While the teacher droned on about some historical battle no one in class was really listening to, Ryusei leaned back in her seat, her head resting against her hand.
Ding!
A soft blue window popped up in front of her eyes, invisible to everyone else.
———————————————————
Hidden Quest Completed!
[Quest: Kill the Lizards]
[Objective: Eliminate the Traitorous Party Members]
[Progress: 6/6]
Rewards Unlocked:
[Cursed Infusion]
[Cursed Enhancement]
[Rika: Steel Arms]
[Title: Dungeon Executioner]
———————————————————
Ryusei raised an eyebrow slightly, lips curling into a small, satisfied smirk. Not bad. She mentally opened the details on each reward.
———————————————————
Cursed Infusion – Allows cursed energy to be infused into weapons and objects, increasing their destructive output and cursed affinity.
Cursed Enhancement – Temporarily boosts physical abilities and reflexes by reinforcing the body with cursed energy.
Rika: Steel Arms – Rika can summon large, reinforced metal arm casings onto Ryusei's arms, significantly boosting her strength, punching power, and defense in close combat.
Title: Dungeon Executioner – Enemies within dungeon-type areas will have lowered morale and defense. Grants bonus EXP when defeating dungeon bosses or traitors.
———————————————————
She closed the windows quickly when the teacher suddenly called her name.
"Okkotsu-san? Did you catch what I just said about the strategy used during the Siege of Osaka?"
Ryusei looked up lazily. "Yeah. They got betrayed and burned for it. Just like real life."
There was a long pause... then the teacher blinked. "Correct... in a very grim way."
Ryusei stepped into the Occult Research Club room, hands stuffed into her jacket pockets as her pale blue eyes scanned the space. Only Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko were present, each lounging in their usual spots.
"Where's Rias?" Ryusei asked, closing the door behind her.
Akeno glanced up from the tea she was preparing, offering her usual playful smile. "She's having a little meeting with Sona in the student council room," she said smoothly, stirring her cup.
Kiba nodded in confirmation, seated on the couch with a book in hand. Koneko munched quietly on a cookie nearby, giving Ryusei a small glance but saying nothing.
"What brings you here, Ryusei?" Akeno asked curiously.
"I was looking to take a nap in here since I have a free period," Ryusei said casually, already making her way toward the couch. "Rias let me sleep on her lap last time."
Akeno raised an eyebrow, a sly smile creeping onto her face. "Oh my~ You're getting awfully close to our president, aren't you?"
Kiba chuckled softly, closing his book slightly. "Rias must really like you if she's offering up her lap. She's usually not that generous."
Koneko stared at Ryusei, then deadpanned, "You're shameless."
"Huh? But I was just taking a nap."
Ryusei tossed herself onto the couch, kicking her feet up, the door creaked open.
Rias stepped in, she paused upon seeing Ryusei, sprawled out like she owned the place.
"Speak of the devil," Akeno murmured with a knowing smirk.
Rias tilted her head slightly, her expression softening. "Taking over my couch again, Ryusei?"
Ryusei opened one eye and gave a lazy grin. "You were late. I figured I'd warm it up for you."
Rias let out a small laugh and walked over, setting her things down before sitting beside Ryusei.
Ryusei leaned her head against Rias's thigh without hesitation. "Goodnight."
Rias continued gently stroking Ryusei's hair, her fingers threading through the strands as she looked down at the girl resting on her lap. "Rough day?" she asked, her voice soft and genuinely concerned.
"You have no idea," Ryusei muttered with a tired sigh. "And to top it off, I've got my first date later today."
There was a beat of silence.
Rias blinked once.
Then twice.
And suddenly her entire expression froze—her face went pale as if all the blood had drained from it. In Ryusei's mind, it was like watching someone get hit by a truck in slow motion.
A cartoonish cracking sound echoed in Rias's head as her heart visibly shattered in dramatic anime fashion—turning snow white, then crumbling like glass into pieces that scattered around her in an imaginary emotional explosion.
Rias didn't speak for a solid ten seconds, her eyes still wide, staring blankly into space like her soul had left her body.
"…A date?" she finally whispered, like it physically hurt to say the words out loud.
Ryusei cracked one eye open. "…Rias?"
Rias snapped out of it just barely, quickly smoothing her expression like nothing happened. "Ah. I see. That's… lovely. I hope it goes well," she said with a slightly too-tight smile.
Akeno leaned over with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Ara~ Poor Rias. You should've made a move sooner."
"Akeno." Rias said through gritted teeth, trying to stay composed while Ryusei just looked between them, confused but mildly amused.
"…Did I miss something?"
.
.
.
.
.
.
The final bell rang out through the halls of Kuoh Academy, signaling the end of the school day. Students began pouring out, laughing, chatting, and making their way home or to their club activities.
Ryusei stepped out of the school building, bag slung lazily over her shoulder, her expression neutral but relaxed. As she made her way to the front gates, she spotted Aika leaning casually against the fence, phone in hand.
The moment Aika saw her, her face lit up with a smirk. She slipped her phone into her pocket and walked up with a slight bounce in her step.
"There you are, cutie," Aika said playfully as she immediately latched onto Ryusei's arm, pressing close without a hint of hesitation. "I was starting to think you stood me up."
Ryusei raised an eyebrow, not resisting the clinginess. "I said I'd show up, didn't I?"
"You did," Aika hummed, resting her head lightly against Ryusei's shoulder as they started walking.
Aika wasted no time once they were out in town—dragging Ryusei along by the arm from one brightly lit shop to the next. First it was a trendy boutique, then a vintage thrift store, then an accessories shop with far too many glittery, sparkly things for Ryusei's taste.
"Come oooon, just try one thing on with me," Aika pleaded as she held up a black crop top.
"I'll pass," Ryusei deadpanned, arms crossed as she leaned against the wall near the changing rooms. "I'm not your dress-up doll."
"But you'd look so cute," Aika whined as she spun in front of the mirror in a red jacket. "Admit it, you like watching."
Ryusei didn't respond.
After a few more outfits and a stop at an accessory store where Aika forced Ryusei to try on cat-ear headbands ("Never again," Ryusei muttered after the photo was taken), they finally ended up at a small ice cream stand.
Sitting on a bench under the fading light, the two of them enjoyed their cones—Aika with strawberry swirl and Ryusei with classic vanilla.
"Smile~" Aika said, holding her phone up. Before Ryusei could protest, Aika leaned in close and snapped a picture of the two of them, ice cream in hand, cheeks nearly touching.
She looked down at the screen. "Ooh, this one's going on my story. Look how cute you look when you're not glaring."
Ryusei's face flushed. "You're lucky I'm too tired to stop you."
"You say that, but I think you're enjoying this more than you're letting on," Aika said with a sly grin, licking her cone.
"…Shut up and eat your ice cream."
Aika giggled, clearly pleased with herself, and leaned her head on Ryusei's shoulder as they sat quietly for a bit, the sounds of the city humming around them—cars in the distance, kids laughing, the soft buzz of chatter from nearby cafes.
"You're way more fun than I expected, you know," Aika said softly, her voice calm now, no teasing. "I thought I'd have to drag you around like dead weight the whole time."
"I am dead weight," Ryusei replied. "You're just...strangely persistent..."
"That's my charm," Aika smirked, nudging her side. "But really… thanks for coming. It's nice getting to know you like this."
Ryusei looked over at her, silent for a moment. "…Yeah. It's not bad."
Aika blinked, surprised by the sincerity, but smiled warmly.
As the sun dipped lower and the sky started turning shades of orange and purple, they stood up and wandered down the street together, the soft clink of Aika's bracelets matching their footsteps.
Eventually, they came across a little photo booth tucked beside an arcade. Aika tugged Ryusei inside before she could react.
"What now?" Ryusei asked, unimpressed.
"Memories," Aika grinned, slipping in coins. "We're already deep into this date, might as well go full cliché."
The countdown started, and Aika immediately made a peace sign and stuck her tongue out. Ryusei blinked, confused, then managed a faint smile by the second flash. The last picture caught Aika turning to kiss Ryusei's cheek again—causing a rare moment of Ryusei's face to light up with actual surprise.
When they stepped out, Aika looked at the printout with a satisfied grin. "Yep. Best. Date. Ever."
Ryusei glanced at the strip of photos and muttered to herself quietly while Aika walked ahead and then turned to face the taller girl.
"Wanna walk me home?"
Ryusei shoved her hands in her pockets. "…Yeah. Sure."