Akira's gaze briefly sharpened, laced with a faint hint of sarcasm. And just that alone was enough to make Rias feel irritated.
As the heiress of the Gremory family—a high-ranking noble house in the Underworld—she had never once shown her body to a man.
And yet, just now, that barrier had been broken… and to make things worse, the man who saw her didn't even seem fazed.
"What are you planning to do next?" Akira asked calmly, eyes locked on Rias. His tone made it clear—he knew this hadn't been a coincidence.
This was all too perfectly arranged.
"Oh, by the way, Akira," Rias suddenly said. "You still owe a favor, don't you?"
"Right, I do. Are you planning to use it now?"
"Let's say… with what just happened earlier added to that debt, help with one thing."
"And what would that be?"
"Be my boyfriend."
"…Hah? Boyfriend? Are you serious?"
"I'm engaged to soone from another noble house in the Underworld—the third son of the Phenex family. It's an arranged marriage between our two houses. I'm sure you understand what that ans."
"So… you want to pretend to be your boyfriend and use that to cancel the engagent?"
"Exactly."
"Alright. I'll do it."
Without the slightest hesitation, Akira nodded.
The third son of the Phenex family, huh? How convenient. I've been waiting for a chance like this.
And now that Rias herself was the one setting the stage, he wouldn't need to go out of his way to bait the guy out.
The irritation Akira had felt from being set up earlier by Rias began to lt away.
After all, he was coming out ahead. He'd seen a beautiful woman naked—and paid nothing for it.
Now he had a chance to repay his debt, and even use Riser Phenex as a stepping stone to earn more inheritance points. From every angle, this was a win.
"Thank you~"
Rias looked montarily stunned by how fast and straightforward Akira's answer had been.
She hadn't expected him to agree so easily. Sohow, that made her like him a little more. Maybe this man… wasn't so bad after all.
Of course, the whole "boyfriend" thing was just a convenient excuse.
As the daughter of the Gremory family, Rias knew all too well that her future marriage would eventually beco entangled in politics and family interests.
That's why, if she had the chance, she wanted to choose soone she could at least accept.
And right now, Akira seed like that person—imnse strength, no ties to noble families, and above all, endless potential.
If she had to gamble her future and her happiness… then this man might just be worth the risk.
Elsewhere in the room, Hijima Akeno watched the entire exchange—and felt sothing heavy stir in her chest.
She had been the one closest to Akira from the start. But now, he was Rias's "boyfriend."
As Rias's Queen in her peerage, Akeno understood exactly what that title implied. Once a label like that was attached, it wouldn't be easy to take it back.
"Well then… I'll leave my future in your hands, darling~"
Rias whispered the words playfully as she stepped closer, almost brushing against Akira's body.
Her wet yukata clung tightly to her curves, revealing far more than it should—especially around her chest.
Combined with her teasing tone and seductive gaze, Akira's face flushed red despite himself.
"When exactly is your fiancé coming?"
"I'm not sure. Originally, we agreed to marry after I finished my education in the human world. But now… he might be getting impatient."
"How do you know?"
"I am the daughter of the Gremory household. Of course, I have my sources."
"…Alright. I'll help you."
Just last night, Akira had defeated the White Dragon Emperor, Vali. His inheritance point rate had climbed to 60.6%. Among the Ultimate-Class Devils, he was now in the upper-mid tier.
And with Boosted Gear Scale Mail—his Balance Breaker form—dealing with Riser Phenex, a glorified flaming turkey, was hardly a concern.
After everything was discussed, Rias returned to the bathroom to rinse off and change into fresh clothes. anwhile, Akira headed to the other bathroom to clean up as well.
By the ti they made it to the dining room, Akeno had already prepared breakfast for everyone. After a light al together, they began getting ready for the day ahead.
It wasn't a holiday, so ti was tight. Akira, Rias, and the others grabbed their school bags and made their way to Kuoh Academy.
"I'll take Asia to Sona's office. Once the transfer paperwork is done, I'll bring her to Koneko's class."
"Alright. I'm counting on you to take care of her."
"Leave it to ~"
Once they reached the main lobby of Kuoh Academy, Akira parted ways with the others.
Rias and Akeno brought Asia to the Student Council room. As a new transfer student, this was standard procedure. More importantly, the school technically belonged to their family, so the entire process was a formality.
anwhile, Akira headed toward his classroom alone.
He had always been a loner, never really getting close to anyone. Over ti, a kind of "emptiness" had ford around him.
At school, everyone had their own little group. If you didn't join one, you'd end up isolated—treated coldly, and sotis even bullied.
Akira hadn't been bullied, exactly, but he was certainly ignored by most of his classmates. No one approached him.
"Good morning, Shin Akira-kun."
"Eh? Ah… Good morning, Hanakai-san."
As he sat down, a silver-haired girl greeted him with a bright smile.
Hanakai Momo—the only girl in class who still made an effort to talk to him. She was also the only mber of the Student Council in their class.
So of the students nearby glanced over with confused and surprised expressions when they saw her talking to Akira again.
At Kuoh Academy, the Student Council held considerable authority—arguably the highest among students.
On top of that, Momo was one of the prettiest girls in school. Naturally, she was very popular.
So, seeing soone like her regularly talking to soone like Akira—a guy who kept to himself—sparked curiosity and gossip among their classmates.
They just didn't get it. Why would she go out of her way to talk to him?
"Shin-kun, I saw you this morning with Rias-sama, Akeno-senpai, and Toujou-san. Did you… join Rias-sama's peerage?"
"No. I'm not going to be under anyone. Whether it's Rias or your kaichou, they should give up."
"Ehh~ Shin-kun, you don't have to be so blunt."
Momo smiled, her voice light and cheerful—but her heart felt heavy.
It had been over a month since she started trying to get close to him. And still, their relationship hadn't moved an inch.
She was serious about her feelings for him. But no matter how hard she tried, he always kept his distance—making it hard for her to find a way in.
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