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Morning light crept across the sheets as Rias slowly opened her eyes.
"Ohayou, Rias."
Tenra's voice brushed her ear, warm and familiar. She turned, meeting the face she knew better than her own. They'd crossed every line of intimacy a thousand times, but memories of last night made her cheeks burn crimson.
"Tenra, last night we… we…"
The words tangled in her throat. She didn't need to say more—Tenra always understood.
He leaned in, mischief glinting in his eyes. "Wondering why it felt so intense, huh?"
Rias nodded, face hot. The pleasure had been overwhelming—something she couldn't fight, couldn't resist.
"I told you, didn't I? I picked up a new Sacred Gear from the vampires."
He grinned. "It's called [Five Senses Manipulation]. Lets me tweak sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch. Last night, I just cranked up your sense of touch a little. That's all."
Rias stared, stunned. "You actually used a Sacred Gear for… for that?!"
Only Tenra would use a legendary artifact for something so… so shameless. If the god who created Sacred Gears found out, he'd probably drop dead from rage.
But Tenra just shrugged, utterly unconcerned. "A Sacred Gear's a tool—a weapon. It exists to be used. If it can make us happy, why not use it for pleasure?"
He brushed his fingers across her cheek, lips curling in anticipation. "So? Want to try again?"
Rias's blush deepened. She couldn't meet his eyes. A proper lady should refuse—should hold out against this wicked villain. But her body ached, her heart yearned, and desire drowned out every ounce of restraint.
She didn't want to admit it, but… she wanted more. She wanted that bliss again.
"…I do."
It took all her courage, but in the end, modesty and reason lost to longing.
Tenra's smile was dazzling. "As you wish, my princess."
He rolled atop her, pinning her gently. Rias gasped, and the room filled again with wicked laughter and tangled limbs. Akeno, Asia, Xenovia, and Irina, roused by the commotion, stumbled sleepily into the fray.
Pleasure surged, addictive and wild. They knew they shouldn't give in, but none could resist the hunger for more.
By the time the group finally emerged from the bedroom, afternoon sunlight flooded the house.
Sona, reviewing documents with her Queen, Shinra Tsubaki, glanced up as the group appeared. Her tone was dry as dust. "Rias, you've fallen."
Rias flushed, wishing she could sink through the floor. Sona wasn't wrong—she really had fallen. Xenovia and Irina looked just as embarrassed. Only Tenra, shameless as ever, seemed unaffected.
Tenra glanced around. "Just you two here? Where's Yubelluna and the others?"
Sona replied, "They went shopping. Picking up some things for Valerie and Elmenhilde."
Having spent the day locked away, missing both breakfast and lunch, Asia and Akeno headed for the kitchen to cook. Rias, desperate for an escape from embarrassment, jumped at the chance to help—even if the Gremory princess's talents leaned more toward tasting than cooking.
Tenra settled beside Sona and Tsubaki, peering at the papers they studied. Something caught his eye.
"Sona, your school's finished?"
She nodded, a proud smile flickering. "It's done. In Agares territory."
"Not Sitri land?"
Sona sighed, remembering. "A lot happened. In the end, Agares was the best choice."
She explained: Sona's dream was a school where anyone—regardless of rank—could learn the Rating Game. But opposition came from every corner. Some paranoid nobles even whispered that Serafall, Sona's big sister, was using the school for her own political ends.
Serafall had always supported Sona, but only out of pure, unconditional love—no hidden agenda. Still, her attitude set off alarm bells among the old-blooded, tradition-bound politicians. To them, a "Rating Game school for everyone" was heresy.
Objections piled up. Pressure mounted. If Serafall pushed harder, it would look like "Leviathan's political scheme."
Sona had nearly given up—didn't want her sister dragged into controversy. Then, unexpectedly, Duke Agares, Seekvaira's father, offered to host the school on his territory. His reputation deflected suspicion, and with the site in Agares, critics had no ground to complain.
Tenra nodded, though his voice held a trace of reproach. "We owe Duke Agares. But Sona, next time, you should tell me and Rias."
Sona shook her head. "Rias knew and wanted to help—I refused. If you two got involved, things would get messy. It might hurt the Gremory or Phoenix families."
Tenra fixed her with a serious look. "Sona, it's kind of you not to trouble us, but you're missing the point."
"You're Rias's best friend. My fiancée. We're family. Your problems are our problems. Don't try to shoulder everything alone just because you're afraid to burden us."
He met her eyes, voice gentle but firm. "I'll let it go this time. Next time, I'll be upset."
Something warm stirred in Sona's heart. Her eyes softened.
"…I understand."
"One month until winter break. The school's hosting an open house. Tsubaki and I have to help. You all should come, too."
Tenra smiled. "Count us in."
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