The following morning arrived lazily.
There was no longer the clamor of euphoria from last night's banquet, nor the corridors filled with loud laughter or the hurried steps of servants stumbling back to their quarters.
The silence of Chaldea reigned, broken only by distant voices and the occasional sound of doors closing. Outside, snow blanketed the world in absolute white, but inside, thanks to Kazuya's whim, the atmosphere had shifted: sunny mornings. The sun streamed through the wide windows, painting the corridors with a soft golden hue that spread as if the light itself sought to chase away the lethargy of a poorly slept night.
After a long bath, Kazuya walked down the corridor toward the dining hall, adjusting his still-damp hair with his hand. He yawned, stretching his arms in an exaggerated manner, as if carrying the weight of three sleepless nights in one.
"…Hah… it feels like yesterday lasted three days…" he muttered to himself, recalling the banquet, the chaos, and… everything that came after.
Upon entering the dining hall, the aroma of fresh coffee and warm bread already filled the air. It was almost comforting, as if the kitchen had tried to erase the remnants of the collective hangover lingering over the place. The room was nearly empty, save for a single presence: Kulkulkan.
She sat there, a delicate teacup cradled between her hands, her gaze radiant even in silence. The aura she exuded was almost luminous, as if her mere presence purified the heavy morning air. As soon as she saw him, a genuine, warm smile spread across her face.
"Good morning, Master." Her voice was firm yet soft, like music that effortlessly seeps in.
Kazuya blinked a few times, surprised. "Kulkulkan… you're up early, huh?"
"Yes. You too… couldn't sleep any longer, Master?"
"Unfortunately not. I'd have preferred another two hours of sleep. But duty calls."
"Master…" She tilted her head slightly, her smile unwavering. "You need to take a break sometimes. Since you carry more responsibilities than anyone here, even your rest becomes part of your duty."
"Easier said than done…" Kazuya sighed, walking toward the kitchen. He opened a cabinet, pulled out coffee grounds, and set water to boil. "Want more coffee?"
"If it's made by you, always." She replied without hesitation.
He couldn't help but smile.
"Well, aren't you sweet… it's almost like you're trying to win me over again, even though you're already my wife."
Kulkulkan rested her chin on her hand, watching him intently. Her eyes held that calm intensity, like a morning sun that doesn't burn but warms. "And why wouldn't I? Love isn't something you win once and put on a shelf. It's like the sun that rises every day. I'll always want to win you over."
For a few seconds, silence stretched between them, broken only by the bubbling of the boiling water.
Kazuya looked away, uncomfortable. Though he was used to handling pretty words, it was different coming from her. It wasn't flattery, manipulation, or teasing. It was… truth. That unsettled him because he didn't quite know how to respond.
While he prepared the coffee, Kulkulkan didn't take her eyes off him. There was something in the way she watched him, as if she were trying to memorize every movement, every detail. To anyone else, it might feel suffocating. To him, it was both uncomfortable and… oddly pleasant.
Kulkulkan, after all, wasn't born to feel human love. Her affection had always been vast, universal, like a wind that blows for everyone. But with him… it was different. In silence, she recalled how she had fallen in love. Not because of a heroic act or an impossible promise, but because of the way he walked across the battlefield: always forward, always resolute, even when the impossible weighed on his shoulders.
She didn't need to say any of this aloud; it was all in her eyes.
Kazuya poured the coffee into two cups and returned to the table. "Here."
"Thank you." Kulkulkan accepted the cup as if it were a precious gift. She took a slow sip, never breaking eye contact with him.
He took a sip too, sitting across from her. The warmth of the drink seemed to finally wake him up.
For a moment, silence reigned again.
Kulkulkan was the first to break it. She set her cup down and leaned forward slightly, resting her arm delicately on the table.
"About yesterday… it was fun, wasn't it, Master? It felt like we were back in the good old days in our old Chaldea. Oh, and one thing I noticed yesterday… sometimes I think you don't realize how everyone looks at you."
Kazuya raised an eyebrow.
"Is that a trick question? Or a psychological test?"
"No. Just an observation. Many follow you because they need to. Others because they want to. But I…" She smiled, soft but firm. "I follow you because I see something in you that even the gods can't forge: courage and determination."
He sighed, resting his chin on his hand. "You're gonna spoil me, you know? If I hear a couple more lines like that, I'll never be able to handle criticism again."
She laughed softly, the sound echoing in the empty dining hall.
"Then accept the criticism too. It'll only show how much you've grown."
"Oh, now you're sounding like my spiritual guide… but you're actually my wife. You're mixing up your roles here."
"Oh…" She lifted her cup, watching the drink reflect the golden light. "Maybe I'm both."
Before he could respond, light footsteps echoed in the corridor. The door creaked, and Tamamo no Mae entered, smiling, balancing a basket of freshly baked bread. Her ears twitched in rhythm with her fluffy tail.
"Goshujin-sama~! What a surprise to see you up so early… or are you hiding some mischief?"
She leaned toward him provocatively, her mischievous gaze gleaming.
"Shall I serve you, my beloved Master? I brought crispy little buns… soft on the inside, warm, made with love."
Kazuya glanced at her sideways, taking another sip of coffee without moving. "With love or with poison?"
"How cruel! I'd never do that!" Tamamo placed a hand on her chest, theatrically feigning offense. But a sly grin soon escaped. "Well… unless it was a love potion. But that wouldn't be poison—it'd be a blessing."
Kulkulkan watched her calmly, her smile unfaltering. "You're intense first thing in the morning, Tamamo no Mae. But I must admit, the energy you bring is contagious."
Tamamo blinked, feigning surprise.
"Oh? The feathered goddess is up early too? And in a good mood? Incredible, incredible. But…" She narrowed her eyes provocatively. "Isn't it a bit too early to monopolize Goshujin-sama like this?"
Kazuya snorted, raising his cup. "You two talk as if I'm a buffet dish. Calm down."
"You say that as if you don't enjoy the attention," Kulkulkan shot back, spot-on.
"…Touché."
Tamamo burst into laughter, resting her face in her hands. "Ara ara, so Kulkulkan knows how to play with sharp words too. I like that, hmm~"
"It's not a game," Kulkulkan replied, still smiling. "I simply recognize his worth. Not as a Master, but as a person."
Tamamo bit into a bun, chewing slowly, her eyes narrowing as she assessed the situation.
"Ufufu… how dangerous. That kind of declaration so early could stir even a fox's heart like mine." She picked up a bun and held it near Kazuya's mouth. "Goshujin-sama~ say 'ah'… I insist."
He looked at her, exasperated. "Are you seriously trying to shove food down my throat this early?"
"Of course! Feeding you is a sacred duty of a devoted wife."
Before he could reply, Kulkulkan slid a small jar of honey across the table toward him.
"To balance the sweetness."
Kazuya pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing. "…You two are going to kill me before I finish my coffee."
The two exchanged glances, a spark of elegant rivalry glinting between Kulkulkan's radiant smile and Tamamo's theatrical mischief. Nothing explosive, but enough for Kazuya to realize he was standing in an invisible minefield.
"You're both treating me like I'm some kind of competition prize…"
"And aren't you?" Tamamo laughed, fluffy and theatrical.
"No," Kulkulkan answered, calm and firm. "He's a person. Not a trophy."
For a moment, even Tamamo was speechless. Then she smiled, closing her eyes. "Ufufu… what a dangerous answer. I think I like you even more now."
Kazuya ran a hand over his face, trying to hide the sigh escaping him. If there was one thing he'd learned in his life, it was that no battle was more dangerous than one waged between two clever women—especially when he himself was the battlefield.
He leaned back in his chair, raising the coffee cup to his lips as if it were a shield. "You know I just wanted a normal breakfast, right? No games, no competition. Just… peace."
Tamamo leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table and her face in her hands. Her eyes gleamed with that feline mischief that seemed to revel in his discomfort.
"Ara ara… but isn't that exactly what makes life fun, Goshujin-sama? A simple coffee can just be coffee… or it can be the memory of an unforgettable morning." She picked up another bun and held it in front of him. "And if it goes straight to your mouth, even better. Want to try?"
Kazuya looked at the bun, then at the fox's hopeful—or rather, provocative—expression. He let out a resigned sigh and opened his mouth just enough. "If I refuse, you'll keep pestering me until lunch, won't you?"
"Exactly~." She smiled triumphantly, placing the piece of bread on his lips with an almost ceremonial gesture, as if feeding an emperor. "See? Soft and warm… just like my love for you."
Kazuya chewed slowly, trying to ignore the faint flush creeping up his face. "If you were less dramatic, maybe I'd believe you."
Kulkulkan, meanwhile, simply watched. Her eyes remained fixed on him. Then, without a word, she slid the honey jar closer and pushed a small butter knife toward him. "Take it, Master. Don't let the sweetness overwhelm the savory. Everything must coexist."
For a moment, the dining hall filled with a subtle tension, as if the fox had heard a hidden challenge in the feathered goddess's words. Tamamo raised her eyebrows and let out a soft chuckle. "Ufufu… so poetic so early. It's almost like you're competing with me for the prettiest metaphor."
"It's not a competition," Kulkulkan replied without hesitation, resting her chin on her hand. "It's just how I see things."
"Hmm, I see." Tamamo leaned back, lazily swishing her tail. "But, you know… when it comes to Goshujin-sama, I prefer to show rather than just talk. After all, words can be sweet, but actions…"
She picked up another bun, tore it in half, and blew on the steam rising from it. Then she extended a piece directly toward Kazuya. "…actions truly nourish."
Kazuya raised his hands, exasperated. "You two are going to turn me into a fattened pig before any future battles, I'm sure of it."
"Better to fatten with affection than waste away in loneliness," Tamamo retorted with her mischievous smile.
Kulkulkan smiled too, but without provocation. "I don't want him to fatten. I want him to stay strong, firm, and awake. That's why I insist on balance."
Kazuya slapped the table, a tired half-smile on his face. "Alright, it's official. I'm your lab rat. One's the fox's poisoned bun, the other's the philosophy of solar balance. Meanwhile, all I want is my coffee."
Both laughed, each in her own way.
Tamamo took advantage of the moment to lean closer to him. Her fluffy tail lightly brushed against his leg, deliberately. "Goshujin-sama… don't you think it'd be much more fun if I were the only one taking care of your breakfast? I could pamper you until you couldn't take it anymore."
Kazuya looked down at the cheeky tail, then back at her grinning face. "That sounds more like a threat than an offer."
Kulkulkan, from the other side, observed unhurriedly. "Master, if you let her pamper you too much, you'll end up lazy. And the world still needs your strength."
"And you think I don't know that?" Kazuya sighed, rubbing his temple. "That's exactly why sometimes I just want five minutes of peace and quiet…"
The comment made Tamamo pause for a moment. Her eyes softened, though her smile remained.
"Goshujin-sama… If you want, I can share your responsibilities. Even if it crushes me, I'll smile until the end."
Kulkulkan responded immediately. "I too, Master. I don't want to lighten your burden only to see you fall later. I want to stand by your side, so every step is possible."
Kazuya leaned back in his chair and looked at both of them. "You two really aren't going to give me an out, are you? One threatens me with excessive affection, the other with existential balance. There's no winning."
Tamamo grinned again, regaining her mischievous spark. "Then surrender. It's not so bad being won over every day, Goshujin-sama."
"She's right," Kulkulkan added calmly. "Don't fight it. Love isn't a battle. It's surrender."
Kazuya threw his arms up theatrically, feigning resignation. "Fine. I'm officially defeated. I hope you're happy."
He then took the final sip of his coffee, set the empty cup on the table, and muttered, "Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to escape before this truce ends and I become a battlefield again."
He stood up, but before he could take a step, he felt something tugging at his sleeve. Tamamo, with her gleaming eyes, said, "Come back for lunch, Goshujin-sama. I'll prepare something special."
"And I'll be waiting," Kulkulkan added, smiling calmly.
Kazuya sighed, half-defeated, half-amused. "You two really won't leave me alone, will you?"
"Never," both replied almost in unison.
He left the dining hall, shaking his head and muttering to himself, "Time to start executing my plans and deal with Rezevim once and for all…"
.
.
.
.
The morning in the city of Kuoh, Japan, began like any other.
The clear blue sky, contrasting with the trees already carrying the freshness of a new season, enveloped the school building with an almost peaceful atmosphere. Groups of students crossed the main gate in lively clusters, some laughing loudly, others yawning, and many rushing not to miss the first bell.
On the top floor, away from the youthful noise, was the room of the Occult Research Club. The red velvet curtain filtered the sunlight into an amber hue, warming the room furnished like an old European salon. The faint aroma of freshly brewed tea lingered in the air, mingling with the scent of aromatic candles lit in discreet candelabras.
On the central sofa, Rias Gremory sat, her expression distant, almost melancholic. Her long red hair, gleaming under the golden light, cascaded like a fiery waterfall over her shoulders. The teacup sat untouched on the small table in front of her. Despite her elegant posture, her light blue eyes held complex emotions that contrasted with the refined surroundings.
On the other side, Akeno Himejima approached, balancing a tray with a teapot and two cups. Her beauty was accompanied by that sweet, slightly teasing smile that rarely faded. She set the tray on the table, poured the tea with delicate movements, and, leaning slightly toward her friend, let a gentle question slip:
"Rias…" Her voice was almost a whisper, laced with tenderness. "Shouldn't you be happier?"
Rias blinked slowly, as if returning from a daydream. She looked at her friend, then averted her eyes, fixing them on the steaming teacup.
"Happy…?" she repeated in a low, almost ironic tone. "You're talking about my… 'arranged marriage'?"
After a significant event involving Chaldea, Riser Phenex had been killed by one of the organization's members. His arrogance had been his own downfall, and to the world, it was as insignificant as a grain of dust falling into water.
For her, however, the impact was different. In recent days, the realization had settled in slowly. A mix of relief and emptiness took root in her chest, reminding her of everything that had been and everything that had ceased to be. The "destiny" she had fought tirelessly against for years, the weight of expectations and family obligations, had finally come to an end. But along with freedom came a deep sense of melancholy she didn't yet know how to fill.
She closed her eyes, feeling the aroma of the tea rise to her nose, and sighed softly. Part of her wanted to rejoice, to celebrate, to breathe without the constant pressure of the ruined engagement. But another part, quieter and darker, clung to memories of everything she had lost—opportunities, wasted moments, wounded pride.
Deep down, she was sincerely grateful to Kazuya. Without him and the organization he led, none of this might have been possible. And yet… she hated him. She hated him for meddling with what was dearest to her—her brother, her pride, her own position. That hatred, however, didn't erase her gratitude. The two emotions coexisted side by side, like shadows and light mingling in her heart.
Rias lifted the teacup, watching the steam swirl in the air, forming fleeting shapes before her eyes. She thought about how things could have been different if she hadn't been the "spoiled princess" who always defied rules and limits, who believed everything could be won with charm and pride. So many things could have been different… so many choices could have led to different paths, but life rarely allows you to turn back.
She snapped out of her thoughts when Akeno nodded with a gentle smile and caught her attention, saying, "Well, of course. The engagement with Riser has been nullified, hasn't it? You yourself said you couldn't stand the idea of being treated as an object in a political transaction. Now you're free… that should be a reason for relief."
Rias let out a long sigh, resting her chin on her hand. Her eyes fixed on the windowpane, where she could see students running in the courtyard, full of life.
"Yes, I should feel free," her voice carried a hint of bitterness. "But deep down… I just feel an emptiness…"
Akeno sat beside her, crossing her legs with her usual grace. She held her teacup, blowing on it gently before taking a sip. Her violet eyes never stopped watching Rias.
"Emptiness?" she repeated softly. "Don't tell me… you're feeling lonely…"
Rias tightened her fingers slightly against the fabric of her skirt. "Maybe that's it. I spent so much time rebelling against that marriage, against the idea of being used as a bargaining chip… that now that the battle's over, I don't know what to do with the victory…"
Silence filled the room for a few moments.
Akeno leaned closer, her smile softening into genuine compassion. "It's normal to feel that way, Rias. You fought against something that was about to define your entire life. Now that it's over, you're wondering… what comes next."
Rias closed her eyes for a moment before responding. "What comes next… and if I really deserve something better."
Akeno frowned, gently placing her hand over Rias's. "You do deserve it, Rias. More than any of us…"
The club leader gave a faint smile, but melancholy still lingered in her eyes. "It's easy for you to say that. You always seem to know what you want, Akeno. Me, on the other hand… I'm stuck between my duty as a Gremory and the desires I… don't even know how to name…"
Akeno didn't respond immediately. Instead, she let the silence linger, allowing Rias to release another heavy sigh.
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