The night was quiet at the Sitri estate. The snow and frost Serafall had conjured earlier had long since melted away under the heat of Riser's flames, leaving the training grounds glistening with moisture.
Riser leaned casually against the veranda railing, his coat draped over one arm, chest still faintly steaming from the clash. Despite the intensity of his duel with Serafall, his expression was composed, even smug—like a man who had gotten exactly what he wanted.
The sliding door behind him opened. Sona stepped out, her hair slightly loosened from its usual precision, her glasses reflecting the moonlight. She looked calm as always, yet her lips pressed tightly together, betraying inner conflict.
"You were reckless," she said at last, her voice low. "My sister is a Maou. You could have been… no, you should have been destroyed."
Riser chuckled, turning his head just enough to catch her gaze. "And yet here I am, standing before you. Unburnt. Unbroken." His smirk softened, just slightly. "Because I refuse to bend. Not to her. Not to anyone. When it comes to you, Sona Sitri, I'll burn my way through the world itself."
Her mask cracked—just a faint widening of her eyes, the slightest catch in her breath. She quickly looked away, but her hands trembled at her sides. "…Why? Why go so far? You barely know me."
Riser pushed himself off the railing, closing the distance between them with deliberate steps. He stopped just in front of her, his height casting her in his shadow, but his eyes softened when he looked down at her. "Because when I see you, I see the devil noblewoman Rias will never be. The one who fights, who dreams, who leads. You're… the ideal I didn't know I was searching for. And perhaps—" he leaned in just enough that his words brushed her ear, "—because I like you. More than a little."
Her composure wavered. The faintest blush touched her cheeks as she adjusted her glasses, though her gaze refused to meet his. "You… you are insufferable."
Riser grinned, taking a step back to give her space. "Insufferable enough to fight your sister for you. Surely that deserves a reward, don't you think?" His tone turned teasing, his eyes glinting with playful fire. "A kiss, perhaps? After all, I've literally risked death for your sake. Seems only fair."
Her lips parted, a flustered sound escaping before she bit it back. "Y-You…! Always so shameless…"
"Only with you." His smile turned almost gentle. "So? Will you indulge me, Sona Sitri? Just one kiss. Nothing more."
For a long moment, she hesitated, torn between dignity and the warmth growing in her chest. Finally, with a sharp exhale, she leaned forward—quick, precise, like pulling off a difficult move in chess—and pressed her lips briefly to his cheek.
Riser blinked, then laughed softly, genuine amusement and delight spilling out. "So shy… Sona, you're adorable when you fluster like this."
She turned away instantly, but the red dusting her cheeks betrayed her. "…Don't say such things."
Riser stepped closer again, lowering his voice, letting sincerity slip past his teasing tone. "Too late. I'll say it as many times as I want. Because it's true. You're cute, Sona. And if you keep acting like this—so honest, so unguarded—you'll only make me fall harder for you."
Her breath hitched, her composure finally breaking as she turned to face him fully. For once, there was no mask, no noble facade—only a young woman caught between irritation, embarrassment, and something warmer she couldn't yet name.
"…You're dangerous," she whispered.
Riser's grin widened. "And yet, you can't look away, can you?"
The silence that followed wasn't cold—it was heavy, intimate, and full of sparks waiting to ignite.