As evening arrived, students of Kuoh Academy left the school one after another.
Just as the students were leaving, lights were still on in the Occult Research Club at Kuoh Academy.
Tachibana Koneko arrived at the Occult Research Club with her backpack. Upon seeing Rias and Himejima Akeno, she said:
"President, I'm heading to work."
After giving a brief report, Tachibana Koneko prepared to head to Inaba Tsukiyo's residence as usual.
This had become her habit. Over this period, the relationship between Inaba Tsukiyo and Tachibana Koneko had grown very close.
Tachibana Koneko had almost come to treat this place as her own home, even hiding her favorite snacks here.
Every time after training, she would retrieve snacks from spots Inaba Tsukiyo would never expect, then naturally lean against Inaba Tsukiyo while holding the game controller Tsukiyo had bought, wearing a faint smile.
When tired, Tachibana Koneko would even rest her head on Inaba Tsukiyo's lap, enjoying Tsukiyo's gentle strokes.
Although there had been cases abroad of a certain streamer playing a notoriously difficult game blindfolded, Inaba Tsukiyo herself wasn't particularly passionate about gaming.
So at most, she would just sit beside Tachibana Koneko and watch her play.
This infuriated Herrscher Tsukiyo. She had originally planned, just like Tachibana Koneko, to develop her relationship with Inaba Tsukiyo through constant contact.
Yet before she could succeed, Tachibana Koneko had achieved this condition ahead of her!
Really! This is just too much! She was the first! Whether it was playing games or acting spoiled, she was the first! Why did it turn out like this?
In any case, Tachibana Koneko had gradually grown accustomed to staying by Inaba Tsukiyo's side, clinging to her like a little kitten, enjoying the warmth Tsukiyo provided.
However, this time, Rias did not let Tachibana Koneko leave.
"Wait a moment, Koneko."
Rias's words made Tachibana Koneko, who was about to leave with her backpack, stop in her tracks and look at her with confusion.
"Tonight's work is canceled for now."
"Huh? What's wrong, President? Why?"
Tachibana Koneko asked curiously. It was originally just a reflexive question, but her reaction made Rias frown slightly.
Remembering what Himejima Akeno had said before, Rias felt that Tachibana Koneko might truly be in love.
If it were the old Tachibana Koneko, upon hearing her words, she would only give simple replies like 'I understand' or 'Mm,' and wouldn't ask why.
"We have a mission tonight."
Facing Tachibana Koneko's gaze, Rias said somewhat awkwardly.
Tachibana Koneko was her familiar. She was happy that Koneko had found someone she cared about. Even if their performance metrics dropped, it didn't matter; those were just secondary.
However, they indeed had something to do tonight. After all, besides fulfilling human wishes, they were also responsible for Kuoh Town.
"That's right, Koneko. There's been information about Rogue Devils appearing today. It's trouble we must resolve."
Himejima Akeno looked gently at Tachibana Koneko and said softly.
"This is a mission we must complete. As an important member of our team, you can't skip it."
"...I understand."
After a moment of silence, Tachibana Koneko nodded. She could still distinguish priorities.
As the person managing this area, Rias naturally couldn't stand by and let these Rogue Devils cause trouble here.
As Rias's devil, Tachibana Koneko couldn't defy her. Moreover, as Rias's [Rook], her absence was not an option.
However, the thought of someone having already prepared dinner and waiting for her at home made Tachibana Koneko show a troubled expression.
"Sorry, President. Can you wait a moment? There's something I need to take care of."
"Go ahead. You have at most an hour. Finish your business quickly, Koneko."
Rias did not stop her. She just looked at Tachibana Koneko, then finally waved her hand, granting Koneko's request.
With Rias's permission, Tachibana Koneko's face lit up with joy. After thanking her, she hurriedly ran out of the Occult Research Club with her backpack.
"...Sigh, it seems you were right, Akeno."
Rias sighed helplessly. Faced with something Tachibana Koneko would never have done before, Rias felt Himejima Akeno's words were correct.
"Isn't that good, President? Didn't you see? Koneko just showed a very adorable smile."
Himejima Akeno said gently. It was the first time she had seen Tachibana Koneko display such a happy smile. Thinking of Koneko's icy expression in the past, she was quite happy for her.
"Koneko... smiled? Really? Is that so?"
Recalling Tachibana Koneko's smile just now, Rias laughed.
"You're right, it's a good thing. But... I won't let my [Rook] be taken away so easily."
Rias said with a hint of jealousy. The thought of her little kitten, who used to belong only to her, being taken away by someone else filled her with discontent.
It was like a pet that used to be close only to her had, without her knowledge, grown fond of someone else. While happy for her, Rias also felt some dissatisfaction.
"What? President, are you planning to intervene? That won't do. Even though Koneko might not say anything, she might cry."
"What kind of person do you think I am, Akeno! I just want to see what kind of person Koneko likes! Koneko is mine. As her master, I have the right to check for her."
"Ara~ ara~ The way you say that sounds just like a parent who raised their daughter for years, hearing she has someone she likes and wanting to see just which brat stole their daughter's heart."
Himejima Akeno couldn't help but laugh. Rias's words just now were exactly like the foolish parents she imagined.
Although happy that Tachibana Koneko had found someone she liked, she couldn't accept the fact that Koneko was being taken away and wanted to test what kind of person this guy was.
"Akeno! Stop laughing at me! You know perfectly well that's not what I meant!"
While Rias and Himejima Akeno were playfully arguing, Tachibana Koneko had already arrived at Inaba Tsukiyo's home, familiar with the route.
Just as she imagined, Inaba Tsukiyo had already prepared dinner and was waiting for her arrival.
"Hmm? Are you going to deal with those Rogue Devils today, Tachibana Koneko?"
Inaba Tsukiyo, eating dinner, asked, looking at Tachibana Koneko who was engrossed in her meal.
"Then you need to be careful. Although your strength has improved a lot, too many unexpected things can happen in real combat. Make sure you don't get hurt."
"Don't worry, Tsukuyo. I'm very strong."
Tachibana Koneko made a serious expression, like a bodybuilder, and said.
"With the Minister, Akeno senpai, and Yuto there, I'll be fine. Besides, with your training recently, Tsukuyo, I'm already very strong."
"Is that so? Wait for me a moment, I'm going to get something."
Putting down her chopsticks, Inaba Tsukiyo ran towards her room.
A moment later, Inaba Tsukiyo returned, holding a long sword that was entirely golden.
This long sword was incomparable to the previous Star Ring Vortex; just by looking at it, Tachibana Koneko realized how powerful it was.
"Tsukuyo, this is?"
"Don't worry about it for now. Just hold this weapon. I will handle the rest."
Although she didn't know what Inaba Tsukiyo wanted to do, Tachibana Koneko obediently held the long sword.
Just as Tachibana Koneko picked up the weapon, Inaba Tsukiyo suddenly reached out and placed her hand on Tachibana Koneko's chest.
With her action, Tachibana Koneko felt something flowing out of her body. A moment later, when Inaba Tsukiyo retracted her hand, the Star Ring Vortex reappeared in her hand.
"This is? Tsukuyo, you just extracted the Sacred Gear from me?!"
Tachibana Koneko looked at all this in surprise. She hadn't expected Inaba Tsukiyo to be able to take the Sacred Gear out of her body.
She had originally been wondering why Inaba Tsukiyo would bring out this weapon when she already had a Sacred Gear inside her, but she hadn't expected it to be like this… "Indeed, you are not human, Tsukuyo."
"No, I am just an ordinary human. A very, very ordinary human, you know."
Inaba Tsukiyo laughed. She had always been human, and would continue to be human, now and in the future. At most, she was just a human who lived a bit longer.
Just as Tachibana Koneko was about to say something else, the long sword in her hand suddenly emitted a dazzling light.
"It seems to have succeeded. Even if it's not Honkai Energy, just magic power can achieve it. However… to gain the recognition of the Key of Domination, that's quite good."
As the light faded, the golden long sword had already vanished, replaced by a pair of dark golden gauntlets in Tachibana Koneko's hands.
Tachibana Koneko stared blankly at the gauntlets on her hands, tentatively clenching her fists. Feeling the continuous surge of power from the gauntlets, Tachibana Koneko realized how formidable they were.
"Whoa~ This… is even more powerful than the previous one, Tsukuyo."
"Of course, this is a weapon made from a special core. Its appearance has no meaning; it will change form according to the wielder. Of course, not everyone who holds it will succeed."
In the previous era, scientists utilized the Tenth Herrscher's core's ability to infinitely split, creating thousands of divine keys.
(fuhai: Ten consecutive draws! All are xuanyuan sword!)
However, for unawakened warriors, divine keys were just ordinary weapons.
Tachibana Koneko's ability to gain the recognition of the Key of Domination, while partly due to Inaba Tsukiyo's efforts, was largely due to her own potential.
"With this… I believe you can perform well and surprise everyone, Tachibana Koneko."
Inaba Tsukiyo reached out and gently stroked Tachibana Koneko's small head, saying with a smile.
"Mhm! Thank you, Tsukuyo."
"You're welcome. If Tachibana Koneko gets hurt, I'd be heartbroken. Oh, I almost forgot this. Although it's a power I've only recently mastered, let's give it a try."
She gestured for Tachibana Koneko to turn around, then lifted her clothes, revealing her smooth back.
A bright red pattern appeared on Inaba Tsukiyo's hand, and she pressed it down without hesitation.
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