"Koneko, don't you have training to do?" Jeanne asked, feeling a bit puzzled.
Rias had been highly dissatisfied with their recent Rating Game against Sona. Except for Koneko, everyone had been thoroughly targeted and knocked out before they could properly fight—especially Gasper, who was now enduring particularly harsh training.
Maybe it was due to the attacks from Loki and the Khaos Brigade; in any case, Rias and the others had gone straight back into intense training right after the match.
"Azazel-sensei said the most important thing for me now is to master my Nekoshou powers, learn to control my 'ki', and apply it to combat. But so far, Azazel-sensei hasn't found anyone suitable to teach me," Koneko explained, uncharacteristically verbose, trying to ease Jeanne's confusion.
Then, Koneko's golden eyes suddenly shimmered with a hint of vulnerability, making her look like an abandoned kitten lost in the rain.
"Senpai… don't you want to spend time with me?"
"Huh? Of course I do. Hanging out with a cute girl like you helps me relax."
Cute… Jeanne-senpai thinks I'm cute…
On the outside, Koneko looked indifferent, but internally her soul had long since floated away.
"But you don't have a teacher yet, huh…?" Jeanne stopped abruptly, falling into thought. It wasn't as if she had any particular destination anyway; she'd just been wandering aimlessly through the halls.
Though Jeanne excelled at magecraft and magic, she had gained substantial insights into manipulating 'ki' and life force from the experiences of Kiichi Hougan and Ashiya Douman. Many principles overlapped, and she recalled a saying by Tsugikuni Yoriichi: "All paths converge at the highest realm."
Jeanne had already attained an exceptionally high level in magic; even if it was her first time seriously exploring the usage of ki, her keen perception would allow her to rapidly grasp and master it through reverse-engineering.
Thus…
"How about I become your teacher?"
Koneko froze, momentarily stunned by Jeanne's unexpected offer.
Her first reaction was confusion; she knew Jeanne-senpai was a powerful mage, but she'd never witnessed her practicing Senjutsu.
But then came excitement… if Jeanne-senpai became her teacher, wouldn't that mean more opportunities for the two of them to be alone together? Just imagining this possibility made her heart race.
Koneko had always felt frustrated—frustrated by not being able to openly get close to Jeanne. She'd constantly watched with envy as Ophis sat on Jeanne's lap or rested comfortably in her arms, calmly accepting her affection. Unlike Ophis, Koneko had never been brave enough to express herself openly.
But now was her best chance. With neither Ophis nor Asia around, she didn't have to rush things.
"For training, maybe we could—"
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed from down the corridor.
Approaching them quickly was a petite, lovely girl. Beyond her undeniable cuteness, she radiated an air of elegance, clad in a delicate pink dress, her golden hair gleaming like sunshine or burning flame.
Jeanne felt a faint sense of familiarity looking at the girl.
The girl hurried toward them with eyes sparkling brightly, clearly aiming for Jeanne. However, once Jeanne raised her gaze to meet hers, the girl suddenly halted, her fair cheeks flushed with shy awkwardness.
She quietly suppressed her earlier joyful expression and slowed her pace, stopping hesitantly in front of Jeanne. Avoiding direct eye contact and fidgeting with her hands behind her back, she shyly murmured a greeting.
"I-it's been… a long time."
"You're…?"
Jeanne's brief words caused the girl's heart to leap anxiously.
Failing to notice the complicated mix of hope and fear in the girl's eyes, Jeanne searched her memory. After a brief moment, she finally found the answer.
"You're… that roasted chicken's sister?"
Roasted chicken. A very rude nickname indeed. Jeanne's impression of Riser hadn't been great; he was so worthless that Jeanne hadn't even bothered killing him, instead quickly forgetting about him altogether.
Ravel's eyes instantly brightened, joy sparkling in their sapphire depths—only to swiftly morph into a slightly pouty, displeased look as she feigned annoyance.
"My name is Ravel Phenex, not some roasted chicken's sister."
Though Jeanne's impression of Riser was negative, she held no ill feelings towards the girl before her. It wasn't merely because she was cute; rather, Jeanne respected her courage and selflessness—standing firm in Jeanne's flames, pleading on behalf of her brother. That was precisely why Jeanne had spared them both.
Of course, in truth, Jeanne had forgotten her entirely. The only reason she recalled Ravel now was because Rias had mentioned her recently, right before the Rating Game with Sona.
"I didn't think you'd actually come to the Underworld. Ravel seemed really disappointed when she heard you weren't coming."
"Ravel? Who's that? Do I know her?"
"Ravel! You know, Riser's sister."
"…Riser?"
"You… you forgot Riser? You know, the guy I was supposed to marry, who you completely demolished? The third son of the Phenex family? He's been holed up at home depressed since that day. You seriously forgot him?"
"Oh, the roasted chicken… Isn't it normal to forget? Do you usually remember the names of every chicken you roast? If your brain is full of useless stuff like that, you'll get dementia easily."
Afterward, Jeanne and Rias briefly discussed methods to prevent dementia before Rias quickly steered the conversation back on track.
"Since you're here now—even if not officially—just be aware Ravel will definitely try to find you."
"What for? Revenge for her brother?"
"No, it's… well, definitely not revenge. You'll understand when you see her. All I can say is, you really have quite the charm, Jeanne. Why do you have to be a girl?"
"???"
By the time their conversation ended, Jeanne was left utterly confused. Why was Rias being so cryptic?
And why the heck did it matter she was a girl?
If Rias hadn't given her that warning, Jeanne's reaction now probably would've been: "Who are you again?"
"Ravel… right?" Jeanne tentatively said the girl's name.
"Yes!" Ravel's delighted response came immediately.
Quickly realizing her excitement, Ravel panicked, waving her hands awkwardly as she tried to regain composure. But the blush reaching all the way to her ears betrayed her inner turmoil.
"Ahem… yes. Please call me Ravel. And… how should I address you…?"
Confused by Ravel's respectful tone, Jeanne simply replied, "Just call me Jeanne. Everyone does."
"Um, alright! Ahem… then, forgive my boldness—I'll call you Jeanne-sama."
"You don't need to use 'sama'… but sure, if you prefer it."
"Yes, Jeanne-sama!"
Jeanne shrugged mentally; Xenovia often called her that, so she didn't particularly care.
Ravel's mood noticeably improved. However, Koneko's mood plummeted because she clearly smelled the scent of another cat sneaking around her precious fish.
"Rias told me you wanted something?" Jeanne asked curiously.
"Yes, Jeanne-sama." Ravel composed herself and curtsied slightly. "To express my gratitude, I'd like to invite you to the Phenex estate for afternoon tea."
Pausing shyly, Ravel added softly, "If…if you don't mind, I could even bake a cake personally…"
"Gratitude?" Jeanne echoed, puzzled. Had she done anything worth thanking?
"Yes, gratitude. Thank you for sparing my brother and me last time."
Jeanne was speechless. I beat your brother into depression, and now you're thanking me for not finishing him off? What kind of logic is this?
Reading Jeanne's expression, Ravel quickly explained further, "Actually, Mother and Father said Riser had become overly arrogant, relying too heavily on our regeneration powers. Losing to you was humiliating, but he learned humility and understood the limits of his immortality. For that, we truly thank you."
"So you and your parents don't hate me?"
"H-hate?! How could I ever hate Jeanne-sama!" Ravel practically shouted in panic, blushing fiercely and lowering her head, whispering, "Quite the opposite. Towards Jeanne-sama, I…"
Ravel didn't finish that sentence, leaving the rest buried deep within her heart, unheard even by Jeanne's sharp senses.
"So… Jeanne-sama, if you're free right now, could we…?"
"Right now, huh…" Jeanne was indeed free; she could simply agree.
But—
"No, she's busy," Koneko interrupted, openly glaring at Ravel with hostility and suspicion.
Ravel's expression hardened instantly, her gaze unwavering as she met Koneko's stare head-on.
"I was asking Jeanne-sama. If you're busy, you can leave."
"Neither Jeanne-senpai nor I are free. Unlike a spoiled noble like you, we're busy training. Senpai's about to become my private instructor for special, one-on-one training."
Koneko's tone was firm as bedrock, surprising even Jeanne with her sudden resolve.
"O-o-one-on-one training?!" Ravel stumbled back dramatically, clearly shaken. But quickly recovering, she stood tall again, determined.
"It-it's just training! It doesn't mean anything! I won't lose!"
"I won't hand Senpai over to you either!"
Their eyes met fiercely, almost creating sparks. To assert her place, Ravel impulsively hugged Jeanne's other arm, blushing furiously.
Now, with two girls clinging to her, Jeanne wondered how to even move. Fortunately, a familiar face from Riser's peerage arrived, saving Jeanne from further awkwardness.
Reluctantly letting go, Ravel eventually departed, repeatedly reminding Jeanne to visit soon.
Watching her leave, Koneko's thoughts were clear:
Good riddance. Get lost faster. Stop lingering around Senpai!
And as for Ravel…
Ah… Jeanne-sama, what will I do without you? Why aren't you a Devil? Then I could beg my parents to give me to you as your servant…
---
T/N: :sob: