that well.
Heading back upwards, the third and the second floors were divided into two wings by the central staircase, but due to dividing the floors by gender, Yuuji and Kiba each had a wing to themselves on the third floor.
In theory. Yuuji's belongings had already been tucked away in the cupboards and drawers, with even his long black case (unopened as far as he could tell) situated in its usual place under the bed.
However, he noticed two major differences from his old room (aside from being easily double the size).
One, his bed had vanished in favor of an even larger monstrosity (what existed past king-sized? That was beyond him).
Two, not all the clothing was his.
Kazami Yuuji had never, ever, willingly worn lace of any kind.
Or a bra, for that matter.
It didn't seem like such a leap to imagine that those belonged to the raven haired, stark naked beauty seductively draped across his bed, who he had yet to spare a single glance for.
Assumedly, she'd hoped to either surprise or fluster him, quite possibly both.
Amateur.
Admittedly, he had had slept better than he had last night, so with any luck, he could sneak in a short nap before anything else crazy happened.
The beauty on his bed was pouting a tiny bit, but she suddenly stilled when he stepped on the bed and suddenly loomed over her, dropping down to trap her between his hands and knees and leaning very, very close.
Wide violet eyes stared up at him as the woman beneath him tensed.
Only to let out a little shriek as, without so much as a word spoken, Yuuji grabbed her shoulder with one hand and flipped her onto her side, before flopping down at Akeno's back.
Yuuji pulled the bewildered girl in close, pressing up against her back…
And immediately relaxed with a sigh, arms trapping her as he closed his eyes and tucked his chin on top of her head, molding around her.
Curiously, he noticed that there seemed to be quite a bit of heat radiating off his girlfriend, namely centered around the head area, where her hands seemed to have found position over top of her face.
A muffled squeal from beneath those hands widened the smirk on Yuuji's lips.
He'd be a gentleman and not inquire further.
Yuuji did in fact like some surprises.
She'd been a little worried as of late.
She'd have to be blind not to notice how Rias would often let her gaze linger over one of her servants in particular, and suddenly seemed more fond of a particular couch rather than her desk in the clubroom.
Nevermind the hugs and 'accidental' touches.
Sure, their date was tomorrow, and she couldn't be excited enough.
But her and Rias were often competing neck-in-neck in whatever caught their interest, and she…
Just didn't want to lose here.
Even if they were even in terms of competition, Akeno had always been second to Rias as her Queen.
This time, she so desperately wanted to be first.
So admittedly, she might have been trying a little too hard to make herself seem available, when she decided to be the first to welcome Yuuji to his new room completely naked.
She wasn't even quite sure what she would do if he took her up on the unspoken offer.
Her worries seemed a bit silly, now.
Currently, she was playing little spoon to her precious underclassman, who's rhythmic breathing suggested he'd already fallen asleep.
So now, she knew exactly what she'd be doing if her decided to 'take her up on the offer'.
The odd mixture of embarrassment and guilty pleasure of being held captive by someone fully dressed, while she hadn't a stitch on, was driving her wild.
What if somebody saw them like this?
Oh, how exciting!
Despite her efforts to tease him, Akeno had quickly discovered that while he didn't play to her S side at all, her hidden masochistic tendencies weren't even remotely hidden as far as Yuuji was concerned.
That had opened up a fun little world that she'd never quite imagined.
Deep down, she'd always half-expected to dominate any relationship she might find herself in.
Then again, she hadn't expected Kazami Yuuji, either.
...That aside, she would need to sit down with Rias, and Asia, and Raynare and Kalawarner soon.
They all had feelings for Yuuji to some extent, that much was clear.
But as things stood, they were all tip-toeing around each other in a way that simply couldn't last.
For now, though?
No one had any right to blame her if she was just a little selfish.
Akeno snuggled in closer to Yuuji and let her eyes drift shut.
Yuuji hadn't appeared again since he'd done that to her, so maybe she should go see if he was settling into their new room.
Of course she had a room of her own, but she fully intended to deepen her bonds with her adorable Pawn with a bit of skinship and cuddling.
Gremory family tradition.
She was glad that those two were going on their date tomorrow, because she'd been holding herself back as much as she could until then, and after that she had every intention of sitting down with her best friend to discuss her place in the harem Yuuji was inevitably going to have.
Of course, Rias didn't really understand that by anyone else's standards, she'd been failing miserably at 'holding herself back', but the Gremory's were famous for being affectionate with their servants for a very good reason.
It was starting to bother her though.
... No, it had bothered her from the beginning.
Yuuji had kept her at arm's length, meeting any teasing or signs of affection with indifference at best and thinly-veiled annoyance at worst.
Even though Akeno was the only other one who interacted with him in that way (except for when Asia fell asleep against him, which was too precious to fault), he wasn't nearly so cold with the others.
Why did the gap, for her, seem so much wider?
Was she really just 'Buchou' to him, and nothing more?
Rias wanted her household, her family to be happy, more than anything, but she also couldn't stand the thought of them leaving her behind.
Rias Gremory was well and truly terrified of being alone.
Disgusting.
She couldn't believe how disgusting she was.
How shallow an Angel of Love could be.
She'd Fallen for a reason, though, hadn't she?
It wasn't all that complicated.
She'd seen the footage, she'd seen what Yuuji had done, how far he was willing to go.
Scared.
Raynare was scared of Kazami Yuuji.
... Could she possibly be be any more ungrateful?
She'd killed him, and he'd brushed it off and instead offered to save her.
He had never raised a hand against her outside of sparring, and here she was tip-toeing around him like he was some rabid animal.
She'd like to think she was doing a good job of hiding it, but of course she'd be wrong.
So when later that evening, Yuuji had awoken from his nap and wandered down to the lobby, she'd full-body flinched when he suddenly turned the corner.
"Y-Yuuji! I didn't mean- I can-!"
Pathetic.
Disgusting.
This is who you really are, Raynare.
Don't bother trying to deny it.
"Walk with me, would you?"
"Huh?"
Concern.
Staring down at her were deep, dark eyes glittered faintly with concern.
Raynare thought that she couldn't feel any lower.
She was wrong.
"We're not going far, just to the roof. Just far enough so you can say what you want to say in private."
Say what she wanted to say?
… He'd seen right through her, hadn't he?
Raynare gave a resigned, bitter little laugh and held out her hand, so Yuuji could pull her to her feet.
"Ah, there you are my boy."
A kind, genial voice that overflowed with compassion.
"I see that fake smile of yours is as unpleasant as always."
A youthful, albeit mechanical response.
"Haha now now, no need to be so rude, my child."
"Just remember that the fact Outo-sama finds you amusing is the only reason you're allowed to continue breathing, regardless of how many crows you roost with."
"Haha, noted, noted. I only called you because I thought I found something that might interest you about those Gremory's."
"The Gremory's? They're amateurs led by a princess. Even if they somehow managed to beat the fried chicken, that's probably all their luck for-"
The younger voice cut off abruptly as a photograph fell onto the table.
"Say my boy, doesn't this one look just like you? You could be twins."
"!"
Smug at finally rendering the young upstart speechless, he was just about press the advantage when-
"Hehe..."
Something ghastly shattered the silence.
"Ahahahahahaha!"
"...Found you, Nii-san~!"
That grin was just a bit too wide for the old man to want test his luck any further.
Up on the rooftop of their new dorm.
A young man leaned against the rails and stared out across the city, as the black haired young woman some distance away stood with her head bowed.
They'd been silent for several minutes.
Eventually, she couldn't take it anymore, and Raynare lifted her head to say something, anything, to reassure him that-
"You're not wrong, you know."
"Y-Yuuji?"
"You should be afraid of me. I'm different from the rest of you, who were forced into violence because of circumstance. I've always been this way. So you should be afraid of me, Raynare. Fear is the natural, healthy reaction. You have no reason to feel guilty for reacting normally."
It sounded prepared. How long had he known?
"I- that's… I understand, Yuuji."
How could she not?
Everything he had said made perfect sense. Suddenly, her knees felt weak, and she staggered against the door.
Yuuji didn't seem to notice.
"That's good."
Everything clicked into place from that dull, seemingly carefree response.
"You're scared too, aren't you?"
That broad back stiffened.
"I get it… you're pushing me away because you're afraid of how I'll look at you… saying 'it's normal' is just your way of preparing for whoever you think is next."
Raynare's voice was hushed, breathless, as if in the grasp of some sudden revelation.
As if she wasn't even talking to him anymore.
"..."
"Yeah, I am scared of you, okay Yuuji? But… but it doesn't change a damn thing."
"You didn't give up on me, after all I did… and you really think I'm going to give up on you? Hehe... hehehe..."
Yuuji slowly turned, pure confusion written across his face at the strangled, trembling laughter.
"Raynare?"
Anything more he was going to say was cut off as Raynare stamped her foot, threw back her head and let out a frustrated scream.
"Shut up Yuuji! Now I'm pissed off!"
A wide-eyed Yuuji put up his hands defensively as she stomped right up to him and pointed her finger at him like a sword, even more bewildered at her behavior than before.
"You think you can mutilate some creep and I'll just back off!?"
"Well you're wrong Yuuji!"
"I'm not giving up on you, I'm not going anywhere, stop pretending you're fine with things you idiot! Get angry!"
"Angry!? I'll show you angry you stupid woman! What the hell happened to scared!? What the hell are you yelling for!? Why the hell are you angry in the first place!?"
"I'm angry because you're not angry! I'm angry because you scared me you big idiot!"
"You said that already you idiot!"
"I thought you were going to die!"
The corners of her eyes glistened.
"I promised we'd be together, you idiot!"
"Good, I was worried you forgot."
Raynare sniffed and rubbed a hand across her eyes, dropping her voice to a normal level of volume with a satisfied nod.
Yuuji blinked.
Once, twice.
Before he could say anything else-
"I'm sorry, Yuuji-kun. I know it's not fair, but I'm really not that brave. I'll get over it, just give me some time, okay?"
He just stared at her while she turned on her heel and headed to the door.
Pausing with the door handle in hand, she tilted her head back to him and winked.
"Hmm... Akeno better watch out, Yuuji-kun~."
Raynare disappeared without another word.
Yuuji stood there for a while, staring at the door in stunned silence.
"... Not brave huh?"
A short, dry chuckle.
"... You've always been a terrible liar, Raynare."
Himejima Akeno was not excited.
Such pitiful things as words could not describe her emotional state.
She was going on a date.
She was going on a date with Kazami Yuuji.
This was, unquestionably the greatest day ever to have existed.
Some people might disagree, but what did she care about the opinions of people who were clearly wrong?
She didn't.
Oh!
She should finish getting ready.
Gushing and giggling at the mirror was fun and all, but it wasn't exactly productive.
This was going to be- terrifying!
What if he didn't like her outfit!?
What if he didn't like her hair!?
What if she couldn't think of anything to say!?
What if she was too forward!?
What if she wasn't forward enough!?
What if-
"Akeno, I'm coming in."
"R-Rias!?"
The door swung open, and there stood her best friend and master.
Their eyes met, and Rias gave her the look.
"Of course you're panicking last minute."
Akeno flushed.
"I- you… you do the same thing!"
Rias nodded sagely, not even bothering to deny her words.
As she spoke, she entered the bathroom, stepping behind Akeno and putting both hands on her shoulders, turning her about and scrutinizing her from her from every angle. Ignoring the flustered expression on her Queen's face.
"Which is precisely why I'm here. I seem to recall that a certain someone is always there to put my worries to rest, and give me that little nudge when no one else is watching, so I thought I might give it a try myself."
Akeno bit off what she was about to say and relaxed, just a little.
Rias fussed with her hair, fussed with her dress, looked at her from different angles, all with her lips pursed.
Akeno stood there with bated breath, before a sudden thought made her giggle.
"Hehe, Rias can never resist the chance to mother someone, can she?"
It was Rias' turn for her cheeks to flush with color, puffing out her cheeks.
"I'm only a few months older! You're even going to tease me now!?"
Akeno tittered with a bright smile on her face.
"Sorry, sorry… what I meant was thank you, Rias."
Fond smiles matched each other in the mirrored reflection.
"Any time, Akeno, you know I want this to work for you. And I'm sure it will be- gah! I can't take it anymore! How are you this adorable!? I don't want Yuuji to have you, I want to keep you and dress you up like a cute little doll!"
"K-k-keep me!? Rias!?"
"No, you can't Rias, you've been working yourself up to letting someone else have your Akeno for days."
Rias wasn't even talking to her at this point, frowning off to one side and crossing one arm beneath her breasts as the other made a fist, to press pensively against her chin.
Akeno was blushing furiously at this point and her heart was fluttering madly.
Was Rias really that possessive?
This was exci- dangerous... definitely dangerous.
No, she really had meant exciting.
... The reflection in the mirror was smirking at her.
"RIAS!"
"Fufu it's rare that I get to one-up you like that, I knew today would be a good one."
She pushed Akeno gently towards the door…
And slapped her on the butt.
Akeno shrieked.
"Ah… I'll cherish this memory forever… knock 'em dead, girl."
Rias closed the door with a wink.
Living in the same house sure made pick-up convenient.
She should be here any second now-
Akeno stepped down the stairs and came into view.
Yuuji fought down the sudden urge to rub his eyes.
Akeno was beautiful.
No, not just that.
Yuuji had never realized Akeno could be this cute.
A light purple, one-piece dress with a string bow at the neckline, and white frills at the hem.
Bare legs leading to brown leather ankle boots.
... He'd never seen her with her hair down before today.
Even when she laid in wait, completely naked on his bed she'd kept the pony-tail.
Akeno had always seemed elegant and mature for her age, but now?
She seemed almost younger, fresh-faced and innocent like a maiden in love.
A maiden shyly blushing and peeking up at him under the bangs that covered her eyes, with her head lowered to one side.
"Does… does it look weird? It's embarrassing when you stare at me like that without saying anything."
What was this cute creature?
How...
Ah, that made sense.
She'd left the mask behind.
Akeno's face went from lightly flushed to burning red in a heartbeat as the man who had watched her in wide-eyed silence let his expression melt into a warm, tender smile.
"How lucky can any one guy be?... You're beautiful, Akeno."
His words seemed to only embarrass her further, but her smile was just the tiniest bit blinding.
It brightened further still when he went to offer his arm, thought better of it, and reached forward to take her hand.
"Can… can I call you Yuuji? Just for today?"
"Sure, Akeno, whenever you like."
Her fluttering heart couldn't keep up when he acted all warm and caring like this.
Funny, because Yuuji was thinking much the same.
Today, Yuuji learned that Kiba had been right all along.
Akeno did in fact, act like a normal teenage girl.
He'd keep Kiba in mind if he ever needed relationship advice, since he wasn't sure he believed in Kiba's inexperience anymore than the girls at school.
Kiba had always been the modest type.
Hand in hand, they'd wandered into a brand name clothing store where Akeno had tried on various outfits, asking 'Hey Yuuji, do I look good in this?', or if this particular piece suited her better, with equal parts excitement and nervousness.
… Before a mysterious switch flipped, and Yuuji found himself being used as the model for various outfits.
He had the vague feeling that something like this had happened before.
If anything she seemed to enjoy that more, so any complaints he might have made were quietly locked away, never to see the light of day.
Like any young couple, they inevitably found themselves at a crepe stand, where Akeno looked at him, raised one eyebrow critically, and ordered on his behalf without another word.
This time, it was the playful way she stuck out her tongue at him which led him to go along with it without any complaints.
That, and the crepe was pretty good.
Seems that sort of food was at its best shared with a pretty girl.
The color on his girlfriend's cheek suggested that that particular thought had been out loud.
After having some time to slog through the mess that was interpreting his own emotions, Yuuji could comfortably say that he really, truly liked the elegant, graceful Onee-san who loved to tease and spoil those she cared for.
... He might just be learning to love the playfully shy, bright-eyed maiden that hid herself beneath.
Which is precisely why there were some things he just couldn't let go.
"Restroom. Mind giving me a moment?"
Akeno blinked out of the soft gaze she'd been watching him with and smiled, one delicate hand resting on her chin.
"Sure, Yuuji."
They were currently having lunch at a small cafe, enjoying the sunshine that accompanied the outdoor seating.
Yuuji had been a Devil for long enough that he'd acclimatized to sunlight well enough to ignore it with little trouble.
Yuuji rose from his seat and entered the indoor section of the cafe.
… And slipped out the other door when no one was watching.
Moving quickly, he wound behind the building, slipping around the back of another and into the alley.
The man that regarded his girlfriend with murderous, incensed eyes never saw him coming.
But Yuuji was hard to miss after he dragged the man back with a hand over his mouth, and slammed him into the wall with something cold and sharp tickling his chin like a feather.
"I don't recall inviting a third wheel. Talk."
Yuuji slipped his hand to rest against the man's throat.
The man glared pure venom at him, seemingly unaware of the precarious nature of his circumstances.
"Disgusting. Why is that creature allowed to pretend it's a normal girl!?"
"Creature?"
The steel in his voice was doing a fine job of imitating the steel in his hands.
The man blinked at him, before his eyes widened in realization and his lips twisted into a contemptuous smile.
"You don't know, do you? That filthy creature is-"
Several things happened at once.
His next words were forced back down his throat by a hand that slammed over it, stars exploded in his vision as said hand bounced the back of his head off the alley wall…
And the air in his lungs froze as something massive and predatory directed its full, undivided attention towards him.
"That's not your secret to tell, is it?"
The knife was forcing him onto his tiptoes.
Somewhere along the way, he had made a fatal, irreparable blunder.
... The girl wasn't the only monster he'd been tailing.
"One question, one chance to walk away."
The monster drew its face in close.
The man shivered as the dry voice whispered out like a cold breeze.
"Are you acting on your own?"
He would never dream of betraying the family.
But it seems his body had few scruples about betraying him, as he found himself nodding past the smothering claw.
The monster relaxed its grip ever so slightly as the suffocating pressure eased around him, and it's expression lightened with palpable relief.
"That's a relief. Guess there's no need to get worked up then."
A wave of pure, predatory malice crushed the breath from his lungs and the hope from his heart in an instant.
"You won't be missed."
"Sorry, Akeno. It's busier around here than I imagined."
"Mm, no it's fine Yuuji. Do you… do you want to go someplace quieter?"
"Yeah, that sounds good right about now."
Yuuji took her hand and led her away, ignoring the sudden shyness that had accompanied her question.
Not really thinking of where he was going, Yuuji led them along a familiar pathway, before they found themselves in a familiar park…
Beside a familiar fountain.
With several odd gouges in the cobblestone, and a small, odd shaped hole in one of the benches.
It wasn't until Akeno let out a stricken exhale that he realized where he'd taken them.
Akeno had her free hand over her mouth as she stared at the damage.
Shit.
"Akeno…"
"This is where it happened, wasn't it?"
"... Yeah. We should leave."
"No... I… I want to see this."
"No, you don't. No good will come of it."
"How can this mean so little to you?"
They shouldn't be here.
Now really wasn't the time.
She was already starting to brood, already starting to…
Asako had taught him how to deal with this.
A one-shot, surefire method for distracting a girl from any sort of gloom or brooding.
Akeno let out a cute little shriek as Yuuji wrapped his arm around her waist and swept her around, leaning her back as he did so that she was propped up by his arm and he leaned over her.
Yuuji gazed deeply into the eyes of the wide-eyed girl in his arms.
"Who was it that was hoping to be 'devoured by a wild beast who finally caught an innocent maiden all on her own'?"
Akeno's answer was to flush bright red and make incoherent noises that just might have been words.
"Sorry Akeno, couldn't quite catch that. Mind speaking up for me?"
Smirking, Yuuji leaned further down, until their noses were almost touching.
"... M-me..."
"That so?"
A mute nod.
He'd teased her enough, perhaps, so Yuuji closed the distance and locked his lips with hers.
Akeno moaned into his mouth and snaked her arms around her neck, pulling him closer.
He straightened his back, pulling them both upright, and Akeno locked her legs around his waist as she deepened the kiss.
They continued like that for a few minutes, and when Akeno's breath started to grow ragged, Yuuji broke off the kiss, pulling his head back a little and looking at her blankly.
"We're straying into exhibitionist territory."
"Oh, what does Yuuji plan to do with little old me?"
Akeno winked at him, the teasing Onee-san personality shining through just a little.
"A lot of things. But, I won't go any farther than you want."
The serious tone gave her pause.
"Then… then I want all the things you want, Yuuji."
"Are you sure?"
"Are… are you going to make me say it?"
"Yeah, I think I am. It might seem cruel, but this isn't the time to be ambiguous."
Akeno closed her eyes and took a deep breath, looking off to one side and squirming about in his grasp a little before mumbling to him.
"Y-Yuuji, make love to me."
"You've been awful quiet today, Akeno. Are you sure you're alright?"
Akeno puffed out her cheeks and glared at him.
"Mou- Yuuji, I want you to have sex with me!"
Yuuji smiled softly at her.
"I think everyone heard you that time."
Akeno turned bright red and let out a squeak, frantically turning her head about this way and that, utterly embarrassed to see…
No one at all.
The black haired beauty let out a gasp and whipped her head around to glare daggers at-
Yuuji kissed her again, forcing her to lean further and further back as he forced his tongue into her mouth.
Embarrassment forgotten, Akeno gripped the back of his head and slipped her tongue past his, wrestling and twining around his own.
Suddenly, Yuuji retracted his tongue and caught hers with his lips, sucking on it and pulling his head back ever so slightly.
Akeno was glad that she didn't have to rely on her own legs for support anymore.
Yuuji gently took Akeno's hand in his own.
"You alright? You're trembling."
"I'm fine."
Didn't sound fine. Now, first-time jitters or something else?
Time to find out.
"I see… here I go then."
With one hand pushing her hair out of the way, Yuuji leaned in and pressed his mouth to her nape, slowly dragging his tongue up her neck before gently biting her ear and flicking his tongue across it.
Akeno shivered as an electric current raced through her body, moaning in arousal from the second he'd started to trace her neck.
Just jitters then.
Yuuji raised one hand and began to massage her left breast through her dress.
Akeno's breath hitched as he leisurely drew feather-light circles around her nipple without ever quite touching it.
"... Ah… Yuuji…"
"Is the other one lonely?"
A silent, eager nod.
Yuuji met her eyes, and without breaking eye contact…
Bit down softly on her right breast, eliciting a strangled gasp. He let his tongue flick over the covered nipple briefly as he let his hand finally whisper across the the other nipple.
Akeno jerked a little, her breath already uneven. Yuuji tilted his head up towards her, eyebrow raised, and the woman flushed and looked away.
Yuuji straightened up, switching to playing with her right breast as he leaned in and whispered in her ear.
"Now, maybe I should give some attention down there as well?"
Before she could answer, Yuuji slipped his free hand under the hem of her dress, slid two finger down the outside of her panties, and finally when they began to curve around, pressed up just a little.
Akeno responded with a sharp gasp.
"Oh… Yuuji…."
Yuuji began to gently rub back and forth, Akeno letting out a series of breathy moans with a voice more and more ragged, rocking against his fingers.
"Already this wet, hmm…?"
With her head tilted back towards the ceiling, Akeno didn't catch the wicked smirk that flashed across Yuuji's face. Two fingers slid slowly upwards, pressing down and separating slightly…
"Both at once is too-"
Before coming back together and squeezing the little nub caught between them.
Akeno let out a little shriek and slumped against his chest, gripping on to his shirt. All that from a few minutes of light fingering?
... Maybe he was overdoing it.
"Sorry, maybe I'm playing a bit too hard for our first time."
"N-no… my legs are shaking like crazy and my head is getting all fuzzy..."
"Do you want me to stop?"
"Don't you dare."
The grip on his shirt tightened.
"Noted. Guess I'll keep at it. Why don't we lie you down?"
"Please do eek-!"
Akeno yelped as Yuuji pushed her onto the bed and leaned over her, pressing his lips strongly against hers and hiking up her dress with one hand.
Akeno opened her mouth to speak, but whatever she wanted to say was cut off by the tongue that invaded her mouth.
Eventually her dress was up far enough, so he broke the kiss and pulled the dress over her head, Akeno lifting her arms up as he did so.
Sliding it free, Yuuji tossed it to the side and straightened, admiring the little bits of black lace that remained.
When he made no indication of moving, Akeno stared shyly up at him.
"Y-Yuuji?"
"Just admiring the view. You've got one hell of a body, Akeno."
Akeno shivered a bit and gave a pleased smile.
... She'd been complimented on her beauty so many times that she couldn't begin to keep count.
But coming from someone looking at her with equal parts love and desire sent a thrill coursing through her.
So she replied with some dangerous words, fully aware of what she was doing.
"Mmm, that's nice to hear but… What are you going to do about it?"
Yuuji blinked, and something predatory slipped its way into his lazy half-smirk.
Her shiver this time was equal parts lust and nervousness.
"Well, I was thinking something like this."
With agonizing slowness, Yuuji hooked his fingers inside her panties and dragged them off of her, two fingers drifting behind, lightly digging in the nails and leaving faint red trails as they passed.
In complete contrast to the maddening, sluggish pace of his right hand, the left hand reached between her breasts, grasped their lacy prison and tore it away in a violent motion, flinging it into the wall.
Driven feverish by the sudden chill and the dissonant tempo, Akeno let out a plaintive mewling noise and tried to sit up, almost unconsciously reaching for Yuuji.
Without breaking his gaze or shifting expression, Yuuji pinned her to the bed with slight pressure on one of her breasts.
Jerked out of her daze, Akeno opened her mouth to-
Several things happened at once.
Yuuji's left hand, still around her breast began to roughly caress and knead her breast.
His other hand slid down, two fingers brushing their way past her quivering clit to slip their way into her dripping entrance.
At the same time, his previously unoccupied mouth bit down hard on her neck.
Akeno wailed in ecstasy and arched up against him, wetness flooding past his buried fingers to soak his hand as her world went white.
Panting heavily, she stared with half-lidded eyes up at Yuuji, motionless for several breathless moments before her eyes snapped open wide and her hands slapped over her face, smothering a high-pitched squeal.
...Yuuji had absolutely no idea what to do with that.
"...Akeno? What's wrong...?"
The hands covering his lovers face slid down just enough to let her eyes peek out.
Her mouth was still covered, though, so Yuuji couldn't make out her words.
"Akeno?"
"I- I can't believe I came before you even stuck it in me! You're not even naked yet! What kind of useless virgin gets off on just that!?"
"Akeno, you're not looking in the right place."
Akeno propped herself up on her elbows and followed his gaze.
"What do you- oh... ohhh."
The front of Yuuji's pants had grown incredibly tight as his length strained against it.
She slowly met his eyes and the barely restrained wildness in those black orbs.
He was that excited… over her?
... Now, it was her turn for her perfect lips to twist into a dark little grin.
One word, and he'd pin her down and ravage her right then and there like a wild animal.
… But, it just wasn't fair to let him do all the work, now was it?
A sadistic little giggle slipped free of her pursed lips.
With exaggerated slowness she flipped herself on hands and knees and crawled slowly towards him, licking her lips.
Craning her head up to meet his gaze, she slowly, tortuously dragged one finger up the bulge in his pants.
Yuuji's response was a shiver and a feral growl as his entire body tensed.
"Ohhh, you've been holding on so well, haven't you? Let Onee-san take care of you, hmm?"
Akeno crooned and smiled seductively at him through her heavy lashes.
"Akeno…"
His response with grit teeth made things very clear; if she didn't hurry, things were going to get very, very rough.
Tempting, but one thing at a time... and there would certainly be plenty of time.
Akeno placed a single finger on his lips, as the other hand drew his zipper down and pulled down his underwear to let his dick spring free.
Without breaking her gaze from Yuuji, or lowering the finger from his lips, Akeno straddled him closely, pressing her naked, heaving breasts up against his clothed chest.
Raising herself slowly up Yuuji's body, she shivered in delight as her hard nipples dragged across his shirt, while her still dripping vagina traced the length of his twitching member, coating it in her fluids.
Continuing her ascent until her legs were part way off the bed, Akeno took his length in hand, flicked her tongue across his neck as if tasting him, and dropped down to impale herself up to the hilt.
A sharp exhale as a spike of pain tore something deep inside her, followed by an indescribable warmth that set her core alight as her enraptured moan filled the air.
Yuuji's arms wrapped around her to keep her upright as she slumped forward just a little.
"You alright?"
"Yuuji- Yuuji is inside me… Yuuji took my first time…"
The heat within her seemed to burn the words away, Yuuji filling her so completely she thought she might come undone from the joy of it all.
So, she made do with grasping her lover on the cheeks with both hands and ramming her lips into his, with all the love and lust she could muster.
This time Yuuji acquiesced, letting her be the one to slip her tongue into his mouth and explore around, allowing Akeno to take control.
Not that he'd let her have her way for long.
Akeno still had his dick sheathed inside her, and if she didn't start moving soon…
As if picking up on his frustration, Akeno shifted her grip to atop his shoulders, lifted herself slightly, and then dropped back down, moving stiffly at first but quickly finding a rhythm as she straddled him, their tongues still dancing around each other.
Yuuji dropped his hands to her rear and gave her butt a firm squeeze, taking pleasure in how her moan made her mouth vibrate against his.
Hands began to wander as they explored each others bodies freely, Yuuji's shirt at one point being torn away as violently as Akeno's bra.
Soon, Akeno could feel her entire body twitching and squeezing around Yuuji's buried length.
"I'm close… Yuuji."
"Me too actually."
"You don't sound-"
Yuuji's kiss this time had a distinct fierceness to it, one hand grabbing the back of her head to trap her in place.
Then, for the first time he moved his hips, thrusting upwards into Akeno.
Locked together, Akeno's shriek and Yuuji's growl intermingled in violent chorus, her walls tightened convulsively around him as she reached her peak once again.
The flood of heat that painted her insides made Akeno scream into Yuuji in pure bliss, the sudden tightness having driven Yuuji over the edge as well.
Akeno slowly broke the kiss, her still extended tongue linking a trail of saliva between them.
Trembling hands reached up to her burning cheeks as Akeno gave a giddy smile, a note of wonder in her voice.
"Yuuji's marked me… I'm yours now, aren't I?"
"We didn't-"
A finger to his lips.
That was becoming habit.
"It's a safe day, and birth rates for Devils are awful as it is. We'll be fine."
"Alright then, it goes without saying that I'm yours no matter what."
"... Thank you, Yuuji. I can't tell you how much that means to me..."
Violet orbs glittering with want, Akeno slowly ran her tongue across her lips, before playfully placing a finger against it as if deep in thought.
Almost absent-mindedly, she began to slowly roll her hips back and forth, a small smile on her lips.
"Ara, Yuuji-kun is still rock hard inside of me…. whatever shall I do?"
Yuuji's response was to wrap his arms around her waist and lower them both down until Akeno's back was on the bed, still inside her.
He then reached up with one hand and pinned her wrists above her head.
The predator had returned behind his smile.
Akeno's legs tightened around him almost unconsciously, the girl shivering with arousal as she gazed adoringly up at him and licked her lips once more.
"I wonder."
Life was filled with many wonderful and exciting ways to wake up in the morning.
All of those immediately surrendered first place (and second too, who was she kidding) to the first words he said to her that morning.
"We have time before school."
... And the rosy-cheeked scolding that Rias gave them when they were late anyways?
Icing on an already perfect cake.
Not even an entire day of being unable to sit properly could ruin that.
For the next several days, Yuuji and Akeno ended every night in each others arms, and sleep was a minor factor in the equation.
While Yuuji was used to functioning on little sleep, he was actually beginning to worry about Akeno.
His worries seemed to be for nothing, because every day Akeno woke up positively glowing.
Not only that, but her performance across the board seemed to actually be improving, even while she was acting less shy than normal around him at school.
Sona taking them to task (read; attempting) over the matter was destined to be a treasured memory for Yuuji.
Of course, it wasn't all sex and sunshine.
The fact that they were currently the only romantically and sexually involved people in the building was beginning to wear on the other girls in the dorm.
The sole other male occupant seemed to only be in a better mood from the development, and his smile seemed to widen every time he saw Akeno's.
Kiba was selfless like that.
Kiba aside though, Yuuji was getting really tired of how the women seemed to struggle to meet his gaze.
Normally innocuous habits like Raynare's greeting hugs or Asia leaning against him, while they read on the couch all seemed to carry a guilty, nervous edge.
"This can't go on."
"No, no it can't."
"This is going to probably be our most awkward group meeting to date."
"Nope."
"Nope?"
"Nope, as in you're not getting involved, Yuuji-kun. This is girl talk."
Yuuji seemed ready to argue, but Akeno put a finger on his lips and pouted at him a little.
"Don't you trust little old me?"
"Not when you're smiling like that I don't."
"Fufu, Yuuji-kun is so cruel."
"That loses all impact when you rub your legs together like that. Scurry on before we forget what we were talking about."
Akeno gave him a quick peck on the lips and skipped off, giggling like a naughty child as Yuuji growled playfully(?) at her.
"We all need to talk."
"W-we do?"
Rias wasn't the only one that gave a guilty little flinch as Akeno strode into the common room and put her hands on her hips.
Kiba was the first one to respond, in the form of gracefully rising from his chair and passing Akeno to leave the girls to it, patting her reassuringly on the shoulder as he did so.
Not that Akeno let him go that easily, not when she was smiling like that.
"Ara, Yuuto-kun doesn't want to join in?"
Unfazed, Kiba gave an easy chuckle and continued on his way.
"Your thoughtfulness is noticed and appreciated, but I'll freely admit that I am perfectly content with mine and Yuuji-kun's relationship never progressing in that manner."
Akeno giggled as he rounded the corner, and then poked his head back with the playful grin so few ever got to see.
"Have fun building Yuuji-kun's harem."
Kiba whispered, just loud enough for her and no one else.
The giggles intensified as he disappeared, and Akeno waited until his footsteps receded up the staircase to be polite.
Hands still on her hips, Akeno's firm gaze swept over the nervous, and now embarrassed women left in the room.
Nervous with the exception of Koneko, whose eyes were promptly rolled upon meeting Akeno's.
"So."
Everyone tensed.
Akeno rolled her eyes, but kept her stern expression.
"I've thought long and hard about how to go about this, but I've decided to do this the simple way."
The stern expression vanished in favor of a teasing, sultry grin as violet eyes lit up.
"Tell me, how many of you want to bang Yuuji?"
Yuuji felt the unmistakable sensation of a blade at his throat.
Open jaws around an exposed artery.
Icy claws sliding their way-
What kind of 'girl talk' was happening right now!?
The last time he'd felt such a pervading sense of doom was the time a job had gone so wrong, only a miracle had been able to save him.
... Asako wasn't around to be his miracle this time, was she?
Akeno took a minute to bask in the warm, cozy glow and soothing melody of furiously blushing faces and embarrassed stammering that accompanied her first of many questions.
The only one not swept up in the storm, Koneko's raised eyebrow and blank expression spoke louder than the Rook ever could.
'You know exactly what you did.'
Whereas Akeno's oh so innocent smirk and slight tilt of the head fired back with;
'Who, little old me?'
Rather than dignify that with a response, Koneko's facial expression maintained its silence, graciously allowing Akeno to maintain control of the conversation.
"Listen, while I would be more than happy to keep Yuuji-kun to myself, let's face it. I'm not the only one head over heels for him, and I'm not the only girl he'd make wildly happy. So if you can promise you'll love him like I do, then I don't mind sharing."
"... Why am I here, Akeno?"
Blood turned to ice when the voice of her best friend carried nothing more than the sound of pure defeat.
"R-Rias? What do you-?"
Rias shot to her feet, sweeping one arm as if brushing away her Queen's words.
"He's made it obvious he's not interested! I've practically draped myself over him and he looks at me like I'm a nuisance! I…. Yuuji just doesn't want me like he wants you, Akeno. I know we always compete, but… this is your win, Akeno. I can't take it anymore."
By the end her voice was little more than a deadened whisper as she slumped in place.
"Rias, that's not true. Rias wait!"
Rias wobbled on her feet and made to bolt from the room.
She made it precisely one step before a tiny vice clamped over her wrist.
Wide-eyed and trembling, she shakily turned her head back to meet a look of endless frustration and pure, unfiltered annoyance.
"K-Koneko…?"
"Sit down and shut up, Rias-nee-san."
Shocked into silence, Rias tried several times to regain her voice, but in the end the words refused to come forth, and she plopped down in her seat without a sound, warily eyeing her enraged Rook, who seemed to loom over her despite still being shorter than her seated form.
Fear turned to a hot flash of shame as Koneko gave a put upon sigh, one hand clutching her nose as if nursing a migraine.
No one said anything for a moment, still more than a little taken aback, before Akeno tentatively took a half-step forward.
"Koneko-chan?"
It was her turn to be skewered in place by a set of chastising golden eyes.
"You're guilty too, Akeno-nee-san."
Koneko dropped her hands to her hips, her expression blank once more.
"You haven't bothered asking if Yuuji-senpai wants a harem, have you?"
"N-no… I wanted to talk to the others first…"
"Does Yuuji-senpai know he can have one?"
As the tense silence took on a rather ashamed, bashful edge, Koneko let out another long sigh, feeling a headache coming on.
"He's been a Devil for how long? How is he supposed to know Devils have multiple partners?"
"I… I can't believe I missed that."
Akeno slumped against the wall, looking more than a little shell-shocked.
Koneko turned and put her hand on Rias' shoulder and her expression softened into a tiny smile.
The look Rias gave her was equal parts anguish and hope.
"Rias-nee-san, he's not uninterested, Yuuji-senpai's faithful."
Hope outweighed despair.
"How do you…?"
Stone-faced once more, Koneko tapped herself on the side of the nose, before flopping back down in her seat with her arms crossed as she looked at Akeno.
'Deal with it.' Her narrowed eyes seemed to say.
"There you have it Rias. Now that that's out of the way, are you going to make a move or am I going to have to parade Yuuji around in front of you until you're too pent-up to hesitate?"
"I… that won't be necessary Akeno. If I'm free to pursue Yuuji then pursue him I shall."
Rias' voice was prim and elegant, as if issuing a decree from on high.
"Yes, Buchou."
So Akeno responded as a proper Queen, even offering a slight bow.
And just like a proper Queen, she didn't even comment on her King's crimson cheeks, instead turning to the little blonde who was at her King's right with a gentle, welcoming smile.
"And you, Asia-chan?"
The girl in question froze at being addressed, before she relaxed, closed her eyes and clasped her hands in front of her with an almost reverent smile on her face, as if deep in prayer.
...That warm sensation Akeno felt was probably her heart melting.
Potentially fatal, but definitely worth it.
She found herself waging a silent struggle to skip the bothersome serious talk and progress straight to the cheek-squeezing and the hug-smothering.
"Yuuji-san is very kind. He might try to hide it, but on the inside he's warm and caring, and I love that about him. It made me so happy when he said he wanted to stay together forever, and more than anything I'd like that to be as man and woman and maybe-"
Asia seemed to run out of words, because her pale skin flushed to match Rias' hair, and she was twisting back and forth with both hands on her cheeks, face scrunched up with such giddy delight it looked almost painful.
"As if there was any doubt there."
Happily, Akeno turned to the red-faced, blue-haired Fallen Angel beside her, who while pointedly turned away, seemed to notice the implied prompting and answered in her quiet, formal tone.
"I… I will admit that if Yuuji-sama wished to take things further I would have neither the right nor desire to refuse… but I am also his teacher and such feelings are hardly appropriate."
"Kalawarner-san."
Akeno spoke flatly, expression stern.
"Stop beating around the bush. Do you have feelings for Yuuji-kun or not?"
Blinking in surprise, Kalawarner turned to face her with a gaze heavy with conviction.
"I… y-yes. Without a doubt. Yuuji-sama offered his hand to us when no one else would and asks for nothing in return, even if we started as enemies. But that is neither here nor there-"
"You forget, my family owns the school? Keep it out of school hours and everything will work out. I swear it."
Rias spoke, meeting her gaze firmly but still smiling encouragingly as Kalawarner turned back to her.
"I- that is…"
Akeno chimed in for one final push.
"You're thinking like a human Kalawarner-san. Japanese society might frown on teacher-student relationships, but to a Devil it just sounds naughty in the sexy way~."
Akeno punctuated her remark with a saucy wink.
Kalawarner turned bright red at that, but eventually let out a long sigh and smiled.
"Alright then, if Yuuji returns my feelings then I will offer as much of myself as he wishes."
"Good answer. And lastly…"
The dark cloud in the room.
"I can't."
That shaking, almost inaudible whisper came from the black-haired Fallen Angel who had seemed to wilt inwards while attention was elsewhere, shoulders shaking as her hands pressed tightly into her knees, her hair shielding her eyes from view.
The room was silent.
Raynare lifted her head, her tear stricken, agonized face bare to all.
"Do I have feelings for him!? Of course I do! He saved me, he forgave me and he took me in… how could I not!? But that doesn't change anything! He's done so much for me and all I've done is take him on a date just to stab him in the heart! How can I ask for anything more when I've done nothing but hurt him!?"
Without saying a word, Kalawarner offered a tender, motherly smile and reached a hand out to Raynare, gently turning her cheek until they were eye to eye.
Understandably, Raynare wasn't the only one shocked when Kalawarner's next move was to slap her across the face without the slightest change of expression.
Trembling, Raynare slowly raised a hand to her cheek in total disbelief.
Kalawarner had never, ever lifted a hand against her.
The Devil's in the room held their breath as they realized they were witness to something very, very private, as Kalawarner's visage turned into an unyielding, pitiless mask.
"We swore we would leave it all to him, didn't we?"
A mute nod.
"Your guilt, your punishment don't belong to you anymore. Unless you wish to turn your back on him?"
"N-no! I would never-"
Kalawarner cut her off with a finger pressed over her lips.
"Then maybe you should consider how he feels? That boy tries to hide it, but he can't stand contact from people he doesn't trust. And yet, you've hugged him every time you've seen him for weeks. Perhaps the gap isn't as wide as you believe?"
"I- but that's… do you really think so, Kala?"
The quavering voice of the younger Fallen carried a clear ring of hope.
Kalawarner wrapped her arms around her neck and drew her in, Raynare's head pressed to her chest, that motherly expression from before returned as if it had never left.
Resting her chin on the smaller girl's head, Kalawarner began to rub comforting circles on her back as the shaking intensified, and whimpers grew to muffled wails.
"Shhh… it's alright, dear one. Perhaps if you still carry regrets of the pain you've cause him, you could try replacing it with something much brighter instead?"
Wordlessly, a water-eyed Asia rose from her seat and went around to Raynare's other side, sitting down on the arm of the couch and embracing her as well.
Wiping some stray dust from her eye, Akeno fondly watched the scene before her, before turning to the final hold-out.
"Not interested."
"No, Koneko-chan?"
Akeno's oh so innocent prodding drifted out in whimsical lyric.
"I like Yuuji-senpai. He's kind, he never complains about what poor company I can be, and he makes me feel safe. But I'm probably the only girl in the building who doesn't want to have his babies."
Akeno noticed the temperature in the room had risen several degrees.
It must have, otherwise Akeno's cheeks wouldn't be so hot.
Yuuji's babies…
She slapped her hands onto the side of her face, dispersing the clouds around her head. Koneko just gave a tiny little smirk that less familiar people would never have noticed.
"Then why…?"
"Lost."
Koneko's voice was terse, clipped.
"Ara, lost?"
"Yuuto-senpai's real talent is rock-paper-scissors."
"Rock-paper-scissors?"
Akeno tilted her head to the side, bemused.
Koneko nodded along, chagrined.
"He even humored me to best 12 out of 15."
Was she…?
Oh by the Maou's, Koneko-chan was pouting.
This was adorable.
"What were you competing over?"
"Our Onee-sans are silly when it comes to their feelings."
"So the loser had to keep an eye on us?"
The sulky little Rook nodded, crossing her arms with a huff.
Rias and Akeno shared knowing glances and nodded once, in perfect sync.
"Kyaaa! So cute!"
And in perfect sync once again, wrapped their arms around Koneko from either side, rubbing their cheeks up against her, doubly impressive in the fact that Akeno had twice the distance to cover.
Not for the first time that day did Koneko let slip a beleaguered sigh.
"Let me go, Onee-sans."
The two older girls just squealed again and tightened their grips, eliciting another sigh.
...They couldn't have stopped her if she had actually wanted to escape.
Right when the friction was starting to make itself known, the two older girls stilled, and whispered in her ear.
"Thank you so much, our darling little Imouto."
"... You're welcome, Onee-san's."
Soon.
Soon they'd depart and finally, after years of absence she'd return home.
Finally, she'd be able to visit him once more.
The briefing had stated that Devils had sunk their wicked claws into their home in her families absence.
As if they hadn't done enough.
A familiar twinge, and she dug her fingertips into an old wound that had never healed as it should.
The pain snapped everything into focus, and her mask slipped back into place just in time for Xen-chan to round the corner, a clothed bundle across her back.
The raised eyebrow suggested that the mask wasn't fashioned quite as securely as she hoped.
"I'm fine Xen-chan! I'm just so excited to be going home! I can't wait to show you around!"
I can't wait to see Issei after all this time!
Replaced and removed aren't quite the same thing, now are they?
Storm clouds gather, but our protagonist is too busy having sex with Akeno to notice.
Akeno is pulling the double duty of being a good girlfriend to Yuuji, and establishing his harem for her sake as much as his.
Akeno might be the most erotically-minded girl in the main cast, but Yuuji is on record with the stamina necessary to make experienced prostitutes cry from exhaustion, and he's been banned from a red-light district or two. It's no shame to share the load, when said load was mildly unnatural before his induction into the supernatural.
Koneko and Kiba continue to work hard to take care of their silly older sisters. Koneko was the victim of this chapter.
Next chapter is the Familiar Forest among other things, which I have every intention of having way too much fun with.
As always, comments, criticism and various other insights are welcome, and I'll see you all next time.
And no, I have no intention of ever telling you what 'that' was.
PS, the dormitory the cast now lives in is a Rias-sized rendition of the Mihama dormitory from the Grisaia Trilogy. Kalawarner's room is identical to the one Yuuji had, if you doubled the size of the room and the apparent socio-economic status.