As I teleported back home, the scent of freshly polished wood and the fancy decor surrounding the area. Then I heard a familiar voice pouting nearby.
"Aunty, when can I meet Leo? He's been out of the house for weeks now. I wanna play with him!"
That was Rias, sounding absolutely betrayed.
I crept closer, silently walking through the hallway until I peeked at the living room.
Atalanta was there, lounging on the couch with a toothpick in her mouth, lazily scratching her cat ears. "Hahaha, I don't know, m'lady," she chuckled. "But he'll be arriving soon. Today's the day Lady Leviathan said she'd release him."
Rias huffed, arms folded, her cheeks puffed up like a steamed bun. "He better! He already missed our monthly tea party this month! Sona and Seek were so sad he didn't come!"
"I'm sure he'll make it up to you," Atalanta said, flicking her tail. "Don't you three have plans to visit the human world in Japan today?"
"Hmph. I'm not even sure he remembers his promises anymore..."
She turned her back dramatically, flipping her red hair with flair.
That's when I crouched behind her, slowly inching forward to her eye level.
"Sorry I'm late, Ria," I said softly, patting her head.
"Eeeek!" she squealed, startled.
Her crimson eyes blinked wide as she spun around to see me kneeling there.
"I brought some food for you I made your favorites," I added with a sheepish smile. With a flick of my wrist, space splitted as I pulled out two tupperware containers. "Sushi and miso soup. Still warm."
Her eyes sparkled like stars. But she crossed her arms, chin held high.
"Hmph. So why are you here? I thought you were busy with Sona's big sister," she said, all sharpness in tone.
I scratched my cheek, awkward. "…Yeah, about that… I'm sorry, Ria. Really. I didn't mean to ditch everyone."
I placed the containers down gently and bowed my head.
"To make it up to you… I'll grant you one wish. Anything. No restrictions. Just name it."
Rias' expression flickered with surprised, then smug.
"Anything?"
"Yep. Anything," I said with a confident nod.
"No take backsies?"
"No take backsies."
She tapped her finger on her chin, a sly smirk curling on her lips.
"Okay then. I already know what I want."
I blinked. "Oh? So what is it?"
Rias leaned in close, putting her hands behind her back and tilting her head like a proper lady with a secret.
"That's a secret. I'll tell you… when I'm a bit older."
I tilted my head, confused. "Huh? Why not now?"
She simply giggled, skipping away with the sushi and soup now happily clutched in her arms.
Rias spun around in the hallway, waving the Tupperware at me.
"Don't forget your promise, okay~!"
I then turned to face my mother who stood up and was walking towards me.
"Mama, how are you?" I asked, walking into her open arms and hugging her tight.
Atalanta's tail swished contentedly as she returned the hug with that familiar beastlike strength. "I'm good, Leo," she said, nuzzling her cheek into my hair.
"I've been teaching Rias how to hunt and fish. She's a natural." She ruffled my hair proudly, then her hands patted down my shoulders and sides like a soldier checking for injuries.
"You didn't get hurt fighting those wizards, did you?"
I grinned and puffed out my chest a little. "How could I? I've been trained by the best huntress in all of Greece."
She pulled back and gave me that wild grin of hers, full of pride.
"Hehehe. Damn right you have."
Then a thought struck me, and I narrowed my eyes. "You didn't send Rias anywhere weird to hunt, did you, Mama?"
She snorted. "I'm not that—" she paused, fumbling for a word, "—reckless. Besides, Lady Venelana would kill me if something happened to the young lady. She's territorial."
I smirked. "She'd probably scold you again for using honorifics too."
Atalanta clicked her tongue, but before she could respond, the air changed.
"Speak of the devil…" I mumbled under my breath.
Venelana Gremory entered the courtyard, her heels softly tapping against the marble floor, her poise elegant as ever.
Her golden eyes scanned the space until they landed on Atalanta, and she gave a polite smile. "Lanta. Still using titles again, I see."
Atalanta visibly froze, spine straightening like a rod had just been jammed through it. Her mouth opened once. Twice. Then again, like she was trying to say "Venelana" but instead it came out in awkward chunks.
"V-v-vener-uh, Vene–Lady V–Vena–Lana–!"
I raised a brow. "Is she having a stroke?"
Venelana chuckled behind a gloved hand.
"Honestly, I'm starting to enjoy how flustered you get. No need to act so formal with me, Lanta."
Atalanta coughed hard, knocking her fist against her chest like it would reboot her vocal cords. "R-right. Venelana."
Venelana turned her attention to the hallway where Rias had disappeared moments ago, a soft smile forming on her lips.
"Rias looked awfully happy just now. Did you finally show your face, Leo?"
I nodded. "Just got back. Brought food and everything."
"Good boy." She fixed my jacket with a graceful tug.
"Now, are you all ready to go? I've already contacted Sona and Seekvaira. They're waiting at the train station."
"To Japan, right?" I asked.
Venelana nodded.
"Mhm. But to avoid any unnecessary attention, Atalanta and Okita will be accompanying you three."
I blinked. "Seriously? Why did he have to send the strongest knight in the Underworld?"
There was a thump behind me. Atalanta's knuckle casually knocked on my head like a fist to a melon.
"Ahem. Ahem."
I winced. "I mean... the second strongest knight."
Her grin widened. "Good boy."
Venelana's eyes glittered with amusement as she shook her head.
"You three will behave, I assume?"
"No promises," I muttered, rubbing the spot she knocked.
"Then you'll leave within 20 minutes," she said with a calm finality, then walked off.
After waiting for what felt like an hour, the front door finally burst open.
"Come on, Leo-nii! We have to go!" Rias shouted, sprinting across the courtyard with her duffel bag slung over one shoulder, a thick hardcover book in the other. Several colorful bookmarks fluttered in the breeze.
I blinked, watching her zip past like a red comet. "Alright, alright. I'll be right there," I said, chuckling to myself.
Behind me, Mother followed with her usual regal grace, heels clicking softly, arms crossed, and a stern look on her face.
"Rias, dear, please act with a bit of dignity while you're still here," Venelana called out, her voice smooth but firm.
"Okay, Mom!" Rias answered absently, not even looking back as she flipped through her book, clearly far more interested in the contents of the book.
Venelana sighed softly and turned her sharp gaze toward Okita, who stood to the side in his usual relaxed posture, swords strapped to his hip.
"What exactly have you been telling my daughter, Okita-san, that she's started acting so obsessed with Japan?"
He scratched the back of his head, giving a sheepish smile.
"I just told her a few stories about my time in Japan. You know… the Edo period, and during my time in Shinsengum."
Venelana closed her eyes and let out a deep breath through her nose.
"Leo, please keep an eye on your sister. You know your father and Sirzechs have been spoiling her far too much."
I nodded, straightening my posture a little. "Don't worry, Mom. I'll handle it."
Just then, Atalanta clapped a hand on my shoulder with a grin.
"Yeah, don't worry about anything!" she chimed in, then paused, freezing slightly as she turned toward Venelana.
Venelana raised a perfectly shaped brow.
"Yes, Lanta?"
Atalanta's tail twitched behind her as she forced a casual smile.
"I mean—uh, yeah… don't worry, Vene—Venelana." The words came out like they had to crawl across hot coals to escape her throat.
I bit my lip, barely holding back a laugh.
Atalanta caught the look and cleared her throat with an exaggerated cough.
"Ahem. Anyway, no one's gonna hurt the little ones. Not while I'm around."
Venelana gave a small, amused smile.
"Good. Because if anyone does, I'll be expecting a full report when you come back."
Atalanta smirked. "Heh. You got it."
Rias called out from the car, waving her book like a signal flag. "Come on! We have to hurry!"
I muttered under my breath as I adjusted my coat, "Says the one who made us wait for an hour."
Venelana gave me a soft smile and a light kiss on the forehead. "Be careful, Leo. Don't let her talk you into anything ridiculous."
I waved. "No promises."
---
The sleek black Gremory limo purred as it glided to a stop in front of the station.
The train was just ahead on it's on private station. A private line of the Gremory family, it stretched long and regal.
The body was obsidian red with intricate devil patterns etched at sharp angles, almost like ceremonial runes. The Gremory crest gleamed near the doors.
The moment the limo doors opened, Rias burst out like a whirlwind. As she ran through the station as we slowly followed behind her as attendants bowed and returned to what they are doing.
"There they are!" she cried, her voice echoing across the marble station.
"Rias—!" I called out, but she was already halfway across the platform.
She launched herself into the arms of two familiar figures waiting by the train, Sona and Seekvaira. The force of the hug knocked Sona a step back.
"Rias! Could you not ambush people with affection in public!?" Sona snapped, quickly fixing her glasses.
"You caught me, didn't you?" Rias grinned mischievously, tightening the hug.
Sona sighed in defeat. "That's not the point…"
As Rias finally released them, Sona's gaze locked onto me next. Stern, and more than a little annoyed.
"And you, Leandros Gremory," she said with a huff. "You didn't attend any of the tea parties that we hosted. I am greatly disappointed of your tardiness"
"Right… I got busy with a lot of stuff relating to being the heir and all. You know how it is."
She crossed her arms. "And you, Rias, were supposed to be here ten minutes ago. We were nearly about to depart—"
Rias waved a hand dismissively. "Relax. I own the train. It's not like it would leave without me." She said it so matter-of-factly that it only made Sona's eye twitch harder.
Sona opened her mouth again, probably ready to scold both of us.
But Seekvaira stepped in, raising one gloved hand.
"Let's not be too hard on them, Sona. We haven't even left yet." She gave a gentle smile before shifting her eyes to me, calm and amused.
I smirked, slipping my hand into my coat. With a small motion, I pulled out a steel ore from my inventory.
Sona was still mid-rant when the faint hum of magic flickered in my palm.
I twisted the metal with transmutation magic, smooth movements, plates shifting and gears locking.
In seconds, a Gundam figurine stood on my hand. Sleek, perfectly painted, with even the tiny sword at its hip glinting.
Seekvaira's eyes lit up.
I didn't say anything. I simply held it toward her briefly, before tucking it into her gloved hand as she stepped closer. She slipped it into her bag quietly.
A faint blush colored her cheeks as she turned away, coughing lightly. "Ahem. Let's… focus on boarding. Shall we?"
Atalanta followed him, her arms crossed as she scanned the area like a hunter watching for threats. "Still feels too quiet. No one's shooting. Kinda boring."
"Let's not jinx it," I replied.
Rias bounced on her toes. "I can't wait to go to Japan! I have our schedule packed. Shrines, ramen, Akihabara, cosplay cafés… Okita, we're going to recreate your fight in Kyoto! I brought swords!"
Okita grinned. "I'm flattered, Princess. But I hope your swing's better than your grip."
Seekvaira stepped in beside me, voice soft. "When we get to Tokyo… can we stop at that Gundam Base store? The one with the limited edition RX-0?"
"Of course, I'll even make the things you requested last time as a sorry for ditching you guys." I said.
Her eyes sparkled, but she masked it with a prim smile. "That's acceptable."
As the butlers loaded the last of our bags, the conductor bowed. "Train to Japan departing in ten minutes. All aboard."
We stepped inside the cart while Rias dragged her suitcase, Sona cradling her chessboard, Seekvaira inspecting the Gundam I gave her as she appreciate the details.
Seekvaira adjusted the model in her hands and gave a satisfied sigh. "Ugh… I can't believe how good this detail is. Say, are we passing through Akihabara?"
I nodded, stretching my legs slightly. "Yeah. We're going to Tokyo first then "
"That's perfect," Seekvaira beamed.
Sona cleared her throat and gently leaned forward, trying not to look too eager.
"Leandros… while we're on this trip, maybe you and I could play a few rounds of chess. You know, to make up for all the missed tea parties?"
I turned to her just as she gave the tiniest hopeful smile. Her voice was quiet, almost embarrassed.
Then—
"Oh! Speaking of which!" Seekvaira leaned in, completely oblivious she was cutting Sona off.
"Leandros, I stopped by your workshop last week"
I blinked. "Seek, I told you not to go in there without me."
Seekvaira ignored my warning completely, eyes already sparkling with ideas. She slipped closer without realizing it, practically clinging to my shoulder as she spoke.
"But honestly, if we could finish the frame, we might actually be able to make a full-scale Gundam! The only real issue would be finding enough power to make it work. Maybe… if we could get our hands on some Agares crystals… no, that would be way too dangerous to sneak out—"
She trailed off into her own world of possibilities, completely oblivious that she was still pressed up against me.
Meanwhile, Sona's face froze mid-expression. Her open mouth slowly closed as her hands quietly folded into her lap.
"I mean," Seek continued, half-lost in her excitement, "if this goes full scale, I'd love to see the specs. It would be the ultimate combination of magic and engineering—"
"Ehhh?! You have a full Gundam?!" Rias leaned in with stars in her eyes. "Leooo~! Can I pilot it once? Just for like… five minutes?"
"Rias—" Sona tried to speak again, her voice cracking just a little.
"Please~ I'll even wear a uniform!" Rias bounced in her seat, raising a hand dramatically.
I blinked, finally noticing Sona's trembling lips. Her hands clutched her skirt, eyes glistening with the start of tears.
"…Guys, sorry—" I stood up, gently pulling Sona by the wrist.
"Huh?" she blinked.
"I have an important appointment with So-tan here. Excuse us."
Before the others could say a word, I guided her out of the cabin, sliding the door shut behind
us and leading her to the next cart.
Atalanta watched us go, shaking her head with a small smile. "He doesn't even realize how many hearts he's going to break in the future."
Okita let out a soft chuckle as he took a sip from his gourd. "I wonder if he'll ever figure it out."