The two arrived at the Occult Research Club, the base established by Rias Gremory and her group. The clubroom occupied a spacious attic that felt more like a vintage Western villa than part of a school.
"I'm back~"
With a soft voice, Koneko pushed open the door. A graceful and alluring figure stepped forward—Akeno Himejima, the club's vice president.
Her long, silky black hair was tied into a single ponytail that reached her waist. Her mature, seductive smile carried both warmth and teasing charm. Her fair skin gleamed like porcelain, smooth enough to imagine its soft texture.
With an elegant, voluptuous figure that embodied the term onee-san, her white blouse hugged her slender waist and lifted her generous curves. Lace-trimmed skirts framed long, shapely legs wrapped in thigh-high socks and brown shoes—elegance and sensuality perfectly balanced.
The moment Akeno's gaze met Takumi's, her violet eyes rippled with playful allure.
"My, my~ such a dazzling young man. You're adorable, you know? Nice to meet you. I'm Vice President Akeno Himejima—please remember me well, Takumi-kun~."
Her voice was melodic, full of gentle charm, the epitome of a refined Yamato Nadeshiko.
Takumi smiled softly. "It's a pleasure to meet you too, Akeno-senpai."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he glanced around the room—no sign of Rias yet.
Seeing his confusion, Akeno explained with a gentle smile. "Rias said she'd be bringing another distinguished guest. Please wait just a moment."
She gracefully invited him to sit, serving tea and sweets with practiced refinement before sitting opposite him.
Her violet eyes shimmered with curiosity. "Takumi-kun, I heard you're a half-blood devil. Is that true?"
Her tone carried a subtle hopefulness.
"Uh… yes."
He nodded slightly, deciding not to lie. It wasn't exactly a secret—anyone who investigated a little could find out.
Upon hearing confirmation, Akeno's gaze softened with quiet empathy. She too was a half-blood. After her mother disappeared searching for her father, she had wandered alone for years before becoming Rias's servant. Now, looking at Takumi, she couldn't help but see traces of her own past in him.
Takumi, however, felt an odd chill down his spine. Why did her eyes suddenly look like those of a daughter meeting a long-lost father?
What the hell, I don't have kids… right?
A fleeting image of a certain yandere woman flashed through his mind, and he quickly shook it off, staring out the window instead.
A vivid splash of red filled his vision.
There she was—Rias Gremory. Tall, elegant, her crimson hair cascading like fire down her back, glowing even brighter against her snow-white skin.
Behind her walked another woman with short black hair and glasses—a refined beauty whose presence radiated calm intellect. Her fair skin was flawless, her figure slim yet perfectly balanced—mature, graceful, composed.
The name surfaced in Takumi's mind almost instantly. Souna Shitori—real name Sona Sitri, heiress of the Sitri family, one of the 72 Pillar clans.
"What's she doing here?" he thought as the two approached.
Rias and Sona sat gracefully on the sofa across from him. "This is Sona Sitri, daughter of the Sitri family," Rias introduced formally.
"Nice to meet you, Takumi. I've heard much about you."
Sona adjusted her red-framed glasses, her golden eyes meeting his. For a brief second, a faint blush colored her cheeks—his presence was far more captivating than she'd expected.
Rias felt the same. Though only a few days had passed since they last met, Takumi seemed even more magnetic now—enough to stir a primal, instinctive urge deep within her. But this was business, and she restrained herself perfectly.
"Miss Sona, it's an honor," Takumi said politely. "But may I ask the reason for your visit?"
Rias's expression turned apologetic before she began explaining. "The process to obtain Evil's Pieces is complex, and for outsiders, nearly impossible. Both you and Mio Naruse have drawn attention from various Underworld factions. The Sitri family learned about my arrangement with you and offered assistance—they're providing a full set of Evil's Pieces as a gesture of cooperation. As part of the exchange, Sona wishes to discuss terms directly with you."
Rias set a velvet-lined case before him. Takumi didn't hesitate—he accepted it immediately before turning to Sona.
"Alright, tell me what you want."
"I want to cooperate with you," she replied directly.
Then, with calm professionalism, she laid out her family's intentions.
"After the death of the original Satans, the current Underworld is ruled by four new Demon Lords and split into two major factions. Among them, Leohart, bearing the title of Lucifer Demon Lord, commands the War Faction. The War Faction seeks to reignite conflict with the Angels to restore the devils' dominance."
"The other three Demon Lords—Ajuka Beelzebub, Falbium Asmodeus, and my sister, Serafall Leviathan—all support peace. However, Leohart's faction plans to use Mio Naruse to fracture the Gremory family's power and weaken us peace-aligned clans. That means they will inevitably target both you and her."
Her explanation was steady and composed—but Takumi simply smirked.
"They'll target me, huh? Then maybe I should just take Mio and join them. If you want to cooperate, stop trying to manipulate me with words. Put your real offer on the table."
Sona froze for half a second, then exhaled quietly. So much for diplomacy—time to get straight to the point.
"The Evil's Pieces set is our first gesture of sincerity," she said, her voice faltering slightly. "As for the second…"
Her cheeks flushed pink, and her tone turned hesitant. Even Rias, sitting beside her, tilted her head curiously.
Finally, Sona drew a deep breath and spoke. "The Sitri family wishes to form a marriage alliance with you—to ensure the sincerity of our cooperation and mutual benefit."
"...Huh?" Takumi blinked, his serious expression instantly replaced with blank disbelief.
Rias and Akeno both froze, wide-eyed. Even Koneko, who had been quietly munching snacks, perked up, ears twitching in curiosity.
...
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