“Kiryuu, what’s that supposed to mean?”

Roy asked, but before he could elaborate, Katase and Murayama, seated behind, jumped in with mock indignation.

“Kiryuu-san, you’re not implying that, are you?” Murayama looked dangerous as she locked eyes with Aika.

“You two, always prioritizing romance over friendship, huh?” Aika said, her bravado fading under their glares.

“Who knows if you’re just sneaking off with him!” Katase said, eyes wide with accusation.

“Yeah, using this as a cover to slip away,” Murayama added.

“Me? Pull that kind of stunt?” Aika pushed up her glasses with a forced calm.

“I was just messing with Roy to spook him. Geez.”

“Honestly, if it’s Kiryuu, I could see it,” Roy smirked.

The air froze.

Aika’s expression stiffened, and Katase and Murayama shot her death glares.

“Like, hear me out.”

“Kiryuu’s a bit pervy, sure, but she’s fun.

“A girlfriend like that? Life wouldn’t be dull.”

“And, yeah, she’s right—she is a cute girl.”

Aika squirmed, especially as Katase and Murayama’s glares intensified.

“Roy, you’re not helping!” she said, forcing a nervous laugh.

“Kiryuu, I misjudged you!” Katase said, her face a mix of annoyance and betrayal.

“One day, and your scheming intentions are out!” Murayama chimmed in.

“Don’t fall for it, you two!” Aika’s smile faltering.

Her attempts to explain only earned her sharper scolding from the duo.

Roy watched, barely hiding his amusement.

“Wait, hold up!” Aika said, waving her hands in a stop gesture.

“If you’re gonna execute me, at least let me defend myself!”

“Fine, let’s hear your excuse,” Katase crossed her arms.

Murayama nodded, equally skeptical.

“Roy’s got a point,” Aika leaned in with a conspiratorial grin.

“So, I’m thinking—why not try dating him?”

As Katase and Murayama stood, faces flushed with embarrassed indignation, Aika yelped, “Whoa, hold on, I’m not done!”

“Keep talking,” Katase looked super annoyed.

“Look, from my expert observation, Roy’s an impressive guy,” Aika winked softly.

“Heard about your kendo club spar yesterday, Katase.”

“Roy’s been training for years. He’s not just a pretty face—he’s got stamina.”

Katase and Murayama blushed, sneaking glances at Roy.

Aika’s innuendos, honed by years of banter, hit their mark.

“Kiryuu, stop dragging me into your chaos!” Roy said, black lines practically forming on his face.

“Just hyping my prospective boyfriend, no harm done,” Aika said, puffing up proudly.

“Gotta win in my wheelhouse, right?”

She leaned closer to Katase and Murayama, her voice dropping.

“A guy like that? I’d be worn out. But you two are my besties.”

“Since you’re into Roy, I won’t hog him.”

“What are you blabbing about?” Katase said, her face reddening, though her eyes flickered with curiosity.

“Serious business!” Aika slammed the desk.

“Here’s the deal: I get Mondays and Tuesdays, Katase takes Wednesdays and Thursdays, Murayama gets Fridays and Saturdays.”

“Sundays, we rest or share—depends on our schedules. Sound fair?”

“Fair? You didn’t even ask Roy!” Murayama said, shyly avoiding his gaze.

Roy stared, dumbfounded.

‘This world’s a harem anime, sure, but at school? With regular girls?’

“Hey, Roy, question,” Aika nudged him with a sly grin.

“I lined up two more for you. Should keep your restless urges in check, yeah? No more late-night hand workouts.”

“Thanks for the thought.”

Aika’s shamelessness was on another level.

“You’re welcome, boyfriend,” Aika giggled.

Katase and Murayama, blushing like smitten schoolgirls, didn’t counter her.

They even stole glances at Roy, as if half-considering her outrageous pitch.

Roy sighed, deciding to nap through the rest of this.

Aika, Katase, and Murayama dove into increasingly risqué chatter, treating Roy like their shared boyfriend.

Aika’s influence had thoroughly derailed the two normally serious kendo girls.

After sleeping through most of the day, Roy finally shook off his grogginess from last night’s experiments.

“Kiryuu, I slept all day. Bet you’re gonna say I’ll be up all night again, huh?”

“How about you swing by my place tonight? Help me… fix that,” Aika winked.

Roy raised an eyebrow.

‘Worst case, I’m not losing here.’

“Your place, huh?”

“Hey, Katase, Murayama!” Aika called to the girls heading to the kendo club.

“Wanna crash at Roy’s home tonight?”

“Roy!” Kiba’s voice cut in, his smile a bit bright.

“Club activities today. Let’s head over.”

“Guess it’s a rain check,” Roy shrugged.

He left the classroom with Kiba.

“Such a shame,” Aika pouting alongside Katase and Murayama as they watched Roy’s back fade.

At the Occult Research Club, Yuto knocked, and after Rias’s response, they entered.

Rias, Akeno, and Koneko awaited, just like yesterday.

“Well, well, the naughty guy arrives,” Akeno raised an eyebrow.

“I haven’t done anything to earn that label. I’ll sue for slander,” Roy shot back.

“Roy, you didn’t visit the student council today, right?” Rias asked.

“Nope,” Roy said, shaking his head.

He’d spent the day dozing at his desk, too drained to entertain Sona’s invite.

“Guess someone’s out of the loop,” Akeno covered her mouth with a giggle.

“Loop? What’s up?” Roy asked, a bit puzzled.

“Rias and Sona went at it yesterday—over you,” Akeno said, her smile widening.

“They nearly tore down the gymnasium.”

Roy blinked, looking confused.

“What’s the deal?”

“Don’t listen to Akeno’s exaggerations,” Rias said, shooting her a glare.

“It was just our usual sparring. Yesterday’s was… a bit more intense.”

As Akeno predicted, it ended in a draw.

The gym took a beating, but a pre-set barrier kept it from human eyes, sparing them the hassle of memory wipes.

“A bit intense?” Akeno said, stifling a laugh.

“The roof nearly caved in. We spent half the night fixing it.”

“Devil showdown?” Roy casually asked.

“Something like that. It’s done,” Rias sighed.

“You wanted to learn about devils, right? Tonight’s club activity will show you our world up close.”

“What’s the activity?” Roy asked.

“A surprise,” Rias replied with a smile cryptic.

“It’ll blow you away.”

“Sure.”

His knowledge from the anime meant little from Rias could truly shock him.

“Starting now?” he asked.

“Not yet—too many people out in daylight,” Rias said.

“We move at night.”

‘Night?’ Roy thought.

The Occult Research Club either handled client contracts or hunted Stray Devils.

This sounded like the latter.

“President, are we hunting…” Kiba glanced at Roy, looking hesitant.

“Isn’t it too soon? Roy’s new to devils.”

“Shouldn’t he learn more before facing that?”

Roy caught the hint:

Rias was throwing him into the deep end to face a Stray.

‘Clever move, Rias Gremory.’

“It’s fine,” Rias replied.

“I scouted it—it’s weak.”

“With us there, Roy’s safe.”

“Stray Devils are rare in Kuoh Town. Miss this, and it’s a long wait for another.”

“Roy’s in the club now,” she added.

“He needs to get a feel for our work.”

Her real goal was clear: expose Roy to the world’s dangers—monsters lurking in the dark—to spark a sense of urgency.

Highlighting the gap between humans and supernatural creatures might push him toward accepting her Knight Piece.

“Got it,” Kiba said, nodding, though he resolved to stick close to Roy during the hunt.

“Here,” Koneko slide a handheld gaming console and a pile of snacks toward Roy.

“Play with me.”

“Thanks, Koneko,” Roy smiled.

“Roy-kun, we’ve got time until nightfall,” Akeno gave her signature warm smile.

“Fancy some tea? You can sample my brewing skills.”

“Sounds great.”

“Give me a moment,” Akeno went to a side room.

She returned with hot water and began an elegant tea ceremony, her movements fluid and graceful, like a living painting.

Soon, a rich aroma filled the room.

“This isn’t human-world tea,” Rias smiled from the sidelines.

“It’s an Underworld specialty—stronger scent, but safe for humans.”

“Enjoy,” Akeno handed Roy a cup.

“Wow, this is amazing.”

“Ara ara~, praised by Roy-kun!” Akeno said, feigning a shy blush.

“Like it? Take some home,” Rias offered.

“Nah, I’d just boil water and ruin it,” Roy chuckled.

“It’s Akeno-senpai’s touch that makes it this good.”

“Rias, looks like I’m winning Roy-kun over,” Akeno winked at Rias.

Rias shot her an annoyed glance, catching the jab.

The group chatted, sipped tea, and passed the time.

As the sun set, darkness fell outside, signaling the start of their mission.

—

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