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It had been a week since I officially became part of Rias's peerage.
Life had more or less settled into a new rhythm—classes during the day, hanging out with the ORC in the afternoon, and devil work at night.
The summons were still mostly simple: helping people find lost things, fixing tech issues, or listening to their personal problems in exchange for a few bills or a good meal.
And yet, there was one particular complication I hadn't accounted for when I signed up for this supernatural life.
Himejima Akeno.
In canon, Akeno only started to get touchy with Issei after he saved Rias from her arranged engagement with Riser. But this timeline was different. That hadn't happened yet. And yet… here she was, practically glued to me at every opportunity.
"Issei-kun\~," she called, her voice a soft purr as she entered the clubroom.
I glanced up from the book I was pretending to read—some old grimoire on magic circles—and found myself immediately distracted.
As always, Akeno was dressed in the Kuoh Academy uniform, but on her, it might as well have been a tailored seduction spell. The way the fabric hugged her curves, the teasing glimpse of cleavage, and the confident sway in her step—it was weaponized femininity.
She walked right up to me and leaned in, brushing imaginary dust off my shoulder. Her face was inches from mine.
"You smell extra sweet today, Issei-kun," she murmured.
I blinked. "Huh?"
She smiled with those glossy, heart-shaped lips. "Like sugar… or honey left in the sun. It's very… intoxicating."
My throat dried. "T-Thanks?"
Akeno giggled and twirled away like a cat who knew exactly how to play with her food, leaving me to sit there, stunned and more than a little aroused.
This wasn't the first time something like this happened.
In fact… now that I thought about it, it kept happening. Not just with Akeno.
A few days ago, Rias had leaned in close while handing me a magic scroll and offhandedly mentioned that I "smelled comforting."
Even Koneko, who was usually deadpan and cold, once paused beside me and sniffed the air subtly before quickly walking off with an odd expression.
At first, I didn't think much of it. Cologne? New shampoo? I didn't know what brand Issei used before, and maybe I had picked up something floral without realizing it.
But now…
Now I was starting to wonder if this was something else entirely.
Rias's and Koneko's reaction is mild compared to Akeno's. I think Kalawarna having sex with me was also because of this.
But unlike Kalawarna, Akeno is not jumping directly to sex; she is taking her good time.
*Could this be a result of my reincarnation?*
I didn't get any obvious cheat ability like time manipulation or absurd raw strength. My Sacred Gear was still a mystery, and Ddraig had yet to say a damn word. But what if… what if my real gift was subtler?
A passive ability.
*Like a pheromone.*
I swallowed hard, eyes narrowing in thought. *A love pheromone?*
It made sense. Ever since I was reincarnated, every woman I got close to started acting strangely around me. Not overtly—but flirtier, touchier, more... attracted.
Maybe it wasn't them. Maybe it was me.
A side effect of whatever process brought me into this world.
Akeno sat across from me now, legs crossed, watching me with a knowing smile. I tried not to look at the exposed thigh beneath her skirt. Tried and failed.
I could feel my pants tighten uncomfortably. Damn it. Again?
This had become a near-daily struggle. Her teasing didn't help, and my body's reaction felt automatic. Like it wasn't even a choice. Her scent, her proximity, and her voice—it all triggered a response.
She leaned forward again, resting her elbows on the table. Her cleavage pushed against the fabric of her shirt like it wanted to escape.
"You're quiet today, Issei-kun. Are you… distracted?"
Her voice was silk and electricity wrapped into one.
"Yeah, just tired," I lied, shifting slightly to hide my growing issue.
Akeno's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Oh? That's a shame. I was thinking we could have a little training session later. Maybe… something involving stamina?"
Was she serious?
Was this just teasing, or something more?
A week ago, I would've chalked it up to Akeno being a flirt. But now?
Now, I wasn't so sure.
Okay, I thought, let's test this.
"I'd like that," I said, letting my voice drop a little. I leaned forward, mimicking her body language just slightly. "You can test my stamina as much as you want."
Her eyes widened for a split second.
Then she smiled—a slow, sultry curve of her lips.
"Oh my," she purred. "It seems Issei-kun has finally grown some fangs."
We locked eyes, and for a moment the room felt too warm, too still. The tension between us could've been cut with a blade.
I broke it first, clearing my throat and standing up.
"I'm, uh… going to go grab some water."
Cowardly retreat? Maybe.
But my pants were doing a poor job of hiding my arousal, and I needed a moment to figure out if my hypothesis was right.
Even though I love having sex with Akeno without knowing what this 'smell' is doing to them, I won't get a clear conscience.
Behind me, I heard Akeno laugh softly.
And maybe I was imagining it, but she whispered just loud enough for me to hear—
"I do hope you're not trying to run away, Issei-kun. You smell far too delicious to let escape."
~~~
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