Pov Rias
The Occult Research Club room inside Tōtsuki was silent.
Too silent.
Floating magic candles swayed gently above the long table, reacting to my mood. Irritating.
I crossed my legs, forcing my expression into something dignified… even if my mind was far from calm.
Takamine Rin.
My newest servant.
My… boyfriend for six months.
My impulsive decision that still made absolutely no sense the more I thought about it.
Before I could snap back, a gentle knock echoed from the hallway.
Knock. Knock.
Akeno opened the door, greeted Rias with a polite bow, and gestured for Rin to come forward.
Then she stepped out and closed the door behind him, leaving us alone.
He walked in casually, as if our last interaction hadn't involved a magical contract, a devil reincarnation, and a stupidly dangerous flirt.
"Rias. You called for me?"
I leaned back, maintaining authority.
"Yes. Sit."
He didn't.
He stayed standing, hands in his pockets, relaxed like he owned the place.
I ignored the way my heart ticked faster.
"Takamine Rin, I'm giving you your first official mission as part of my peerage."
"Already?" he asked, eyebrow raised.
I didn't let his tone bother me.
"You will observe a human boy. Hyoudou Issei."
Rin blinked. "…Issei?" he murmured
Then I heard Akeno soft laugh from the doorway.
She had opened a crack without me noticing.
"Ara ara~ Don't mind me. Continue."
"Akeno, out," I snapped.
"Of course, Buchō~"
The door closed again.
I breathed out slowly.
Rin's amused grin told me he had enjoyed that.
"Your mission is straightforward," I continued.
"Monitor Hyoudou Issei. If we can, I want him in my peerege. But I promised the next one to Sona..." The last part I whispered.
Rin nodded. "Okay. So you want me to check him out and report anything weird."
"Precisely."
He paused.
His eyes narrowed.
"I'll handle it, Rias. "
'Strange, kill intent but he had no relationship with him or am I wrong?'
I cleared my throat sharply. «Good. Then you're dismissed.»
He turned, opened the door—
And Akeno immediately leaned in.
"So~? How did it go? Did Rias tell you how*—*"
"Akeno!"
My voice cracked higher than intended.
Rin chuckled.
"I'll go meet Issei after class" he said, waving casually before walking off.
The door closed.
Silence.
A heavy one.
Akeno looked at me with bright, teasing eyes.
"He's special."
"He's reckless," I corrected.
"Mm~ but you like that."
"Akeno, keep an eye on him, I have a bad feeling"
She laughed softly and moved closer, her tone shifting from teasing to thoughtful.
"Rias… Sure, maybe I'll even steal it from you"
I froze.
Akeno smiled gently.
I turned away.
"Shut up, Akeno."
She giggled.
"As you wish, Buchō~"