### The Following Day
A deep-throated growl echoed down the street, turning the heads of every uniformed student heading toward Kuoh Academy. A sleek black motorcycle carved its way through the morning traffic before pulling to a smooth stop at the school gates. The rider, Jin Kazama, swung a leg over the seat, his presence a stark contrast to the mundane school morning. He wore a red biker jacket over a vibrant Hawaiian shirt, paired with worn jeans and dark sunglasses that hid his eyes.
He was an immediate magnet for attention.
The sea of students parted around him, their gazes a mixture of curiosity, admiration, and envy.
"Who is that guy?" a girl whispered to her friend, fanning her suddenly flushed face. "He's… intense."
"Is he a new student? No way. Maybe a transfer teacher?"
Meanwhile, the boys looked on with a mixture of resentment and grudging respect. "Tch, look at that showoff," one muttered, though his eyes betrayed a hint of jealousy.
One student, his eyes wide with recognition, pointed a shaky finger. "Tyler Durden," he breathed in awe, before his friends quickly clamped a hand over his mouth and dragged him inside the gates.
Jin took off his helmet, running a hand through his hair as he approached the entrance. Standing there, clipboard in hand like a sentinel, was Sona Sitri. Rias had already informed her of his visit, but seeing his flamboyant style in person seemed to rub the student council president the wrong way.
"Was it necessary to make such a conspicuous entrance?" she asked, her tone clipped and cool.
Jin glanced around at the staring students, then back at her with a deadpan expression. "This is me being normal. Where's the parking, and which way to the Occult Research Club?"
A tick mark pulsed on Sona's temple. She fought the urge to deny him entry, took a steadying breath, and pointed stiffly. "Parking is to the right. From there, go straight across the campus. You can't miss the old school building."
"Thanks." Jin put his helmet back on, swung onto his bike, and headed toward the parking lot. As he passed Sona, he gave the throttle a deliberately sharp, roaring rev.
Sona, who had been gripping a mechanical pencil, jumped at the sudden noise. A sharp *crack* echoed in the quiet as the graphite inside shattered. She spun around to glare at him, but he was already gone.
"President," Tsubaki Shinra said calmly from beside her. "I will handle morning duties. Perhaps you should take a short break."
Jin found his way to the dilapidated old building and pressed the doorbell. The door swung open almost immediately, revealing Akeno Himejima with a warm, knowing smile.
"Ara, ara. You're early, Jin-san," she purred.
"Akeno-san," Jin greeted with a nod.
Akeno turned, leading him inside with a gentle sway of her hips. "My, what's the matter, Jin-san?" she teased over her shoulder. "This is the second time you've followed me in such a short period."
"My path just seems to lead to you," Jin countered smoothly. "So you tell me, why do you keep calling me to you?"
Akeno giggled, a sound like little bells. "So it's *me* who has been calling *you*?"
"You do seem to be in all the right places."
"Ara, you're quite the smooth talker," she said, pausing to open the main clubroom door. Inside, Rias and the rest of her peerage were seated, drinking tea.
"Welcome, Jin," Rias said. "I hope you didn't have trouble finding your way."
Jin's eyes flickered to Akeno. "No trouble at all. Akeno led the way beautifully."
Akeno brought a hand to her mouth, hiding a sly smile as a low growl rumbled from Issei's direction.
"So," Akeno asked, her gaze lingering on Jin. "Would you like some tea, or perhaps… something else?"
Jin met her eyes, a smirk playing on his lips. "Something else." He let the words hang in the air for a beat before adding, "A soda would be great."
Akeno's smile widened. "Of course," she said, turning to get his drink.
"Something is definitely going on here," Issei muttered under his breath.
Rias ignored him, pushing a file across the table toward Jin. "I got the information you asked for."
Jin picked up the file and skimmed its contents just as Akeno returned with a can of soda. He took it with a nod of thanks, set the file down, and popped the can open. "So," he said to the room. "What are your thoughts on this?"
"What's in the file?" Issei asked, leaning forward.
Jin raised an eyebrow at Rias. "Don't tell me you haven't shared this with your entire peerage yet."
Rias looked slightly embarrassed. "Well, Akeno and I were just going over it when you arrived."
Jin sighed and handed the file to Kiba. "Everyone reads this. Now." He then turned back to Rias. "While they do that, tell me what strategy you've come up with."
"Well," Rias began, "my peerage members have the advantage in quality, but Riser's team is much larger. I was thinking my peerage would engage his, holding them off and defeating them one by one. Then, while they're distracted, Akeno can use a powerful spell to take them out in one hit and i launch a sneak attack on Riser himself."
"I see," Jin said, his face unreadable. He looked over at Kiba, who had finished the file and passed it to Koneko. "What do you think, Kiba?"
"Their queen will be tough, but I believe I can handle the others in 1v1 " Kiba said confidently. Koneko gave a silent, firm nod as she passed the document to Issei and Asia.
Jin took a final sip of his soda, placed the can down with a definitive click, and addressed the room. "Let me tell you something. With that plan, you're going to get slaughtered."
"You bastard!" Issei shot to his feet. "How can you say that to the President Plan ?!"
"Issei, calm down," Rias said, holding up a hand, though her eyes were fixed on Jin. "He must have a reason for saying that."
"First," Jin began, his voice cold and analytical, "why are you having your heavy hitters waste stamina finishing off pawns? If Kiba and Akeno defeat their opponents, they should immediately move to the next target, while Issei and Koneko handle the pawns."
He looked at Rias. "I know you're concerned they might not be able to finish there opponent , but this is a battle, not a training exercise."
Issei and Koneko looked at Rias with wide, puppy-dog eyes, touched by her concern.
"See!" Issei shouted at Jin. "You're just trying to hurt the President's feelings! She's thinking about us!"
"Concern doesn't win Rating Games," Jin retorted flatly. "You," he said, pointing a finger at Issei, "are going to be the reason she loses."
"I would not!" Issei roared.
"Oh really? What's to stop Riser from capturing you and using you as leverage to make Rias forfeit? You're the weakest link and the most emotional. You're a liability."
"You bastard, you better shut your mouth!"
"Or what?" Jin asked, his voice dangerously quiet. "What could you possibly do?"
"I'll beat you up!" Issei declared, his fists clenched.
"Both of you, stop it!" Rias commanded, seeing things escalate. Issei immediately quieted, his attention snapping to her.
Jin, however, gave Rias a look, subtly motioning for her to let it play out. "Why stop us? Let's find out right now how's is he going to help you."
"Yes, President!" Issei pleaded. "Allow me to beat this bastard up!"
Rias caught Jin's signal and, after a moment's hesitation, made a decision. "Fine."
Jin stood up, a predatory grin on his face. "Lead the way to the training grounds, pipsqueak."