Chapter 13
<span style="font-weight:400">News of the third great beauty of Kuoh Academy having a boyfriend immediately spread throughout the entire academy. And by lunch, the news that said boyfriend was an extremely handsome and rich young man who had captured the hearts of all the girls who saw his picture on Aika’s phone was already well-spread too.
<span style="font-weight:400">Now, instead of rejecting confessions, Aika spent her lunch surrounded by her girl friends who were preventing her from leaving. They were asking her questions about Yuuji, their history, their more intimate history, and if they could get his picture.
<span style="font-weight:400">Even Murayama and Katase, who Aika only knew from their reputation of beating up Issei and his friends for peeping in the female Kendo club’s changing room, also came up to her to ask about her boyfriend.
<span style="font-weight:400">Aika answered everything with the white lies she had prepared along with Yuujist night. But needless to say, she didn’t give them his pictures.
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji’s selfies were essentially a devastating weapon of mass destruction… No girls in this academy would be able to see men the same way anymore if they look at his selfies for more than 5 minutes.
<span style="font-weight:400">Even though it was Aika’s request, Yuuji truly did his best to look like the greatest boyfriend material for her that it became too destructive. So as the person who asked for it, she has the responsibility to minimalize casualties caused by it.
<span style="font-weight:400">However, despite her rejection, the girls still didn’t give up. Many would follow her to the cafeteria and even eat their lunch at the same table as her, while those who didn’t get a seat at her table would eavesdrop from the table next to her.
<span style="font-weight:400">It was utter chaos. It was even more chaotic than when she received confessions from the boys…
<span style="font-weight:400">Now that she thought more deeply about it, as a former perverted girl herself, she should’ve known that girls her age would be thirsty for handsome young men as well. Especially since most of the guys in the academy were below average with only one exception.
<span style="font-weight:400">She really jumped off the pan and into the fire…
<span style="font-weight:400">The only peace she could have was during ss. And the moment the final school bell rang and the teacher left, Aika quickly cleaned up her stuff to head home immediately.
<span style="font-weight:400">But just then, a soft, beautiful, female voice calling her name from the ssroom entrance stopped her in her track.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Excuse me~ Is Kiryuu Aika here~?”
<span style="font-weight:400">All the girls that were about to surround her all stopped in their tracks and turned towards the ck-haired beauty standing before the door.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Eh? A-Akeno-san?!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“To see both beauties at the same time! How lucky!!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Umu. To be able to witness two beauties with massive tits at once. A blessing indeed.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Akeno gave a smile in the direction of the three perverts before turning her gaze towards Aika, who was already about to leave.
<span style="font-weight:400">Simply from seeing her appearance, it was easy enough for Akeno to deduce that she is the rumored “new great beauty of Kuoh”. But she was still a bit shocked.
<span style="font-weight:400">She had seen her from far away as part of her observation Rias asked her to do, but looking closely, Akeno couldn’t help but admire her perfectly supple skin, glimmering eyes, wavy and shining long hazelnut hair, and the obviously voluptuous figure hidden beneath her uniform.
<span style="font-weight:400">From afar, she looked to be around the same size as her. But now, Akeno couldn’t help but feel her pride a bit hurt from finding a younger girl with breasts one or two sizesrger than her.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Are you perhaps Kiryuu Aika-san~?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<i><span style="font-weight:400">Ah, so it’s time…</i>
<span style="font-weight:400">After seeing how the ult Research Club, or more specifically, Rias’s peerage function when ites to “recruiting” new members in the school, Aika quickly realized that the time for the “talk” she had been preparing her heart for hade.
<span style="font-weight:400">Steeling herself, Aika let out a polite, beautiful smile in return to her question.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes I am~ Is there anything you wish from me, Himejima-senpai~?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh my~ How do you know my name~?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Of course I know, senpai~ All the guys in this academy talk about a great beauty like you all the time, you know~?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ufufufu~ I see. How ttering~ But now, it seems like you are currently the one in everyone’s eyes~”
<span style="font-weight:400">“It seems so~ It is a bit troublesome, considering I have a lovely boyfriend already.”
<span style="font-weight:400">The metaphorical sound of ss cracking resounded within the minds of all the boys who heard her words. Some even copsed on the ground like a warrior who had taken an arrow to the knee.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ufufufu~ I’ve heard about it~ It seems your boyfriend has also be quite the topic after you showed his picture to some of your friends. May I see it too~?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Nope~ After all, what if you fall in love with him too, senpai~? I don’t want to fight against such a beautiful and mature senpai~ It’s too tough!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ara ara~ That’s a shame~”
<span style="font-weight:400">“So~? Is there anything you need from me, senpai? If there is nothing, then I would like to return home now before it gets dark.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh, will you please spare some of your time? Our club president, Rias, has invited you to our club and she wants to talk to you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“The club you and Gremory-senpai is in… Could it be the ult Research Club? Uhm, I’m very sorry, but I’m not really interested in ults…”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ufufufu~ There’s no need to worry~ She just wants to talk to you for a bit. Will you spare some of your time for us?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hmm…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Aika thought for a moment, deliberating whether to ept Rias’s invitation or not. But in truth, she had already made her decision.
<span style="font-weight:400">If she didn’t go today, Rias will probably send someone again tomorrow to invite her. And if she refuse all of them, she would have someone stalk her under the guise of “observing”.
<span style="font-weight:400">It’d be difficult to hide the Multiverse Chat Group if things ended up this way, so it’d be better for her to ept it and rip the bandaid.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I understand… I guess I have a bit of time.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Thank you very much~ I’m sure everyone will be very happy~ Ah, Issei-kun~ You’reing too, okay~?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Y-Y-Yes! Akeno-senpai!! Matsuda, I’leave Motohama to you!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“AH! YOU DARE LEAVE THIS THING WITH ME AND GO OFF WITH TWO GREAT BEAUTIES?!?!?! YOU TRAITOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOR!!!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Leaving behind his friends, Issei quickly followed after Akeno and Aika, who had already left, with an excited grin on his face.
<span style="font-weight:400">As they walked to the old school building where the ult Research Club room was, Aika could feel Issei’s disgusting gaze all over her back without even having to look at him.
<span style="font-weight:400">She couldn’t help but wince inwardly as she thought about it.
<span style="font-weight:400">Yes. Aika was and <i><span style="font-weight:400">is</i><span style="font-weight:400"> still a very <i><span style="font-weight:400">cultured </i><span style="font-weight:400">youngdy with fetishes Yuuji, unfortunately, had to know about while chatting with her. She also loves showing off her sexiness and beauty, even though it brought her some troubles. After all who wouldn’t be ttered from knowing how desirable they are in the eyes of many people?
<span style="font-weight:400">But being ogled at without her consent was an entirely different matter altogether. And even more so if they were to act disgustingly like Issei was; staring at her obscenely without even trying to hide it while panting like a dog.
<span style="font-weight:400">It was at times like this that she remembered to be grateful that no one in the Multiverse Chat Group was like him. If there was, then she wouldn’t even feel safe with someone who’s supposed to be her trustedrade, friend, and ally.
<span style="font-weight:400">Her friends in the Multiverse Group Chat are the best. Lelouch and Tatsuya treated her with respect and appreciation and never judged her. They epted her every whim and treated her like a trusted friend.
<span style="font-weight:400">Suzuki also respected her and seemed to consider her a yful, mischievous little sister who he needs to reign in to not cause trouble, as evident by his frequent messages telling her to not go too far with her dirty jokes.
<span style="font-weight:400">And finally Yuuji… Even though she knew that he was interested in and cares for her, he never even once tried to be someone else to try and impress her. He was always kind, considerate, yful, and genuine. He treated her like a very close friend and never got truly mad, despite all the mischievous things she had done to him.
<span style="font-weight:400">And because she knew that they are all her allies, she felt strangely calm right now even though she was walking into a literal den of devils.
<span style="font-weight:400">Soon, the three finally arrived before the ult Research Club room in the second floor of the old school building.
<span style="font-weight:400">Akeno opened the door, revealing the dim candle-lit room that emanated an eerie, mysterious atmosphere, just like the room she saw in the anime of Highschool DxD Yuuji sent to her.
<span style="font-weight:400">All eyes within the room immediately turned towards her.
<span style="font-weight:400">The little white-haired girl, who was sitting quietly on the couch to her left, looked at her with eyes widened in surprise and continued staring as if entranced by her beauty.
<span style="font-weight:400">While standing to the side of the door, the most popr male student in the academy for his princely appearance, Yuuto Kiba, was in a simr state with a tinge of pink on his cheeks.
<span style="font-weight:400">Seeing his reaction, Aika would’ve immediately begun harassing the blonde the moment he showed interest in her in the past. But with Yuuji’s appearance stuck in her mind all day, she found his appearance… simply mediocre.
<span style="font-weight:400">Or rather, every guy she saw, even the ones in her beloved girls’ magazine, never really excited her anymore.
<i><span style="font-weight:400">Hah~ You really have to take responsibility for me now, Yuuji~! It’s your fault that I can’t find any other men attractive anymore~!!!</i>
<span style="font-weight:400">Hyping herself up with those thoughts, her gaze finallynded upon the beautiful girl standing in front of quite an antiquerge wooden desk that suited the old European style of the room.
<span style="font-weight:400">The dazzling crimson hair glowed ever so slightly from the slightly flickering candles. The beautiful emerald eyes reflected pride and confidence, and the curvaceous figure hugged tightly by her uniform. In the past, Aika would’ve been really jealous of her. But now, she was extremely happy to know that her breasts are bigger, her waist slimmer, and her hips rounder and fuller now that she got to see her figure closer. Her sexy body wins~!
<span style="font-weight:400">“Wee to the ult Research Club, Kiryuu Aika-san. I’m happy to see you epting my invitation. Please take a seat. There are a few things I would like to talk to you about.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Aika beamed a beautiful, cheerful smile and nodded at the crimson-haired girl.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Thank you for weing me~ I see you’ve decorated the ce to be as spooky as possible. Fufu~ I guess it is as expected of an ult research club room.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Akeno led her to sit on one of the couches, opposite the one Koneko was sitting on. Issei also quickly scuttle away and sat beside Koneko, his eyes darting around as he became conflicted over ogling at the supreme SSS-tier sexiness before him or holding back to not embarrass himself in front of his president.
<span style="font-weight:400">In the end, he seemed to just try his hardest to shut his eyes closed. Though he would still peek quite frequently.
<span style="font-weight:400">On the other hand, Koneko was visibly on guard, staring at her fixedly. Though, Aika didn’t perceive any ill feelings toward her. In fact, she sensed a bit of curiosity in her as she observed her body.
<span style="font-weight:400">Meanwhile, from the corner of her eyes, Aika could see Kiba standing by the door with a gaze locked onto her with both arms on his side, ready for anything.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Thank you for your praise. I like this aesthetic very much, and I’m happy you find it pleasing as well. Akeno, will you serve our guest here a cup of tea for our conversation?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes, president.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Akeno quickly went to the tea cart ced adjacent to the wall behind Aika, and began preparing tea.
<span style="font-weight:400">And in just a few minutes, she had already returned with cups of tea and ced it in front of Rias, Koneko, Issei, and Aika.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I hope you enjoy it~ I am very confident in my tea brewing skills~”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Thank you very much, senpai~ Then, I’ll have a sip~”
<span style="font-weight:400">Aika picked up her cup and took a sip without worry. She didn’t expect the drink to be in any way tempered, considering Rias wanted to try and recruit her by bringing her here. But most of all, Aika’s confidence stems from her immunity to all kinds of poison and all mental harming effects from her [Full Body Potential Unlock] SSR item.
<span style="font-weight:400">Moreover, she wanted to be as friendly as possible so they won’t be hostile to her as well. So epting the cup of tea in this manner wouldn’t trigger their guards more than she needed.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Mm~ It’s so fragrant and delicious~Thank you, senpai~!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ufufufu~ You are very wee~”
<span style="font-weight:400">Smiling toward Akeno, Aika then turned her attention towards Rias and asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“So~? What is it that you would like to talk about, Rias-senpai?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Aika asked with a beaming smile. But their intention was already very clear to her. She, who had suddenly and miraculously changed into a super beautiful girl, would definitely attract their attention, especially Rias.
<i><span style="font-weight:400">She must be suspecting that I’ve awakened a sacred gear or something like that… Well, the Multiverse Chat Group doesn’t count as one since it’s not created by the Biblical God.</i>
<span style="font-weight:400">Thus, even if she started asking her if she has a sacred gear, she wouldn’t be lying if she said she doesn’t.
<i><span style="font-weight:400">So all I need to do is not say anything about the chat group and just listen to what she wants to say. And if they’re trying to recruit me, I’ll just say I’m already in another group who wants nothing in anything she’s doing, without saying anything else.</i>
<span style="font-weight:400">Aika could simply reject them by saying she doesn’t have any interest of bing a devil. But if she did, there’s no guarantee that they’ll stop trying to get her into Rias’s peerage, considering Rias’s desperation.
<span style="font-weight:400">Or perhaps, she might even create a situation where Aika didn’t have a choice but to join herself or ask the help of her brother, the Demon Lord Lucifer himself.
<span style="font-weight:400">That’d be too dangerous. But if she was already in another group, even Rias wouldn’t be stupid enough to agitate her without knowing what group she was in or their strength.
<span style="font-weight:400">Aika would be treated not just as an individual, but as a representative of an unknown group that she will guarantee wouldn’t bring her harm. Then, even her brother would most likely suggest creating in an alliance with her and request for her help, rather than trying to pilfer her from her group.
<span style="font-weight:400">This would be safer for Aika and she might also build a strong foundation for when Yuuji and her friends in the chat groupe into her world.
<span style="font-weight:400">At that point, the most Rias will do would be to have her vice president investigate Aika and the people in her group, and it would be futile given her trusted allies aren’t even in this world.
<i><span style="font-weight:400">Uhn… This would be for the best.</i>
<span style="font-weight:400">“In truth, there’s a lot I’d like to talk about. But the first and foremost I’d like to talk about would be your sudden change in appearance.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Her eyes narrowed as her lips curled into a wider smile.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You changed into such a beautiful girl all of a sudden, magically, as if you have been blessed by a miracle. While I do not mean to offend you, your current appearance is far beyond your previous, is it not? Moreover, you became so strong as suddenly as well. So much so that you defeated even the Captain of the Judo club with one hand. Do you not think it is strange?”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hm~ It is indeed miraculous, but I don’t think it’s strange.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh? Why do you think so?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Because love changes woman drastically~”
<span style="font-weight:400">Rias’s eyes widened in surprise at her answer.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Some women changes on the inside, while some change on the outside. But no matter what, they’ll change drastically! They’ll start to see the world in a new light and try their best to be their better self! Especially if the one they love is such an amazing person~!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Aika noticed Rias’s eyes narrowing before she began letting out a sigh. Rias must be thinking that she was being delusional, looking down on her as if she was stupid.
<span style="font-weight:400">But this was fine. This meant that she doesn’t see her as a threat or someone she desperately wants to recruit. This is what Aika’s aiming for.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I see. I’ve never fallen in love myself, so I’m not sure if what you’re saying is true. But before we proceed, may I tell you a story?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“A story? Sure.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Aika nodded and began listening to Rias’s story about the war between devils, angels, and fallen angels.
<span style="font-weight:400">In reality, Aika was already aware of that story. In fact, she was rather impressed that Rias managed to retell such a long story exactly the same way as she did to Issei. But she still decided to simply listen.
<span style="font-weight:400">After all, she’s here to listen, not talk. She wanted to talk as little as possible.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Heh~ That’s an amazing story~”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes. And they are all real, Kiryuu Aika. The war, magic, Angels, Fallen Angels, and us, devils, all exist.”
<span style="font-weight:400">At that moment, jet-ck bat-like wings appeared behind all of them aside from Issei, who was still staring at her entranced.
<span style="font-weight:400">The sudden movement and appearance of these wings surprised her a bit, but only a bit since she knew about them from the start.
<span style="font-weight:400">She just didn’t know when they’ll reveal it.
<span style="font-weight:400">“We believe that the reason behind your sudden change in appearance is due to magic, specifically, a sacred gear.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“A sacred gear?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes. They are powerful magical relics created by the Biblical God Himself and bestowed upon humans to be their power to protect themselves from the supernaturals. Tell me, Kiryuu Aika. Have you dreamt of something or received something that caused you to change this drastically.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hm~ I don’t think so~”
<span style="font-weight:400">Aika kept her silence, but she did notice the slight frustration that began building up in the red-haired princess.
<span style="font-weight:400">“...The reason why I asked Akeno to bring you here is to invite you into my Peerage.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Peerage?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes. It is a system of the Underworld that allows me, a high-ranking devil, to make another individual a part of my kin, my family, with evil pieces that resemble chess pieces. In return for your loyalty, you will receive tremendous power as a devil and be under the protection of the Ducal house Gremory of the Underworld.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Rias smiled proudly and gestured towards Akeno, Koneko, Kiba, and Issei one by one.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Akeno here is my queen. She is my most powerful and trusted within my peerage.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ufufufu~ It is nice to meet you~”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Koneko is my rook. She is very powerful, despite her stature, with the strength to destroy walls easily.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Kiba is my knight. He is an extremely skilled swordsman with lightning-fast speed.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“It is nice to meet you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“And finally, Issei. My one and only pawn. He had just joined us a few days ago, but he has a lot of potential.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Rias returned her gaze to Aika with a smile.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I still have a free knight, rook, and bishop. And judging the quality of magic you’re emanating and the power and speed you disyed against the more aggressive boys approaching you, I believe any one of them would suit you. So? Would you like to join us?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Aika made a thinking gesture, acting like she was actually deliberating after considering her words carefully.
<span style="font-weight:400">But of course, her answer is obvious.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m sorry~ I appreciate your concern, but I don’t think I’d like it very much being a devil~”
<span style="font-weight:400">The only reason she didn’t outright reject her was simply to not offend her and paint a mark on her own back.
<span style="font-weight:400">Rias looked truly shocked by her answer, and Akeno, Koneko, and Kiba were simrly in disbelief.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Why? Bing a devil will make you strong, strong enough to defend yourself. With your dramatic change known throughout the academy, it will only be a matter of time before you catch the attention of some nefarious being! If you join me, then I will be able to protect you!”
<span style="font-weight:400">The agitation and frustration that had been building up began to burst forth as Rias raised her voice slightly towards Aika in her state of disbelief. She simply couldn’tprehend why Aika rejected her offer to be a powerful devil and be in her family’s protection.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m really sorry, but I’m not interested in being a devil, and I also don’t want to be a servant for eternity.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Aika said in a calm voice and raised to her feet.
<span style="font-weight:400">She knew about Rias’s situation with her engagement and her desperation for power to break it. She also knew that Rias treats her peerage better than most.
<span style="font-weight:400">But even then, her life would essentially still be in Rias’s hands for eternity. This was something Aika immediately felt repulsed by after watching Highschool DxD.
<span style="font-weight:400">Aika also wouldn’t know what Rias would do if she knew about her Multiverse Group Chat.
<span style="font-weight:400">What if Rias demands her to give everything she gets from the Multiverse Group Chat to her for her own pleasure?! What if she orders her to never meet Yuuji again because she fell in love with him?! And if she didn’t follow her words, Rias could technically deem her a “stray” for disobeying her orders and arrange a manhunt to kill her!
<span style="font-weight:400">There’s no way she’d be willing to do that!
<span style="font-weight:400">If she was powerless with no other choice, then perhaps she would have to join them, just like Issei. But she has the Multiverse Group Chat and reliable allies behind her. There’s no way she’ll ept her invitation.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I never treated members of my peerage as a servant. They’re all members of my family! I care for them as much as they care for me!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes, I can see that. But my answer still stands. I’m very sorry, but I like my life as a human. Moreover…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Aika revealed a mysterious smile as she gazed directly into Rias’s eyes.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I have my own trusted “family”. The one my boyfriend and I are in. Ah, but please be at ease. We just want to live our lives as peacefully as possible, so please don’t disturb us. I will also be continuing to live as I did, minus the perverted part, of course~ After all, no man in this world could ever attract my attention anymore~ You can me my boyfriend for that~”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">She winked at the widen-eyed Rias and began making her way to the exit.
<span style="font-weight:400">“W-Wait!”
<span style="font-weight:400">In response to her shout, Kiba snapped out of his shock and raised his hand towards Aika to block her way.
<span style="font-weight:400">But before he could register what happened, his vision suddenly turned upside down, and he felt his back hit the floor, knocking the wind out of him.
<span style="font-weight:400">Rias, Akeno, Koneko, and even Issei who had snapped out from the loud thump stared at Aika in the most disbelief they’ve felt today, as Kiba stared at the ceiling in pure shock.
<span style="font-weight:400">No one, absolutely no one, would’ve expected their fastest fighter, Kiba, to not be able to even react to Aika’s throw and simply fall to the ground.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well then~ Thank you very much for the tea and the great offer~ But I’m sorry~ Please excuse me~”
<span style="font-weight:400">Walking away from the old school building, Aika let out a deep sigh of relief.
<span style="font-weight:400">No matter how beautiful she became, her body bing a high human, or having immunity to all mental ailments, she was still an ordinary high school girl until a few days ago.
<span style="font-weight:400">Being in such a situation was a first for her. In fact, she was rather surprised she coulde up with those ns and act on them.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hah…”
<span style="font-weight:400">She let out another sigh and looked up into the already orange-red sky.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I really want to talk to Yuuji now…”
<span style="font-weight:400">--------------------------------X--------------------------------
<span style="font-weight:400">As soon as she returned home, Aika went to her room and immediately opened her group chat app and messaged Yuuji.
<span style="font-weight:400">Kiryuu Aika: “Yuujiiiiiiiii~ I got called to the ult Research Club this afternoon. They tried recruiting me.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Almost in an instant, Yuuji’s message arrived at her sooner than she expected.
<span style="font-weight:400">Tsubakihara Yuuji: “What?! Are you okay? Did they do anything to you?!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tsubakihara Yuuji: “If you’re hurt, there are plenty of elixirs in the shop you can buy! They’re all less than 3000 GCP! Hurry up and buy it! Don’t worry about the points! If you need more points, you can just join the next quest!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Reading his concern, Aika couldn’t help but smile and giggle at his messages. She could feel his kindness in her heart, warming her entire being.
<i><span style="font-weight:400">Is he really not doing this on purpose…? He’s making me fall in love with him even more…</i>
<span style="font-weight:400">Kiryuu Aika: “Hehehe~ Are you that worried for me~?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tsubakihara Yuuji: “Of course I am! Are you really hurt?!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Kiryuu Aika: “I’m fine~ But I’m really happy about your worry~”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tsubakihara Yuuji: “Hah…. I see. That’s a relief… So? How did it go?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Kiryuu Aika: “Of course, I declined their invitation. But I doubt that will be the end of it.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Aika then began retelling her conversation with Rias in the ult Research Club Room.
<span style="font-weight:400">Tsubakihara Yuuji: “I see… You did amazing. Good job on holding yourself back there.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Kiryuu Aika: “Hehe~ Thank you~ Maybe if I can get a hot photo of you fully shirtless, I’ll recover faster~”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tsubakihara Yuuji: “Nope. Anyway, so what are you thinking about doing now?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Kiryuu Aika: “Ah~ How cruel~ Rejecting me so crudely like that~ You monster~”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Tsubakihara Yuuji: “...”
<span style="font-weight:400">Kiryuu Aika: “Hehehe~ I’m thinking of getting something from the group chat to protect myself. Maybe buying something from the shop or rolling the gacha to see if I can get lucky and get a powerful SR item I can protect myself with.”
<span style="font-weight:400">A few moments passed, yet no messages arrived from Yuuji yet. And as Aika thought he was suddenly preupied with something, his message arrived.
<span style="font-weight:400">Tsubakihara Yuuji: “Should I lend you the Scepter until you can defend yourself?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Aika’s eyes widened in surprise. The Scepter of Divine Sanctuary, the one SR item Yuuji received from his first gacha 10+1 pull that allowed him to protect his home and his family from any and all danger.
<span style="font-weight:400">Aika knew full well how protective Yuuji was of his family. Especially considering that his feelings for them went beyond regr familial love. They were his life, the women he loves with all his heart who he’ll be willing to protect no matter what.
<span style="font-weight:400">For him to suggest such a thing meant that… He was willing to do the same for her…
<span style="font-weight:400">Her heart thumped quicker and quicker as the heat began creeping up her face, painting her cheeks red. She couldn’t believe he was willing to go this far for her…
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh geez~! He’s definitely doing this on purpose right?! He’s making me fall in love with him so hard!!! How terrible of him!!!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Aika rolled around her bed and iled her arms and legs around in excitement beforeying down on her back and cing her phone on her chest.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yuuji…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Staring at the ceiling, Aika’s mind was filled with his figure and his messages. And an urge began blooming within her heart.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I want to meet you… I really want to see you in person…”
<span style="font-weight:400">A little sigh escaped her luscious lips as she raised her phone up in front of her and smiled.
<span style="font-weight:400">“The next quest… I’ll definitely make him join so we could finally meet in person.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Steeling her resolve, she began typing a message to reply to Yuuji’s suggestion.
<span style="font-weight:400">Kiryuu Aika: “No! You need that to protect your family, you know?! I’m really thankful, but you know how dangerous it is to leave so many beautiful women living in the same house unprotected!!! Do I need to show you some NTR hentai and manga?!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tsubakihara Yuuji: “No! I don’t want to even think about that kind of thing!!! But what about you?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Kiryuu Aika: “I said it myself, didn’t I? The way I talked to Rias-senpai made it so that it’d be difficult to be aggressive against me. I’ll also be actively avoiding any encounters with the supernatural in school. The only thing I’m worried about is the stray fallen angels that killed Issei, so I want something that could protect me even when I’m outside of my home.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tsubakihara Yuuji: “I see… Alright. I could think of a few things you can buy, but should we try asking everyone else to see what they think? I’m sure with Tatsuya and Lelouch’s mind as well as Suzuki-san’s experience, we’ll be able to find a more practical solution.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Kiryuu Aika: “Alright~!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Moving from their DM to the group chat, Aika began retelling her story once again about her meeting with members of Rias’s peerage and their conversations to the rest of the members.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shiba Tatsuya: “So it finally happened… Are you okay?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Kiryuu Aika: “Uhn! I’m fine! They didn’t try to do anything to me.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Lelouch Lamperouge: “You did very well. Now, I don’t think they would try to do anything that might harm you. At most, they will try to persuade you with different means such as befriending you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Lelouch Lamperouge: “The problem is the fallen angels who might try to “eliminate” you just as they had with Hyoudou Issei for having a “sacred gear”.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Shiba Tatsuya: “I agree. And the Gremory would have two choices in this case. If they are smart, they will help you by protecting your from the fallen angels and try to create a friendly rtionship with you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Lelouch Lamperouge: “But if they are fools, they will leave you to die in hopes of reincarnating you forcefully into a devil and enter their peerage.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Suzuki Satoru: “Lelouch-kun… I know you are only stating your opinions, but please think of Aika-san’s feelings before you say such a thing.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Lelouch Lamperouge: “Ah… Forgive me. I was being too insensitive…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Kiryuu Aika: “It’s fine, Lelouch. You’re just starting a possibility…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tsubakihara Yuuji: “I don’t think it wille to that, Lelouch.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Lelouch Lamperouge: “Hm? Why do you think so? Considering her foolishness, pride, and desperation, don’t you think she’ll resort to this?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tsubakihara Yuuji: “Rias Gremory is naive, prideful, and desperate, but she’s not heartless. I don’t think she will let Aika die and forcefully reincarnate her into her peerage.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tsubakihara Yuuji: “In my opinion, I believe she will observe the fight first if the fallen angels ever encounter Aika. After all, she doesn’t truly know the extent of her abilities. She will gauge her value and the strength of her “group” behind her from the fight.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tsubakihara Yuuji: “If Aika could win against the fallen angels, then she will be more inclined to try and recruit her or befriend her. But if she was about to lose, I believe she wille and save Aika and put her in her debt.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Kiryuu Aika: “I see… That’s quite possible. After talking to her, Rias-senpai and the others don’t seem heartless. So I think what Yuuji said might be possible.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Lelouch Lamperouge: “I see… Mm. I understand. If that is the case, then I believe she will act as Yuuji said.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Kiryuu Aika: “Hah~ So in the end, I’ll need something to protect myself with, huh~? I’ve never fought with fallen angels before, but I did manage to throw Kiba-kun to the ground before he could even react. So I think I could defend myself if there’s no magic involved.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Shiba Tatsuya: “Yuuto Kiba. The knight of Gremory. I believe his forte is in his speed, am I right? If you can move even faster than him, then I don’t think you will need to worry in a physical fight against the supernatural. Especially considering these fallen angels rely on their magic quite heavily from what I’ve seen in the anime.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tsubakihara Yuuji: “That’s right. Aika has [Aikido Proficiency]. I don’t think even you will be able to touch her, Tatsuya.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Shiba Tatsuya: “I’m curious. As a practitioner of martial arts as well, I’d like to test my skills against the two of you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Kiryuu Aika: “Kyaa~ Please hold back~ I’m just a frail beautiful girl~ How could you, Tatsuya~”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tsubakihara Yuuji: “...”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tsubakihara Yuuji: “That aside, I’ll be happy to spar with you if we ever go to each other’s world. I haven’t had the chance to test my [Krav Maga Proficiency].”
<span style="font-weight:400">Shiba Tatsuya: “That will be great.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Shiba Tatsuya: “Returning to the conversation, perhaps we should try and find something in the shop capable of protecting her?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tsubakihara Yuuji: “I agree. Normally, it’d be better to roll for the gacha. But since we need something specific, I think it’d be better to search for it in the shop.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Kiryuu Aika: “Hm~ I only have 3000 GCP right now, and most of the protective SR items are all very expensive! Look!”
<span style="font-weight:400">-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<span style="font-weight:400">[Ne of Divine Protection from Magic] - [SR]
<span style="font-weight:400">A golden ne blessed by the heavens with four diamonds pointing out in four different directions and the fifth diamond at its center.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-weight:400">Increases the wearer’s resistance to all magical effects.</li>
<li style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-weight:400">Each one of the four diamonds is capable of <b>dispelling</b><span style="font-weight:400"> all negative magical effects or <b>protecting </b><span style="font-weight:400">the user from <b>one magical attack </b><span style="font-weight:400">upon activation.</li>
<li style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-weight:400">Thergest diamond at the center <b>protects</b><span style="font-weight:400"> the user from <b>one lethal attack.</b></li>
<li style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-weight:400">Upon triggering the corresponding effect, each diamond will turn ck and will return to its original luster 24 hours after activation.</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-weight:400">Price: 6500 GCP
<span style="font-weight:400">-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<span style="font-weight:400">Tsubakihara Yuuji: “That is extremely suitable to our need now, but it is beyond our budget…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Suzuki Satoru: “Uhm… I’ve been searching for a while, and I think I’ve found what we need.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Suzuki Satoru: “From our conversation before, we only need Aika to be in a situation where no one could use magic, right? Then perhaps, this will help.”
<span style="font-weight:400">-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<span style="font-weight:400">[Scroll of Enchantment: Zone of Anti-Magic] - [R]
<ul>
<li style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-weight:400">An Item enchanted with this scroll will be capable of creating a 10m radius dome of anti-magic centered around the user <b>once a day</b><span style="font-weight:400">.</li>
<li style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-weight:400">No magic or magical abilities below SSR rank can be activated within the zone. Additionally, all magic already in effect will disappear upon entering the zone.</li>
<li style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-weight:400">Upon activation, the zone willst for one hour and move along with the user.</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-weight:400">Price: 3000 GCP
<span style="font-weight:400">-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<span style="font-weight:400">Kiryuu Aika: “Oooh!!! This is perfect!!! If they can’t use magic, then I can defend myself against them!!!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tsubakihara Yuuji: “Wow… That really is an amazing item. And it’s so inexpensive too.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Suzuki Satoru: “Yes. Even though it’s a single-use a day, it’s a really powerful item, especially for fighters who don’t rely on magic.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Shiba Tatsuya: “I wonder if this also works with “magic” in my world… Will it act like a Zone Interference? Could it block even non-systematic magic or my magic? Or will it not affect anything?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tsubakihara Yuuji: “Right. This is also something we need to test. Magic systems differ from world to world, just like how the magic in Aika’s world is based on the supernatural, while the magic in Tatsuya’s world is based on science. Though, I hope it does work on anything that is considered “magic”.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Shiba Tatsuya: “Yes.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Kiryuu Aika: “Alright~! I’ve bought it~!!! Now I’ll enchant this to my ne! Thank you for your help, everyone~!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tsubakihara Yuuji: “No problem. Just keep us updated on your situation. We will try to help as much as we can.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Suzuki Satoru: “That’s right. Please stay safe, Aika-san.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Shiba Tatsuya: “We will be waiting for good news.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Lelouch Lamperouge: “Stay safe. Be careful.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Kiryuu Aika: “Uhn~!!!
<em><strong>AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Pleasement your thoughts~! I would love to hear what you think about it~!!!!</strong></em>
<em><strong>Also, if you''d like to read additional chapters ahead and get a pdf version (Light & Dark), please feel free to check out my at /versx ~!!</strong></em>