Tales Of The Berserker (OC X Highschool DxD)

by HulkAMaineiac

The Berserker, a feared power that is exclusive to a single bloodline in all the supernatural. He hasn't been seen since the clash between the Heavinly Dragons. This is the tale of the next wielder, Leo Young ... This is his story... (I have fixed the mistakes that I had left in the first 3 chapters, everything should be good now. Let me know what you think, or if you enjoy it)

7. Chapter 7

It had been a whirlwind of days since Asia's revival as a Bishop, and Leo was barely keeping his head above water. The once-quiet, if chaotic, rhythm of his life had taken a sharp turn into something he wasn't quite ready for.

First, there was the matter of finding a place to live. For a while, Koneko's couch had been his reluctant refuge, and though she insisted she didn't mind, Leo couldn't shake the feeling of being a freeloader. "You're fine where you are," she'd said in her usual monotone, but he'd noticed the tiniest flicker of annoyance when he accidentally knocked over her snack stash one too many times.

So, with determination and a little help from Kiba's connections, Leo had managed to snag a townhouse just a six-minute walk from Kuoh Academy. It wasn't much—two bedrooms, a modest kitchen, and a small living room—but it was his. For the first time in his memory, it felt like a fresh start.

And then there was Asia. Sweet, kind-hearted Asia, who, after all the chaos, had decided she wanted to live with him. "You saved me, Leo," she'd said with a shy smile. "You're one of my only friends, and… I want to help you, too."

Leo didn't have the heart to say no. Besides, he'd come to realize he liked her company. Asia's warmth was a soothing counterbalance to the storm raging inside him.

Flashback

It had started as a routine day of handing out flyers for Devil contracts. Leo and Issei had just finished a long shift, their feet aching and their patience worn thin by uninterested passersby.

"I swear, one of these days, someone's gonna call just to have us unclog their toilet," Leo muttered, tossing his bag of flyers onto the ORC table as they walked in.

Issei grinned, his usual carefree attitude shining through. "As long as it's a girl's toilet and she's cute, I don't mind!"

Leo rolled his eyes. "Of course you wouldn't."

As they made their way toward the common area, Leo's shoulder bumped into something—a thin, taut line stretched across the room. Before he could react, a cascade of garments fell, one item draping itself perfectly over his face.

"Ah, crap—what is this?" Leo exclaimed, pulling at the offending piece of fabric. When he managed to get it off, he froze. In his hands was a delicate, lacy bra.

Issei's eyes lit up like fireworks. "Well, well, Leo, I didn't know you were into—"

Before he could finish, a loud thwack echoed through the room. Koneko stood behind him, holding a lobster—yes, a lobster—that she had apparently been saving as a snack. Issei clutched the back of his head, groaning.

"Perv," Koneko said flatly, giving Leo a side glance before retrieving the clothesline and silently fixing it.

Leo rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks flushed. "Uh… Sorry about that."

From the hallway, the sound of running water stopped, and moments later, Asia emerged from the ORC shower, her hair wrapped in a towel. She blinked at the scene, her innocent expression unbothered as she looked at Leo holding the bra.

"Oh, Leo! Thank you for catching that for me," she said sweetly, completely oblivious to the awkward tension in the room.

Issei shot Leo a smirk, mouthing, You lucky dog.

Koneko held a glint of mischievous in her usual emotionless gaze, a coy smile tugged at the side of her mouth as she pointed at Leo.

"I think he's gonna put it on and wear it around." Koneko teased, Asia tilted her head confused.

"Please don't..." Asia said in a pleading tone. Leo sighed, dropping the bra onto the couch.

"This is gonna be my life now, isn't it?"

Koneko, still holding the lobster, gave a small shrug and a small smirk. "Probably."

Flashback Ends

---

The ORC club room was unusually quiet as the last rays of sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a warm golden glow across the space. Rias sat near the center, a porcelain tea cup in her delicate hands. Her crimson hair shimmered in the light, but her beautiful sapphire eyes were distant, staring into the steam rising from her untouched tea.

Her mind raced with guilt and regret, the weight of her actions gnawing at her heart. How could I have done that to him? To someone who's done nothing but fight for us?

The sound of the door creaking open went unnoticed by her, and Leo stepped inside, his steps hesitant as he saw her lost in thought. A small smile played on his lips as he quietly approached. She was stunning as ever, though her usual confidence seemed clouded by sorrow.

Without a word, Leo took a seat beside her, his presence still unnoticed. Gently, he leaned over and placed a soft kiss on her cheek, his warm lips brushing against her cool skin.

Rias jolted, her focus snapping back to reality. Her eyes widened slightly as she turned to him, a blush blooming on her cheeks. "Leo…" she said softly, her voice filled with surprise.

"Sorry," he said with a small grin, leaning back. "Didn't mean to scare you. You seemed like you were a million miles away."

Rias's blush deepened, but the small smile that threatened her lips quickly faded as her expression turned solemn. Her gaze dropped to the tea cup in her hands.

"I called you here because…" She hesitated, her voice trembling slightly. "Because I needed to apologize."

Leo tilted his head, confused. "Apologize? For what?"

"For everything," Rias said, setting her cup down on the table with trembling hands. Her shoulders slumped as she turned to face him fully, her sapphire eyes shining with guilt. "For slapping you. For saying those awful things to you. For doubting you. I—I acted horribly, and I've hated myself for it ever since."

Her voice cracked as she continued, her hands clenching into fists. "I was scared, Leo. I didn't want to lose you or Issei. I let that fear turn into anger, and I took it out on you when you didn't deserve it. I don't expect you to forgive me, but I had to say it."

Before she could say more, Leo reached out and gently pulled her into a hug. Rias stiffened at first, surprised by the sudden closeness, but then melted into his embrace, her arms wrapping around him tightly as she trembled.

"Rias," he said softly, his voice warm and steady, "I already forgave you."

Her head snapped up, her eyes wide and searching his face. "But… why? After everything I—"

"Because I know who you are," Leo interrupted gently, his hands rubbing soothing circles on her back. "You're someone who cares deeply about the people she loves. You're someone who would do anything to protect her family—even if it means making hard decisions."

He smiled at her, his blue eyes filled with nothing but warmth and understanding. "You made a mistake. We all do. But I know your heart, Rias. You didn't mean to hurt me."

Rias felt her breath hitch, her heart skipping a beat as his words sank in. The kindness in his voice, the way he looked at her as though she were the most important person in the world—it made her chest tighten and her cheeks burn.

"Leo…" she whispered, tears slipping down her cheeks.

He reached up and brushed them away with his thumb, his touch gentle. "Hey, no tears," he said with a chuckle. "You're too beautiful to cry."

Her blush deepened, but a small, genuine smile finally broke through her sadness. She placed her hands on his cheeks, staring into his eyes. "You're too good to me," she said softly.

"You deserve it," he replied, his voice low and sincere.

For a moment, they simply stared at each other, the world outside fading away. Rias leaned forward slowly, her heart pounding in her chest. Her lips brushed against his softly at first, tentative and sweet, but as she felt him respond, her kiss deepened.

It wasn't a peck of reassurance or comfort—it was a kiss full of love and longing. Her hands slid up to tangle in his hair as she poured her feelings into the embrace.

Leo's arms tightened around her, pulling her closer as he returned the kiss with just as much emotion. Time seemed to stop, the only sound in the room the soft rustling of their movements.

When they finally broke apart, Rias rested her forehead against his, her cheeks flushed and her breathing uneven. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"For what?" Leo asked, his smile returning.

"For being you," she replied, her sapphire eyes shining with newfound warmth.

Leo chuckled softly and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Always."

---

The warm sunlight streamed through the windows of the student council room, casting a golden glow over the organized chaos of paperwork that cluttered the desks. Sona Sitri sat at her usual spot, her sharp violet eyes scanning one document after another, her brow furrowed in concentration. Across from her, Tsubaki Shinra worked quietly, her hands deftly sorting and categorizing the growing stack of requests.

The door creaked open, and Leo stepped in, his familiar, easygoing smile lighting up the room. "Hey there," he greeted casually, giving the two women a small wave.

Sona glanced up, and for a moment, her stern expression softened. A faint smile tugged at her lips. "Leo. It's good to see you."

"Thought I'd check in," Leo said as he walked closer. "I figured you'd be drowning in paperwork like last time."

At his words, Sona let out a rare sigh of frustration, setting her pen down and leaning back in her chair. "Drowning is an understatement. I've been here since early this morning, and I've barely made a dent."

Leo chuckled, rolling up his sleeves. "Well, then, let me help out. Can't let my friends suffer alone, right?"

Tsubaki looked up from her stack, a small, polite smile gracing her lips. "We'd appreciate it, but you really don't have to, Leo. You've already helped us so much before."

Leo waved her off playfully. "Nah, it's no big deal. Besides, it's good practice for dealing with bureaucracy, right?" He grabbed a stack of papers and a pen before settling onto the nearby sofa.

---

As Leo worked through the stack, he couldn't help but notice the absurdity of the requests. He snorted, holding up one particularly ridiculous slip.

"National Naked Day? Again? Who keeps submitting these?"

Sona looked up from her desk, a small twitch of amusement tugging at the corner of her mouth. "It's anonymous, but I have my suspicions."

"And this one," Leo continued, grinning, "bans male students from wearing clothes and mandates that they all be dominated by the female students. Dominatrix high, anyone?"

Sona let out a small, uncharacteristic laugh, quickly covering her mouth and adjusting her glasses to regain her composure. A faint blush dusted her cheeks as she muttered, "That's… completely inappropriate."

Leo chuckled, giving her a teasing look. "Got you to laugh, though."

---

As the moments passed, Sona found herself sneaking glances at Leo. His relaxed posture and diligent focus made her heart skip a beat. The thought of the chess match they'd played weeks ago surfaced in her mind—a match that had changed everything.

Her blush deepened as she considered the weight of the truth she had yet to share with him. This is the perfect time, she thought, her hands clenching slightly as she summoned her courage.

"Leo," she called softly, her voice steady despite the nerves bubbling beneath the surface.

He looked up, curious. "Yeah?"

"Would you mind playing a game of chess with me?" Sona asked, standing and motioning to the small table near the corner where a familiar chessboard waited.

Leo's face lit up. "Of course. I had a blast last time." He stood, following her to the table and taking a seat across from her.

The room grew quiet as they began to play, their focus shifting entirely to the board. Pieces moved swiftly, knights leaping over pawns and bishops weaving between the battlefield. Their moves were deliberate, their shared enjoyment of the game evident in the occasional smirk or raised brow.

As the match progressed, Sona finally broke the silence. "Leo… do you remember what I said about the stakes of our last game?"

Leo moved his rook, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Yeah. You mentioned there'd be consequences if I won. I don't think you ever told me what those were, though."

Sona took a deep breath, setting her queen down and meeting his gaze. "When you beat me… it wasn't just a victory. By Sitri family tradition, you became my fiancé."

The room seemed to still. Leo blinked, leaning back slightly, his eyes widening in surprise. "Wait, what?"

Sona's cheeks flushed as she continued. "My family had set up countless matches for me with other suitors—men who cared more about my title or wealth than me as a person. I didn't expect you to win, and when you did… I realized you were different. You never treated me like a trophy or an object to conquer."

She looked away, her voice softening. "I've always felt inadequate compared to other women. It's why I bury myself in my studies. But with you… it feels different."

Sona hesitated, her hands trembling slightly. "If this makes you uncomfortable, I'll break it off immediately. I won't force you into anything."

Leo stared at her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, a small smile spread across his face. He leaned forward, moving his final piece.

"Checkmate," he said softly.

Sona's eyes widened in surprise as she looked down at the board. Sure enough, he'd outmaneuvered her again.

"I'm fine with it," Leo said, his voice steady. "Honestly, I think you're amazing, Sona. If being your fiancé means I get to be by your side, then I'll do my best to live up to your expectations. Even if I'm just me."

Sona's breath hitched, her heart pounding in her chest. For a moment, she couldn't find the words, her usual composure slipping entirely. Then, a small, genuine smile graced her lips.

"You're more than enough, Leo," she said softly.

As the tension melted away, Sona reached across the table, her hand brushing his briefly before pulling back. The warmth in her eyes spoke volumes, a rare glimpse of vulnerability from the usually reserved Sitri heiress.

The chessboard sat between them, a stark contrast to the emotions swirling in the room. Sona's admission about their engagement still lingered in the air, but Leo's calm acceptance had eased much of her tension. She studied him across the table, his relaxed demeanor a stark contrast to her own whirlwind of thoughts.

"So…" Leo said, scratching the back of his head awkwardly, "I feel like I should mention something."

Sona raised an eyebrow, her hands folded neatly in her lap. "Oh? What is it?"

"Well," Leo began, his voice unsure, "I'm… sort of already dating Rias."

Sona blinked, her composure momentarily slipping. "You're what?"

Leo chuckled nervously. "Yeah, Rias and I started dating recently. I, uh, really wish you'd told me about the engagement thing earlier. It feels like I walked into a minefield without even knowing it."

For a moment, Sona stared at him in stunned silence. Then, to Leo's surprise, she began to laugh softly. The sound, rare and genuine, filled the room and caught even Tsubaki's attention from across the space.

"Of course this would happen," Sona said, shaking her head as she tried to suppress her laughter. "Only you, Leo, could accidentally find yourself in a predicament like this."

Leo tilted his head, still smiling but confused. "I mean… it's not funny. Rias might kill me when she finds out."

Sona wiped a small tear from the corner of her eye, her laughter subsiding. "You don't have to worry about that," she said, her tone lighter than usual. She leaned forward slightly, resting her hand gently on his.

"In Devil society," she began, "harems are not only accepted but have become a vital part of our culture. They've helped stabilize our birthrate and allowed our population to grow steadily. It's common for powerful Devils to have a harem of women—or men, depending on preference."

Leo blinked at her, the wheels turning in his head. "Wait… you're saying it's normal for someone like me to…"

"To have multiple partners?" Sona finished, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Yes. It's not uncommon, especially for those of your… potential."

Leo sighed and let a wry smile grace his face as he looked at his fiancé. "Just so we're clear, I'm straight. Not into guys."

Sona adjusted her glasses with a faint smirk, her sharp eyes gleaming with playful amusement. "Duly noted, Leo. I'll be sure to cancel the harem of men I had lined up for you."

Her tone was perfectly deadpan, but the hint of humor in her voice was unmistakable. Tsubaki stifled a small laugh in the background, and Leo blinked, momentarily caught off guard before chuckling sheepishly.

"Okay, okay, point taken," he said with a grin, scratching the back of his head. "You got me there."

Leo leaned back, running a hand through his hair. "What do I even tell Rias?"

Sona giggled softly, her fingers gently brushing against his as she reassured him. "Don't worry. I'll speak with her myself. It's better if this conversation comes from me."

Tsubaki, watching the exchange from her desk, couldn't help but smile. Seeing Sona so at ease, her professional mask slipping to reveal a more playful and relaxed side, filled her with warmth. It's about time she let herself be human—well, Devil—for once.

"Thanks, Sona," Leo said, exhaling in relief. "I'll leave it in your hands, then. Just… make sure she doesn't kill me, okay?" He smirked, his tone joking but with a hint of real concern.

Sona's lips quirked into a sly grin. "If she does, you're always welcome to join my peerage. I could use someone like you."

Leo laughed, shaking his head. "I'll keep that in mind."

Sona stood, motioning for Tsubaki to join her as they began tidying up the chessboard and papers. Despite the weight of their earlier conversation, the air between them now felt light, filled with mutual understanding and a sense of camaraderie.

As Leo prepared to leave, Sona watched him go, her smile lingering long after the door closed behind him.

---

The classroom buzzed with idle chatter as Leo sat at his desk, leaning back lazily while Issei tapped away at his phone. The morning sunlight filtered through the windows, giving the room a warm glow.

"Man," Issei muttered, glancing up at Leo. "I hope Ms. Monroe's in a good mood today. I forgot to do the last page of the homework."

Leo smirked. "That's on you, man. I don't think sweet-talking her is gonna get you out of that one."

Before Issei could reply, the door slid open, and Ms. Monroe walked in with her usual cheerful energy. Her light brown hair bounced as she clapped her hands to get everyone's attention.

"Good morning, everyone!" she greeted, her warm smile instantly silencing the class. "I have a surprise for you all today. We have a new transfer student joining us!"

The room filled with whispers and surprised murmurs. A transfer student? At this point in the school year?

Ms. Monroe gestured toward the door, and a tall, broad-shouldered young man stepped in. He had messy brown hair, sharp eyes that held a spark of mischief, and a confident but slightly bored expression.

"This is Sendo Takeshi," Ms. Monroe announced. "He's transferring to our school starting today."

Sendo scanned the room, his neutral gaze unwavering as he gave a short nod. "Yo. Name's Sendo. Nice to meet ya, I guess."

His tone was casual, bordering on dismissive, as if he couldn't be less interested in the formalities. The class exchanged glances, clearly unsure how to respond.

Ms. Monroe, ever the professional, smiled and addressed the class. "Does anyone have any questions for Sendo?"

Leo's hand shot into the air, drawing the attention of the room. "Yeah, I've got one."

Sendo looked at him, his sharp gaze meeting Leo's as he nodded. "Shoot."

Leo leaned forward, his curiosity evident. "So, what's a guy like you doing transferring here this late in the year?"

The corners of Sendo's mouth twitched as if holding back a smirk. "Got held back a year for gettin' into too many fights," he said bluntly, crossing his arms. "My grandma couldn't afford to send me anywhere else, so Kuoh was the only option left."

The honesty in his voice caught Leo off guard, and he nodded slightly, respecting the straightforward answer.

Before anyone else could chime in, a girl from the back, Muryama, called out, her tone accusatory. "Are you a pervert like the rest of the guys here?"

Sendo's brow twitched, and he shot her an irritated glare. "Hell no!" he snapped, clearly annoyed.

Leo couldn't help but scoff at the ridiculousness of the question, earning Muryama's attention. She turned her sharp gaze on him, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "What are you laughing at, perv? You're no better."

Leo smirked, leaning back in his chair. "At least I don't go around throwing baseless accusations like I'm auditioning for a drama club."

The room erupted into gasps and murmurs, many students turning on Leo in an instant.

"Shut up, Leo!"

"Yeah, stop pretending you're not a creep!"

Several male students, clearly trying to impress the girls, stood up and surrounded Leo's desk, their eyes narrowed in mock intimidation.

Leo's gaze darkened as his patience wore thin. He calmly set his textbook down and looked up at the guys crowding him. "Get your hands off my desk," he said, his voice low and steady.

The lead student sneered. "And if we don't?"

Without another word, Leo grabbed his textbook and slammed it into the guy's face, the sound of the impact echoing through the classroom. The classroom erupted into chaos as the first blow landed. Leo's textbook collided with the lead attacker's face, a sickening crack echoing through the room as blood spurted from the boy's nose. He staggered backward, clutching his face and howling in pain.

Two other students lunged toward Leo, their fists swinging wildly. Leo ducked under the first punch and countered with a vicious uppercut, his knuckles connecting with the second boy's jaw. Teeth flew from the impact as the boy's head snapped back, his body crumpling to the floor.

The third attacker managed to grab Leo's collar, but before he could follow through, Leo drove his knee into the boy's stomach. The attacker wheezed and doubled over, only for Leo to bring his elbow down on the back of his head, sending him crashing into the floor.

From his spot near the wall, Sendo watched the chaos with a smirk. His sharp eyes gleamed as he noticed one of the attackers sneaking up behind Leo, a chair raised high above his head.

"Can't let you have all the fun," Sendo muttered, stepping forward.

The would-be attacker barely had time to react before Sendo's fist collided with his ribs. The crunch of bone breaking filled the air, followed by a scream of agony as the chair clattered to the ground. The boy fell to his knees, clutching his side, only for Sendo to follow up with a brutal haymaker that sent him sprawling onto a desk, splinters flying everywhere.

"Now we're talkin'!" Sendo said with a wide grin, cracking his knuckles as he stood beside Leo.

Leo glanced at him, his breathing steady despite the chaos around him. "Appreciate the assist."

"Don't mention it," Sendo replied, his grin widening. "Let's clean house."

The remaining attackers hesitated for a moment, glancing between Leo and Sendo. The two young men radiated an aura of pure confidence, their eyes daring anyone else to step forward.

"Get 'em!" one of the boys shouted, and the rest surged forward.

Leo grabbed a nearby desk and swung it like a battering ram, slamming it into two attackers at once. The impact sent them flying into the chalkboard, their heads hitting the wall with a dull thud before they slumped to the ground, groaning in pain.

Sendo intercepted another boy mid-charge, ducking low and driving his shoulder into the attacker's gut. The boy gagged as the air was forced from his lungs, and Sendo followed up with a devastating hook to the side of his face, sending him crashing into a row of desks.

One of the larger students charged at Leo, shouting a battle cry. Leo planted his feet and met the charge head-on, catching the boy by the waist and lifting him into the air. With a guttural roar, Leo slammed the boy through a desk, the wood shattering beneath the impact. The boy writhed on the floor, blood dripping from his mouth as Leo grabbed a heavy textbook and brought it down on his face repeatedly.

On the other side of the room, Sendo dodged a swing from another attacker and retaliated with a brutal knee to the face. Blood sprayed from the boy's nose as he stumbled backward, only for Sendo to grab him by the shirt and throw him into a group of desks, sending papers and books flying everywhere.

"C'mon, you weaklings!" Sendo shouted, his voice filled with adrenaline. His grin grew wider as he locked eyes with another boy, who froze in place, fear evident in his eyes.

Sendo didn't wait. He grabbed the boy by the collar and delivered a series of rapid punches to his stomach, each blow driving deeper than the last. When the boy finally collapsed to his knees, coughing up blood, Sendo delivered a final uppercut that sent him sprawling onto the floor.

As desks and chairs toppled around them, Issei and Asia hurried to Ms. Monroe, who stood by the door, her arms crossed and her gaze sharp.

"Are you gonna stop them?" Issei asked, his voice filled with concern.

Ms. Monroe gave a sweet smile, though her eyes glinted with annoyance. "Oh, don't worry, Issei. I know exactly who's to blame here. Leo and Sendo are defending themselves. The others started this, and I'll make sure the student council knows."

Asia's expression softened with relief. "That's good to hear."

The remaining attackers tried to regroup, but their morale was broken. They glanced nervously between Leo and Sendo, who stood back-to-back in the center of the wrecked classroom, their fists bloodied and their breathing steady.

"Last chance," Leo growled, his voice low and menacing. "Leave, or you're next."

One boy lunged forward, desperation driving him. Leo caught the punch with ease and twisted the boy's arm behind his back, forcing him to his knees. With a sharp shove, he slammed the boy's head into the desk, leaving a smear of blood across the wood.

Another attacker tried to blindside Leo, but Sendo was faster. He tackled the boy to the ground and rained punches down on him, each strike eliciting a pained grunt until the boy stopped moving, groaning weakly.

The classroom was a battlefield. Desks were overturned, papers were scattered everywhere, and the floor was smeared with blood. The attackers lay in various states of defeat, groaning in pain or completely unconscious.

Leo straightened, brushing his knuckles against his pants. "That all you got?" he muttered, his voice dripping with disdain.

Sendo stood beside him, cracking his neck with a satisfied grin. "Not bad, rookie," he said, nudging Leo with his elbow. "You've got potential."

Leo smirked, glancing at the wreckage around them. "Likewise."

As Ms. Monroe began barking orders at the injured students to clean up the mess, Leo turned to Sendo and extended a hand.

"Appreciate the help," he said.

Sendo smirked, gripping Leo's hand firmly. "Anytime. We make a pretty good team."

Leo nodded, a small smile on his face. "Yeah, we do."

The two exchanged a look of mutual respect, a silent promise of more chaos to come.

---

Leo can be seen grabbing his stack of flyers and stuffing them into his satchel along side Issei. Just as they were about to head out, Rias called them over to her desk. They stand in front of the red haired heiress curious.

"I was thinking of starting your early morning training tomorrow," she says before propping her elbows up on her desk and smiles at the two.

"Early morning training?" Issei repeats her confused, Leo crosses his arms and nods his head.

"Sounds like fun." Leo said honestly, Rias's smile widened in joy, radiating warmth.

"Your fight's with the fallen angels made one thing very clear, you need to increase your base physical strength. Though, that's aimed more towards you, Issei." She explains while looking at the young brown haired man.

"I-I see." He stutters out dejected of being the weakest link. Leo claps him on the back with a smile.

"Don't worry, you'll get stronger. It just takes time." Leo said encouragingly, Issei gave him a thankful smile and nodded his head in appreciation.

"I'll pick you up at five." Rias said flashing her devilishly beautiful smile.

"Five in the morning? Okay." Issei said a bit reluctant. He bowed his head towards Rias,

"Then, I'll be off to hand out flyers." He said before turning on his heel and walking out of the clubroom.

Leo moved to follow, but a gentle tug on his sleeve made him stop. Turning, he found Rias looking at him with a soft, almost hesitant expression.

"Rias?" he asked, tilting his head. "You okay?"

Rias sighed, her crimson hair cascading over her shoulders as she leaned against the desk. "I heard about the fight you were involved in," she said, her voice tinged with concern.

Before Leo could respond, Kiba looked up from his book, a faint smile on his face. "It wasn't exactly subtle, Leo. Word travels fast in a place like this."

Koneko, munching on her usual snacks, chimed in with her monotone voice. "You really caused a scene." She popped another cookie into her mouth and added dryly, "But it was kind of cool."

Akeno, sitting gracefully with her cup of tea, chuckled softly. "Our Leo, always in the middle of some chaos," she teased, her violet eyes glinting mischievously. "It's a wonder you're still in one piece."

Asia, sitting on the couch with her hands clasped nervously, spoke up, her voice filled with genuine worry. "I… I was scared for you, Leo. But I saw how strong you were—and with the new transfer student helping, too. It was impressive."

Leo rubbed the back of his neck, letting out a small laugh. "Well, you know me," he said, his tone light. "If there's a fight to be had, somehow I'm always right in the middle of it. Guess the male population of Kuoh Academy just can't resist trying to kick my ass."

Kiba chuckled, closing his book. "That's one way to look at it."

Koneko glanced at him, her stoic expression betraying a flicker of amusement. "Maybe they're jealous because you're more interesting than they are."

Akeno's laugh was melodic as she leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand. "Or maybe they're upset because you keep stealing all the attention from the girls." She winked, her teasing tone making Leo flush slightly.

"Uh, right…" Leo muttered, scratching the back of his head.

Asia, her cheeks tinged pink, frowned slightly. "I'm just glad you're okay, Leo. You're so brave, but… please be careful next time, okay?"

Leo gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Asia. I'm tougher than I look. And with the new guy, Sendo, backing me up, it wasn't as bad as it sounds."

Rias watched the exchange in silence, her gaze softening as she saw how easily Leo interacted with everyone. Finally, she spoke, her voice cutting through the lighthearted banter.

"Leo," she said, stepping closer to him. "I understand that you were defending yourself, but next time… please try to avoid getting into such a large-scale fight." Her crimson eyes met his, filled with genuine concern.

He sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "I get it, Rias. I'll try. But you know how things are around here. It's hard to stay out of trouble when half the school's gunning for you."

She smiled faintly, reaching out to gently brush a stray strand of hair from his face. "Just… promise me you'll stay safe, okay?"

Her touch made his heart skip a beat, but he nodded. "I promise."

Akeno's teasing voice broke the moment. "My, my. Such a sweet promise. Rias, are you sure you're not falling for him even more?"

Rias turned, her cheeks flushing as she shot Akeno a sharp look. "Akeno…"

Koneko, still munching on her snacks, added in her usual monotone, "She's definitely falling harder. You can see it."

"Okay, okay, that's enough," Leo said, holding up his hands in surrender, though he couldn't hide the small smile tugging at his lips. "Can we all agree to let me have at least one peaceful day before the next fight breaks out?"

Kiba chuckled as he stood. "You'd have to talk to Kuoh Academy about that, not us."

---

The early morning air was crisp and cool, carrying with it the faint scent of dew-covered grass and blooming flowers. The sky was painted in soft hues of lavender and pale orange as the first rays of sunlight began to peek over the horizon, casting long shadows across the quiet streets of Kuoh.

The rhythmic thud-thud-thud of sneakers hitting the pavement echoed in the stillness, accompanied by the sound of labored breathing. Leo and Issei ran side by side, their faces glistening with sweat as they pushed themselves harder with each stride. The faint chill of the morning air mixed with the warmth of their exertion, creating a perfect balance that kept them focused.

Behind them, the smooth hum of a bicycle added to the symphony of the morning. Rias followed at a steady pace, her crimson hair flowing behind her like a silken banner. She pedaled effortlessly, a small, amused smile gracing her lips as she watched the two boys huff and puff their way through their training.

"Issei," she called out teasingly, her voice cutting through the quiet, "you're falling behind already. Is that the best you can do?"

"Give me a break!" Issei shot back, his breath coming in short gasps. "Some of us weren't born marathon runners!"

Leo chuckled, barely winded as he glanced at his friend. "Come on, Issei. If you can keep up, I'll treat you to breakfast. But if you fall behind…" He smirked. "Well, I guess you're on your own."

Rias laughed softly at their banter, her bike gliding smoothly alongside them. The sunlight caught in her hair, making it shimmer like fire as she leaned forward on the handlebars, effortlessly keeping pace with the boys.

"Has anyone told you, you run like a schoolgirl?" Rias asks while smirking at Issei's running form.

"Y-Yes ma'am. People have been telling me that my whole life!" Issei says in between breaths.

"You got this Issei, keep your eye on the prize of that delicious breakfast if you keep your pace." Leo says with a encouraging smile, Issei glanced at him with his face dripping sweat and notices that Leo is barely sweating.

"I-I-I think... I-I'm going to puke u-up my ballsack!" Issei says gasping for air. Leo chuckles and turns and starts running backwards getting a better workout on his legs.

30 Minutes Later...

Laying on the ground gasping for air, Issei can be seen. The young man gladly taking in breath's of oxygen while Leo sits beside him doing some stretches to loosen his tight muscles.

"Come on, Issei. You gotta stretch after that or you'll cramp." Said Leo. Issei weakly sits up and slowly starts stretching his legs, Rias leans against his back with a serious look to help him loosen his back

"Listen. Physical strength essentially determines your standing in the devil world. Especially for you, Issei." Rias explained. Issei struggles doing a seated toe-touch.

"G-Got it." Issei said in a strained voice, Rias stops applying her body weight against him and stands up.

"We're going to do some push-up's now. Get into position." Leo says, Issei nods and mimic's him.

Leo and Issei were side by side, their bodies parallel to the ground as they pushed themselves through their training. Sweat dripped from their faces, soaking into the earth beneath them as their arms trembled from exertion.

Leo moved with practiced ease, his form steady and deliberate. Each push-up was fluid, his muscles flexing in perfect rhythm as if this were second nature to him.

Beside him, Issei struggled to keep up. His breathing was heavy, and his arms shook with each descent and rise. Despite his best efforts, his pace faltered, lagging behind Leo's fluid movements.

Leo noticed and slowed his pace, turning his head slightly to glance at his friend. "Come on, Issei," he said, his voice firm but encouraging. "Don't stop now. You've got this."

Issei let out a grunt, his face red with effort. "Easy for you to say. You're built like a damn tank," he muttered, his tone more self-deprecating than angry.

Leo chuckled, lowering himself slowly and holding the position for a moment before pushing back up. "It's not about being a tank, man. It's about pushing yourself a little more every day."

Issei groaned as he dropped into another shaky push-up. "Yeah, well... I feel like I'm pushing myself right into the grave."

Leo smirked, holding his plank position as he waited for Issei to catch up. "Then, I'll make sure you crawl out of it. We don't quit here, remember?"

Issei gritted his teeth, a spark of determination lighting up in his eyes. "Right, no quitting."

Matching Leo's slower pace, Issei pushed himself harder, his form improving with each repetition. Leo nodded in approval, his voice steady as he encouraged him. "That's it. One more. Now another. You've got it. Don't stop."

Rias stood nearby lost in thought, her eyes unfocused as she stared off into space lost in her own mind. A couple minutes pass before she comes down from her thoughts and sees the two keeping pace and doing push-ups.

"Okay, that should be enough for now." Rias said calling out to the two. Issei does one last push-up before climbing to shaky legs, Leo does the same before both stand in front of her.

"Now we move onto Sit-ups, your core strength is one of the most important things. It helps you keep your balance." Rias explains before sitting on a nearby bench, she looks up with a smile and motions to the ground before her.

Leo sat on the ground, arms crossed over his chest, his legs locked under a bench for support. Across from him, Issei did the same. Both gave a nod and slowly began laying down before siting up straight.

After about twenty rep's, Issei began to struggle through his sit-ups, his face red with effort.

"Come on, Issei," Leo teased, a grin spreading across his face. "You look like a fish flopping out of water. Tighten your core, man!"

Issei glared at him between reps, his voice strained. "Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Perfect Form. Some of us don't have abs chiseled out of stone!"

Leo laughed, leaning back to rest on his elbows as he watched Issei. "Stone? You're being generous. More like titanium. And here I thought you were supposed to be motivated by impressing the ladies."

"I am motivated!" Issei shot back, his voice rising in indignation. He grunted as he forced himself up again. "Unlike you, I have my priorities straight. Save the abs for the guys who want to flex for Instagram."

Leo rolled his eyes. "You say that like you're not dying to show off for Ann. Don't think I didn't notice you on your phone this morning when I picked you up."

Issei groaned and flopped back onto the ground, covering his face with his hands. "Oh, shut up."

Leo barked a laugh, sitting up and reaching over to give Issei's shoulder a friendly slap. "Come on, man. Ten more, and I'll drop it. For now..."

Issei grumbled and quickly pumped out nine more sit-ups and was struggling with the last one, his abs shaking from the constant constriction and stretching. He shakily completed the last one before falling back to the ground letting his cramping abs rest.

Leo smirked at his friend, and nodded his head proud at how Issei was pushing himself. The young man day-dreamed back to when Issei had explained when he came in all giddy.

Flashback

The late afternoon sun streamed through the windows of the ORC clubroom as Leo leaned back in one of the armchairs, flipping through a book. It was one of the rare calm moments he got in between training, devil work, and trying to make sense of his ever-chaotic life.

The door swung open with a loud bang, startling him. Issei strolled in with a wide, goofy grin plastered across his face, practically radiating excitement.

Leo raised an eyebrow, closing his book and setting it aside. "Alright, what's with the stupid grin? You win the lottery or something?"

Issei shook his head, flopping down on the couch opposite Leo, his smug smile growing wider. "Nope. Better."

Leo smirked, folding his arms. "Better than free money? This I gotta hear."

"Well," Issei began, leaning back with an exaggerated stretch, "yours truly is officially off the market. I'm dating Ann!"

For a moment, Leo just stared, processing the information. Then, his eyes widened in surprise. "Wait. Ann? The cashier from the burger joint? The one who slipped you her number?"

"The very same," Issei replied, his grin impossibly smug as he puffed out his chest.

"When did this happen?" Leo asked, genuinely surprised. "We've been handing out flyers like crazy the last few days. When did you even have time to seal the deal?"

Issei chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Last night, after our third date. Man, she's so awesome, dude. We went to the arcade again, and after I totally let her win"—he coughed dramatically—"we went for a walk. She just kinda… said she liked spending time with me. Then we kissed. And bam, official couple!"

Leo shook his head, though he couldn't help the small grin tugging at his lips. "Alright, Romeo. Let's get down to business. Name, age, school—spill the details."

"Ann Takamaki," Issei said proudly, sitting up straight. "She's 18, goes to the school across town—some fancy private one. And, uh… her favorite food is burgers. Obviously."

Leo chuckled. "Of course. Why wouldn't it be?" He leaned forward, his tone a little more serious. "But seriously, Issei. She's cool, right? You're not rushing into something here?"

Issei grinned, waving off the concern. "Nah, man, she's great. She's smart, funny, and, uh…" His voice dropped to a sheepish mutter. "She actually likes me."

Leo raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile on his face. "That's a new experience for you, huh?"

"Hey, don't ruin this for me!" Issei shot back, though he was laughing. He stood and clapped Leo on the shoulder. "Anyway, you better get used to me being motivated to finish devil work early. Ann and I are gonna spend as much time together as we can."

"Motivated, huh?" Leo said, shaking his head as he stood as well. "Let's see how long that lasts when Rias piles on the contracts."

"Oh, come on," Issei whined as they walked toward the door. "Don't jinx it!"

Leo laughed, giving his best friend a light shove. "You're hopeless, man. But congrats. I'm happy for you."

"Thanks, bro," Issei replied with a grin. "Now, let's go before Rias finds something else for us to do!"

Flashback End

Rias clapped her hands getting their attention, Leo snapping out of his day-dream state noticed her smiling sweetly down at them.

"Good work, you two are really motivated. I'm quite impressed." Rias said.

Leo climbed to his feet and gave Issei a knowing look before returning Rias's smile.

"Well, when I get to spend time with my girlfriend; how can I not be motivated?" Leo said. Rias's smile widened as she heard his words. Issei shook his head and let wry smile grace his face

"Way to make me feel like a third-wheel." Issei said teasingly, Leo laughed and threw his arm over his shoulder pulling him close.

"You're not a third-wheel. This is for our benefit after all. So, Rias, what's next on our agenda?" Leo asked. The red haired beauty looked between the two before patting the bench.

"Take a break, you've earned it after putting in the hard work." Rias said.

Issei instantly collapsed onto the bench breathing a sigh of relief. Leo chuckled at his friends antics and sat on the other side of Rias, who was once again absorbed into her thoughts. Leo looked over at her with concern laced in his eyes.

"Rias, is everything okay? You've been zoning in and out for a little while now." Leo said. The red haired beauty turned her gaze to him and gave him a sweet smile, but her eyes told another story, they held nothing but worry, sadness, and despair.

"I'm sorry, I'm just thinking some things over. Don't worry about me." Rias said while gently caressing Leo's cheek.

Leo stared at her with worry and watched as she stood up quickly changing her demeanor. She turned and faced the sweaty and tired duo and clapped her hands again; Issei quickly slid his phone into his pocket and gave Rias his full attention.

"Okay, I think that's a good enough break. Now, you see the monkey bars over there?" Rias asked as she pointed over to the nearby playground.

"Yeah?" Issei replied.

"I want you two, to do some pull-ups. Oh, and Leo?" Rias said his name in a seductive tone causing the young man to arch his eyebrow.

"Yeah?" Leo replied curiously. He saw the glint in her eyes had changed from the despair glaze to something else. He couldn't place it but it looked, lustful?

"If you can do more than, one hundred pull-ups, I'll give you a reward~." Rias said and winked at him. Leo felt his breath get caught in his throat at the sudden information, he quickly shook his head to clear his thoughts and stood up.

"O-Okay." Leo stuttered out not sure how to respond.

Rias stood nearby, leaning casually against her bike with her arms crossed. Her crimson hair gleamed in the sunlight, but her sapphire eyes seemed distant, her thoughts elsewhere. Though she was physically present, but her mind is elsewhere for the fourth time today.

Unaware of her distraction, Issei and Leo squared up under the pull-up bar, their muscles already aching but their competitive spirits burning strong.

"All right, Leo," Issei said with a grin as he jumped up to grab the bar. "Rias said she'd give you a reward if you hit 100 pull-ups. So, what do you think it is? A kiss on the cheek? A dinner date? Or maybe… something a little spicier?"

Leo rolled his eyes, grabbing the bar beside him. "Right, because that's totally her style. Besides, don't you have Ann to drool over now?"

Issei smirked as he hoisted himself up, his biceps straining. "Ann's great, but I can't just let you get all the attention. Someone's gotta keep you humble."

"Keep me humble?" Leo shot back, pulling himself up with ease. "This coming from the guy who tripped over his shoelaces trying to impress her on your first date?"

Issei nearly lost his grip, sputtering. "Hey! That was one time!"

Leo grinned, pulling himself up again. "Sure it was. And what about when you spilled your drink all over her lap at the burger joint? Real smooth, Casanova."

"Oh, like you're Mr. Perfect!" Issei countered, his voice strained as he kept up. "At least I didn't trip over a clothesline full of bras and panties like you did at the ORC!"

"That was one time!" Leo shot back, laughing despite himself.

Their banter continued, each teasing jab fueling the other to push harder. Leo's arms burned as he pulled himself up again and again, but the competitive fire in his chest refused to let him stop.

"Keep going, Issei," he said, his tone taunting. "You're gonna need those muscles if you ever want to carry Ann's shopping bags without collapsing."

Issei gritted his teeth, his smirk never fading. "Yeah? And you'll need yours if you want to keep the entire male population of Kuoh from coming after you for stealing all the girls' attention."

"Jealousy doesn't suit you, man," Leo quipped, his voice steady despite the strain in his arms.

"Oh, I'm not jealous," Issei replied, pulling himself up with a grunt. "I'm just waiting for the day Rias slaps you again for being a smartass."

Leo chuckled, though his muscles screamed in protest as he neared his 80th rep. "Better than getting slapped for being a perv. You've got a whole collection of those moments."

Rias watched them from her spot by the bike, their friendly bickering a distant hum against the noise in her head. She tried to focus on their training, on their determination and camaraderie, but her thoughts kept circling back to him. The weight of it bore down on her like a leaden chain, snapping her usual enthusiasm.

Still, she couldn't help but smile faintly as she caught snippets of their banter. At least they're having fun, she thought, her heart tugging with a bittersweet mix of pride and worry.

By the time they reached the 90th pull-up, both boys were drenched in sweat, their muscles trembling from the effort.

"You still with me, Issei?" Leo asked, his voice strained but steady.

"Barely," Issei admitted, his breath coming in short gasps. "But there's no way I'm letting you win."

Leo smirked, pulling himself up again. "You better not. Otherwise, I'll have to find a new training partner. Someone who can actually keep up."

"Oh, screw you!" Issei laughed, forcing himself through another rep.

Finally, as they hit 100, both boys let go of the bar, stumbling back onto the grass and collapsing in exhausted heaps. Their chests heaved as they gasped for air, their bodies aching but their spirits high.

"Not bad," Leo said between breaths, turning his head to look at Issei. "You actually kept up this time."

"Of course I did," Issei replied, grinning despite his exhaustion. "Motivation, man. Ann's not gonna date a slacker."

Leo laughed, shaking his head. "And here I thought I was the one with the reward waiting for me."

Issei propped himself up on his elbows, smirking. "Yeah, yeah. Let's see what Rias actually gives you. If it's lame, you owe me lunch."

"Deal," Leo said, grinning as he wiped the sweat from his brow.

Nearby, Rias snapped out of her thoughts, her gaze softening as she looked at the two boys. Despite everything weighing on her, she felt a flicker of warmth watching their friendship—something she envied, if only for a moment.

"Good work, both of you," she said, her voice steady as she stepped closer. "Now, go hydrate before you pass out."

Leo and Issei exchanged tired but triumphant grins, their brotherly bond stronger than ever as they lay sprawled out on the grass.

---

The first rays of sunlight streamed through the window of Leo's room, casting a golden glow on the walls and floor. The soft chirping of birds outside signaled the start of a new day, but Leo wasn't in any rush to get up.

Lying on his bed, he let out a groan as he stretched, his body aching in protest. His arms felt like lead weights, his legs like jelly, and his chest had a dull, persistent throb from the previous day's workout.

"Man…" he muttered to himself, running a hand through his messy hair. "Who knew being sore could feel this good?"

Despite the stiffness and the occasional sharp twinge when he moved, there was a sense of accomplishment radiating through him. He'd pushed himself further than he thought possible, and the lingering soreness was a reminder of that effort.

Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, Leo braced himself before standing. His muscles protested the movement, and he winced slightly as he rolled his shoulders.

"Okay, not gonna lie," he said aloud with a small grin. "Yesterday might've been a little overkill."

Still, he couldn't help but chuckle at the memory of him and Issei pushing each other through the grueling workout, their banter keeping the pain at bay. Even now, he could hear Issei's voice in his head: 'Come on, man! Don't let me outshine you!'

Leo shuffled into the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face to wake himself up. The cool sensation was refreshing, and as he looked at his reflection in the mirror, he couldn't help but smile.

"Not bad, Leo," he said to himself, flexing his sore arms experimentally.

Pulling on some comfortable clothes, he made his way to the kitchen. The smell of breakfast being cooked wafted through the air making his stomach grumble. Stepping into the kitchen, he's greeted with Asia dawning a cute pink apron cooking food at the stove.

Hearing his footsteps, the blonde haired beauty turned with a loving smile as her eyes lit up seeing Leo.

"Good morning, Leo. Breakfast should be done soon." Asia said before turning her attention back to what she's cooking. Leo smiled and made his way towards the coffee pot. The smell of fresh coffee brewing mixed with Asia's cooking filled the air, and he sighed contentedly as he poured himself a cup. The first sip was like liquid gold, warming him from the inside out.

"Good morning, Asia. Whatcha cooking?" Leo asked as he looked over her shoulder to see a basic pan of scrambled eggs frying in the pan.

"Eggs, toast, oatmeal, sausage and some diced fruit." Asia said sweetly, Leo nodded his head and took a seat at the dinning room table.

"It smells delicious." Leo said before taking another sip of coffee, Asia's smile seemed to widen at his words.

As he basked in the nice morning, his phone buzzed next to him. Picking it up, he saw a text from Issei.

Issei: Dude, I'm so sore I can barely move. You better be dying too, or I'll be pissed.

Leo chuckled, typing back a quick reply.

Leo: Sore, yeah. But I'm still alive. Guess you've got some catching up to do.

The reply came almost instantly.

Issei: Screw you. Also, Ann says hi.

Leo: Tell her I said good morning. And hydrate, dumbass. We're not skipping tomorrow.

As he set his phone down, Leo looked up to see Asia setting his plate down in front of him with a sweet smile.

"Was that Issei?" She asked as she retrieved her own plate and sat down in the seat next to Leo.

"Yeah, he was checking to make sure I was as sore as he is." Leo said with a smirk. Asia giggled and took a sip of her juice.

"You two are working so hard. I feel bad that I can't help in some way." She says glancing down sadly, Leo smiled and gently ran a hand through her hair.

"Asia, you're helping right now. You made me breakfast, that's more than enough. So, thank you."

The new member of the Gremory family blushed at the kind gesture.

---

Leo opens the door to the ORC with a smile on his face, Asia and Issei following behind him with their own smiles.

"Sup you guys! Asia and Issei are with me." Leo says as he walks into the room. Rias can be seen sitting in her chair with her head propped on her closed fist, her eyes glazed over with the same look Leo had seen when they were training, and it's starting to really worry him.

"Rias?" Leo called out to her quietly but she didn't hear him being to absorbed in her thoughts.

The young man walked around the desk till he was face to face with her. He watches as her eyes focus on his face, Rias slightly gets startled from him being so close but gives him a loving smile.

"Oh, Leo. I'm sorry, I didn't notice you there. Forgive me, it's been one of those day's." Rias said.

Leo wasn't convinced, this has been happening to frequently and it's starting to really worry him. But before he could voice his worries, Rias turned to the blonde haired woman with a smile.

"Asia." Rias called out to her. Asia turned her focus away from Kiba and Koneko's chess match and looked at her curiously.

"Yes?" Asia replies and walks to stand in front of her desk, Rias rises to her feet and places a hand on her hip.

"I'm thinking about having you debut tonight." Rias said.

"Debut?" Asia questioned tilting her head. Leo looks at her with a small smile.

"You teleport to a client through a magic circle and form a contact, it's super simple." Leo explained. He watched as his junior in the club nodded her head a few times absorbing the information into her brain.

"Wait, isn't it too early? Asia has only been with us for a little over a week." Issei said voicing his worries.

"Can't say I'm not worried, but I believe in Asia's ability. I think she's more than ready." Leo says trying to calm Issei's worries. The blonde slightly blushed from Leo's words, the sound of a tray and its contents clattering around reaches their ears as Akeno appears from the kitchen.

"It's no problem. As far as I've figured out, Asia's demonic power ranks just below mine in this household." Akeno said causing Issei's mouth to hang open in shock, Leo whistles in amazement.

"That's rad." Leo said smirking, he walked towards Koneko's sofa and took a seat next to her. The small girl reaches into her bag of open chips and holds out one for him, smiling at the gesture he takes it and eats it.

"Are you for real?!" Issei says loudly, shocking him to his core.

"You'll be a very capable bishop." Rias said praising Asia, the girl looks around shocked at all the sudden praise she's getting. Kiba looks up from the chess board with a smile and nods his head in agreement.

"Congrats on that too. Bishop's impressive!" Kiba said before turning his attention back to his predicament, right now he's about to get checkmated by Koneko. The small woman holds a small smirk feeling the victory in her grasp.

"Oh, um... thanks a lot!" Asia exclaimed not used to all this praise. Leo glances at Issei and notices the downcast aura that hangs over him.

"Glad to have you on the team." Koneko adds. Leo pats her on the head with a smile, unexpectedly the small woman leans into his hand and purrs?

"I know I should be happy for her, but I kinda wanna kill myself.." Issei said in a exasperated tone with slumped shoulders. Leo chuckles at his antics and turned his attention back to the interesting chess match.

Two-Week Time Skip...

The last two weeks had been a whirlwind of activity for Leo, a blend of physical exhaustion, personal growth, and the daily chaos that came with being a devil. Despite the challenges, he'd managed to keep himself on track, though not without a few bumps along the way.

Morning Runs and Training

Leo's mornings had become a blur of sweat and determination. Every day, rain or shine, he and Issei met at the crack of dawn for their runs. They pushed each other harder, their banter a constant source of motivation as they added more laps, more push-ups, and more pull-ups to their routine.

Though his body often protested, Leo found solace in the routine. The soreness in his muscles had become a familiar companion, a reminder of his progress. Even Rias had started joining them occasionally, offering her usual teasing commentary from her bike while secretly admiring their dedication.

Helping the Student Council

Between training sessions, Leo had also continued helping Sona and the Student Council. The mountain of paperwork never seemed to shrink, but Leo's presence lightened the atmosphere.

Sona, though reluctant to admit it, appreciated his reliable nature. Her occasional smiles and moments of playful banter hinted at her growing comfort around him, though she kept their engagement a carefully guarded secret.

Tsubaki, ever observant, often watched their interactions with a knowing smile, content to see Sona lowering her walls around someone she trusted.

Summon Requests

On the devil side of things, Leo had managed to complete a handful of summon requests. Most were simple—a wish for a good luck charm here, a request to fix a broken appliance there. But a few had tested his patience and creativity, like the time he had to help a lonely old man find companionship for his pet cat.

Through it all, Leo found himself appreciating the small connections he made with the human world. Each request reminded him of the person he wanted to become—someone dependable, someone strong enough to make a difference.

Despite his steady progress, even Leo had his off days. That Friday, gym class loomed over him like a chore. He was sore, mentally drained, and feeling unusually sluggish.

When the time came for physical activities, Leo decided to skip out. "One missed day won't kill me," he muttered to himself as he slipped out of the gym unnoticed.

The nurse's office was quiet and cool, the perfect place for a quick nap. He sank onto one of the cots, pulling the curtain halfway closed as he let out a sigh.

As he closed his eyes, the soft hum of the air conditioning and the faint scent of antiseptic filled his senses. His mind drifted, the chaos of the past two weeks fading into the background as he allowed himself this brief moment of peace.

---

Leo's eyes slowly opened, the young man stared at the ceiling for a few moments as his brain slowly woke up. His mind wandered to something that had been plaguing him since he was revived. What did he bring to Rias's peerage? Asia had her healing, Kiba had speed and his mastery of the sword, Koneko has the strength of a 100 body-builders, Akeno was amazing with magic, Rias is the leader that can strategize. Hell, even Issei, he had a sacred gear.

Leo? What does he bring to the table to help them?

'Damn it. I hate when I begin thinking like this. It pisses me off...' Leo thought darkly, he brought a hand up to cover his eyes but a soft weight kept it stuck to his side. Turning his head to the right, he's greeted with the sight of his naked girlfriend, Rias, with her wings gently rising and falling with every breath she takes.

A strand of hair covers her mouth, reaching a hand out he gently moves it so she can get proper air flow into her body. Her eyes slowly flutter open, they stare at one another before she speaks in her sweet voice.

"Oh, Leo." Rias said smiling before covering her mouth as she yawned.

"Did you have a good nap?" Leo asked with a small smirk, the red haired beauty smiled and pulled him close.

"I did. I always do when it's with you." She says whispering in his ear, she feels her wings hit the edge of the bed and glances over her shoulder.

"Oh, oops." Rias said quietly as she retracted them, she turned her attention back to Leo and held him tightly.

"I need you to do something for me." Rias said.

"What do you need?" Leo asked his voice muffled as his face is directly between Rias's chest, she lessens her grip letting him look up at her.

"It's about Issei. He's still struggling to get a pact. I need you to go with him to a client." Rias said before kissing Leo on the forehead. The young man smiled and nodded his head.

"Of course, I'll always help out family." Leo said.

Rias's smile widened hearing that, she laid her head against his chest and enjoyed the close moment they shared but her eyes betrayed her, they held a look of despair once more as her mind raced to her predicament.

---

Classes had ended rather quickly today. Leo, Rias and Issei can be seen standing on a large summoning circle that flairs with power, Leo stood next to the red haired beauty so nothing like the first time happened to him again. The room shifts and changes color before they disappear, Leo blinked and found himself in a room full of samurai memorabilia.

"It looks like an apartment.." Issei said quietly as he looked around confused, Leo nods his head as he sees a suit of armor sitting on a small chair.

"Wow, this ones pretty detailed." Leo said in wonder. The suit of armor suddenly stands up shocking the two.

The samurai armor exudes an aura of ancient strength and prestige, every detail meticulously crafted to strike awe into allies and terror into foes.

The helmet, an imposing dome of darkened steel, is crowned with a brilliant golden ornament—a fierce, stylized dragon coiled in mid-roar. Its intricately engraved scales gleam faintly in the light, each curve and contour designed to evoke a sense of divine power and authority. The ornament hangs slightly, suspended by delicate golden chains that allow it to sway subtly with each movement, adding a dynamic elegance to the warrior's every step.

A thick mustache attachment extends from the helmet's faceguard, made of lacquered black metal and sculpted to resemble a nobleman's finely groomed mustache. It lends an almost human expression to the otherwise cold, unyielding visage of the armor, a reminder of the warrior's pride and discipline.

The chest plate is forged from overlapping plates of lacquered steel and reinforced with leather bindings, dyed deep crimson to symbolize valor. Intricate carvings of swirling clouds and rising suns decorate its surface, telling the tale of the warrior's lineage and unyielding spirit.

At the hips rest two swords, sheathed in scabbards of polished wood. The longer katana and the shorter wakizashi are a matched pair, their hilts wrapped in black and gold silk cord. Each tsuba (guard) is shaped like a crescent moon, and the faint gleam of the blades suggests they have been honed to a razor's edge, ready to deliver swift, decisive strikes.

The overall ensemble is a masterful blend of functionality and artistry, embodying the samurai's unwavering dedication to their code and the legacy they carry into battle.

"Ghaaaa!" Issei shouts reeling back.

Rias smiles towards the now person before them.

"Oh, are you the devils?" A feminine voice asks from the armor surprising them. Since this is Issei's potential contract the other two let him take the lead.

"Um, excuse me, but are you a woman?" Issei asked nervously, the intimidating armor nods its head as the woman inside takes a step forwards and holds out her hand.

"My name is, Susan. I came here to study because I love Japanese culture." Susan explains. Leo takes a step forwards and gently shakes her hand.

"Pleasure to meet you Susan, I'm Leo, that's Issei and that's Rias." Leo said introducing everyone. Rias gives a small wave with a friendly smile, but Issei is still shocked to find out the person in the armor is a woman.

"B-But that getup is..." Issei trailed of and nervously rubbed the back of his neck.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I clad myself in armor to be protected from the danger of the night." Susan said embarrassed.

Issei sweat drops at this.

"I think you're doing it wrong.."

"But, I'm glad nice devils like you came. If scary devils had come, I would've had to... had to draw this Kijinmaru Kusnishige!" Susan says in a spooked voice, the scared woman draws her katana making it slice through the air. Issei being the closest leaned backwards to avoid getting cut on the stomach.

"You just drew it!" Issei shouted now even more scared.

A Few Minutes Later...

Susan had poured everyone some green tea in old Japanese styled cups. Issei sits cross-legged next to Leo and Rias. The red haired beauty smiles towards the client before taking a sip of the tea.

"So, Susan, what do you want us to do?" Issei asks curiously. They watch as the woman clad in armor covers her face guard embaressed.

"P-Please accompany me to the university, so I can retrieve the notes I left there." Susan stutters out slightly trembling, Issei sweat drops at this.

"That's it?" Issei asks confused. The once scared girl removes her hands from her face guard letting the intimidating face guard peer into his soul.

"The university is scary at night!" Susan shouts in fear. Issei slightly recoils from her scream, kinda afraid of the woman before him. Rias has a look of pity on her face as she looks down at her tea, Leo nods his head and looks at Issei.

"Me and Issei can go with you, help you scare off anything in the dark." Leo said standing with a friendly smile.

Susan bows repeatedly thanking them, Rias looks up at Leo with a small smile and blush on her face, but she quickly looks away with a sadden glaze in her eyes.

Ten Minutes Later...

Leo and Issei follow close behind Susan as they escort her down a dark street. The woman clad in armor trembles being out in the dark and tightly holds onto her sword. A nearby street lamp's bulb bursts causing a dog to bark.

"GHAAAAAAAA!" Susan screams in terror as she drew her sword and started swinging wildly. Issei jumps from her sudden shriek.

"W-What's wrong?" Issei stutters out before looking around for what caused her to scream. Leo also looks around and notices one of the street lamps are now dark.

"S-Sorry, streets at night are scary..." Susan says trembling slightly. Leo gently pats her on the back and points to the nearby street lamp.

"It's okay, it was just that. Don't worry, if anything scary jumps out, me and Issei will protect you." Leo says with a smile.

"Th-Thank you.." Susan said quietly before they continued the journey to retrieve her notes.

Twenty Minutes Later...

The three arrive back at Susan's apartment after a successful mission. Leo takes a seat beside Rias who takes his arm with a smile, she leans her head against his shoulder basking in his touch and presence.

Susan gets down on her knees before fully bowing muttering a lot of incoherent words confusing Issei and Leo.

"I have no idea what the hell you just said..." Issei trails off as he rubs the back of his head. Rias stands up along side Leo and she leads him over to a open part of the floor. She reluctantly releases her hold on his arm and begins forming their teleport circle.

Susan sheepishly tapped Leo on the shoulder causing him to turn and face her.

"U-Um, excuse me..." Susan says in a soft voice. Leo smiles at her.

"Is there anything else you need?" Leo asked. Susan sheepishly nods her head and looks down. Rias hears this and stops summoning the teleportation circle and turns to face her with Leo.

"I hate to be a bother, but I have another favor to ask." Susan says as she fidgets back and forth. Leo nods his head and goes to speak up but Issei speaks before he could.

"And I hate to be a bummer, but no way. One request per visit." Issei said. His voice tired from this interaction. Rias smiles sweetly at the woman and stands next to Leo.

"Nonsense. We'd be happy to help." Rias said.

"I agree. What can we help you with?" Leo asks taking his original seat. Rias joins him and leans her head against his shoulder as Susan sits in front of the both of them.

The woman clad in armor suddenly stats fidgeting worse than before, embarrassed sounds escape her mouth. Rias's eyes light up some how knowing why the woman is embarrassed.

"Are you in love with a boy?" Rias asked with a large smile, Leo chuckled and sat quietly letting the two women discuss the best plan of action.

"Are you serious right now?" Issei asks, he's mentally burnt-out from this request. Rias ignores him and waits patiently for Susan to get over her shyness.

"Yes. I'm shy and thus couldn't express my feelings. He's a wonderful man." Susan says sheepishly. Rias's eyes light up at having "girl talk" like normal people her age. Leo nods his head trying to think of how they can help her.

"I bet he's a total samurai nerd. Complete with armor, a sword and his virginity." Issei says while comedically crying on the floor. Leo glances over at him and has to hold back his laughter as Rias continues.

"So, you want us to make him fall in love with you?" Rias asks.

"If possible, I don't want any demonic powers involved. I want to earn his love on my own." Susan explains. Issei turns to her with a exhausted expression.

"Then you don't need us..." Issei said. Rias turned to face him and bonks him on the head with her fist. He comedically rolls around on the floor as he silently screams in pain.

"Then, why don't you confess to him right away?" Rias asks. Susan shakes her head rapidly embaressed.

"That's... I can't just do that!"

Leo thought of a solution for her, suddenly he snapped his fingers and points at her with a smile.

"A letter could do the trick." Said Leo. Susan looks up at him with a hopeful aura hanging around her.

"A letter?" Susan repeats as she thinks. Rias smiles at Leo and nods her head in agreement.

"Oh, yeah, a love letter might be a good idea." Said Rias.

"Y-You think so?" Susan asked still unsure, Rias nodded her head as her smile grew.

"Yes. It's a wonderful to convey one's feelings in writing." Said Rias.

"O-Okay. I'll give it a try!" Said Susan. Her voice radiated confidence, the woman nodded a few times before standing up and walking to a nearby desk. The Japanese history buff pulled out a scroll, ink and brush to write in the old ways.

'She wasn't kidding. She is super into Japanese history..' Leo thought to himself. The woman mumbles to herself as she writes excitedly.

"I am writing you about no specific order of business, thus you may set your mind at ease." Susan mutters quietly. Issei sighs and kneels next to Leo with a defeated expression.

"Sounds like an official address." Said Issei.

"The most important part is feelings you communicate, the way you write it shouldn't matter." Said Leo.

Issei turned to Leo with a deadpanned look on his face.

"I'm not sure if that'll get the feelings across."

Rias's expression changes, she looks off to the side with that faraway look she's been having with each day that passes.

"Yes, it's not the form. It isn't... about the form." Rias said quietly. Leo gently took her hand and gave it a small squeeze. Rias turns and gives him a smile, but the sound of something slamming catches their attention.

Turning back to Susan, the woman had finished her love letter and wrapped it around the tip of an arrow. She grabs a nearby long bow that was sat in the corner, she aims it out the nearby window ready to fire.

Issei suddenly jumps to his feet in shock.

"THAT'S HOW YOUR GONNA SEND THE LETTER?!" Shouted Issei.

---

The next morning unfolded in a serene, almost ethereal quietness. A thin lair of fog clung to the ground, weaving through the park like a delicate veil, softening the edges of the world. Dew glistened on the grass and leaves, catching the faint light of the rising sun as it struggled to pierce through the mist.

The air was cool and carried the earthy scent of damp soil and foliage, mingling with the faint aroma of distant flowers beginning to bloom. The gentle rustling of leaves in the light breeze added a subtle undertone to the soundscape of the morning.

The sound of a horn echoed through the air, cutting through the serene atmosphere. A nearby mother walking with her small daughter increases her pace.

"Mom, what is that?" The small girl asked, the mom gave a uneasy smile as she quickly guided the small girl away.

"Don't look." She quietly said before they leave the area.

Leo, Rias and Issei can be seen stood next to Susan as she sits on a small fold out chair, still dawning her samurai armor. To set the atmosphere, she had set up banners all around her seating area.

The banner consists of a white and black color pallet, with a lone black hollow circle in the center. The flags that are raised are the opposite, they have a white hollow circle.

"What even is happening?" Issei asked while holding his head. Leo smirked and looked over at him.

"Not a fan of the samurai era?" Leo asked. Issei rubbed his eyes trying to get the sleep out of them.

"It's just too early for this." Issei said tiredly.

Leo looked him over and could see his disheveled appearance, he had small bags under his eyes and his clothes were a little wrinkled.

"Did you get any sleep last night?" Leo asked looking Issei over. The young man shook his head and ran a hand through his messy hair as a yawn escaped him.

"No... I pulled an all nighter trying to get homework done." Said Issei.

Rias taps Leo on the arm getting his attention, he looks at her and she points to their front.

"Seems like he's here." Rias said quietly.

Everyone looks to see a man dawning armor from the middle age walking towards them.

The figure standing before them was a vision of medieval grandeur, a knight clad in gleaming steel that caught the light with every subtle movement. The great helm, with its faceless design, concealed his identity, leaving only the sharp glint of his eyes visible through the narrow slits. The polished metal seemed to add an air of mystery, making the wearer appear less human and more like a spectral warrior brought to life.

His broad shoulders were encased in pauldrons, layered and ridged to deflect blows. Each step he took caused the plates to shift with a metallic whisper, a sound that carried both precision and authority. The chest plate, sculpted to fit the contours of his torso, was adorned with faint etchings —a coat of arms bordered by intricate floral patterns, subtle yet undeniably regal.

Thick vambraces shielded his forearms, and his gauntlets, fitted like a second skin, extended to his fingers, each digit protected by a segmented steel that moved seamlessly. The man had his hands balled up into fists causing the steel to creak with each sway of his arms.

A sudden glint caught Issei and Leo's attention, the messenger arrow from the previous night now sticks out the side of the towering knights helmet. Issei panics and looks between the two before pointing at the man with an arrow in his head.

"This is bad! You shot him right in the fucking head!" Issei exclaimed in a panic. Susan fidgeted around and looked at the ground.

"Yes, I thought about different ways to do it, but sending a message via arrow was the only thing I could manage." Said Susan.

Leo, Rias and Issei all stepped off to the side and watched with anticipation. Issei had a nervous look as his gaze traveled between the shy samurai girl and the pissed off looking knight. Rias gently interlocked her fingers with Leo and had a serious look on her face.

They watched as the knight stopped a few feet away from Susan and just stared at her, the only sound now in the park is that of the trees blowing in the wind. A few tense minutes went by before the knight spoke.

"I have read your letter. It was a wonderful message!" He said in a cheerful voice, Susan relaxed and listened to him intently. Rias smiled at the scene and gently squeezed Leo's hand, seeing a knight in shining armor and girl fall in love is her fantasy.

"I'm amazed you caught me off guard and shot me with an arrow. What a letter!" He said with a hand over his chest. Susan was taken aback and interlaced her fingers together nervously.

"Oh no, all I was thinking was how to get it to you, Hori." Susan said sincerely.

Issei was too sleep deprived to deal with this, he face palmed and sighed.

"I feel like I'm going mad..." Said Issei. He glanced to see Rias and Leo focused on the scene before them and sighed again.

"I-I want to go out with you if you don't mind." Hori said kneeling before Susan. Rias's face lit up at the declaration, Issei look dumbfounded, and Leo smiled.

"A-Are you fucking with me right now? It's that easy?!" Issei said as his eyebrow slightly twitched. Leo chuckled at him and gave him a teasing smirk.

"Told you it's about the feelings portrayed." Leo said smugly, Issei shot him a look but before he could say anything; Hori stood up and gently grabbed both of Susan's hands surprising her.

"Ho-Hori! I'm so happy!" Susan declared before being engulfed in a hug by the knight.

"Susan! Your armor is wonderful." Hori said.

Rias's eyes expand in happiness seeing the scene before her, it's straight out of a fairy tale she was told when she was a little girl. Her hold on Leo's hand was tightend and she didn't plan on letting go.

Without warning, a sharp, searing pain shot through his head, causing him to grimace. He clutched his temple with his free hand as the world around him blurred, the distant sounds of the park and Issei's concerned voice fading into a strange, distorted echo.

"Ugh... what the hell—?" he muttered, his voice strained.

Then, like a floodgate bursting open, an image filled his mind—a memory, vivid and unrelenting, playing out like a scene in a movie.

The Memory

It was a crisp autumn afternoon in Maine, the trees surrounding the school ablaze with red and gold. The name "Seabrook Academy" was etched in stone over the entrance, the prestigious school bustling with students eager to make their mark.

Leo stood near the edge of the courtyard, dressed in a letterman jacket emblazoned with a wrestling insignia. His heart pounded in his chest as he gripped the small bouquet of daisies in his hand. The normally confident wrestling captain, whose strength and determination were unmatched on the mat or in the ring, was uncharacteristically nervous.

Across the courtyard, Melisa Galilei was the center of attention, as always. Her long, golden hair caught the sunlight, shimmering like a halo. Her flawless smile lit up her face as she chatted effortlessly with a group of admirers. Melisa was everything—popular, brilliant, and stunning in a way that made her seem almost untouchable.

But Leo had made up his mind. After months of wrestling with his feelings, he'd decided to confess.

Taking a deep breath, he crossed the courtyard, each step feeling heavier than the last. When he finally reached her, the crowd around her parted slightly, their murmurs falling silent as Melisa turned to face him.

"Leo Young," she said, her voice smooth and melodic. She tilted her head slightly, a hint of curiosity in her piercing blue eyes. "What brings you over here?"

Leo's mouth went dry, and for a moment, all the words he'd rehearsed in his head vanished. He cleared his throat, his grip tightening on the flowers.

"I… uh…" He took a deep breath, forcing himself to meet her gaze. "Melisa, I like you. I've liked you for a long time, and I just… I had to tell you."

The words hung in the air, the world seeming to hold its breath. Melisa's expression shifted—first surprise, then something unreadable.

"You… like me?" she repeated, her tone laced with incredulity.

Leo nodded, his heart hammering in his chest. "Yeah. I know you probably think I'm just some dumb wrestler, but I see how amazing you are, and I wanted to let you know."

For a moment, she said nothing, her gaze locked on his. Then, slowly, a smile spread across her lips—a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"That's… sweet, Leo," she said, her tone smooth but distant. She reached out and gently took the daisies from his hand. "Really sweet."

Before he could respond, she turned back to her friends, the bouquet dangling carelessly in her hand.

"Anyway," she said with a laugh, her voice rising as if the confession had never happened, "as I was saying—"

Leo's heart sank as her attention shifted back to her adoring crowd, his moment of vulnerability brushed aside as easily as the petals of the flowers she now held.

Back to the Present

The memory faded, leaving Leo gasping for breath, the pain in his head slowly ebbing. He moved his hand from his head to his beating heart, his hands trembling as he stared wide eyed infront of him.

Issei and Rias had been trying to call out to him but he was unresponsive, now the usually strong young man was trembling with a scared expression.

Rias gently cupped the side of his face and caressed his cheek trying to sooth his anguish.

"Leo, are you okay?" Rias asked gently.

Leo's gaze was still distant and his ears ringing, he took in deep yet shaky breaths to calm his beating heart that hammered in his chest.

"Melisa..." he murmured, the name unfamiliar yet painfully clear now. Rias and Issei shared a look before focusing on Leo.

"Leo, can you hear me?" Issei called out.

The young man's eyes wide snapped to his friend and he shakily nodded. Rias gently turned his gaze to her and she stared into his scared sky blue orbs.

"Who's Melisa?" Rias asked gently.

Leo was unsure how to answer, the memory was like a puzzle piece, one that didn't quite fit into the blank slate of his life before Kuoh. But it was real, and it left him feeling a multitude of emotions.

"I-I'm not sure... s-seeing Hori and Susan, i-it made me remember something that I don't remember doing. Wh-Who the hell.. was she?" he whispered, his chest tight.

Before the two could help him with this issue, Susan and Hori had walked up to them with the aura's of happiness hanging over them.

"U-Um. I wanted to thank you three. Without you, I wouldn't have my knight in shining armor." Susan said snapping Leo out of his thoughts.

Quickly putting up a mask, Leo's expression changed and he pushed what just happened to the back of his mind.

"O-Of course. Is there anything else you need help with, Susan?" Leo asked still a little shaken up. The samurai girl shook her head and tightly held Hori's armored hand.

"If it's not to much trouble, could you take a picture of us? I want to remember this glorious day!" Hori exclaimed proudly.

Susan pulled out a old school film camera from her nearby bag and handed it to Leo. The young man stepped back a few steps and aimed the lens towards the new couple.

"Alright, you two lovebirds, say 'For honor and love!' Or, you know, whatever knights and samurai yell when they're about to take over the world together!"

The couple chuckled, striking a dramatic pose—him with an imaginary sword held high, her with an invisible bow aimed at the camera.

Leo snapped the picture, shaking his head with a chuckle. "Perfect. You two look like you're about to storm a castle... or maybe a food court."

---

The room was bathed in a soft orange glow, the fading sunlight filtering through the windows and casting warm hues over the walls and furniture. The faint chirping of birds outside added to the tranquil atmosphere, as if the world itself had paused to witness the moment.

Leo stood near the window, his figure framed by the light as he gazed out at the dusky horizon. His usual confident demeanor was softened by the warmth of the setting sun.

Behind him, Rias sat on the couch, in her hand was the photo that Leo had snapped earlier completing the contract. Her crimson hair shimmered in the light, cascading over her shoulders like a river of fire. She glanced at Leo, her sapphire eyes thoughtful as a faint blush tinted her cheeks.

Issei had left a few minutes ago, he's too mentally drained and needs to sleep.

"Leo," she began softly, her voice cutting through the stillness, "what do you think about being in a romantic relationship with someone you truly love?"

Leo turned, his expression curious before it softened into a small smile. He stepped closer, his eyes meeting hers as he leaned against the edge of the couch.

"It sounds perfect," he said after a moment, his voice low but steady. "Being with someone you love more than the world… it's one of the best feelings in the world."

Rias's lips curved into a smile, her blush deepening as her gaze briefly dropped to her hands. "I agree," she murmured, her voice almost a whisper.

The room fell silent again, but this time it wasn't uncomfortable. The air between them seemed to thrum with a quiet intensity. Leo hesitated for a moment, then stepped closer to Rias.

He reached out, gently cupping her cheek with one hand, his thumb brushing against her soft skin. Rias looked up at him, her sapphire eyes wide and shimmering with emotion.

Leaning down, Leo pressed his lips to hers, a soft, tentative kiss that seemed to melt the space between them.

Rias responded immediately, her hands lifting to rest on his chest. What began as a tender moment quickly deepened, their kiss evolving into one of passion as their emotions overtook them. Rias tilted her head slightly, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt as their tongues met in a slow, intoxicating dance.

When they finally broke apart, both were breathing heavily, their faces flushed from the intensity of the kiss. Their foreheads pressed together, and Leo's hand lingered on her cheek, his other resting on her waist.

"Rias…" he began, his voice barely above a whisper.

She smiled, her own breath shaky as she closed her eyes for a brief moment. "Leo… I've truly come to like you," she admitted, her voice trembling with sincerity. "Spending time with you, even in such a short time… I enjoy it more than I ever thought I could."

Leo's heart swelled at her words, his mind racing as he held her close. "I feel the same," he said softly. "Meeting you, and everyone else—has been the best thing to happen to me."

Rias opened her eyes, her gaze meeting his. There was something raw and vulnerable in her expression, as if she'd been waiting for this moment.

She leaned in, sealing with another kiss, this one filled with love and certainty. When they broke apart, she wrapped her arms tightly around him, burying her face in his chest.

Leo held her just as tightly, his chin resting on the top of her head. The moment was perfect, almost surreal. But as Rias closed her eyes, a single tear slipped down her cheek, glistening in the warm light.

This is what it feels like to be truly happy, she thought, her heart aching even as it swelled with love. But deep down, the knowledge of her betrothal to him lingered like a shadow over the moment.

She clung to Leo tighter, unwilling to let go, even as her mind whispered the truth she hadn't yet revealed.

For now, this was their moment, and she intended to savor every second of it.