The night breeze was cool and gentle.
Rias lay stretched out across the stone bench, her head resting lightly on Ryuichi's stomach. Her long crimson hair swayed with the wind, glimmering faintly in the silver moonlight.
Beneath the sheer violet fabric of her negligee, her graceful figure shimmered—soft curves barely veiled, skin pale and smooth beneath the hem, her legs crossing elegantly in a pose both natural and alluring.
Ryuichi's hands moved softly over her shoulders, kneading with even pressure, his motions slow and unhurried. Together, they savored this rare moment of quiet solitude.
"Hehe… I don't think I've ever felt this relaxed before," Rias murmured, eyes closed in contentment. "Ever since I came to the human world, this is the first time I've just… let go. Like I don't have to think about anything at all."
Ryuichi smiled faintly, his expression calm as his fingers pressed gently along her shoulders and neck.
"In the adult world," he said softly, "the only easy things are gaining weight and losing hair."
"…"
Rias let out a surprised laugh. "That's… unexpectedly realistic of you."
She lifted a hand to caress his cheek. "Still, I'm glad I met you."
She gazed at him for a long, silent moment—then suddenly sat up, shifting to straddle his lap.
Her hands slid over his shoulders. Inch by inch, she leaned forward, pressing her lips softly against his.
Their kiss lingered, deep and tender, their breaths mingling under the stars. When she finally pulled away, her eyes still held a trace of longing.
"That's your reward," she whispered.
Ryuichi raised an eyebrow. "Rewarding me… or yourself?"
Her cheeks warmed at his amused tone. "Oh? You've gotten bold enough to talk back to me now?"
His gentle smile didn't fade. His hands rested lightly on her thighs, drawing faint patterns over her smooth skin.
"You dressed this beautifully. A man can't help wanting to… push back a little."
"…"
It took her a second to catch his meaning. When she did, Rias chuckled softly, completely unashamed.
"So… you're thinking of claiming me, then?" she teased. "That's fine. Whatever you want… I'll go along with it."
Ryuichi glanced around. "Here? Or should we move to your room?"
"Wherever you like."
"Then your room," he said seriously. "Doing it outside… might make me shy."
Rias blinked, caught between disbelief and laughter. "Shy? You?"
"I'm worried the moon'll hide behind a cloud," he said without missing a beat, "and the stars will start blinking from embarrassment."
Rias stared at him for a second. "…That was… unbelievably lame."
She laughed anyway, shaking her head. "You really know how to kill the mood sometimes."
Still smiling, Ryuichi stood and, without warning, slipped his hands beneath her knees. In one smooth motion, he lifted her off the bench.
"Come on," he said with a grin. "Let's go inside."
Rias wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, her soft laughter echoing lightly in his ear as he carried her toward the castle.
Rias's bedroom was every bit as lavish as one might expect—a vast, luxurious chamber centered on a bed large enough for ten people, the air rich with the faint scent of roses and warmth.
Ryuichi flung a hand toward the door. A flick of magic sent Rias's violet negligee fluttering through the air, followed by a ripple of crimson light as a soundproofing barrier sealed the room.
The rest of what happened… well—what needed to happen, did. Let's just say that later, even the moon had seen enough to retreat behind the clouds.
…
By the time morning light crept in, Ryuichi was already awake.
Beside him, Rias still slept soundly, her head pillowed on his arm. A faint, contented smile curved her lips. The sheets, however, told quite a different story—tangled, twisted, and utterly chaotic.
Guess we overdid it last night…
Memories flashed through his mind—the fierce rhythm, the breathless gasps, her crimson hair scattered like flame against the white sheets. Like a knight's duel and a dance wrapped into one—organized chaos, passion and heat.
He stifled a quiet laugh and gently slipped his arm free, sitting up to stretch. Morning training awaited, even if the battle with Riser was long behind him. Routine was discipline, and discipline never stopped—not even after a night like that.
Despite his care, Rias stirred, blinking sleepily.
"Ryuichi…? Up so early?"
"Did I wake you?"
"Hehe, no… it's fine."
She sat up, the silk sheets sliding down her shoulders to reveal creamy skin. Ryuichi's gaze flicked automatically toward her collarbones, where crimson marks speckled her skin—faint and scattered like tiny strawberries trailing down her chest and waist.
All his handiwork.
Uh-oh… If Akeno ever saw this, I'd never hear the end of it.
He sighed softly. Guess I'll have to balance things out later… somehow.
Noticing where his eyes were wandering, Rias gave him an affectionate glare. "What are you staring at? This is your fault."
"I'll just give you a little massage later," he said with mock seriousness. "Helps with circulation."
"…"
Before she could swat him, a subtle pulse of magic rippled from just outside the door—someone teleporting in.
A moment later, Asia's gentle voice called out: "Ryuichi! It's time for morning training. Are you awake?"
"Yeah," Ryuichi answered.
"Ah—I forgot about that," Rias murmured. Then she called out, "Asia, give us a moment! Ryuichi and I will be right there!"
"Mmm… o-okay," came Asia's faint reply—barely audible and tinged with something like embarrassment. "It's fine… yesterday was a special case. But next time… Asia will join too…"
Ryuichi: "…"
Rias: "…"
They both froze.
She had spoken softly, but for devils, voices carried easily through a barrier that thin.
Ryuichi rubbed his temples. "That girl used to be so pure… What happened to that innocent little nun?"
"You sound almost pleased about it," Rias accused.
"I'm not," he said quickly—but the thought of Asia's shy, golden-haired face brought an involuntary smile to his lips.
Rias sighed, eyes narrowing. "You so are."
He chuckled. "Maybe a little. She's even cuter with a hint of mischief."
Rias rolled her eyes as he stood and dressed, watching him from the bed. When it was her turn, she deliberately took her time slipping into her clothes, each graceful motion elegant and teasing.
"Now I get why people enjoy those dress-up games," Ryuichi mused aloud.
"Oh?" she asked, arching a brow. "And why's that?"
"Because watching your own woman get dressed," he said with a grin, "is way more fun than playing a game."
Rias sighed. "That explanation doesn't actually make it better, you know."
By the time they finished and joined Asia, the three of them teleported to Kuoh Academy. There, they met up with Akeno and Koneko before heading to class together.
For the first time in a while, life at school felt perfectly peaceful again.
…