Through a teleportation circle, Rias brought Ryuya back to his house.
Without hesitation, Rias walked straight in and began looking for the refrigerator, as if she were already at home.
Come to think of it, his house was completely defenseless against a high-class devil like her—she could just teleport in anytime she wanted.
Ryuya was speechless. By now, Rias had already appeared in his house several times without any warning whatsoever…
After finishing her drink, Rias walked back over and stopped at the bathroom door. While beginning to remove her equipment, she casually asked,
"Do you usually use the bathtub or the shower?"
"Let's use the shower today. The bathtub takes too long—we don't have that much time."
"I thought so too."
With that, Rias finished undressing and stepped into the shower first.
"Come on, don't keep me waiting."
"Coming."
Ryuya stripped off his own gear in no time and followed her inside.
Even though this wasn't the first time he'd seen her like this, his eyes were still helplessly drawn to Rias's figure.
Her body was perfection—sculpted like a work of art.
Noticing his gaze, Rias gave a faint, teasing smile.
"Come here. Wash my back."
"Got it."
With a gentle smile, Ryuya stepped forward to serve his mistress.
The two enjoyed the warm steam together. Rias swept her long crimson hair over her chest, and Ryuya picked up the bath sponge to scrub her back.
Before long, the girl's flawless pale skin was tinted with a delicate blush from the heat.
"Do you ever feel like I'm putting too much pressure on you?" Rias suddenly asked softly, her back still facing him.
Ryuya's hand paused. "What makes you say that?"
"You've already done so well—far better than most servants. Yet I keep pushing you harder."
"Is that so? Then I don't mind. I'm sure you have your reasons, and whatever you do is for my own good, President."
"...You really do think too highly of me. To be honest, I'm only pushing you so hard for my own sake."
Rias gave a quiet, apologetic sigh. "Sorry. I know I've been too impatient."
Ryuya stayed silent for a moment. He knew she was struggling with something, quietly bearing it all on her own.
He could easily guess—Rias wanted him to grow stronger. Maybe then, he'd be able to help her somehow.
Exhaling softly, Ryuya gently finished washing her back and said in a calm voice,
"You haven't done anything wrong, President. I'm your servant—of course you have the right to command and push me. And I'll get stronger—strong enough to solve all your troubles for you. So… please, just give me a little more time."
Rias's expression softened. She turned to face him, and only then did she realize—he had seen right through everything.
He had understood her all along…
"Ryuya…"
Overcome with emotion, Rias stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, holding him close, affection filling her heart.
"You're such an understanding boy… You're making it impossible not to fall for you."
Pressing her cheek against his, she murmured softly, almost to herself,
"If only it were you…"
If only it were him?
So the one causing her distress… was someone else?
Or rather—another devil, perhaps?
And not just any devil, but one at least on her level… maybe even higher.
No wonder she kept urging him to grow stronger—the being troubling her must be incredibly powerful.
From that one wistful line, Ryuya had already learned quite a lot.
Ryuya's lips curved slightly.
He didn't know what exactly Rias's troubles were, but thinking too much about it wouldn't help.
The only thing he could do was grow stronger—fast.
Feeling the soft, smooth touch of Rias's skin against him, he stayed still and quietly let her hold him, letting her vent her emotions in silence.
"President…"
"Call me Rias."
Rias tightened her embrace slightly and whispered, "From now on, I want you to call me by my name. Just like you call Akeno and Koneko."
"…Alright, Rias."
Ryuya pressed his lips together, then gave a faint laugh. "You'd better let go of me soon. If you keep holding me like this, I might not be able to control myself. And don't blame me if I do—it's just normal male physiology."
Rias blinked in surprise, frozen for a couple of seconds before she finally understood what he meant.
Feeling the heat of the boy's reaction pressed against her, she couldn't help but smile brightly.
"Oh my, are you planning to ravish me?"
"You should know exactly how attractive your body is," Ryuya said calmly. "You are the most beautiful girl in the whole academy, after all."
"My, you certainly know how to flatter a lady."
Rias giggled softly, cupped his face in her hands, and placed a tender kiss on his forehead. "That's your reward."
Then, as if to tease him further, she pulled him even closer, deliberately pressing against him. It was obvious she was enjoying his reaction—playing with both his body and mind.
"…"
Ryuya exhaled quietly. "Rias, you're playing with fire."
Rias chuckled mischievously.
She found his flustered reactions delightful, and the melancholy that had clouded her earlier mood was already gone.
Locking eyes with him, her gaze shimmered with both affection and mischief. Her tone turned lighter—playful, almost provocative:
"So? What are you going to do about it?"
"…"
For two seconds, Ryuya stared back into her eyes—then suddenly raised his brow and lunged at her without another word.
But Rias seemed ready for it. Laughing gleefully, she slipped aside with surprising agility, evading his grasp.
"Don't run."
"Catch me if you can! Haha…"
Their laughter echoed through the bathroom as they chased each other playfully. Rias darted away again and again, her joyous laughter ringing like music.
But the bathroom wasn't that big—before long, Ryuya caught her at last…
…
Moments later, a flash of light flared as Rias and Ryuya arrived—right on time—through the teleportation circle into the Occult Research Club's room.
"Good morning, Rias-senpai. Good morning, Ryuya," greeted Koneko Toujou and Asia Argento, who had arrived earlier.
"Good morning, Koneko, Asia," Rias replied with her usual composure.
Koneko tilted her head adorably, instantly noticing that Rias seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood today…
Asia, however, noticed something else. Her eyes widened slightly as she looked at Rias's chest—specifically, the bit of fair skin peeking from the edge of her blouse near her deep cleavage.
Was that… a purplish mark?
"Eh? Rias-senpai, did you get hurt? Do you want me to heal you?" Asia asked in concern.
Rias blinked in surprise, then glanced down—and for once, her face turned visibly red.
"N-no, it's nothing! I'm not hurt or anything!" she said hastily, waving her hands and forcing a nervous smile.
Asia still looked worried, while Rias's expression was caught somewhere between embarrassment and exasperation.
Beside them, Ryuya couldn't help the faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, clearly amused.
That earned him a sharp glare from Rias.
Asia's eyes were still full of innocent concern, but Rias truly didn't know what to say anymore.
After all, she couldn't exactly tell her that the mark wasn't a bruise at all…
but rather a hickey—left there by Ryuya, entirely by accident…
----
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