The morning sun over Kuoh Academy was just right.
Genichi walked beside Rias, feeling the gazes coming from both sides of the path.
Envy, jealousy, hatred.
The three emotions tangled together like invisible arrows, shooting toward him in dense volleys.
If those boys' eyes had physical form, he would probably have been riddled with holes by now.
"You're really popular," Genichi said quietly, his tone tinged with helplessness.
"Just walking beside you is enough to make everyone stare at me in all kinds of ways."
Rias heard him and turned to look at him. A sly light flashed through her emerald-green eyes.
She blinked playfully, leaned close to his ear, and spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"If they knew what happened between us this morning, what do you think they'd do?"
Genichi's steps paused slightly.
This morning.
He could not help giving a wry smile.
He had to admit, he had nearly lost control back then.
In that kind of situation, a man who felt absolutely nothing was either physically incapable or had no interest in women. There was no third possibility.
The fact that he had endured until now already proved his self-control was exceptional.
"Rias, you really don't know when to stop," Genichi said under his breath.
Rias looked at him like that and could not help laughing. Her clear, pleasant laugh sounded especially bright in the morning light.
Then she reached out and took Genichi's arm.
The gesture was so natural it seemed as though they had done it countless times before, but in truth, this was the first time she had done it at school.
Her arm slipped through his, her palm resting against his forearm, warm and soft.
Genichi's body stiffened slightly.
The gazes on both sides of the path instantly grew even hotter.
The boys watched the scene, one by one gritting their teeth, their eyes nearly spitting fire.
Some clenched their fists. Some cursed under their breath. Others stared fixedly at Genichi with the agonized look of someone asking, Why isn't that me?
Whispers came from every direction.
"Who is that guy? Why is Rias-sama holding his arm?"
"He's one of the school's perverted trio."
"I don't care who he is. He deserves to die."
"Rias-sama is Kuoh Academy's idol. How could she be with someone like him…"
The voices were not loud, but Genichi heard them clearly.
The corner of his eye twitched slightly, and he sighed inwardly.
Rias seemed to think this still was not enough.
She turned her head and lightly kissed Genichi on the cheek.
The kiss was very light and very brief. Her lips merely touched his skin before quickly pulling away.
But in the eyes of the surrounding students, that was already enough to drive them mad.
The area fell silent.
It was not ordinary silence. It was the calm before a storm, the hush before a volcano erupted.
Then the uproar exploded.
"She kissed him! Rias-sama kissed him!"
"That bastard! I'm going to kill him!"
"Calm down, calm down. You can't do that at school—"
"Calm down, my ass! My Rias-sama!"
Feeling those gazes that seemed ready to tear him apart and swallow him whole, Genichi turned toward Rias, his face full of helplessness.
"Rias, are you trying to make me the enemy of every boy in school?"
He lowered his voice.
"At this rate, the entire male student body will be hunting me down starting today."
Rias heard him and began giggling.
Her laughter carried pride, delight, and a satisfaction Genichi could see all too clearly—the satisfaction of a prank well played.
"Scared?"
She tilted her head and looked at him, her eyes full of laughter.
Genichi looked at her and fell silent for a moment.
"I'm not scared."
He spoke calmly. "I just don't think it's necessary."
Rias raised an eyebrow.
"Not necessary?"
"Yeah."
Genichi nodded. "There's no need to invite trouble over something like this."
Rias's smile became even more meaningful.
She let go of Genichi's arm, turned around, and faced the students still whispering among themselves.
Her gaze swept over the crowd, and a certain light flickered in her emerald-green eyes.
Then she spoke.
"Everyone."
Her voice was not loud, but it reached every person present with perfect clarity.
The area fell silent once again.
"This is Hyoudou Genichi. He is one of the most important people to me."
She paused, the corners of her lips lifting faintly.
"So I hope all of you can get along with him."
With that, she turned back around, took Genichi's arm again, and pulled him toward the school building.
Behind them, there was dead silence.
Then an enormous uproar burst out.
"What does that mean?"
"One of her most important people? What is that supposed to mean?"
"Is he her boyfriend?"
"Impossible! Rias-sama can't have a boyfriend!"
The voices rose and fell behind them, but Genichi could no longer hear them clearly.
Rias pulled him along quickly, crossing the schoolyard and the corridor, drawing countless gazes the entire way.
Only after they entered the school building and turned a corner did she finally let go. She leaned against the wall, laughing so hard she could barely breathe.
"Haha… You didn't see… the looks on their faces… haha…"
She laughed until tears nearly came out.
Genichi stood in front of her, looked at her in that state, and shook his head helplessly.
"Was it that funny?"
"Of course it was!"
Rias wiped the corners of her eyes. "You didn't see them. A few of their faces practically turned green. One of them almost charged over to challenge you to a duel."
Genichi sighed.
"So you're happy?"
"Very happy."
Rias nodded, the smile still lingering on her face.
She looked at Genichi, and a gentle light shone in her eyes.
"Because now everyone knows you're mine."
Genichi's heart skipped a beat.
He looked at Rias. Her face still held a faint blush from laughing, and his figure was reflected in her emerald-green eyes.
"Rias…"
He opened his mouth, but he did not know what to say.
Rias looked at him. Her smile gradually faded, and her expression became serious.
"Genichi, do you understand?"
"Hmm?"
"In the devil world, the bond between a peerage member and their master is closer than any relationship in the human world. They may not be family, but they are more than family. They may not be lovers, but they can be more intimate than lovers."
Her voice was soft, but every word was sincere.
"So I want everyone to know that you are my peerage member, and one of the most important people to me."
Genichi was silent for a moment.
Then he smiled.
It was faint, but carried a trace of warmth.
"I understand."
Rias looked at him like that and could not help smiling again.
"Let's go. It's time for class."
She took his hand and led him toward the classroom.
This time, she did not hold his arm. She simply held his hand.
But somehow, that felt even more intimate than before.
Genichi felt the warmth in his palm, and a gentle feeling rose in his chest.
Behind them, those gazes still existed, still burning hot.
But now, he no longer cared.
Because those flames of jealousy were nothing before Rias's smile.
(End of Chapter)
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