Harry opened his eyes and looked around. He was a little disoriented as his lips moved, his mouth feeling dry. Looking at the walls of his workshop and the large number of swords, spears, and daggers at his side, he couldn't help but smile. He had managed to create two bastard swords, three katanas, one spear, and five daggers that were Magnum Opus-grade. The rest, despite being able to damage gods, didn't have the same durability, sharpness, or power.
"Uh... I have to go now," Harry muttered, remembering that it had been a while since he had left his workshop. But the first thing he did was head to the bathroom in his workshop. He brushed his teeth, took a deep bath, and changed his clothes before entering the elevator and using some magic to ascend. Since he didn't want Issei's parents to end up in his workshop and discover things that might worry him, he made it so that the only way to go down to his workshop was by entering a password using magic.
When he arrived at the living room, he noticed the sky was a little dark while several of the group were in the kitchen or watching television. Rias frowned at him as she placed a cup of tea on the coffee table.
"What were you doing?" Rias asked, her tone a little concerned. She knew Harry was working, but it had taken him several days, and after one of them, he hadn't left that place for several more. Harry could only scratch his head, slightly embarrassed at getting lost in his work.
"Ah, sorry, Rias. I was using the materials I got at the meeting to create some things." Harry approached and sat down beside her as he quietly explained the results of his creations.
"By the way, what day is it?"
"Friday..." Rias replied, but not before sighing at how careless Harry could be.
"Friday..." Harry muttered, thinking a few things over before smiling a little at Rias.
"Do you want to go out tomorrow?"
Rias paused as she leaned forward slightly as she reached for her cup of tea. She turned her head with a slightly surprised expression as she looked at Harry.
"Like... a date?"
"Yes."
"I do!" Rias replied immediately, smiling even more broadly. Since they had decided to become a couple, the two had barely gone out for fun. Not that that had been a problem; they both knew they had things to do. Rias with school and her peerage jobs. And Harry researching, preparing, and planning the various training sessions for the Gremory group. He was also the one who traveled to the Underworld when Rias wanted something or her parents and brother wanted to communicate something. And if that weren't enough, Ajuka Beelzebub had taken an interest in Harry, offering him jobs from time to time.
They also occasionally visited Aeternum Island to coordinate and review things.
Each of them had their responsibilities.
Rias was happy now. Despite knowing her responsibilities, she also wanted time for herself and Harry. She wanted to enjoy more mundane things without having to think about other things. For that reason, she didn't hesitate to accept Harry's proposal.
"Ara Ara... I'm so jealous, Rias," Akeno, who was standing nearby, smiled as she looked at her friend with sparkling eyes. She had tried a few moves on Harry, like the bet she had made with Rias, but it hadn't worked, so she gave up shortly after.
"Ise-san..." Asia muttered as she looked at Issei, who was standing with a protein shake in his hand. The current dominance dragon blushed slightly before coughing with his hand near his mouth. Honestly, since he'd let go of his perverted side a bit, it had been easier to talk to women of all kinds. The problem was that he was embarrassed by some things he couldn't notice much before, like Asia's love for him.
"Well... we could go out too..." Issei replied as Asia smiled and jumped up to hug him, causing Xenovia and Irina to pout. Akeno also approached as she started teasing the two, while also whispering a few things to Issei.
The poor boy could only let the blood run from his nose as he shook his head.
"Issei became a little funny to watch after his change," Harry laughed softly as he looked at the brunette.
"I think he's a little more adorable. Since he's not so dense, he gets embarrassed about some things," Rias smiled, seeing how everyone was getting along. Seeing her family like this warmed her heart.
While everyone was chatting, the night came and went really quickly, especially for Rias, who was thinking about what to wear for their date. The next day, Rias and Harry were holding hands as they parted ways with Issei and Asia, who were going their separate ways. Since little Asia had never enjoyed some more ordinary things, Issei wanted to take her to those places.
Harry, on the other hand, knew that Rias would have fun if he took her to Akihabara. And since it was a date, he wasn't wearing his typical business suit. Today, he was wearing a dark green sweater over a white shirt and black pants. Rias was wearing a black long-sleeved shirt that was a bit loose around the arms and gray jeans with high heels.
And although the two were having fun, they had a strange feeling that something was going to happen. It wasn't that it was something terrifying, but the couple felt like something strange might appear out of nowhere.
When they arrived in Akihabara, Rias became really excited. Since she'd started becoming more serious, she hadn't enjoyed the things she liked. And for today, she wouldn't stop until she'd bought everything she liked. Money wasn't an issue after all.
By the time lunchtime arrived, they'd decided to eat at one of those places where women dressed as maids worked. They'd never visited such places, and although they were familiar with maids, this was different.
"What are you looking at?" Rias squeezed Harry's cheek and stretched it slightly as she pouted. Harry simply smiled and replied, "I was just thinking... you know... those tails..."
Rias frowned and looked at one of the maids working there, who was wearing cat ears and a tail. The thing is, the tail wasn't tucked away from her outfit.
"Oh... Oh!" Rias blushed slightly, thinking about a few things.
"I don't think it's that way... is it?"
"Who knows..." Harry said quietly, chuckling slightly.
As the food arrived, the two were talking about all sorts of things. But the main topic of conversation was someone familiar: Jon Snow.
"It's strange that a mission hasn't been granted since he joined," Rias said, looking at Harry.
"You're right. I thought all the members would have to be invited by us, but it seems that's not the case. Also, the mission they gave us both, I think it has to do with us knowing how to manage certain things. It seems that the person(s) who created the app and made us meet wants Jon to grow up in the best possible way."
"Hmm... Well, it's not like that's a problem. Jon seems to be someone trustworthy and friendly. It's fun to see his expressions when I talk to him."
"He probably sees you as a monster because of your deductive skills."
"Not because he wants him to take the throne?" Rias tilted her head as she asked.
Harry shook his head and replied, "It's a medieval world, that kind of thing has probably happened before. I don't think it's that strange for someone to think that way."
The two were interrupted when the food arrived, while the waitress dressed as a maid smiled and spoke to them. Rias wondered if Grayfia had ever dressed up with cat ears and a tail for her brother. She laughed a little, thinking that would be something worthy of a photo.
Finally, when they finished eating, they went to different places while they walked. They ate ice cream and some other sweets before Harry took Rias's hand and used a teleportation circle.
When they appeared at the place Harry had to ask permission to enter, Rias opened her mouth in surprise, as if she needed to say something, but nothing came out. Her hair danced slowly in the wind as she watched the sun begin to rise over the horizon, slowly lighting up the dark sky.
"Harry, er..." Rias turned her head, seeing Harry, who had sat down on a large branch. He smiled as he waved his hand, silently requesting that she sit next to him.
Rias leaned closer before sitting down and placing her head on Harry's shoulder as she hugged him gently. Her eyes seemed to shine brightly as she watched the sunrise over the world tree, Yggdrasil. While there wasn't anything important in this place, at least on the branch they were on, it should still be difficult to obtain permission to reach it, especially through a teleportation circle.
Harry, who shifted his gaze slightly from the sunrise to Rias's face, smiled softly before leaning in and kissing Rias's head.
"You know... I still found it a little difficult being in a relationship before. I didn't know what to do or how to handle it. We, who had gone through such a surprising thing, decided to go ahead and see what could really happen between us..."
"Harry?" Rias asked, a little puzzled.
"I don't think either of us said those words. I think it was because we weren't ready yet, or there simply wasn't a need for those words. But, right now, I feel they need to be said."
Harry moved his head back slightly and looked directly into Rias's eyes. He smiled before his mouth moved, saying the words they probably both wanted to hear from each other.
"Rias... I love you."
Rias's eyes widened as she looked at Harry in surprise.
It was true. Now that she heard those words, Rias realized. Neither of them had said the words 'I love you' while they'd been together. From the beginning, their relationship didn't have a normal start. They had both had their first time that night when they were drunk, so there really wasn't any love between them. Perhaps courage and a feeling of caring for each other, but only friendship. They both knew each other well enough and were mature enough in that situation. But, in reality, Rias was the one who started the relationship, only because she wanted to see if anything worthwhile would come out of that night.
And as that relationship continued, they discovered more things they couldn't notice before. Small things, bigger things. Things that perhaps others couldn't see or wouldn't let others truly see. Before long, Rias and Harry felt close, but they never said those special words.
Rias hugged Harry tighter, holding back her tears.
"I love you too, Harry."
After a few seconds of embracing, they separated slightly as their foreheads touched before kissing slowly. Their lips met as they felt each other's love. When they broke apart, they both smiled brightly. And to each other, that bright smile seemed far more beautiful than the radiance of the sunrise before them. The final barrier that seemed to separate them had been broken in this moment.
However, even if they wanted to spend more time together, alone, simply feeling each other's presence in this beautiful place, it seemed that wasn't possible. Just then, a small magic circle appeared near Rias's ear as she listened to Akeno's voice.
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