Part I:
Monday morning. Last week of classes before summer break.
The Occult Research Club was having their usual meeting when Sona Sitri walked in, clipboard in hand, looking far too professional for someone about to ruin everyone's day.
"Good morning, Rias. I have a request."
Rias looked up from her paperwork. "What kind of request?"
"The school's swimming pool needs cleaning before summer break. The Student Council was supposed to handle it, but we're short-staffed due to several members being sick. I was hoping your peerage could assist."
"Cleaning the pool?" Issei perked up immediately. "With swimsuits?"
"Yes, Issei. Cleaning requires—"
"I'LL DO IT!" Issei jumped to his feet. "I VOLUNTEER! FOR THE GOOD OF THE SCHOOL!"
"You're thinking perverted thoughts, aren't you?" Koneko said flatly.
"N-NO! I'M JUST BEING A GOOD STUDENT WHO WANTS TO HELP—"
WHAM
Koneko's fist connected with his skull.
"Pervert."
Rias sighed. "Fine, Sona. We'll help. When?"
"Tomorrow afternoon. After classes end. Bring everyone." Sona adjusted her glasses. "Oh, and I've already informed the teachers. Azazel-sensei, Gabriel-sensei, and Caelan-sensei have agreed to supervise."
Akeno's eyes lit up. "Ara ara~ So we'll have Caelan-sensei in a swimsuit~"
"I doubt he'll actually swim," Rias said. "He'll probably just stand there and supervise while looking cold and judgmental."
"That's still worth seeing~" Akeno's smile turned wicked.
Ravel, sitting in Rias's lap (because she'd gotten clingy after their marriage), spoke up. "Will I need a swimsuit? I don't have one for this region's style."
"We can go shopping!" Asia volunteered enthusiastically. "I need a new one too! My old one is too small!"
"Too small?" Issei's brain immediately went into overdrive. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN TOO SMALL—"
WHAM
Koneko hit him again.
"Stop."
"I DIDN'T EVEN SAY ANYTHING YET!"
"You were thinking it loudly."
"HOW CAN THOUGHTS BE LOUD?!"
Xenovia, who'd been quietly sharpening Durandal in the corner, looked up. "I've never worn a swimsuit before. The Church didn't allow such... revealing attire."
"Then you definitely need to come shopping with us!" Asia grabbed her hand. "It'll be fun!"
"I... suppose."
Gasper, hiding under a desk, whimpered. "D-Do I have to wear a swimsuit too?"
"Yes!" Ravel declared. "No hiding! You're part of the team!"
"B-But people will see me—"
"That's the point! Social interaction!"
"I DON'T WANT SOCIAL INTERACTION!"
"Too bad!"
Irina, who'd arrived midway through this conversation, raised her hand cheerfully. "I'll help clean too! Angels are very good at purifying water!"
"That's not how cleaning works," Kiba pointed out.
"It isn't?"
"No."
"Oh." Irina looked disappointed. "Well, I'll help anyway!"
Sona made a note on her clipboard. "Excellent. See you all tomorrow at 3 PM. Don't be late."
She left.
The ORC looked at each other.
"This is going to be a disaster," Rias predicted.
"Absolutely," Akeno agreed cheerfully.
"Can't wait," Koneko deadpanned.
Part II:
That evening, the girls—Rias, Akeno, Asia, Koneko, Ravel, Xenovia, and Irina—went shopping for swimsuits.
They dragged Issei along. Against his will.
"WHY AM I HERE?!" he protested as they entered the department store.
"Because you're our Pawn," Rias said simply. "And we need someone to carry bags."
"THAT'S NOT A REAL REASON!"
"It's the only reason you're getting."
"Besides," Akeno added with her dangerous smile, "wouldn't you like to help us pick out swimsuits~?"
Issei's brain short-circuited. "I—uh—well—"
"Pervert," Koneko said.
"I DIDN'T AGREE YET!"
"You were going to."
"...Okay, fair."
They entered the swimwear section.
It was paradise.
Rows upon rows of bikinis, one-pieces, tankinis, all in different colors and styles.
Issei's nose began bleeding immediately.
"THERE'S SO MANY—"
WHAM
Koneko hit him preemptively.
"Ow! What was that for?!"
"Prevention."
"YOU CAN'T HIT ME FOR THINGS I HAVEN'T DONE YET!"
"Watch me."
Asia picked up a modest one-piece in baby blue. "What about this one?"
"Too conservative," Akeno said. "You need something that shows a little more—"
"Akeno-san, I can't wear something too revealing!"
"Why not? You have a wonderful figure~"
"I-I'm a former nun!"
"Former being the key word~"
Ravel was examining a gold two-piece with phoenix feather patterns. "This matches my hair!"
"It's cute!" Rias agreed. "Try it on!"
Xenovia held up what could only be described as three strategically placed strips of fabric. "What is this?"
"A bikini," Kiba—who'd somehow appeared—explained.
"This covers NOTHING."
"That's the point."
"..." Xenovia stared at it. "I'll take it."
"WHAT?!" Asia gasped. "Xenovia-san, that's too—"
"I spent my entire life wearing conservative Church robes. I'm done with conservative." Xenovia grabbed two more equally revealing swimsuits. "I'm getting all of these."
"That's the spirit!" Irina cheered, holding up her own selection—a pure white one-piece with angel wing patterns. "I'm getting this one! It represents Heaven!"
"It's very you," Rias agreed.
Akeno held up a black bikini with purple trim. "What do you think, Rias? Too sexy?"
"There's no such thing as too sexy for you, Akeno."
"You say the sweetest things~"
Koneko appeared holding a white one-piece with cat ear details. "Buying this."
"That's adorable!" Asia cooed.
"Practical. Allows movement. Doesn't show too much."
"But Koneko-chan," Ravel said, "don't you want something that shows off your figure?"
"No."
"But—"
"No."
"Okay then."
Rias selected a crimson two-piece that matched her hair perfectly. "I think this one."
"Very queenly," Akeno approved.
"That's the idea."
They all went to try on their selections.
Issei waited outside the changing rooms, desperately trying not to think about what was happening behind those curtains.
Don't think about it. Don't think about it. Think about... math. Yes. Math. Boring, unsexy math—
"Issei-kun~" Akeno's voice called from behind her curtain. "Can you help me with the strap~?"
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!"
"Why not~?"
"BECAUSE I'LL DIE!"
"So dramatic~"
"HE'S RIGHT TO BE AFRAID!" Ddraig's voice boomed from the Boosted Gear. [Partner, if you go in there, you'll see things that will break your brain.]
"SEE?! EVEN THE DRAGON AGREES!"
[I've lived for millennia and even I know this is a trap.]
"IT'S NOT A TRAP!" Akeno protested. "I genuinely need help!"
"ASK ONE OF THE OTHER GIRLS!"
"But where's the fun in that~?"
"I'M LEAVING!"
"No you're not," Koneko said, suddenly behind him.
Issei screamed.
"How did you—when did you—WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?!"
"I teleported. Now sit. Carry bags. Be useful."
"Yes ma'am."
Twenty minutes later, they'd all purchased their swimsuits.
Issei's wallet was crying.
His nose was still bleeding.
And he had approximately six shopping bags in each hand.
"Why do girls need so many things?" he muttered.
"Because we're thorough," Rias replied cheerfully.
"This is cruel and unusual punishment."
"Consider it training," Akeno said. "For when you have your own peerage~"
"I don't want my own peerage if it means shopping trips like this!"
"Liar," Koneko said.
"...Okay, I do want a peerage. But I'm complaining anyway!"
Part III:
The next afternoon, 3 PM.
Kuoh Academy's swimming pool area.
The pool itself was Olympic-sized, surrounded by white tile, with changing rooms on either side.
And it was filthy.
Leaves. Algae. Suspicious floating debris.
"Oh my," Asia said weakly. "This is worse than I expected."
"The pool's been closed for maintenance all year," Sona explained, already wearing her Student Council president armband over her school uniform. "We need to drain it, scrub it clean, refill it, and add chemicals. It's a full afternoon's work."
"Sounds like hell," Issei muttered.
"It sounds like a team-building exercise!" Irina declared cheerfully.
"SAME THING!"
The teachers arrived.
Azazel wore casual clothes—a black tank top and swim shorts, looking far too relaxed for someone who was supposed to be supervising.
"Alright, kids! Let's clean this pool so we can enjoy it later!"
Gabriel appeared next, wearing a pure white sundress that somehow made her look even more angelic than usual.
"I brought refreshments!" She held up a cooler. "Lemonade and cookies for everyone!"
"Gabriel-sensei is the best," Asia said immediately.
"You're just saying that because she feeds you," Koneko pointed out.
"...And?"
Then Caelan arrived.
And every heterosexual female (and Issei) stared.
Because while everyone expected him to show up in his usual formal attire and refuse to actually swim...
He was wearing swim shorts.
Black. Form-fitting. Showing off legs that were pale and toned and—
"SENSEI HAS MUSCLES?!" Issei blurted out.
Caelan's eye twitched. "Of course I have muscles. Did you think I was just a walking ice sculpture?"
"KIND OF?!"
Akeno was practically drooling. "Ara ara~ Caelan-sensei looks very different out of formal wear~"
"Focus, Akeno," Rias said, though her face was slightly red.
Ravel leaned over to whisper. "Rias-sama, your face is red."
"Shut up."
"Are you attracted to—"
"I SAID SHUT UP!"
Grayfia, who'd arrived to "supervise" (definitely not because she heard Gabriel would be here), took one look at her son in casual clothes and felt something complicated twist in her chest.
He's grown so much.
When did that happen?
Meanwhile, Gabriel had also noticed Caelan's appearance.
And her smile was radiant.
"Lord Lucifuge! You look wonderful!"
"...Thank you?"
"Would you like some lemonade?"
"I'm fine."
"Are you sure? I made it specially!"
"I'm sure."
"Oh! What about cookies?"
"Gabriel-sensei, I appreciate the offer, but—"
She was already holding a cookie to his mouth.
"Just one! Please! I worked very hard on them!"
Caelan stared at the cookie.
Then at Gabriel's hopeful expression.
Then sighed and took a bite.
It was, annoyingly, delicious.
"...It's good."
Gabriel's face lit up like the sun. "Really?! You like it?!"
"I just said it was good."
"That's the best compliment ever! Thank you!"
She practically skipped away.
Leaving Caelan standing there wondering how he kept getting manipulated by an angel.
From across the pool, Grayfia watched this interaction with narrowed eyes.
She's being very... friendly.
Too friendly.
Sirzechs, who'd also shown up (because of course he had), leaned over. "You're staring."
"I'm supervising."
"You're glaring at Gabriel."
"I'm not—"
"You absolutely are."
"Sirzechs."
"Yes, dear?"
"If you value your life—"
"Dropping it. Conversation over."
But internally, he was grinning.
Jealous wife is progress!
Part IV:
Sona clapped her hands. "Alright, everyone! Let's get organized. We'll split into teams."
"Team assignments!" She pulled out her clipboard. "Team One: Drain and scrub duty. Rias, Akeno, Kiba, Issei. Team Two: Chemical and equipment management. Myself, Tsubaki, Saji, Gasper. Team Three: Refreshment and supervision. Gabriel-sensei, Azazel-sensei, Caelan-sensei."
"Why am I on supervision?" Caelan asked.
"Because you'll refuse to actually help with manual labor," Sona said bluntly.
"...Fair."
"Hey!" Issei protested. "Why do I have to do the hard work?!"
"Because you're the Pawn. Pawns do manual labor."
"THAT'S DISCRIMINATION!"
"It's hierarchy. Deal with it."
"Also," Akeno added sweetly, "you'll be working in swimsuits~ Doesn't that motivate you~?"
Issei's brain rebooted.
"...WHERE DO I START?!"
[You're so easy to manipulate,] Ddraig sighed.
"SHUT UP, DRAGON! I'M MOTIVATED NOW!"
Everyone changed into their swimsuits.
And chaos immediately began.
Part V:
The boys changed first and waited by the pool.
Issei, Kiba, and Saji stood in their respective swim shorts.
"Ready for this?" Kiba asked.
"No," Issei replied honestly. "I'm going to die."
"Probably," Saji agreed. "But what a way to go."
Then the girls emerged from the changing room.
And time stopped.
Rias wore a crimson bikini that matched her hair perfectly—a halter top with gold trim and matching bottoms that sat high on her hips. Her figure was... devastating.
Akeno wore a black bikini with purple accents. The top was tied with delicate strings, and the bottom had side-ties that emphasized her curves. Her long black hair was tied up in a high ponytail.
Asia had chosen a modest baby-blue one-piece with a small white skirt. It was conservative but somehow made her look even more innocent and adorable.
Koneko wore a white one-piece with cat ear details on the chest. It was practical, covering most of her petite frame, but still managed to look cute.
Ravel wore a gold two-piece with phoenix feather patterns. The top was a bandeau style, and the bottoms had small wing designs on the sides.
Xenovia had gone with Akeno's advice and chosen a green bikini that was... minimal. Very minimal. Strategically placed triangles of fabric and that was it.
Irina wore a white one-piece with angel wing patterns on the back. It was modest but form-fitting.
And then there was Gabriel.
Pure white bikini with gold trim.
Angelic wings embroidered on the fabric.
A figure that could only be described as divine.
Every male present (except Caelan, who was aggressively looking elsewhere) stopped breathing.
"G-G-G-GABRIEL-SENSEI!" Issei's nose exploded with blood. "YOU'RE—YOU'RE—"
"Too much?" Gabriel looked down at herself, concerned. "Is this inappropriate? I've never worn a swimsuit before. Michael-sama helped me pick it out—"
"IT'S PERFECT!" Issei screamed. "TOO PERFECT! I'M DYING!"
He collapsed backward.
Asia immediately rushed to heal him. "Issei-san! Are you okay?!"
"BOOBS," Issei whispered. "SO MANY BOOBS."
"He's fine," Koneko said flatly.
Kiba, being the gentleman he was, had looked away respectfully.
Saji was also bleeding from the nose.
And Caelan...
Caelan was staring very intently at the pool's water quality.
"The chlorine levels are probably off," he muttered. "We'll need to test—"
"Caelan-sama!" Gabriel approached cheerfully. "What do you think? Does it look okay?"
"I'm not looking."
"Why not?"
"Because I value my sanity."
"That's sweet! You're worried about being distracted!"
"That's not—"
"It's okay! You can look! I don't mind!"
"I'M NOT LOOKING!"
Hoarfrost, lying in the shade, made a sound that was definitely wolf laughter.
Traitor.
Grayfia, watching from the sidelines in her own elegant black one-piece, felt that familiar spike of irritation again.
Why is Gabriel so comfortable around him?
Why does she keep trying to get his attention?
Why do I CARE?!
Sirzechs, sitting beside her in swim shorts (looking surprisingly fit for a desk worker), tried not to laugh.
"You're doing it again."
"Doing what?"
"The jealous glare."
"I'm not jealous."
"Your ice magic is freezing the ground beneath you."
Grayfia looked down.
There was indeed frost spreading across the tile.
"...Shut up."
"I didn't say anything."
"You were thinking it."
"Guilty."
Part VI:
Once everyone recovered from the swimsuit reveals, they actually started cleaning.
Team One began draining the pool.
Issei and Kiba worked on the valves while Rias and Akeno prepared cleaning supplies.
"This is going to take forever," Issei complained.
"Then we should hurry~" Akeno said cheerfully.
She bent over to pick up a scrub brush.
Issei's eyes went exactly where you'd expect.
Don't look don't look don't look—
"ISSEI!" Rias's voice cut through his thoughts. "Stop staring at Akeno's butt!"
"I WASN'T—"
WHAM
A wet sponge hit him in the face.
"Liar," Koneko called from across the pool.
"HOW DID YOU EVEN SEE THAT?! YOU'RE ON THE OTHER TEAM!"
"I have eyes."
"THAT DOESN'T EXPLAIN—"
Meanwhile, Xenovia was attempting to help Kiba with the heavy equipment.
She bent down to lift a bucket.
Her bikini top shifted.
Kiba immediately looked away, face bright red. "Xenovia-san! Your—"
"My what?"
"YOUR BIKINI IS—"
She looked down.
"Oh. It moved." She adjusted it casually. "Thanks for notifying me."
"YOU'RE SO CASUAL ABOUT THIS?!"
"It's just skin. Everyone has it."
"THAT'S NOT THE POINT!"
Kiba was a gentleman.
A suffering gentleman.
Across the pool, Saji was having his own crisis.
Sona had bent over to test the water pH levels.
And her Student Council swimsuit (a professional navy one-piece) had ridden up slightly.
Saji's brain exploded.
"Kaichou..." he whispered. "You're so beautiful..."
"What?" Sona looked up.
"NOTHING! I SAID NOTHING!"
"You're acting strange."
"I'M ALWAYS STRANGE!"
"...True."
She returned to her work.
Saji clutched his chest. I'm going to die. She's going to kill me with casual beauty and she doesn't even realize it.
Tsubaki, Sona's Queen, noticed this and smiled slightly. "Saji-kun. Focus on the chemicals, not the president."
"I'M TRYING!"
"Try harder."
"YES MA'AM!"
Part VII:
The pool was nearly drained when it happened.
Issei, carrying a bucket of dirty water, slipped on a wet tile.
"WHOA—"
He stumbled forward.
Directly into Rias.
Who fell backward.
Into the shallow end of the pool.
SPLASH
"RIA!" Ravel screamed.
Rias surfaced, sputtering, her crimson hair plastered to her face.
"Issei... you IDIOT!"
"I'M SORRY! I DIDN'T MEAN TO—"
Rias grabbed a nearby bucket and threw water directly at him.
SPLASH
"HEY!"
"That's what you get!"
"IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!"
"I DON'T CARE!"
She threw more water.
Akeno, watching this, smiled wickedly. "Ara ara~ That looks fun~"
She threw a bucket of water at Xenovia.
SPLASH
"WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!" Xenovia demanded.
"Practice~"
"FOR WHAT?!"
"THIS!" Akeno threw another bucket.
Xenovia retaliated.
Within thirty seconds, it had devolved into total warfare.
Water flew everywhere.
Buckets. Sponges. Hoses.
"WATER FIGHT!" Irina declared cheerfully, spraying Kiba with a hose.
"IRINA-SAN, WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE CLEANING—"
SPLASH
Asia accidentally hit him with a sponge.
"S-Sorry, Kiba-san! I was aiming for Xenovia-san!"
"WHY WERE YOU AIMING FOR ME?!" Xenovia shouted.
"YOU SPLASHED ME FIRST!"
"THAT WAS AKENO!"
"DETAILS!"
Koneko, trying to stay out of the chaos, was suddenly hit by a rogue water balloon (where did that even come from?!).
She turned slowly.
Saji stood there, holding another balloon, looking terrified.
"I-I'm sorry! It was an accident! I was aiming for—"
Koneko's expression didn't change.
But her eyes... her eyes were terrifying.
"Run," she said quietly.
"What?"
"Run."
"OH SH—"
He ran.
She chased.
It was a massacre.
Part VIII:
From the sidelines, the three teachers watched the chaos unfold.
"Should we stop them?" Gabriel asked, though she was smiling.
"Nah," Azazel said, leaning back in his chair. "Let them have fun. They've earned it after everything with the Khaos Brigade."
"I suppose you're right."
"Besides," Azazel grinned, "this is hilarious."
Caelan said nothing.
He just watched the water fight with his usual cold expression.
Definitely not noticing how Rias's wet swimsuit clung to her—NOPE. Not noticing.
Or how Akeno's hair was plastered to her back—NOPE.
Or how Gabriel had gotten hit by a stray splash and her white bikini was now semi-transparent—
He looked away immediately.
I'm surrounded by chaos. This is hell.
Gabriel noticed him looking away and giggled. "Lord Lucifuge, are you embarrassed?"
"No."
"You are! Your ears are red!"
"They're not—"
"They are! It's adorable!"
"I'm not adorable. I'm a High Lord of a Pillar family—"
SPLASH
Someone's rogue water bucket hit him directly in the face.
The entire pool area went silent.
Caelan stood there, dripping wet, his silver-white hair plastered to his face.
Everyone stared in horror.
"...Who threw that," Caelan said quietly.
His voice was ice.
Literal ice.
The temperature dropped ten degrees.
"U-Uh," Issei raised his hand weakly. "That might have been me? By accident? I'M SO SORRY SENSEI PLEASE DON'T FREEZE ME—"
Caelan slowly picked up a bucket.
Filled it with water.
And threw it directly at Issei.
SPLASH
"GYAAAH!"
Everyone stared.
Did... did sensei just participate in the water fight?
Akeno's smile turned dangerous. "Ara ara~ Sensei wants to play~"
"I do not want to—"
SPLASH
She hit him with a sponge.
"Oh, that's it."
What followed was carnage.
Caelan, despite his protests, actually engaged in the water fight.
His technique was surgical.
Precise.
Devastating.
He used ice magic to freeze water mid-air and redirect it.
"THAT'S CHEATING!" Issei screamed as a wave of icy water hit him.
"All's fair in war," Caelan replied coldly.
"YOU QUOTED SUN TZU AT ME!"
"I did not. That's not even the correct—"
SPLASH
Gabriel hit him with water.
He turned to her slowly.
She smiled innocently. "Oops~"
"...Gabriel-sensei."
"Yes~?"
"You've made a mistake."
"Have I~?"
He threw an entire bucket at her.
She shrieked and ran.
He chased.
The entire pool area descended into beautiful, chaotic, water-logged madness.
And for the first time in years, Caelan Lucifuge was smiling.
Actually smiling.
Grayfia saw it from the sidelines.
And something in her chest ached.
That's my son. That's what he should look like. Happy. Free. Young.
I missed so much.
Sirzechs noticed her expression and quietly took her hand.
She squeezed back.
They watched their son play in the water like the young man he should have been allowed to be.
And for once, they didn't try to join.
They just watched.
And hoped.
Part IX:
Thirty minutes later, the water fight ended.
Everyone was exhausted.
Soaked.
Laughing.
"I think... I think that was the most fun I've had in years," Kiba admitted, sprawled on the pool deck.
"Same," Xenovia agreed from beside him.
"We didn't actually finish cleaning the pool," Sona pointed out, though she was smiling.
"Details," Rias replied, equally soaked and happy.
Gabriel appeared, somehow still looking perfect despite being drenched. "Who wants cookies? I saved them from the water!"
"ME!" Everyone raised their hands.
She distributed cookies.
Caelan, sitting apart from the group, was wringing out his hair when she approached.
"You had fun, didn't you?"
"No."
"Liar~ You were smiling!"
"I was strategizing."
"You chased me around the pool!"
"That was tactical—"
"You laughed!"
Caelan paused.
Did I?
"I did not."
"You did! Just a little! Right when you hit Issei-kun with that ice wave!"
"That was satisfaction, not laughter."
"Same thing!"
"It's not—"
She plopped down next to him, still smiling. "Thank you for playing with us. It made everyone happy."
"I didn't do it for—"
"I know. But you did it anyway. And that's what matters."
She stood and walked back to the group.
Leaving Caelan sitting there, processing.
I participated in a water fight. Voluntarily.
What is wrong with me.
Hoarfrost padded over and licked his hand.
"Don't judge me."
The wolf huffed.
"I know it was out of character. Shut up."
Part X:
Another hour later, they'd actually finished cleaning the pool.
It was drained, scrubbed, refilled with fresh water, and chemically balanced.
"Finally!" Issei collapsed on a pool chair. "We're done!"
"Now we can actually enjoy it," Rias said, stretching.
"Swimming time!" Asia cheered.
Everyone jumped in.
Well, almost everyone.
Caelan remained seated in the shade, Hoarfrost at his feet.
"Sensei!" Issei called out. "Aren't you going to swim?!"
"No."
"Why not?!"
"I don't swim."
"WHAT?! But you're right here! In swim shorts! What's the point?!"
"Supervision."
"THAT'S A LIE! Come on! The water's great!"
"I'm fine here."
"Caelan-sama," Gabriel appeared, waist-deep in the water. "Won't you join us? Just for a little while?"
"I don't swim," he repeated.
"Can you not swim? Because I can teach you!"
"I can swim. I choose not to."
"Why?"
"Because swimming is unnecessary physical activity that serves no practical purpose."
"It's fun!"
"Fun is inefficient."
"You're so serious~" She waded closer. "Come on. Just once. For me?"
She gave him puppy-dog eyes.
Oh no. The puppy eyes.
They're too powerful.
"...Fine. Five minutes. That's it."
Gabriel's face lit up. "Really?!"
"I immediately regret this decision."
He stood and walked to the pool's edge.
Everyone stopped and stared.
"SENSEI'S ACTUALLY GETTING IN!" Issei shouted.
"This is unprecedented," Kiba said.
"Someone record this," Akeno added.
Caelan stepped into the water.
It was... actually kind of nice.
The coolness reminded him of his ice magic.
Familiar.
Comforting.
He waded in until he was waist-deep, right next to Gabriel.
"See?" She smiled. "Not so bad, right?"
"It's tolerable."
"That's progress!"
She moved closer.
Too close.
"Gabriel-sensei, personal space—"
"What's personal space~?"
"It's the bubble of—"
She splashed him lightly.
"Did you just—"
She splashed him again.
"Gabriel."
"Yes~?"
"You're testing my patience."
"Am I~?"
"Yes."
"What are you going to do about it~?"
He stared at her for a long moment.
Then, without warning, he created a small wave of ice-cold water and sent it directly at her.
SPLASH
"KYAA!" She shrieked and laughed. "That's cold!"
"That's the point."
"You're so mean!"
"You started it."
"Fair point!"
She splashed him back.
He retaliated.
And suddenly they were having their own mini water fight.
From the other end of the pool, Rias watched this with a complicated expression.
"They're getting along," Ravel observed.
"Too well," Rias muttered.
"Are you jealous?"
"Why would I be jealous?! He's my nephew-teacher-person! I'm married to you! I have no reason to—"
"You're blushing."
"I'M NOT BLUSHING! THE CHLORINE IS IRRITATING MY FACE!"
"Sure, Rias-sama~ Whatever you say~"
From the sidelines, Grayfia was also watching.
And her expression was complicated.
He's laughing.
With her.
Not me. Her.
Sirzechs noticed. "Grayfia—"
"I'm fine."
"You're freezing the pool chair."
She looked down.
The metal was covered in frost.
"...I'm fine."
"You're clearly not—"
"Sirzechs. Drop it."
"Alright, alright."
But inside, he was thinking: Progress. She's acknowledging her feelings. That's good.
Even if she's jealous of an archangel.
This family is so complicated.
As the sun began to set, casting orange and pink across the sky, everyone eventually climbed out of the pool.
They sat on the pool deck, wrapped in towels, eating the snacks Gabriel had brought.
"Today was fun," Asia said softly.
"Really fun," Xenovia agreed.
"We should do this more often," Irina suggested.
"Agreed," Rias said. "Once summer break starts, we can come here anytime."
"As long as someone else cleans it," Issei muttered.
"YOU'RE the Pawn. You'll be doing the cleaning."
"WHY DO I ALWAYS GET THE WORST JOBS?!"
"Because you're the Pawn."
"THAT'S DISCRIMINATION!"
"It's hierarchy."
"I HATE HIERARCHY!"
Akeno laughed. "Ara ara~ Issei-kun, you're so entertaining~"
"I'M BEING OPPRESSED!"
"Yes, and it's adorable~"
Everyone laughed.
Even Koneko smiled slightly.
Gasper, who'd spent most of the day hiding but had eventually been coaxed into the water by Asia, spoke up shyly. "T-Today was really nice. Thank you, everyone. For including me."
"Of course we included you!" Asia hugged him. "You're part of the family!"
"F-Family..."
His eyes got watery.
"Don't cry! You'll make me cry!"
"I-I'm sorry!"
They both started crying happy tears.
Kiba watched this and smiled. "This is nice. All of us together. No battles. No politics. Just... friends."
"Friends," Xenovia echoed. "I like that."
"Me too," Irina agreed.
From his spot in the shade, Caelan watched all of this.
These people—these chaotic, loud, annoying people—were genuinely happy.
Together.
As a family.
This is what I missed, isn't it?
This feeling.
Belonging.
Gabriel sat down beside him (again). "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing important."
"Liar~"
"Why do you always assume I'm lying?"
"Because you have a very obvious 'thinking deeply' face~"
"I do not."
"You do! It's cute!"
"I'm not cute. I'm—"
"A High Lord of a Pillar family, yes, I know." She giggled. "But you're still cute when you're thinking."
He didn't respond.
She looked out at the sunset. "Today was wonderful. Thank you for participating. Even though you didn't want to."
"I was forced."
"No, you chose to. You could have frozen everyone and left. But you didn't." She looked at him. "You stayed. You played with us. You smiled."
"I didn't smile."
"You did." Her expression softened. "And it was beautiful."
Caelan felt something uncomfortable in his chest.
Why is she like this.
Why does she say things like that.
Why do I not hate it.
"Gabriel-sensei."
"Yes?"
"Why are you so interested in me?"
She tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
"You go out of your way to talk to me. To include me. To... be nice to me. Why?"
Gabriel was quiet for a moment.
Then she smiled.
"Because you're interesting. And kind. And trying very hard to pretend you're not."
"I'm not kind."
"You protect people. You helped Rias. You participated in a water fight to make students happy. You ate my cookies even though you didn't want to." Her smile widened. "You're kind, Caelan-sama. You just don't want to admit it."
He was silent.
Then, quietly: "You're annoying."
"I know~"
"And persistent."
"I know~"
"And—" He stopped.
Why can't I finish that sentence.
Gabriel waited patiently.
Finally, he muttered: "And... tolerable. Sometimes."
Her face lit up like the sun.
"That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me!"
"It wasn't a compliment—"
"Yes it was! You said I'm tolerable! That means you tolerate me! That means you don't hate me!"
"That's a very low bar—"
"I'LL TAKE IT!" She hugged him.
Caelan froze.
She's hugging me.
An archangel is hugging me.
In public.
Everyone is staring.
Indeed, everyone was staring.
Rias looked conflicted.
Akeno looked amused.
Grayfia looked like she wanted to freeze Gabriel into a wall.
Sirzechs was trying not to laugh.
Issei whispered to Kiba: "Is sensei... getting seduced by an angel?"
"It certainly looks that way."
"Lucky bastard."
WHAM
Koneko hit him.
"Pervert."
"I WAS COMPLIMENTING HIM!"
"Same thing."
Gabriel released Caelan and stood up, still smiling. "Thank you for today, Caelan-sama. I had a wonderful time."
She walked away, joining the other girls.
Leaving Caelan sitting there, processing what just happened.
I think I'm in danger.
A lot of danger.
The cute kind of danger that wears white bikinis and bakes cookies and smiles like sunshine.
I'm doomed.
Hoarfrost nudged his leg.
"Don't start."
The wolf huffed.
"I know I'm being stupid. Shut up."
From across the pool deck, Grayfia watched her son with a mixture of emotions.
He's growing up.
Finding connections.
Living.
And I'm not part of it.
She felt Sirzechs's hand on her shoulder.
"He's happy," Sirzechs said quietly. "That's what matters."
"I know."
"Even if it's not with us."
"I know."
"He's living the life he should have had."
"I know!" Her voice cracked slightly. "I just... I wish I'd been there. When he was young. When he needed someone."
"I know." Sirzechs pulled her close. "But we can't change the past. All we can do is respect his present."
"Even if it includes an archangel who's clearly infatuated with him?"
"Especially then." Sirzechs smiled slightly. "Besides, could you imagine a worse daughter-in-law for us? The literal embodiment of Heaven's purity?"
Despite herself, Grayfia laughed.
"That would be ironic."
"It would be hilarious."
"Sirzechs."
"Yes, dear?"
"If she hurts him—"
"You'll freeze her into the next dimension. I know."
"Good."
They sat together, watching their son as the sunset painted the sky in gold and crimson.
And for the first time in a long time, they felt something like peace.
END OF SIDE STORY