CHAPTER 1

Under the tree.

In the heart of a tranquil suburban neighborhood, Kuoh Academy stood as a testament to history and progress, its architecture a blend of tradition and modernity. Originally established as an all-girls school, its roots traced back to a time when education was a privilege reserved for the elite. However, as societal norms evolved and the call for gender equality grew louder, Kuoh Academy embarked on a transformative journey, opening its doors to male students and embracing a co-educational model.

In the more lush part of the academy was a male student enjoying the soft ray of the sun passing through the leaves. He thoroughly took in this peaceful moment. Slightly away from the bustling center of the school next to the old school building, Kerth, a second year student, was lazily lying on the grass. He had unkempt raven hair, and his uniform barely complied with the dress code. As he hummed the break time away. His laid back moment was interrupted by an all too familiar smug voice.

"Spare a seat under this tree, buddy?" Shad, a second year student as well, also had black hair. In contrast, he had straight medium length hair and distinctly green eyes. His uniform, unlike the laying student, followed the dress code, albeit with a bit of a more leeway with his collar. Giving him a similar laid-back vibe, just toned down in comparison to Kerth's.

"Of course, man." Responded Kerth. "How'd your match go?"

"Same as always." Shad answered as he took a seat next to him on the grass.

"So… she kicked your ass, huh?"

"Yep."

"...Don't sweat it, man."

"I'm not."

After a bit of an awkward silence, both of them broke into a snicker before Kerth asked. "You free tonight, man?"

"Yeah. What's up?"

"It may sound a little gay, but… wanna see a star shower together? I know a suitable spot."

"...Sure, why the hell not." Shad answered with a snicker before standing up. "I know you'd prefer to spend the whole day here, but the classes are about to start."

"Eh… already?" Kerth complained as he reluctantly lifted himself up from the ground with a groan.

"Yeah. I don't want to hear more complaints about you from Sona, you know?" Shad said as he swatted his arm.

"Sorry~~" Kerth said with an apologetic smile. As they were about to head back to the main building, Kerth felt a gaze resting upon him and Shad. Looking up, he saw the characteristic crimson of one peculiar girl.

Rias Gremory. The school idol whose beauty is beyond a normal human's. At least that's how the student body likes to paint her. She was a third year student, making her a senior to the both of them. The wind gently blew her crimson hair. Her beautiful skin, which was white as snow, was remarkable.

When her blue eyes met with Kerth's brown, he gave her a warm smile and waved lazily. Shortly after, both Shad and Kerth could spy a small smile appear on the girl's face that observed them from the balcony above and waved back before heading back into the room.

If anyone else aside from Shad saw this, he would be thrown right into the middle of a scandal or scorn from both male and female students alike. He'd probably get more hateful gazes than the "perverted trio". That's the status Rias Gremory held thanks to her popularity and beauty.

"Ey~When did you become so chummy with Gremory?" Shad teased as he nudged his friend with his elbow.

"I didn't, man. We've never talked before." Kerth answered, a hint of blush tinting his cheek as they were on the way to the school's main building.

"Then what was that wave just now?"

"Nothing. Just felt like it, ya know?"

"Felt like it, eh?" Shad smug smirk only grew wider. "Good luck, man." He said with a laugh.

"Ehehe…" Kerth could only laugh awkwardly along with him, before they went back to their usual routine.

Longing gaze?

With her devilish hearing, she could easily make out what the leaving boys were talking about. Walking them away, with her gaze from the balcony, she couldn't help but release a small chuckle at the notion of such a small gesture being Kerth's way of getting her heart.

Akeno, who was in the midst of losing her chess match against Rias, noticed the small smile appearing on her king's face. "Ara ara~Did something good happen just now?" she asked, as she moved her piece on the board before taking a few steps to look out the window.

When the raven haired girl looked out, she saw both Shad and Kerth on their way back to the main building. Prompting her mind to come up with the most ridiculous scenarios.

"Nothing much." Rias answered nonchalantly, her smile not disappearing as she fluidly moved one piece, earning her a checkmate.

"Ara~ and here I tried to make it more challenging for you." Akeno pouted.

"It was challenging. Just not as much as how Sona would make it." Rias said with a smug look.

"...I'll try better next time. If you tell me which one it is?" Akeno asked, matching her King's energy.

"What do you mean?"

"Which of those cuties made you smile like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like a pure maiden~ufufu"

"A-Akeno!" Rias shouted, her cheeks flushing at the suggestion.

"Oh no~ She's mad." Akeno yelped sarcastically as she made her way out of the clubroom.

Their Reasons

"... Say, Kerth," Shad hummed as they walked into the school building.

"Mm?" the sleepy student retorted.

"Why did you enroll into this school anyway?"

"You complaining?"

"Ha! About my childhood friend? Hardly… just kinda curious is all. You always seemed the kind to enjoy cruising by in a public school more. I was a little surprised you asked your parents to apply for a private school."

Kerth sighed as he mulled it over, lazily switching from his outdoor to his indoor shoes along with Shad. "... I'll answer. But only if you tell me your reason… and what brought this up."

His best friend shrugged as they made their way to class. "I heard the perv trio shouting something about harems being their reason the other day and that's what got me curious."

Kerth smiled at Shad's response before he scoffed slightly. "To go back to what you said then… asked? Hardly. My father made me come here babbling on about how it'd make me a 'proper adult'. The only reason I agreed is because it's close by…" He gave his friend a relaxed smile. "That being said, seeing you in class definitely lifted my mood a bit. So, what about you?"

Shad thought it over for a moment. "I dunno… similar reasons to you I suppose. It was close. And it definitely seemed more appealing than dying of boredom in a public school. Better diploma too, it'll look better when looking at what comes next."

Kerth nodded. "That's a good point, I suppose… not sure what I'd wanna do for a job or college with a diploma from here though."

"Meh, we'll figure it out. We always do… maybe we go into business together?"

"Heh. As long as you don't expect me to do anything too tedious maybe."

Homeroom

The duo walked into their classroom, 2-C, with plenty of time left to relax before the teacher got in. "You said it was just about to start…" Kerth huffed, giving Shad a pointed look.

"'About to start' for you usually means five minutes late. So why not make it five early?" his friend replied with a smug grin.

"You suck," the perpetually fatigued boy sighed as he sat at his desk, resting his head in his arms.

"Hello you two. You're in early," Yuuto waved at them before saying goodbye to another group of his fans.

"Hey Yuuto," Shad waved to the blonde.

"~~~zzzz."

Yuuto chuckled as Shad glanced at his lightly snoring friend. "Already out cold," he sighed.

"Has he always been like that?" the blonde questioned, taking a seat near the two.

"More or less… Ever since we were kids."

"I see… say, I've been meaning to ask but you two don't happen to be in any extracurriculars, do you?"

"Nope." Shad shook his head as he started getting ready for class. "Well, I used to be in the Chess Club when that was running last year but that fell apart. And Kerth finds that kind of stuff too bothersome."

Yuuto nodded as he started rifling through his bag. "I see. You know, applications are opening up for the Occult Research Club if you two are interested?" He handed the raven haired boy a pair of fliers. "The president was asking me to look for some applicants and I think you two might fit in."

Shad's emerald green eyes scanned through one of the club fliers as he considered it. "I dunno… Kerth and I aren't exactly a package deal but I don't think he has a lot of interest in the occult… and I tend to be a little busy after school."

"You don't need to answer now," the blond answered patiently. "Just consider it. We hold our meetings in the old schoolhouse in the forest if you're interested."

He got a nod in return. "I'll have to consider it, maybe talk it over with Kerth some. Thanks though."

"Don't mention it," Yuuto replied with a charming smile.