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Through a flash of teleportation, Rias brought Jack straight back to his place.
The moment they arrived, she headed off like she owned the place, opening the fridge without hesitation.
Jack could only smile wryly. For a high-class devil like Rias, his home was basically unguarded territory. She'd dropped in unannounced more times than he could count by now.
After a drink of water, Rias returned and stopped by the bathroom door, unfastening her gear as she asked casually,"So, do you usually use the bathtub or the shower?"
"Let's go with the shower today. The bath takes too long—we don't have that kind of time."
"I agree."
And just like that, Rias had stripped off the last of her battle outfit and stepped straight into the shower.
"Hurry up and come in too," she called back.
"Coming."
Jack quickly shed his own gear and followed.
He'd seen her body before, but it still had the same effect on him—his gaze was inevitably drawn to her. She was perfect, sculpted like living art.
Catching him staring, Rias smiled faintly. "Come here and scrub my back."
"Sure thing."
Jack smiled softly and stepped closer, attending to his master. Warm water poured down on them, steam wrapping the room in a hazy glow. Rias gathered her fiery red hair to the front, and Jack picked up the bath sponge, gently washing her back.
Before long, her pale skin turned a soft shade of pink under his touch.
"Do you ever feel like I'm putting too much pressure on you?" she asked suddenly, her back still to him.
His hands paused. "What makes you say that?"
"You've already done so well—better than most devil servants ever do. But I keep pushing you harder."
Jack chuckled quietly. "That's not pressure. I know you have your reasons, President. You're only doing what's best for me."
Rias gave a small, self-deprecating laugh. "You give me too much credit. Honestly, I've been doing it for myself. I've been too impatient… sorry."
He didn't respond right away. He knew she was carrying something heavy, something she couldn't share.
And he could guess—she wanted him to grow stronger, maybe so he could help her when the time came.
Jack let out a soft breath and gently rinsed her back, his voice calm."You haven't done anything wrong, President. I'm your servant—it's only natural for you to command and train me. And I will get stronger. Strong enough to take away every burden you carry. So… please, just give me a little more time."
Rias froze for a moment, then turned to face him.
Seeing the quiet determination in his eyes, she finally realized—he'd understood everything all along.
"Jack…"
Her heart swelled. She couldn't help but pull him into a gentle hug, affection flooding through her.
"You really are too sweet for your own good," she whispered, rubbing her cheek lightly against his. "You make it hard not to fall for you."
Her voice trembled with emotion, her heart laid bare. "If only… if only it were you…"
If only it were me?
So that's it. The thing troubling her—it was about someone else.
Or rather, another devil. Someone at least as powerful as her—maybe even stronger.
No wonder she wanted him to keep getting stronger. Whoever or whatever she was up against… was no small matter.
Just from that one murmur, Jack pieced together quite a bit.
He pressed his lips together. Whatever it was, it didn't matter right now. The only thing he could do was become stronger.
Feeling the smooth warmth of her skin against him, Jack stayed still, letting her vent her emotions.
"President…" he began softly.
"Call me Rias," she interrupted.
Rias tightened her hold, her voice a whisper against his ear. "From now on, call me by my name—just like you call Akeno and Koneko."
"…Alright, Rias."
He smiled faintly, though his tone carried a teasing edge. "You might want to let go of me now. If you keep holding me like this, I can't promise I'll behave. You can't really blame me—it's a normal male reaction."
Rias blinked, then, after two seconds, realized what he meant.
Feeling the heat pressed against her, she couldn't help but laugh, a bright, playful smile spreading across her face.
"Oh? You planning to assault me?"
"You do know how irresistible your body is, right? You are the most beautiful girl in the whole academy," Jack murmured.
"Such a smooth talker."
Smiling, Rias cupped his face lovingly and planted a light kiss on his forehead. "That's your reward."
Then, just to tease him further, she pulled him a little closer. The contact made Jack's muscles tense, his breath catching.
"…"
He sighed. "Rias, you're playing with fire."
Rias giggled mischievously. His reaction amused her, and the heavy weight in her heart finally lightened.
Locking eyes with him, she tilted her head, her gaze filled with warmth and mischief. Her voice softened into a playful lilt.
"So? What are you going to do about it?"
"…Oh, you'll see."
Jack raised an eyebrow—and lunged.
Rias was ready for him. Laughing, she nimbly dodged his grasp, her wet hair whipping through the air.
"Don't run."
"Can't catch me~!" she taunted, laughing like a carefree girl.
Their laughter echoed through the steamy bathroom as they splashed and chased each other around, Rias's bright voice ringing with genuine joy.
But the bathroom wasn't that big—and soon enough, Jack caught her.
…
A flash of light flared as the teleportation circle activated. Rias and Jack appeared right on time in the Occult Research Club's room.
"Good morning, Rias-senpai, Jack," greeted Koneko and Asia, who had arrived earlier.
"Morning, Koneko, Asia," Rias replied pleasantly.
Koneko tilted her head slightly, noticing that Rias seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood.
Asia, however, spotted something else—her gaze fell on Rias's chest. Near that perfect line of cleavage, just at the edge of exposed skin, was a faint purplish-red mark.
A bruise?
"Ah! Rias-senpai, did you get hurt? Should I heal it for you?" Asia asked in concern.
Rias blinked, looked down—and, to Jack's great amusement, actually blushed.
"No—no, it's fine! I'm not hurt," she stammered, waving her hands quickly.
Jack couldn't stop the grin tugging at his lips.
Rias shot him a glare, her expression caught between exasperation and embarrassment.
What could she even say? She definitely couldn't tell Asia that the mark wasn't a bruise at all… but a hickey—a "strawberry" that Jack had accidentally left behind.
"..."
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