Naruto didn't know how long they stared at each other.
Long enough for the noise of Kuoh Academy to blur into an indistinct hum. Long enough for conversations, footsteps, and laughter to fade into the background, leaving only that strange tightening in his chest.
Awareness.
The raven-haired girl standing beside her looked amused, her violet eyes dancing with quiet curiosity. She seemed relaxed, almost entertained by the fact that he was standing on the rooftop, grinning down at them like gravity was a minor inconvenience.
But the crimson-haired girl was different.
Her blue-green eyes never left him.
They weren't wide with surprise. They weren't playful. They were sharp—focused in a way Naruto recognized instantly. It was the same look seasoned shinobi used when measuring an opponent they didn't yet understand.
She's watching me, Naruto realized.
Not staring.
Watching.
His instincts stirred uneasily.
Naruto believed the term people used for someone like the raven-haired girl was Yamato Nadeshiko—the ideal Japanese woman. Elegant, composed, beautiful in a way that felt almost classical. Everything about her posture and expression radiated calm confidence.
And she was beautiful.
But it was the other girl who held his full attention.
The crimson-haired girl appeared to be around his age, her figure just as generous as her companion's. Her creamy skin looked impossibly smooth, and her eyes drew you in without effort. She had the kind of presence that made the world feel just a little more vivid around her, like the colors sharpened when she entered your field of vision.
Yet none of that was what truly made her stand out to Naruto.
It was her hair.
Long, crimson-red strands spilled freely down her back, reaching all the way to her thighs. The color was darker than his mother's had been—deeper, richer, almost reminiscent of fresh blood under moonlight.
The thought sent an unexpected pang through his chest.
Naruto didn't know why, but something about her hair felt… important.
Familiar.
You could almost call it love at first sight.
The realization made him snort internally. He wasn't some hormonal civilian kid. He'd faced gods, monsters, and the end of the world. Falling for a girl at first glance felt ridiculous.
And yet…
He wondered, just for a fleeting moment, if this was what his father had felt when he first met his mother.
Deciding he'd stared long enough, Naruto flashed the two girls a wide, carefree grin and waved at them.
The raven-haired girl laughed softly and waved back without hesitation.
The crimson-haired one hesitated.
She tilted her head slightly, studying him for another second as if committing something to memory. Then a small, polite smile curved her lips, and she raised her hand in return.
Naruto's chest tightened.
Yeah, he thought.
Definitely not normal.
A thrill ran through him—not fear exactly, but anticipation. It had been a long time since anything had made his instincts whisper like this.
Naturally, he ignored the warning entirely.
Deciding to put on a bit of a show, Naruto stepped off the edge of the rooftop.
For a split second, gravity tugged at him.
Then his hands snapped out, fingers catching the nearby water drain with practiced precision. Using the downward pull to his advantage, he swung smoothly, his body tracing a clean arc through the air.
His feet slipped effortlessly through the open window below.
He released the pipe mid-motion, tucked into a tight flip, then extended just in time for his feet to meet the floor.
Perfect landing.
Had he been an Olympic gymnast, he would have earned himself a flawless ten.
Straightening his jacket, Naruto allowed himself a satisfied grin and started down the hallway.
The grin vanished the instant the bell rang.
He stopped mid-step and groaned.
"So much for freedom…"
With a heavy sigh and shoulders slumping, Naruto turned and headed back toward class, completely unaware that he'd just stepped onto a board far larger than himself.
"Akeno," the crimson-haired girl said calmly, eyes lingering on the open window as the curtains fluttered in the breeze. "Do you know who that was?"
"That would be Uzumaki Naruto-kun," Akeno replied without hesitation. "He's in class 2-B, the same as Kiba-kun. He transferred here about a month ago."
She paused, then smiled faintly.
"Not much is known about him. Though many students assume he's a delinquent because of his hair and skin tone."
Akeno turned her head slightly, violet eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Why do you ask? Has Buchou-sama taken an interest in Kuoh Academy's newest anomaly?"
Rias Gremory didn't answer right away.
Her gaze remained fixed on the window Naruto had disappeared through, thoughtful and unreadable.
"Uzumaki Naruto…" she murmured.
"…Interesting."
Akeno's smile widened just a touch.
Hyoudou Issei was having the worst day of his life.
Actually—scratch that.
He was having the worst week of his life.
After being beaten to near death by the kendo club, Issei found himself slumped on a park bench, staring up at the sky and wondering what kind of cruel god had personally decided to make him their entertainment.
Was it really so wrong to like breasts?
Why did every girl act like he was some kind of criminal just because he openly appreciated the female form? Everyone knew all men were perverts—he was just honest about it.
It was while he was drowning in this unfair injustice that she appeared.
Yuuma.
A beautiful girl with long black hair that fell to her waist, kind violet eyes, and a smile that seemed too gentle for someone talking to him. She wore a short black dress that showed off her legs and a light purple jacket draped loosely over her shoulders.
She approached him on the bridge.
And then—somehow—she asked him out.
Issei still couldn't believe it.
Dating her felt surreal. Like the universe had finally thrown him a bone. Like God Himself had looked down and said, Fine, you've suffered enough.
If only he knew how wrong he was.
Their date was perfect.
They went to a clothing store, where Issei nervously bought her a cute scrunchy bracelet. Then an ice cream parlor, where she ordered a sundae and smiled at him like he was actually special.
Even his usual perverted thoughts barely surfaced.
He hadn't even thought about a harem.
That alone should have tipped him off that something was wrong.
But he didn't question it.
He was falling for her.
"Issei-kun."
They sat together in the park as the sun dipped low, painting the sky in warm shades of gold and crimson. Droplets from the nearby fountain sparkled in the air around Yuuma, giving her an almost ethereal glow.
"Yes, Yuuma-chan?" Issei asked, heart pounding.
"There's something I was hoping you would do for me," she said softly, pressing a finger to her lips. "To commemorate our first date."
Issei's heart nearly exploded.
"W-What is it?"
Yuuma smiled.
It was gentle.
Too gentle.
For just a moment, something about that smile made Issei's stomach twist.
But he ignored it.
::: A/N - I hope you enjoyed the third chapter! This is a new crossover project for me, and I'm working hard on the writing and editing. I would love to hear your thoughts—please leave a comment and let me know what you think so far! :::