[Rias Gremory POV]
I looked from the photograph on my desk to the doorway. "Koneko? Why are you in this picture with him?"
Akeno slowly stood up, wiping the tears from her cheeks. Her violet eyes locked onto our Rook with an intensity I had rarely seen. "Koneko-chan... who is the boy you are with?"
Koneko shifted her weight, looking incredibly nervous. She averted her eyes slightly. "...That's my boyfriend."
The clubroom plunged into absolute silence.
Akeno froze. The chaotic storm of emotions on her face—shock, grief, lingering anger at her father—suddenly melted away. It settled perfectly into her usual, sweet, closed-eye smile. A soft, familiar giggle escaped her lips.
"Ara, ara. Is that so?"
Akeno walked across the room, closing the distance between them until she was towering over our petite Rook. "Tell me everything about your... boyfriend, Koneko-chan. What does he like to do? What does he eat? Does he still like sweet things?"
Koneko gulped, but dutifully began listing off the traits and preferences she knew.
As she spoke, Akeno's terrifyingly sweet smile softened into something far more genuine. I could see the profound relief washing over her. "So his tastes haven't changed at all," Akeno murmured softly. Her smile wavered a bit. "But... he really doesn't remember anything from our childhood?"
A flash of deep hurt crossed Akeno's eyes, but she quickly masked it, clutching her hands to her chest. "It's fine. It hurts, but... I'm just so glad he's alive. I'm glad he's here."
Akeno then leaned down, bringing her face inches from Koneko's. Her smile returned, carrying that distinctly dangerous edge she usually reserved for our enemies. "Koneko-chan. Introduce me to him."
Koneko broke a sweat. "When?"
"Now," Akeno replied. It wasn't a request.
Koneko stared at our Queen for a long, agonizing second before dropping her head in defeat. "...Yes."
Without another word, Akeno grabbed Koneko by the hand and practically dragged her out of the clubroom, the doors shutting behind them.
I stood by my desk, utterly bewildered by the whirlwind of events that had just transpired. My best friend's dead brother was alive, had amnesia, and was apparently dating my cute little Koneko.
I felt a pang of pity for Koneko. Akeno was fiercely protective of the things she loved, and finding out another girl was dating her long-lost brother was a terrifying prospect.
"Kiba," I said, rubbing my temples as a headache began to form. "Should we... go after them? Make sure Akeno doesn't do anything drastic?"
Kiba sheathed his sword, looking just as bewildered as I felt. "If you wish to, Buchou. I will follow your lead."
I looked at the shattered teapot on the floor, then at the photograph Baraqiel had left behind. I debated stepping in, but ultimately sighed.
"No. This is a family matter for Akeno," I decided, sitting back down in my chair. "Let's give them tonight. We will properly meet him tomorrow."
——
[Katsuya Akiya (MC) POV]
I wiped down the kitchen counter, tossing the damp dish towel into the sink. I had to hand it to the system—it really went all out integrating me into this world. The woman the system had slotted in as my "mother" for this cover identity smiled warmly at me, practically glowing with pride.
"Thank you so much for helping out with the chores, Katsuya," she said, placing her hands on her hips as she huffed. She glanced toward the hallway where my "father" had been lounging earlier. "Unlike your father. Honestly, that man could learn a thing or two from you about pulling his weight around here!"
I just laughed, leaning against the counter. "It's no problem, Mom. It didn't take long."
As I finished putting the last of the dry plates away, a familiar ping echoed in my head. I excused myself and opened the Multiversal Self Chat in my vision.
[Koneko: She's on her way.]
I winced, feeling a sudden spike of anxiety.
[Katsuya: How was it?]
[Koneko: I felt like I was going to die. This is your fault.]
[Katsuya: Hey! I literally didn't do anything!]
[Koneko: You existed. See you in five minutes.]
She logged off before I could defend myself further. I sighed, closing the system interface. If Akeno was on her way, and she was coming with the impression that we were dating, I needed to make sure my space was at least presentable. I hurried upstairs and did a quick sweep of my room, tossing some stray laundry into the hamper and straightening up my desk.
A few minutes later, three sharp, deliberate knocks echoed from the front door downstairs.
My heart jumped into my throat. Showtime.
I hurried out of my room and jogged down the stairs. "I've got it, Mom!" I called out toward the living room.
"Thanks, sweetie!" she called back from the kitchen. "Your father just went out for the night to drink with his friends, so make sure the door is locked after your guests leave!"
"Will do!" I nodded, taking a deep breath to center myself. I forced my facial muscles to relax, letting my eyelids close and that polite, Hazama-style smile slide perfectly into place. I needed to play the role of the amnesiac boyfriend flawlessly, or I was going to get both myself and Koneko murdered by a very protective, very unhinged lightning priestess.
I reached out, grabbed the doorknob, and pulled the front door open.
I opened the door to find Koneko standing on the porch, looking like a cat marching to the vet. Right beside her stood Akeno Himejima, radiating a terrifyingly sweet aura.
"I apologize for the late visit," Koneko said, her deadpan voice carrying a tiny, barely noticeable tremor of stress. "I... wanted to introduce you to my upperclassman."
I had to bite the inside of my cheek to hold back a laugh. Playing the innocent, amnesiac boyfriend to my own alternate self while my older sister watched was going to be the performance of a lifetime.
"It's no trouble at all," I said, offering a warm, polite smile, keeping my eyes closed in my usual Hazama-esque expression. "I'm Katsuya. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Akeno Himejima," she replied. Her voice was incredibly soft, almost fragile. Before I could say another word, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around me in a gentle, lingering hug.
Immediately, the soft, undeniable pressure of her very generous chest pressed against my torso. My degenerate side screamed at me to succumb to the big boobs and just enjoy it, but survival instincts won out. I gently, respectfully patted her back before softly detaching myself from the embrace.
Akeno looked at me, her violet eyes swimming with emotions she was desperately trying to hide behind her smile.
I glanced at Koneko, who was sweating bullets, and a sudden, mischievous urge took over. If I was going to be dragged into this mess, I might as well make my alternate self sweat a little more.
"Would you two like to come inside?" I asked pleasantly. "We could go up to my bedroom to talk, if you'd like. It's more private there."
Koneko's golden eyes widened in sheer panic, but Akeno instantly reached out and grabbed my right arm, hugging it tightly against her chest.
"Ara, ara~. Is that really okay?" Akeno purred, though her grip was like a steel vice that clearly said try to pull away and you die
"Of course," I smiled.
I led them inside. As we walked past the living room and headed for the stairs, my "mother" peeked out from the kitchen. Seeing her son walking upstairs with two incredibly beautiful girls, she simply put a hand to her cheek and nodded happily to herself, practically giving me a mental thumbs-up.
Once we reached my room, I closed the door. Since my desk chair was covered in a pile of schoolbooks I hadn't actually read, I gestured toward the bed.
I sat down near the middle. Instantly, Akeno sat on my right, pressing her side firmly against mine and keeping her hands resting on her lap. Not wanting to be left standing awkwardly, Koneko quickly sat down on my left side, boxing me in completely.
I was effectively sandwiched.
The room was quiet for a long, tense moment. I kept my polite smile fixed in place, waiting for the inevitable interrogation.
Akeno leaned into my shoulder just a fraction more, her violet eyes staring intently at my face, and finally spoke up.
"Tell me, Katsuya-kun," Akeno began, her voice smooth as silk but laced with an intense curiosity. "What kind of things do you enjoy? Koneko-chan told me a little bit, but I'd love to hear it from you."
I kept my eyes peacefully shut, maintaining my polite smile. "Oh, the usual things. I like quiet afternoons, reading, and I have a bit of a sweet tooth. Actually, I really love traditional Japanese sweets. Mitarashi dango is a favorite of mine."
I felt Akeno's breath hitch just a fraction against my shoulder. Her grip on my arm softened into something incredibly tender. "Is that right? I'm quite good at making traditional sweets. I'll have to make some for you sometime."
"I'd love that. Thank you, Akeno-senpai," I replied smoothly.
Akeno hummed happily, but then the atmosphere shifted. The tender, nostalgic aura evaporated, replaced by a suffocating, heavy pressure that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. She leaned in closer, her lips almost brushing my ear.
"And what about girls, Katsuya-kun?" she whispered, her tone playful but carrying a lethal undertone. "What is your type?"
I felt Koneko stiffen beside me. This was the trap. If I said something completely opposite to Koneko, Akeno would know the relationship was fake. If I leaned into it, I'd throw my alternate self straight to the wolves.
Obviously, I chose the latter.
"My type?" I let out a soft, affectionate chuckle, shifting my head slightly toward Koneko. "Well, I prefer girls who are quiet, responsible, and a little stoic. Someone small and cute, who doesn't talk too much but cares deeply. Exactly like Koneko, really. That's why we're dating."
To sell it, I reached over with my free hand and gently patted Koneko's head.
Koneko flinched like she had just been struck by lightning. Her eyes widened to the size of dinner plates, staring at me with a look of pure betrayal. I could practically hear her thoughts screaming: I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!
Akeno went entirely still. The temperature in the bedroom seemed to plummet ten degrees.
"Ara, ara," Akeno said. Her voice was terrifyingly devoid of its usual melodic lilt. "Exactly like Koneko-chan. I see. How... sweet."
Koneko was literally trembling next to me, her stoic facade completely shattering under the crushing weight of Akeno's leaking jealousy.
"You must be very happy together," Akeno continued, her smile widening into something that didn't reach her eyes. She leaned across my chest, locking eyes with my terrified, pint-sized alternate self. "Koneko-chan is a very lucky girl to have snagged such a wonderful boyfriend so quickly."
"Y-Yes," Koneko managed to squeak out. "Very lucky."
"So," Akeno murmured, her gaze shifting back to me as she rested her cheek against my shoulder. The deadly aura spiked to its absolute peak. "Since you two are so deeply in love... tell me, Katsuya-kun. Just how far have you taken it?"
I decided to push the envelope just a little bit further.
I slowly opened my eyes. The perpetual, polite squint vanished, revealing the sharp, slitted yellow irises beneath. I turned my head to look directly into Akeno's violet eyes, my expression dropping into one of absolute, deadpan seriousness.
"We've done everything a couple can do," I said, my voice low and steady.
The air in the room didn't just drop in temperature; it felt like all the oxygen had been violently sucked out of it.
Akeno's smile twitched. Just a millimeter, but it was there. "Everything?" she echoed, her voice barely a whisper. "Like what, Katsuya-kun?"
"We've slept together," I answered without missing a beat.
Time stopped.
Akeno slowly, mechanically turned her head away from me. Her violet eyes locked onto Koneko. The sheer, concentrated bloodlust radiating from the lightning priestess was so intense I could practically see the grim reaper standing behind her. Koneko stopped breathing entirely, her soul visibly preparing to leave her body.
Realizing I had probably pushed the joke right to the edge of an actual homicide, I quickly let my eyes close, snapping back to my polite, harmless smile.
"I'm just teasing, Akeno-senpai," I said with a light chuckle, gently squeezing Akeno's hand to bring her attention back to me. "I sincerely apologize. I have a terrible habit of making bad jokes to break the tension. To tell you the truth, we haven't even kissed yet."
The apocalyptic aura vanishing was so instantaneous it gave me whiplash.
Akeno blinked, her head snapping back to me. The murderous intent completely evaporated, melting into a look of profound relief, followed almost immediately by a deeply predatory glimmer.
"Oh... really~?" Akeno purred, leaning even closer, her chest pressing firmly against my arm once again.
I felt a sudden jolt of trepidation. I had diffused the murder, but I might have just invited something equally dangerous.
"Yes," I confirmed, keeping my voice steady despite the alarm bells going off in my head. "We're taking it very slow."
Akeno hummed, a thoroughly satisfied sound that vibrated against my shoulder. She nodded to herself, her sweet, closed-eye smile returning in full force.
Then, she turned her head slightly to the left.
"Koneko-chan," Akeno said, her voice dripping with honeyed sweetness that brooked absolutely no argument. "Would you mind leaving us alone for a second?"
Koneko didn't need to be told twice. She stood up so fast she practically blurred, giving a stiff, robotic bow.
"Excuse me. I'll wait downstairs," Koneko muttered, and bolted out of the room, the door clicking shut firmly behind her.
Almost instantly, a ping echoed in my head.
[Koneko: Hahahaha! Karma. Have fun getting eaten alive. Don't die.]
I could practically hear the smug satisfaction radiating through the multiversal connection. I opened the interface, preparing to type out a furious reply to my traitorous alternate self, when a sudden, heavy weight hit my chest.
Before I could even register what was happening, Akeno shoved me backward.
My shoulders hit the mattress with a soft thump. Akeno smoothly swung her leg over my hips, straddling my waist and pinning me flat on my back. Her long black hair cascaded forward, falling like a silken curtain around us and completely boxing me in.
"Akeno-senpai?"
Akeno leaned down, her face hovering mere inches above mine. Her violet eyes were half-lidded, swirling with a dark, intoxicating hunger that made my heart hammer against my ribs. She reached out, her delicate fingers gently tracing the line of my jaw before pinning my wrists against the bedsheets.
"Since you and Koneko-chan haven't even kissed yet, and you're taking things so slowly..." Akeno whispered, her breath warm against my skin. A dangerous, sultry smile curved her lips. "I asked her while we were on our way here. And since she is such an understanding girl... she said it's perfectly okay for me to do this."
'Koneko, you absolute degenerate traitor!' I screamed internally. She had literally traded my virtue for her own safety.
Akeno's smile widened, her gaze dropping to my lips.
"Itadakimasu~" Akeno purred, lowering her mouth down to mine.