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The next morning, after breakfast, Mika and Akeno headed towards Kuoh Academy.
It was Sunday.
As students, they wouldn't have to go to school.
However, Devils didn't observe human weekends.
Unlike humans, whose lives were often filled with work and other obligations, Devils—for the most part had ample free time.
While they did work at night, fulfilling contracts, those jobs usually only lasted a few hours—And they weren't constantly in demand.
Therefore, Devils didn't need weekends.
Even on Sundays, Akeno and the others often went to the Occult Research Club, handling Devil business or simply socializing.
And with the Three Factions meeting fast approaching—to be held at Kuoh Academy itself. Rias was incredibly busy.
Akeno, as her Vice-President, shared her workload.
If not for her assignment to escort Mika to his meeting with Michael, she, too, would have been working. However, these scheduling conflicts didn't affect Mika. He rarely participated in Devil activities or missions.
His power, after all, was far beyond what those tasks required. Having him participate would only deprive the newer members of valuable experience.
After all, Rias's peerage now had several new recruits, each with great potential, but that potential needed to be nurtured, developed over time.
Therefore, Mika usually avoided such activities, letting the others gain experience.
But today was different. Last night, his relationship with Akeno had changed, their intimacy deepening their bond.
He had initially intended to take the day off, to spend some quality time with her. However, Akeno had insisted on going to school.
According to her, if she didn't show up, Rias would come looking for her. She seemed to believe Rias's restraint last night had been an act of mercy, a temporary reprieve.
And now, Akeno had to face the music, so to speak.
While Mika couldn't fully understand her reasoning, he suspected it was simply how they interacted—their unique way of expressing their friendship.
Therefore, he had agreed to accompany her. He couldn't, after all, leave her to face Rias alone after their night together. It would be cruel.
———
"Do you think Rias will be upset when she sees us together?" Akeno asked, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.
"I doubt it," Mika replied, shaking his head. He understood Rias... while she often guarded against potential rivals for his affection, she wouldn't truly be angry if someone succeeded.
After all, she genuinely cared for Akeno and the others, viewing them as family. Besides, in the Underworld, powerful Devils often had multiple partners. It was considered normal, even expected.
Rias, having grown up in that culture, shared this perspective.
However, even a Devil princess, in the throes of love, still desired her beloved's undivided attention. It was a natural instinct.
This internal conflict between her Devil upbringing and her human emotions—shaped her behavior. While she might tease and challenge her rivals, she would ultimately accept them if they truly won Mika's heart. After all, she and Akeno were best friends.
"I agree," Akeno said. Her usual mature demeanor replaced by a girlish excitement.
Mika smiled; today's Akeno was different, her newfound happiness radiating outwards, making her seem even more vibrant... more alluring.
He could see no trace of the transition she had undergone last night, from maiden to woman. Of course, this wasn't surprising.
Besides Akeno's enhanced Devil physiology, Mika's healing abilities had ensured a swift and complete recovery. This was, after all, a world where supernatural powers could mend even the most grievous of injuries.
"We're almost there."
"Let's see if Rias is waiting for us as I predicted."
"There she is." Akeno, peeking around the corner, smiled triumphantly.
"She already saw you. No point hiding." Mika, standing beside her, gestured towards Rias, who was standing near the school gates—her arms crossed, her gaze fixed on them.
"This is the only path to the school from your house. If she's waiting for you, she's obviously watching this corner," he explained.
"You're right. I was careless."
Akeno emerged, waving to Rias. Mika followed close behind.
They reached Rias... and their gazes met.
"So you succeeded," Rias said, her voice a mix of resignation and amusement.
"Of course. Even if it's against you. I won't lose when it comes to love," Akeno replied—a confident smile on her face.
As Mika had anticipated. Rias didn't argue. She accepted Akeno.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, they entered the school.
Mika, having been completely ignored during their exchange, chuckled. "Well, I suppose I'm the cause of all this. It's only fitting that I'm excluded."
———
As dusk settled, Mika lay on the sofa in his apartment, reading. He heard the door open.
"You're back, Rias," he said, without looking up.
"Yes. And I'm not alone."
Mika sat up and saw Akeno standing beside Rias.
"What's this? Why are you two together?" Mika's earlier relaxed demeanor vanished, replaced by a wary curiosity. While he didn't fully understand the situation, he was certain Akeno wasn't simply visiting.
"Akeno is moving in. Starting tonight, she'll be staying here," Rias declared.
Mika was stunned.
'Is this normal Devil behavior? Perhaps I'm still too conservative,' he thought, trying to process this new development.
As he was contemplating this, Akeno walked over and wrapped her arms around his neck, snuggling against him. Startled, he glanced at Rias, who had already entered the kitchen, preparing dinner.
While Xenovia could have handled the cooking, her skills were still developing. Rias, a more experienced cook, often prepared their meals herself, unless she was busy.
Seeing that Rias wasn't paying attention to them, Mika relaxed slightly. While he knew Rias had accepted his relationship with Akeno, such a bold display of affection might still push her buttons, potentially triggering a confrontation.
"You're really enjoying this, aren't you? Teasing Rias like this—" Mika whispered, his arm instinctively wrapping around Akeno's waist.
"Don't you like it?" she whispered back, her warm breath tickling his ear. Her playful teasing made his heart pound in his chest.
He wanted to respond in kind, but the current situation wasn't exactly conducive to such activities.
He was about to retaliate when Rias called out from the kitchen. "Akeno! Stop flirting and come help me!"
"Coming!"
Akeno—after giving Mika another quick hug, whispered in his ear, "Don't lock your door tonight—" then hurried into the kitchen.
Mika, left alone on the sofa, was speechless. He didn't have his own room; they shared one. And Akeno knew this.
So...
'Does that mean...?' A wave of excitement surged through him as he imagined the implications, his earlier disappointment at Rias's interruption now forgotten. He was suddenly filled with anticipation—the minutes stretching into hours as he waited for the night to arrive.
——
That night.
A figure quietly opened the door to Mika and Rias's bedroom and slipped inside—
The sounds of their activities echoed through the apartment, the rhythmic creaking of the bed a testament to their, shared passion.
———
The next day, at the Occult Research Club.
Mika sat on the sofa, sipping tea.
Since Akeno had moved in, his life had become...more lively, though not always in a pleasant way.
While he, Rias, and Xenovia had coexisted peacefully, Akeno's arrival had sparked a rivalry between her and Rias, a constant struggle for his attention.
He had become the prize in their game. While their earlier arguments had been playful, their recent confrontations had become more intense, the air crackling with tension.
He rather enjoyed it. After all, what was life without a little drama?
It was late, the sky outside completely dark. However, the Occult Research Club was still bustling with activity, everyone gathered in the main office, waiting for a crucial event:
The Three Factions meeting.
Kuoh Academy was now enveloped in layers of protective barriers and seals, isolating it from the outside world.
Until the meeting concluded, no one could enter or leave. It was a necessary precaution.
After all, this meeting between Devils, Angels, and Fallen Angels, was incredibly important. It would determine their future, the very fate of the Three Factions, and potentially the entire supernatural world. Therefore, they had chosen to hold it in secret, away from prying eyes.
If news of this meeting were to spread, other Pantheons would undoubtedly try to interfere.
And besides external threats, there were also internal factions within the Three Factions themselves who opposed a truce.
Kokabiel, for instance, was a prime example of such a warmonger.
There were undoubtedly others like him among both the Devils and the Fallen Angels.
Angels, being inherently pure and righteous, wouldn't actively seek conflict.
Those with such desires inevitably fell, becoming Fallen Angels Azazel, the Governor General of the Fallen Angels, for instance, had fallen for a woman. His lust had been his undoing.
Therefore, security was paramount.
As the local rulers, Rias and her peerage were responsible for protecting the meeting.
They would be acting as bodyguards.
They were currently waiting for the meeting to begin. Once it did, they would escort the participants to the designated location: the lounge in the new school building.
"Do you think there will be any trouble?" Issei asked, his voice filled with a nervous energy.
As an avid consumer of anime and manga, he couldn't help but imagine the countless stories he had seen where crucial meetings were inevitably interrupted by unexpected attacks.
"Of course not! With the leaders of the Three Factions present, who would dare attack?" Rias's voice was filled with confidence. She knew Sirzechs and Mika were among the world's top ten strongest.
With two such powerhouses present, even other top-tier beings would think twice before, causing a scene.
Issei, reassured by her words, relaxed slightly. As did the others; they had all been concerned about potential problems.
"It's time," Rias announced, standing up. "Let's go."
They followed her, their gazes fixed on the distant new school building.
The Three Factions meeting was about to begin.
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