The world was still shaking when the Fallen Angel vanished into the sky, leaving behind only the echo of his threat and the lingering shimmer of Alisa's fading light. Dust drifted through the broken doorway of the ORC room. The air smelled like ozone and scorched wood. Chris knelt on the floor, trembling, his breath shallow and uneven. His chest still burned where the divine symbol had flared to life. The warmth inside him flickered weakly, like a candle struggling against the wind.
Rias held him tightly, her arms wrapped around his shoulders as if she could shield him from everything—pain, fear, destiny. Akeno knelt beside them, her hand resting gently on his back. Kiba stood guard near the shattered doorway, sword drawn, scanning the area for any sign of the intruder's return. Koneko sat close, leaning her small shoulder against Chris's arm, silent but steady.
Chris's voice cracked. "She… she was here. She actually came."
Rias nodded softly. "We saw."
"She looked… she looked like she was breaking apart." His hands shook as he pressed them against his chest. "Why does it feel like she's hurting every time I breathe?"
Akeno's expression softened. "Because your power is tied to her. Deeply."
Kiba sheathed his sword slowly. "More deeply than any normal blessing or divine gift."
Koneko whispered, "She cares about you."
Chris swallowed hard. "I don't understand why."
Rias helped him sit up straighter, brushing dust from his hair. "Chris… sometimes people care because they see something in you that you don't see in yourself."
He looked at her. Her eyes were warm, gentle, full of something he couldn't name.
Akeno smiled softly. "And sometimes… they care because they can't help it."
Koneko nodded. "You're… nice."
Chris let out a shaky laugh. "I don't feel nice. I feel like a disaster."
Rias squeezed his hand. "You're not a disaster. You're someone who's been thrown into something far bigger than he ever asked for."
He looked down. "I didn't want any of this."
"We know," Rias said quietly. "But we're here. All of us."
The warmth in his chest pulsed faintly—sad, apologetic, but present.
Chris closed his eyes. "Alisa… why did you do this to me?"
No answer.
Just that soft ache.
Kiba stepped forward. "We should move him somewhere safer. The ORC room is compromised."
Rias nodded. "Agreed. Chris, can you stand?"
He tried. His legs wobbled, but Rias and Akeno supported him on either side. Koneko walked ahead, scanning the hallway. Kiba followed behind, sword ready.
As they walked through the empty corridors of Kuoh Academy, Chris felt the weight of everything pressing down on him—the attack, the power, Alisa's pain, the Fallen Angel's threat. His chest tightened.
Rias noticed immediately. "Chris? Are you hurting?"
He shook his head. "Just… overwhelmed."
Akeno brushed a strand of hair from his face. "You're allowed to be overwhelmed."
Koneko added, "You're human."
He laughed weakly. "Am I?"
Rias squeezed his hand. "Yes. And that's why we're going to protect you."
They reached the old music room—one of the few places in the school with reinforced barriers thanks to Sona's student council. Rias closed the door behind them and activated a protective circle.
Chris sat on a couch, leaning back as exhaustion washed over him.
Akeno poured tea. "Drink. It'll help."
He accepted the cup with shaking hands. "Thank you."
Kiba stood near the window, watching the sky. "He'll be back."
Rias nodded. "I know."
Chris's stomach twisted. "Because of me."
Rias turned to him sharply. "No. Because of them. Because they're afraid of what you are."
He looked down. "I'm afraid of what I am."
Akeno sat beside him. "Fear is normal. But you're not alone."
Koneko climbed onto the couch next to him, leaning her head against his shoulder. "We're here."
Chris felt his eyes sting. "Why are you all being so kind to me?"
Rias smiled softly. "Because you deserve kindness."
He shook his head. "I don't know if I do."
Akeno touched his cheek gently. "Then we'll show you."
Kiba nodded. "You're part of us now."
Koneko whispered, "Family."
The word hit him harder than any spear.
Family.
He hadn't had that in a long time.
His throat tightened. "Thank you."
Rias sat on the coffee table in front of him, leaning forward. "Chris… we need to talk about what happened."
He nodded slowly. "Okay."
"Your power reacted instinctively," she said. "It protected you. But it also hurt you."
"And her," Chris whispered.
Rias hesitated. "Yes. And her."
Akeno folded her hands. "The way she manifested… that shouldn't be possible."
Kiba added, "A goddess appearing in the human world without a vessel or ritual is unheard of."
Koneko said quietly, "She broke rules."
Chris swallowed. "For me."
Rias nodded. "Yes. For you."
He felt the warmth in his chest pulse again—soft, trembling.
Akeno leaned closer. "Chris… what exactly happened between you and Alisa before you came here?"
He closed his eyes. "I don't know. I remember dying. I remember darkness. And then… she was there. She looked sad. Like she'd been crying for a long time. She touched my chest and said, 'Live well, Chris Green.' And then I woke up here."
Rias exchanged a glance with Akeno. "That's not normal."
Kiba nodded. "Not even for gods."
Koneko whispered, "She gave you something important."
Chris pressed a hand to his chest. "But what?"
Rias took a deep breath. "We're going to find out. But first… you need to rest."
He shook his head. "I can't rest. What if he comes back? What if—"
Rias placed a finger gently against his lips. "Chris. You're safe. We're here."
Akeno smiled. "And we're not exactly weak."
Kiba chuckled. "Far from it."
Koneko nodded. "We'll protect you."
Chris felt his chest loosen slightly. "Okay."
Rias stood. "I'll contact Sona. We need to increase the school's barriers."
Kiba moved toward the door. "I'll patrol the perimeter."
Akeno stretched her arms. "I'll reinforce the inner wards."
Koneko stayed beside Chris. "I'll watch him."
Rias smiled. "Good."
As the others left, Koneko sat quietly next to Chris, munching a cookie.
He glanced at her. "You don't have to stay with me."
She shook her head. "I want to."
He smiled softly. "Thank you."
She leaned her head on his shoulder again. "You're warm."
He laughed quietly. "I think that's her."
Koneko nodded. "She's sad."
Chris's smile faded. "I know."
Koneko looked up at him. "You're sad too."
He swallowed. "Yeah."
She handed him a cookie. "Eat."
He accepted it. "You're really sweet, you know that?"
Koneko blinked. "I like you."
Chris nearly choked. "W‑What?"
She shrugged. "You're kind. And you smell nice."
He laughed despite himself. "Thanks, Koneko."
She nodded. "You're welcome."
The door opened softly. Rias stepped inside, her expression gentle. "Chris? Can we talk alone for a moment?"
Koneko stood immediately. "Okay." She walked out, closing the door behind her.
Rias sat beside Chris, her eyes searching his. "How are you feeling?"
He hesitated. "Scared. Confused. Tired."
She nodded. "That's normal."
He looked down. "Rias… what if I'm dangerous?"
"You're not."
"You don't know that."
She took his hand. "I know you. And I trust you."
His breath caught. "Why?"
"Because you're good," she said softly. "Because you care. Because you're trying, even when you're terrified."
He felt his eyes sting again. "Rias…"
She squeezed his hand. "Chris… whatever happens next, you won't face it alone."
He swallowed hard. "Thank you."
She smiled. "Always."
The warmth in his chest pulsed—soft, warm, almost relieved.
Chris whispered, "Alisa… are you listening?"
A faint pulse.
Rias noticed. "She's still connected to you."
He nodded. "Yeah."
Rias brushed a tear from his cheek. "We'll help her too."
He blinked. "What?"
"She's suffering," Rias said gently. "And you care about her. So we'll help her."
Chris felt something break inside him—something heavy, something painful, something he'd been holding onto since the moment he woke up in this world.
He leaned forward, burying his face in his hands.
Rias wrapped her arms around him.
And Chris cried.
Not from fear.
Not from pain.
But from the overwhelming relief of being understood.
When his tears finally slowed, Rias held him close. "You're safe," she whispered. "We'll figure this out."
He nodded weakly. "Okay."
The door opened again. Akeno peeked inside. "Rias? The wards are reinforced."
Kiba followed. "Perimeter is clear."
Koneko slipped in behind them. "I brought more cookies."
Chris laughed softly. "Thank you."
Rias stood. "Everyone… we need to prepare. The Fallen Angels won't stop."
Akeno nodded. "They're afraid."
Kiba added, "And desperate."
Koneko whispered, "And stupid."
Chris looked up. "What do we do?"
Rias smiled gently. "We train."
Akeno grinned. "We fight."
Kiba nodded. "We protect."
Koneko said, "We eat."
Chris laughed again.
Rias extended her hand. "Chris… are you ready?"
He took her hand.
And for the first time since arriving in this world…
He felt ready to try.
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