"Why didn't you tell me?" Sona asked, her voice carrying a slight pout as she crossed her arms. "Mou~"
She let out a small huff, turning her head away with that characteristic stubborn expression she wore when she was genuinely bothered but trying to maintain her composure.
And she was frikkin cute.
"It was a surprise," I said with a grin.
Sona's violet eyes softened slightly as she looked back at me. "I have to admit, I was really amazed, even the entire supernatural world is talking about it." She paused, her expression growing more serious. "But Leon... are the pods and VR really true? Can you actually do what you claimed?"
I leaned back in my chair with a playful smirk. "What, my beautiful girlfriend doesn't believe in her amazing boyfriend's abilities? I'm hurt, Sona."
Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she straightened in her chair with that prideful look she got when she felt challenged. "That's not what I said! I'm just... it's hard to process the magnitude of what you're claiming."
"Fine… Fine I'll stop teasing you haha." I raised my hands in surrender.
Sona shook her head, but her expression remained curious. "Seriously though, Leon. How did you even create these technologies? The Scroll alone represents decades of advancement beyond what should be possible."
"I had help," I said simply.
Her violet eyes narrowed with interest. "From who? I know you've been working alone on most of your projects."
I smiled and spoke clearly. "E.V.E., introduce yourself to Sona."
A smooth, feminine voice suddenly filled the room, seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. "Good afternoon, Miss Sitri. I am E.V.E. - Enhanced Virtual Entity. I serve as Leon's artificial intelligence assistant."
Sona's eyes widened in complete shock, her composure finally cracking entirely.
"What…?"
"This is E.V.E. my personal A.I."
"An... an artificial intelligence?" Sona stared at me in disbelief.
"Yup." I replied.
Then she stared at me, perhaps not knowing what to say next, then after a moment she spoke again.
"I've only seen artificial intelligences in human movies and books. While magic can theoretically recreate such things, it would require massive resources and years of development by entire teams of specialists."
She stood up abruptly, pacing to the window. "The supernatural world has been working on magical constructs with basic intelligence for centuries, and even our most advanced attempts pale in comparison to what you've just demonstrated."
"E.V.E. is more than just intelligent," I explained. "She helps with research, development, calculations, planning - she's been instrumental in creating everything I announced."
Sona turned back to me, her expression a mixture of awe. "Leon... what more are you hiding?"
I stood up and walked over to her, gently taking her hands and pulling her up from the chair. "Don't worry, Sona. I'll tell you everything soon enough." I said softly, drawing her closer.
Then I leaned down and kissed her gently, and she melted into my embrace. When we broke apart, she rested her head against my chest, and I could feel some of the tension leaving her body.
Then my thoughts drifted to Issei. It had been almost a week since he'd nearly been killed by Raynare and still as if guided by destiny, he and Asia still had met and become friends, just like in the original timeline.
But I thought grimly about what was to happen now. With Issei still unable to awaken his Sacred Gear, there was a huge chance Asia would truly die unless I or Rias intervened.
And that idiot still hadn't given me an answer and worse, had been avoiding me. Of all the times to feel shame, it's this? I sighed, feeling how incredibly stubborn that pervert was being. But still, he was my friend.
But I'd decided not to intervene until he asked for help, so he could learn his lesson. I mean, he could become strong without becoming a devil if he just asked me. Though that idiot probably hadn't thought about it - he probably thought he only had two options: remain a normal human or become a devil.
The irony wasn't lost on me. Here I was, someone who could give him power beyond what any devil peerage could offer, and he was too embarrassed about nearly dying to even talk to me. Meanwhile, Asia was walking straight into danger because of his pride.
"You're thinking about something troubling," Sona observed, her voice pulling me from my brooding thoughts.
I looked down at her, realizing my expression had probably darkened. "Just... frustrated with a certain perverted friend who's too stubborn for his own good."
Sona's lips quirked into a small smile. "Issei Hyoudou, I presume?"
"Yeah."
"I've been curious about him too," she continued. "I detected traces of an unusual power signature from Hyoudou-san. It felt... familiar, but I couldn't place it. Even Rias wants him to be part of her peerage, so I am sure he is not that simple. Do you have any idea what kind of Sacred Gear he possesses?"
I thought about it for a moment.
"It's the Boosted Gear…"
Sona's eyes widened in complete shock. "The... the Boosted Gear? You mean..."
"The Red Dragon Emperor, yes."
"The Welsh Dragon, Ddraig, is sleeping inside that perverted idiot?"
I laughed. "Yes."
"No wonder Rias wants him. Maybe that's perhaps the reason she didn't tell me about his Sacred Gear."
I studied her expression. "Do you want him for your peerage as well?"
Sona thought for a moment, I can see her mind weighing the pros and cons. Finally, she shook her head. "No. A Longinus wielder would be incredibly powerful, but Issei... he doesn't fit with my goals or my peerage's dynamic. Besides," she smiled up at me, "I already have someone far more interesting and capable in my life."
I smiled. "That you do."
She leaned up and kissed me softly. "Though I have to say, knowing that one of the most powerful Sacred Gears in existence belongs to someone who spends most of his time thinking about oppai is... somewhat concerning."
"Trust me, I share that concern," I said with a chuckle. "But sometimes the most unlikely people surprise you."
"Perhaps…" Sona mused, settling back against my chest.
=====
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the park as Issei walked alongside Asia, both of them carrying ice cream cones from the vendor near the entrance. It had become something of a routine over the past few days - meeting at the park, talking about everything and nothing, just enjoying each other's company.
"The sunset is beautiful today," Asia said softly but there was something wistful in her voice, a sadness that Issei couldn't quite place.
Issei nodded, stealing glances at her serene expression. "Yeah, it really is." He paused, then added awkwardly, "You know, Asia, I'm really glad we met."
Asia's smile was gentle but tinged with melancholy. "I'm glad too, Issei-san. You've been so kind to me." She looked down at her hands, her voice growing quieter. "More kind than I deserve."
They found their usual bench near the pond and sat down.
"Issei-san," she said suddenly, her voice barely above a whisper. "If... if something were to happen to me, I want you to know that these past few days have been the happiest of my life."
Issei turned to look at her, alarmed by the sadness in her tone. "Asia? What are you talking about? Nothing's going to happen to you."
She gave him that pure, innocent smile, but there were tears gathering in her green eyes. "You're such a good person, Issei-san. Promise me you'll stay that way, no matter what."
"Asia, you're scaring me. What's wrong?"
Before she could answer, a low growling sound echoed from the nearby trees. Both of them froze, looking around nervously.
"What was that?" Asia whispered, her earlier sadness replaced by fear as she pressed closer to Issei.
The growling grew louder, and suddenly the bushes exploded outward as something massive burst through. It was grotesque - a writhing mass of dark flesh and tentacles, with multiple eyes and mouths full of razor-sharp teeth.
A stray devil, though Issei didn't know the proper term for it.
"Asia, run!" Issei shouted, jumping to his feet and pushing her behind him.
But the creature was fast. Faster than anything that size had a right to be. One of its tentacles whipped out, barely missing Asia as she stumbled backward.
Issei tried to grab a broken tree branch, anything he could use as a weapon, but the creature's attention was fully on them now. Another tentacle lashed out, this one catching Issei across the chest and sending him flying into a tree.
Pain exploded through his body as he hit the trunk hard. He could taste blood in his mouth, and his vision blurred for a moment. But when he saw the monster advancing on Asia, who had fallen and was scrambling backward in terror, something inside him snapped.
"Get away from her!" Issei roared, forcing himself to his feet despite the pain.
That's when he felt it - a burning sensation in his left arm, like fire racing through his veins. A red gauntlet materialized around his hand.
"Boost!" the gauntlet announced in a mechanical voice.
Issei felt a surge of power flow through him, doubling his strength. It wasn't much - he was still just a normal human at his base level - but it was something. He charged at the stray devil with a yell, his enhanced fist connecting with one of its smaller heads.
The creature reeled back, more surprised than hurt, but then its multiple eyes focused on Issei with renewed interest. It seemed to recognize what he was carrying.
"Boost!" the gauntlet called out again, and Issei felt another wave of power.
But even doubled twice over, he was nowhere near strong enough to take on a stray devil. The creature's next attack sent him crashing to the ground, the Sacred Gear flickering and fading as his consciousness began to slip.
Through his fading vision, he could see the monster turning back toward Asia, who was frozen in terror. This was it. He was going to die, and worse, Asia was going to die because he was too weak to protect her.
Then, suddenly, a figure appeared between Asia and the stray devil. A man with silver hair and an arrogant smirk, dressed in what looked like a fancy suit.
"My, my," the newcomer said in an amused tone. "A stray devil in broad daylight? How distastefully crude."
The creature lunged at the silver-haired man, but he simply raised his hand. Light energy gathered around his fingers, and with a casual flick, he unleashed a blast that completely obliterated the stray devil.
Just like that, it was over.
Issei struggled to sit up, his Sacred Gear having completely disappeared now. The man turned to look at him with cold, calculating eyes that held nothing but disdain.
"Freed Sellzen," the man introduced himself with a mocking bow. "And you are quite pathetic, aren't you?"
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