Kuoh Academy, Occult Research Club.
"Roy, you're here."
Noticing Roy enter, Rias paused her study of a map and greeted him.
"I heard from Sona about this afternoon. Did you clash with the sorcerers?"
Roy shook his head. "Not a clash. Just helping a friend sort out some trouble."
"Friend? You mean Yuji Itadori?"
"Yeah."
"That's surprising. I didn't know you had guy friends."
"Isn't it normal to have guy friends? I do maintain relationships, you know."
"Huh? Is that so?"
Rias frowned, a rare look of confusion crossing her face.
In her memory, Roy was either training or taking missions from her to fight.
Hanging out with friends for meals or fun? She couldn't recall a single instance.
"Of course it's true. No need to lie about that."
As Rias privately mused she didn't know Roy as well as she thought, he added, "After class or school, I chat with Yuji. We get along great."
"Wait a sec."
Rias sensed something off. "Your 'maintaining relationships' with Yuji is just daily chats?"
"Yeah, what's wrong?"
"Uh… nothing."
A thoughtful glint appeared in Rias's eyes.
If, to Roy, casual chats equaled maintaining relationships…
"I win!"
"Win what?"
Roy looked puzzled.
"Nothing, don't mind me."
Rias coughed, steering the conversation back. "Let's talk about the sorcerers."
"If the higher-ups refuse to apologize or try to brush it off, what's your plan?"
"Fists solve problems."
Roy clenched his fist. "I didn't train this strength to swallow insults."
"Fair, but you're a Gremory devil now."
"Beating people up could spark diplomatic issues."
"No biggie. The sorcerers only have Gojo worth noting. If they complain, I'll smack them down."
"It's not just the sorcerers."
Rias explained, "On the surface, everyone plays nice, but if trouble brews, other human factions won't sit idly by."
"Especially the Church, who're hostile to devils. They'd use this as an excuse to stir trouble in Kuoh Town."
"Sounds like a bonus."
Roy's eyes lit up, intrigued.
After over a month of growth, his physical prowess neared mid-tier High-class devil level.
With entries like immortality, his base strength rivaled Ultimate-class devils.
Activating the Boosted Gear and entering Balance Breaker, he could even challenge Demon King-level foes.
While not invincible worldwide, in Kuoh Town, he could afford to flex.
"Don't go wild."
Noticing Roy's expression, Rias quickly interjected. "I know you're strong, but humans have plenty of powerhouses too."
"A big conflict could trigger a chain reaction."
"As for the sorcerers, Sona and I will pressure them to apologize."
"Depends on their attitude then."
If the sorcerer higher-ups showed sincerity and offered proper amends, Roy wouldn't stir trouble for no reason.
"By the way, Rias."
"Besides the sorcerers, I need your help with something else."
"What's that?"
"Find three people."
Roy handed over three portraits.
Rias studied them, asking thoughtfully, "Enemies?"
"Yeah, they're allies of the cursed spirit that attacked me."
The sorcerer higher-ups targeted Yuji, and Roy could let that slide based on their response.
But for the spirits who schemed against him, he had one answer.
"I'm taking them out to stop future hassles."
"No problem."
Rias didn't dissuade him this time.
Against humans, she'd consider diplomacy.
But cursed spirits? No need for restraint.
After asking Roy for details about their backgrounds, Rias tucked the portraits away, planning to contact her family later.
Then, as if recalling something, she shifted topics. "Roy, you free right now?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Ahem, there's something I want to discuss."
Rias glanced around, ensuring Koneko and the others weren't paying attention, then pulled Roy to a corner and whispered, "We're officially dating now, right? Shouldn't we deepen our connection?"
"Uh… join me for morning training?"
"…Don't joke at a time like this."
"Alright, that was a stretch."
Roy thought for a moment. "How about I clear my weekend, and we go on a date?"
"That sounds great."
Rias's eyes sparkled, a wave of relief washing over her.
Good. Roy wasn't completely clueless.
But… beyond a date, Rias had another goal in mind.
"Roy, can I move into your place?"
"Sure."
"I know it's a bit sudden—wait, you agreed?!"
"Yeah, what's weird about that?"
Roy replied, "My girlfriend wants to move in? I'm thrilled, no way I'd say no."
"Then it's settled!"
Rias's lips curved into a delighted smile.
But then, a calm voice came from behind. "Senpai, can I move in too?"
"Huh? Koneko, when'd you get here?"
Rias jumped.
"When you and Senpai were talking about dating."
Koneko's cat ears twitched, her face expressionless.
Thanks to Roy's help, her Senjutsu had soared recently, mastering stealth techniques.
That's how she slipped past Rias's senses unnoticed.
"Senpai, can I move in too?"
Koneko asked again.
Roy replied, "Sure, but my place only has two rooms."
"No problem. I can share with you."
Rias casually hugged Roy's right arm, offering a solution. "Since we're dating, sharing a room is normal."
"Koneko can take the other room."
"No way."
Koneko, rarely defiant, hugged Roy's left arm. "I want to share with Senpai too."
Rias: "…Roy, who do you pick?"
Roy: "I pick a bigger bed."
Rias: "?"
Rias: "If you have to choose one?"
Roy: "Then you, Rias."
Bigger is better, bigger is justice!
Seeing Koneko's eyes widen in disbelief, Roy pulled his arm from the flat plain, patted her head, and comforted her.
"Don't feel bad. You've got potential. I believe in your future."
Koneko: (~︿~)
Rias: (^^)
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