Rin's eyes snapped open. He was in his bed. His own opulent, silk-sheeted bed in the Takakura mansion. Sunlight, soft and familiar, streamed through the gap in his curtains. Ai was stirring beside him, her breathing even, her presence a comforting anchor to reality.
Orcs? Gelmud? Rimuru?
The memories were vivid, terrifyingly real. The mud, the blood-red moon, the sheer panic of the battlefield, Shion's fist connecting with his jaw… He sat bolt upright, his heart pounding, a cold sweat clinging to his skin.
"Rin-sama?" Ai murmured, her eyes fluttering open. She sat up, concern instantly clouding her usually serene features as she took in his disheveled state. "Are you alright? You look like you've had a terrible nightmare."
"Nightmare…?" Rin echoed, his voice hoarse. He touched his jaw. No lingering ache. He looked around the room. Everything was as it should be. "Yeah… yeah, I think it was just a really bad dream." But it had felt so incredibly real.
Ai's gaze softened. "You were tossing and turning quite a bit." She didn't press further, simply rose and began her morning routine of helping him prepare for school, her touch gentle and reassuring.
As he walked the familiar halls of Kuoh Academy later that morning, Rin tried to shake off the lingering unease. It had to be a dream, right? He was already in an anime world, a High School DxD reality. Hopping into another anime world, like Tensura, through a dream? That was just too far-fetched, even for his bizarre new life. Why now? Why not before? He resolved to push it to the back of his mind and focus on the present, on the very real, very enticing women who now vied for his attention.
The afternoon found him in the Student Council room, alone with Sona Sitri. Earlier, he'd been in the Occult Research Club room, enjoying a lively (and increasingly flirtatious) debate with Rias and Akeno, when Sona had unexpectedly appeared. With a coolly polite but undeniably firm demeanor, she had effectively "borrowed" Rin, much to Rias's visible annoyance and Akeno's amused pout.
Now, they were sharing a late lunch, or rather, an elaborate array of snacks and tea that looked like it had been catered by a five-star restaurant. Sona, ever the picture of composed elegance, sat opposite him.
"Is the food to your liking, Takakura-kun?" she asked, her voice maintaining its usual calm cadence.
"It's delicious, Sona-san," Rin replied truthfully, taking a bite of a delicate pastry. He could read her thoughts, a delightful counterpoint to her cool exterior.
He likes it! I chose these myself. I hope he can tell… Oh, his smile is so captivating. Focus, Sona, focus! Maintain your composure. But… I just want to reach out and touch his hand.
Her face remained a mask of polite interest, but Rin noticed the subtle signs – the way her fingers tapped almost imperceptibly on her teacup when he spoke, the slight softening of her eyes when she thought he wasn't looking, the way she leaned just a fraction closer during their conversation. She was falling, hard and fast, deeper than she'd ever anticipated.
They talked about trivial school matters, recent events (Rin carefully omitting any mention of interdimensional dream-wars or his rapidly expanding intimate relationships), and shared anecdotes. Rin expertly guided the conversation, keeping it light and engaging, all the while reveling in the sweet torment of her internal monologue.
Sona managed to maintain her cool, collected facade until the bell signaling the end of the lunch period rang. "It seems our time is up," she said, a hint of genuine regret in her voice that her expression didn't betray. "I'll see you later, Takakura-kun."
"Looking forward to it, Sona-san."
As Rin left, Sona remained seated, the door clicking shut behind him. The moment she was alone, the carefully constructed dam of her composure finally broke. A deep sigh escaped her, and her shoulders slumped. She pressed her hands to her flushed cheeks. Rin… She couldn't deny it any longer. She was utterly, hopelessly in love with him. The intensity of her feelings was terrifying. She'd wanted to confess, right then and there, but the fear of rejection, of shattering this fragile, precious connection they were building, had held her back.
When school finally ended, Rin made his way to Akeno Himejima's shrine. The evening was warm, the scent of incense already drifting on the breeze as he approached. Akeno greeted him at the door, a radiant smile on her face, dressed in a comfortable, casual yukata that hinted at the curves beneath.
"Welcome, Rin-kun! I've prepared dinner for us," she announced cheerfully, leading him inside.
The table was indeed set for two, a delicious-looking home-cooked meal laid out. But as Rin's gaze met Akeno's, he saw the familiar, hungry spark in her violet eyes. Dinner could wait. He wanted dessert first.
He pulled her into his arms, his mouth finding hers in a searing kiss that left no doubt as to his intentions. Akeno melted against him, her response immediate and eager. Words became unnecessary.
Their passionate reunion began right there in the dining area, atop the sturdy wooden table, the carefully prepared food momentarily forgotten. Akeno's blissful cries soon filled the serene shrine, a familiar soundtrack to their encounters. After several exhilarating rounds, breathless and sated for the moment, they finally sat down to eat their now slightly cooled dinner, their conversation punctuated by shared smiles and lingering touches.
But the night was still young. Once the plates were cleared, they returned to the more traditional setting of Akeno's futon, their lovemaking continuing with renewed vigor until, tangled in each other's arms, they finally drifted off to sleep, the moon casting a silvery glow over the peaceful shrine.