Genichi had not been out of the Student Council office for long when he spotted a familiar figure around the corner of the hallway.
Akeno Himejima was leaning against the wall, arms folded over her chest, her long, straight black hair falling over one shoulder. Her face wore that signature smile of hers—gentle, sweet, and perfectly harmless.
She was dressed in a neat school uniform, the hem of her skirt falling just above her knees and revealing a stretch of pale calf.
Sunlight spilled in through the window, coating her in a layer of gold. She looked like the perfect upperclassman stepped straight out of a school brochure.
But Genichi knew exactly what was hidden beneath that flawless exterior.
He sighed inwardly, walked over, and stopped in front of Akeno.
Their eyes met. Akeno's smile deepened, her eyes curving into crescents as if she were in an excellent mood.
"Akeno."
Genichi spoke with a trace of helplessness in his voice.
"Even if I didn't exactly let you save face when we sparred before, you don't have to stare at me like this."
He truly could not understand why Akeno Himejima had been watching him so closely.
Ever since that sparring match, this upperclassman had been following him around like a shadow, appearing near him from time to time.
During class, she would pass by the window and glance at him with a bright smile.
During training, she would stand at the edge of the field, watching him with that meaningful look in her eyes.
Even when he went to the Student Council, she just so happened to appear here.
Even if he had not given her much face during their match, Akeno Himejima should not have been that petty.
Genichi thought this to himself and waited for her answer.
When Akeno heard him, the smile on her face grew even brighter.
"Genichi, what are you talking about? I'm afraid I don't understand at all."
Her voice was as soft as cotton candy and sweet enough to cloy. Her expression was so innocent that she looked as if she truly had no idea what he meant.
But her eyes betrayed her. The light gleaming inside them was unmistakably the excitement of a hunter watching her prey.
Genichi sighed again.
Fine. If she did not understand, then she did not understand.
He had no intention of getting entangled with Akeno, so he lifted his foot and prepared to leave.
"Genichi."
Akeno's voice came from behind him, still gentle, yet carrying a meaning he could not quite read.
"You wouldn't want Rias to find out that you've been getting so close to the Student Council, would you?"
Genichi's footsteps paused slightly.
He turned his head and looked at Akeno.
She was still leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, the smile on her face unchanged.
But that sentence was clearly a threat.
"Akeno."
Genichi's voice was calm.
"I didn't do anything. So what if you tell Rias?"
That was the truth.
He had only gone to the Student Council because the President needed his help.
The contents of their conversation had been his refusal to become Sona Sitri's peerage member, followed by his refusal to serve as a sparring partner.
From beginning to end, he had done nothing wrong. His conscience was clear.
Even if Akeno Himejima told Rias, he was not afraid.
"Is that so?"
Akeno tilted her head, still wearing that girlish, charming smile.
"In that case, I suppose I won't keep your secret anymore."
With that, she turned as if to leave.
Her movements were unhurried. Her skirt fluttered lightly as she turned, as if she were deliberately giving Genichi enough time to react.
Genichi stood where he was and watched her walk away.
One step.
Two steps.
Three steps.
His mind raced.
Akeno Himejima, of course, would not actually go running off to tattle. She was not that kind of person.
But if she really did say something, Rias might not get angry, but she would definitely start asking questions.
Knowing Rias, she might even go straight to Sona Sitri for a "heart-to-heart," and then it would turn into another mess.
He did not want unnecessary trouble.
Genichi let out a sigh.
"Wait."
Akeno's steps stopped at once.
She turned around, still wearing that gentle smile, but the smugness in her eyes was practically overflowing.
"Changed your mind?"
Genichi looked at her, the corner of his eye twitching slightly.
"What exactly do you want?"
Akeno did not answer right away.
She walked forward and stopped in front of Genichi, lifting her head to look up at him.
They were close. Close enough that Genichi could clearly see the curve of her lashes and catch the faint fragrance on her body.
"Genichi, if you want me to keep this secret for you, then agree to one thing."
"What thing?"
Akeno smiled without telling him.
"Tonight, come to my family's shrine. I'll tell you then."
Genichi's brow furrowed slightly.
Go to her home?
At night?
His first instinct was to refuse.
This upperclassman was clearly planning something again.
"You don't want a beautiful girl watching you all the time, do you?" Akeno added, her voice carrying a faintly coaxing note.
She tilted her head, her eyes fixed straight on Genichi, as if asking—could he really bear to refuse?
Genichi fell silent for a moment.
He really did not want Akeno Himejima watching him all the time.
That feeling of being stared at from behind was far too uncomfortable.
And if agreeing to one request from her could solve this problem, then it was not necessarily unacceptable.
"Fine."
He nodded and agreed.
"I'll go tonight."
Akeno's face bloomed into a brilliant smile.
It was so bright that Genichi was briefly dazed. For a moment, she looked like a little girl who had just been given candy.
"Then it's settled. See you tonight, Genichi."
She turned and left, her steps light, her skirt swaying gently with each movement. After walking a few steps, she suddenly looked back and winked at him.
"Oh, right. Just dress casually tonight. There's no need to go out of your way."
The corner of Genichi's eye twitched.
Who was going to dress up?
Akeno Himejima disappeared down the end of the hallway with a smile.
Genichi stood where he was, watching the direction she had left in, and could not help sighing again.
This upperclassman was becoming more and more troublesome.
He turned and headed toward the Occult Research Club.
After a few steps, he suddenly remembered something and stopped.
Just dress casually.
There's no need to go out of your way.
Genichi recalled Akeno's final words and felt that something about them was not quite right.
He lowered his head and looked at the school uniform he was wearing, then raised his gaze toward the window.
The evening sun had already begun to sink, dyeing the entire campus a deep red.
Tonight, he would go to her family's shrine.
Hopefully, it would not be anything troublesome.
Genichi shook his head and continued forward.
Whatever. He would go.
He wanted to see what this upperclassman was really trying to do.
(End of Chapter)
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