Occult Research Department.
Twilight.
"Ayato-kun, this is your black tea."
Akeno served the freshly brewed tea.
"Mm, as expected of Akeno-senpai, your skills are getting better and better."
Ayato took a sip and praised, "It would be wonderful if I could drink this forever."
"Oh my, I don't deserve such praise."
Akeno stood beside Rias, smiling. "If you really liked it, you wouldn't have taken only Koneko to another world."
The fact that Koneko had gone to the Re:Zero world was no longer a secret.
It would be a lie to say she wasn't curious about other worlds.
Hearing Akeno's words, Rias thought of this too, and her expression became very resentful.
Come to think of it...
She hadn't seen another world either.
Ayato took another sip of tea and smiled. "What's the big deal? I'll take you there now."
"Hmph, I want to go to a brand new other world."
Rias snorted. As the legal wife, she had a temper too.
"Okay, okay. The next time I go to another world, I'll take you with me."
Ayato nodded helplessly.
"Oh my, Ayato-kun, you're forgetting me again, aren't you?"
Akeno's smile was somewhat dangerous.
"Of course not."
Ayato shook his head seriously, then changed the subject. "By the way, Rias, what did you want to see me about?"
"There's a lead in the investigation."
Rias's expression turned serious. "According to intelligence, all clues point to Tokyo."
Tokyo.
The center of Japan.
It was bustling with activity.
Ayato, Rias, and Akeno teleported directly here.
"So, where should we start investigating?"
Rias looked at Ayato, waiting for him to decide.
The information she had was actually limited.
"No rush."
Ayato smiled. "You haven't eaten, right? Let's go get something to eat."
"It's been a while since I've had a date with you."
Although he had more and more servants...
For this childhood friend and fiancée...
She would always hold a special place in his heart.
Rias was stunned for a moment, then smiled.
She took Ayato's arm and said, "So, what do you want to eat?"
"Anything is fine. Whatever you like."
"I haven't been to Tokyo much either. I don't know what's good to eat."
Rias pressed her finger to her chin, her eyes lighting up. "How about this, let's just walk forward and eat at the first restaurant we find."
"Sure."
Ayato nodded, then looked at Akeno. "Akeno-senpai, is that arrangement okay with you?"
Akeno: "..."
You've both already decided, why are you asking me?
She regretted coming along.
She hadn't eaten yet.
But she was already full of dog food.
"Um, I remember I have some things to take care of, so I'll leave first."
Leaving those words, Akeno cast a teleportation spell and vanished instantly.
"Hey, if you wanted to have a date, couldn't you have said so earlier?"
"It just came to mind."
"How about calling Akeno-senpai back for a three-person date?"
"In your dreams."
The two chatted as they strolled down the street.
Because of teleportation magic, the coordinates they set were relatively remote.
They walked several blocks before finding a decent shopping street.
But the first thing they encountered wasn't a fancy restaurant, but a semi-open-air barbecue stall.
And the aroma was very good.
Even though it had just opened, quite a few people had already gathered.
"So, this is the place?"
Ayato pointed at the barbecue stall, smiling.
"Yes, yes."
Rias nodded.
Then!
They walked over hand in hand.
Both Rias and Ayato had stunning good looks.
Whenever they appeared in a crowded place, they were bound to cause a stir.
"So handsome, so pretty. Are they celebrities?"
"They're not celebrities. They're wearing school uniforms. They're clearly a couple."
"Ah, youth. Bartender, give me another drink."
There were no tasteless clichés.
Many of the diners showed kind smiles.
The stall owners were an elderly couple. They quickly brought out the menu.
Ayato looked it over and ordered according to Rias's tastes.
As for himself...
It didn't really matter.
Because of Erina and the others, his palate had become quite picky.
What mattered wasn't what he ate, but who he ate with.
Soon.
Various grilled dishes were placed on the table.
The meat was fresh and the taste was good. For a street stall, it was quite good.
Rias nodded with satisfaction as she ate, like a little girl.
"Is it really that good?"
"Hehe, it's because I'm eating with you."
Ayato smiled.
Looks like someone shared his thoughts.