"You came to cook for me?"
The girl in question just nodded as I wrapped my head around what I just heard. Turns out she has come here for the first time. In my memories, I searched for her images in my humble residence but it came up error 404. The only images of rooms that were in my head were the ones in Rias's mansion and the Occult Research Club.
So, the only explanation for her arrival could be my heroic attempt to save her yesterday.
"But why?"
I tried my best to not sound rude. Being woken up early in the morning, especially on a Sunday, does make you want to punch whoever woke you up from your sleep.
She stopped nibbling on her cookie and gazed at me with her usual bored eyes.
"Senpai saved me." Then she resumed devouring the cookie, offering no more explanation.
*Well, I guess for a devil who barely shows emotion, that's about as heartfelt as it gets.*
I sighed, running a hand through my messy blonde hair. "Very well, Koneko. Please, come in."
Koneko walked past me into the apartment, her hazel eyes scanning the living space with her usual bored expression.
"The kitchen is this way," I said, leading her over. I opened cabinets and drawers systematically. "Pots and pans are down here. Knives in this drawer. Cutting board here. Spices in this cabinet."
Koneko nodded at each revelation, tracking every item like she was memorizing battle positions.
"Would you like me to assist with the cooking?" I offered.
She shook her head firmly. "...Want to do it myself. For senpai."
There was quiet determination in her voice that suggested this was important to her.
*She wants to prove something. That she's not inadequate after what happened with the stray devil.*
"I understand. I'll be at the dining table if you need anything."
I retreated to the small two-person table, watching as Koneko unpacked her shopping bag. She pulled out her phone, propping it up against the wall—a YouTube video titled "Easy Salmon Recipes for Beginners."
*Oh no. She's never done this before, has she?*
I watched as she followed the video instructions with intense focus, treating cooking like combat. The problem was, cooking wasn't like fighting. You couldn't just apply the same principles and expect results.
Twenty minutes later, black smoke billowed from the kitchen.
I rushed in, quickly turning off the stove and moving the smoking pan to the sink. I opened the window, waving my hand to disperse the smoke.
Koneko stood there, staring at the ruined pan with an expression that could only be described as betrayed.
"...YouTube said to cook it like this," she mumbled quietly. "So why..."
*She's genuinely confused. This is actually heartbreaking.*
"It's quite alright," I said gently, taking the spatula from her hand. "Cooking is more difficult than tutorials suggest. Different equipment, different timing—there are many variables."
Koneko's ears drooped slightly. "...Wanted to thank senpai properly."
Then I remembered: I had Sanji's cooking knowledge now.
"How about this," I offered with a smile. "Allow me to cook while you observe. That way, you'll know exactly how to do it next time. Would that be acceptable?"
She looked up at me, searching for any disappointment. Finding none, she gave a small nod.
I rolled up my sleeves and surveyed the ingredients. Several salmon fillets, asparagus, lemon, garlic, butter, soy sauce, honey, and ginger.
"The first principle of cooking," I explained as I worked, "is calmness. Watch carefully."
---
First dish: Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon.
I heated a clean pan with a thin layer of oil and seasoned the salmon. While it heated, I mixed honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic.
"The sweetness balances the salt, and the garlic adds depth," I explained, placing the salmon skin-side down. The sizzle was perfect. After a few minutes, I flipped it, poured the glaze over it, and let it finish cooking.
The kitchen filled with a mouthwatering aroma.
Koneko's nose twitched. She leaned in, watching with rapt attention.
Second dish: Lemon Herb Salmon with Butter Sauce.
"Sometimes simplicity is best," I said, searing another fillet quickly. "Quality ingredients don't need to be hidden."
I added butter, lemon juice, and fresh herbs to the pan, creating a light, tangy sauce.
Third dish: Teriyaki Salmon.
"A classic Japanese preparation," I noted, making a quick teriyaki sauce and letting the salmon caramelize in it.
Finally, I prepared the asparagus—blanched and tossed with butter and garlic.
Within thirty minutes, the spread looked restaurant-quality.
I turned to find Koneko staring at the dishes with wide eyes. That was definitely drool at the corner of her mouth.
"Please, help yourself," I said.
"...Can I?" she whispered.
"Of course."
She grabbed her chopsticks and took a bite of the honey garlic salmon.
Her eyes widened. Pure, unfiltered bliss spread across her normally stoic face. Her ears perked up, and she made a small contented hum.
Then she devoured everything at an incredible pace—each dish disappearing within minutes. Her normally impassive face was slightly flushed, with the tiniest hint of a smile.
*This sight is worth getting my sleep disturbed on a Sunday morning.*
By the time she finished, every plate was clean. Koneko sat back, her small hand resting on her stomach, looking completely content.
"...Delicious," she said quietly, unmistakable warmth in her voice.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it," I replied.
Then I looked at the table. Plates. Pots. Pans. All dirty, all waiting to be washed.
*Enjoying food is all fun until you have to wash the dishes afterward.*
"Senpai?"
I looked up.
"...Need more? Can cook more for you."
She shook her head. Then getting up, she walked over, her expression returning to neutral. But there was determination in her eyes.
"Senpai," she said quietly but firmly. "...Want to train together."
I blinked, surprised. "Train together?"
She nodded. "...Don't want to be a dead weight. To you. To the others in the peerage."
Her hazel eyes stared at me, and I could see vulnerability there—something I hadn't expected from Koneko.
*She's blaming herself for what happened. She thinks she's not strong enough.*
Before I could respond, a familiar blue screen materialized.
**[Quest: Train Your Kouhai!]**
**[Objective: Train with Koneko for at least a week. It will only help in the Rating Game later, so you better not reject her request. Besides, why would you reject her offer...]**
**[Reward: 1 Character Card]**
*Training with Koneko would benefit both of us. And if I can help her overcome whatever's holding her back...*
I knew from the anime that Koneko had serious trauma related to her past. If training together could help her work through even a fraction of that, it would be worth it for the upcoming Rating Game.
I smiled and nodded. "I would be happy to train with you. Having a training partner will help me refine my techniques as well. When shall we start?"
"...Tomorrow," Koneko replied immediately. "After school."
"Sure thing"
For the briefest moment, Koneko gave me a small, genuine smile.
"...Thank you, senpai."
"Now," Koneko said, turning toward the sink. "...Help wash?"
"That won't be necessary," I said quickly. *No way I'm letting someone with Rook-level super strength handle my dishes.* "You've already done more than enough by bringing the ingredients. Please, head home and rest—we have school tomorrow, and training right after."
Koneko studied me for a moment, then nodded.
"...Okay. See you at school, senpai."
"Until tomorrow, Koneko."
She gathered her things and left. I closed the door and collapsed onto the couch with a heavy sigh.
*I just had breakfast with Koneko Toujou, and now we're training partners for the foreseeable future.*
I stared at the ceiling, then at the pile of dishes mocking me from the kitchen.
*I need to learn a cleaning skill ASAP,* I thought desperately.
I forced myself up and approached the sink.
*One dish at a time. You've faced a stray devil. You can handle some dirty plates.*
---
Monday morning arrived with the reluctance only school days could inspire. I'd spent most of Sunday practicing alchemy, but that wasn't enough for me to beat someone like Riser, and my hope was still far from breaking apart.
Now, walking toward Kuoh Academy, I found myself thinking about the future events until I was about to turn the corner toward the main building when I heard it.
"WHAT?!"
"No way!"
"You've gotta be kidding me!"
I paused at the corner, staying just out of sight, and peered around.
There he was.
Issei Hyoudou, standing with the smuggest expression I'd ever seen. Next to him stood a girl with long black hair and purple eyes—Yuuma Amano. Or rather, Raynare in disguise.
Standing around them were his other two friends—the Perverted Trio's remaining members.
"Issei, you lucky bastard!" The bald one shouted.
Glasses boy added "How much did you paid her?!"
Issei grinned wider "I told you guys I had game!"
Yuuma giggled and clung to Issei's arm "Ise-kun is very sweet. I'm lucky to be his girlfriend!!"
I watched from my hidden position as Issei basked in his friends' jealousy, completely oblivious to the fact that his "girlfriend" was a supernatural being with murderous intent.
*This is it. The plot is beginning. Within few days, she's going to ask him on that date. And then...*
Then Issei would die. Or he would have, in the original timeline. Raynare would kill him, and Rias would resurrect him as a devil.
But I'd already decided to change that. No Issei in the peerage meant no Boosted Gear, which meant finding another way to beat Riser.
*And I'm determined to live with every consequences*
I'd have some days before the assassination attempt. That was enough time to come up with a plan that didn't blow my cover.
For now, all I could do was watch as Issei enjoyed what he thought was his first real relationship.
*Poor fool has no idea what he's gotten himself into.*
I turned away and headed toward the main building. I had classes to attend, a training session with Koneko to prepare for, and a plot to derail.
*The plot is finally beginning,* I thought as I walked through the gates of Kuoh Academy. *And I'm about to drive it completely off the rails*