The walk back to the Polar Star Dormitory felt… strangely normal, considering I had just murdered a protagonist and stolen his dragon.
I opened the front door.
"WELCOME BAA—! Oh, Rin! You're back!"Marui had been about to yell, but froze. "Why do you look like you just came back from war…?"
"Because I did," I muttered.
"Eh?"
"Nothing."
I walked past Yūki eating snacks, Ibusaki quietly roasting something questionable, and Megumi—oh wait, no Megumi.
Right. Maybe I should look for her?
I sat down at the table.
"Anyone got milk?"
"Sure," said Yūki, handing me a carton.
Unfortunate choice.
Because the moment I opened it—
Ddraig's voice thundered in my skull.
[[ WELLLLLLLL HELLO THERE, PARTNER. ]]
I almost dropped the milk.
Ibusaki looked up.
"…You good?"
"Yeah. Just lactose intolerance."
[[ YOU ARE NOT LACTOSE INTOLERANT. STOP LYING. ]]
"Shut the fuck up," I whispered into the milk carton.
Everyone stared.
"…Rin, do you need to sleep?" asked Marui.
"Yes," I said instantly. "Forever."
I got up, walked to my room, locked the door, collapsed on my bed, and decided that tomorrow I would pretend today didn't happen.
At least until the dragon brought it up again.
POV Akeno
Rias turned to stare at me now, looking for clarification— or salvation.
I maintained my sweet, knowing smile, adjusting the ribbon on my uniform.
"Of course, Buchō," I said in a soft, low tone. "It was the work of a Fallen Angel. That troublesome Raynare."
I gave a subtle Ara Ara~ as I looked across the room with a theatrical sigh. "The mission failed tragically. As you know, my mission was to supervise Rin; and his was to keep tabs on poor Issei's potential. But Raynare, alone, was enough to create such destructive chaos."
Rias pressed a hand to her heart, her crimson eyes fixed on me, filled with horror and frustration. "So the Fallen... killed him...?"
I nodded with a feigned sigh, my expression one of perfect, regretful sincerity.
"The battle between Raynare and myself was quite intense, Buchō. We were so focused on destroying the town square. This means my mission to supervise Rin was regrettably compromised due to our concentration on the fight. She was only one Fallen, but she was enough to distract both your Queen and your most expensive Pawn. In that moment, while we were engaged, Issei simply... vanished."
Rias groaned and slammed her head onto the desk. "The Fallen... Raynare... And Rin couldn't even manage to protect the target of his mission!"
I leaned in, my voice becoming a warm, confidential whisper, just for her ears.
"Ara Ara~ And obviously, Buchō, Rin absolutely did not choke Issei to death by taking advantage of the moment Raynare kept me busy. He didn't act on his own accord. That would be an unforgivable act, wouldn't it? Especially considering the Evil Pieces you spent on him. That would demonstrate truly poor judgment on his part, don't you think? Kukuku..."
Rias shot up. She looked at me, then back at the messy paperwork.
"So it was Rin..." she understood.
"Of course not, Buchō," I disagreed instantly, my smile widening into a perfect, sweet mask. "Rin merely failed his babysitting duty. The cause of death is the Fallen Angel's magic. We must protect our man, after all."
I patted her shoulder reassuringly.
"A tragedy one hundred percent caused by the Fallen. And now, Buchō, let me get you some tea. I have a blend that will help you forget any inconvenient little details about a lapse in judgment from your Boyfriend."