"You've been a little distracted lately, Rias," Akeno said casually, watching her friend with knowing eyes. "Or should I say... selective?"
Rias looked up from her teacup. "What do you mean?"
Akeno gave a soft smile, but her tone was pointed.
"You've been skipping out on Issei's training sessions more than usual. But when it comes to Ryusei... you're there every time. Power of Destruction or not."
Rias turned her head, guilt flickering in her eyes. "I know. I'm not trying to ignore Issei. It's just... Ryusei picked up my power so naturally. It's like looking at someone who understands a part of you you've always had trouble explaining."
Akeno nodded. "I get it. But just make sure your admiration doesn't become... favoritism."
Rias looked down, sighing quietly.
"I'll talk to Issei. I don't want him to feel left behind."
With a gentle nod, Akeno stood, heading for the door.
"I'm sure you'll figure it out, Rias. Just remember-your heart shows more than you think."
Just as Akeno opened the door, Ryusei stepped in, holding up two bento boxes.
"Hey! I brought lunch," she said, casual and warm. "And I brought Charcadet."
From behind her, the small red-armored Pokémon leapt out of her backpack like a rocket, landing squarely on his feet before running straight toward Rias with little arms outstretched.
Rias let out a small laugh and instinctively bent down, catching the tiny familiar in a hug.
"There you are, my little flame."
Ryusei smiled and sat down across from her. She pulled out a folded piece of paper from her pocket and carefully unfolded it.
"Check this out. He made a new drawing last night."
It was a crayon sketch of Ryusei and Rias on either side of Charcadet, both holding his hands. Rias' hair was a giant scribble of red, and Charcadet had oversized blue eyes matching hers.
"He drew us as a family. Isn't that adorable?" Ryusei said, holding it up proudly.
Rias' expression softened. She gently touched the drawing.
"He really missed you," Ryusei added. "His mama."
Rias chuckled, brushing her fingers over Charcadet's head as he clung to her leg.
"Well... he is red like my hair," she said softly, "and he's got your blue eyes."
She picked Charcadet up, giving him a firm but warm hug.
"Did you miss your mama? I missed you too."
Charcadet nuzzled into her chest with a content purr, his little body radiating warmth.
Ryusei grinned. "Yup. He's totally a mama's boy."
Rias laughed, more genuinely than she had all week, as Ryusei set the bento on the table and joined her.
Charcadet sat comfortably in Ryusei's lap at the table, his tiny legs swinging as he focused intently on his newest drawing. A box of crayons lay scattered beside him, and his little fingers moved with purpose across the paper.
Every now and then, he looked up at Ryusei, then down at his art, adding a small detail-a heart, a flame, or a stick figure with long red hair.
Ryusei, meanwhile, twirled some ramen with her chopsticks and brought a small bite to Charcadet's mouth.
"Open up, buddy," she said with a soft smile.
Charcadet opened his mouth and eagerly accepted the noodles, giving a muffled squeak of approval before returning to his drawing.
Across the table, Rias had barely touched her food. She was too busy watching them-Ryusei's gentle care, the way Charcadet leaned into her, how they were in perfect sync. Her cheeks turned a soft pink as she stared, chopsticks paused in midair.
'They really are like a little family... and I... like seeing her this way.'
Snapping herself out of her thoughts, Rias glanced down at the bento Ryusei had packed. She picked up a piece of grilled chicken with her chopsticks, hesitated for only a second, then leaned forward slightly with a small, playful smile.
"Say ahh, Ryusei."
Ryusei blinked, looking up from feeding Charcadet.
"Huh?"
Rias smiled a little more, holding the chopsticks closer to Ryusei's mouth.
"You fed him. Now it's my turn."
Charcadet looked up with a sparkle in his eyes, as if cheering them on silently.
Ryusei let out a short laugh and leaned in, letting Rias feed her the bite.
Charcadet scribbled a new picture quietly: this time of Ryusei and Rias sitting at a table, with him between them, smiling wide.
As Ryusei slung her bag over her shoulder, ready to head back to class after lunch, Rias pulled out her phone.
"Wait-just one second," she said, standing up.
Ryusei turned, blinking.
"Huh?"
"You two look adorable," Rias said, already snapping a picture of Ryusei holding Charcadet, who was proudly holding up his newest drawing-another family sketch, this time with all three of them standing together under a tree.
Rias took a few more photos, giggling softly.
"These are for me," she said quietly. "To remember this moment."
Ryusei gave a two-finger salute.
"Catch you later, President."
Charcadet waved, and they were off.
{Later at Night- Ryusei's Bedroom}
Light from the moon casted through Ryusei's bedroom window. Charcadet was curled up on her pillow, fast asleep. Ryusei was just getting out of the shower, towel-drying her hair when a glowing red magic circle flared to life in the middle of her room.
Ryusei instinctively reached for her dagger, but relaxed immediately when she saw who stepped through.
"Rias...?"
She stood there, flushed, dressed in her nightgown-but her expression was... strange.
"Ryusei..." she said, almost in a whisper. "I... want you to take my virginity."
Ryusei froze. "...What?"
Ryusei stepped forward, gently placing her hands on Rias' shoulders.
"Rias... what's going on? This isn't like you."
Rias' hands slowly gripped Ryusei's shirt, she opened her mouth, trying to speak.
"I need you, Ryusei," Rias whispers, voice trembling. "Right now... I want to give you something that no one else ever will."
She leans in, pressing her forehead to Ryusei's. Her hands grip Ryusei's shirt tightly, but the trembling in her fingers betrays her.
magic circle lights up the room behind them.
A dignified, elegant woman steps out, her silver hair cascading like silk: Grayfia Lucifuge, the Queen of Sirzechs Lucifer and the strongest Queen in the Underworld.
"That's enough, Rias," she says firmly.
Rias flinches at the sound of Grayfia's voice. Her teal eyes widen as she realizes where she is and what she was about to do.
"Grayfia... I..."
"We'll discuss this later," Grayfia says gently but sternly. She places a hand on Rias's shoulder. "Come with me."
Rias glances at Ryusei one last time, regret is clear on her face.
"I'm sorry..." she whispers.
And then she's gone, stepping into the light with Grayfia. The magic fades, and Ryusei is left sitting on the bed, heart racing, thoughts spinning.
She looks over at Charcadet, who had woken and now stares at her with worried eyes. "It's going to be okay buddy..." She hugged him.