The Occult Research Club room remained steeped in heavy silence, broken only by the faint ticking of the wall clock. The lingering fragrance of tea still hung in the air, a trace of the earlier conversation, while light filtered through the crimson curtains, tinting the atmosphere with warmth and introspection.
Rias sat in her chair, leaning slightly forward, elbows resting on the table and her hands folded before her face. Her gaze, fixed on a vague point of the polished surface, was not distracted but calculating. Her mind worked over the figure of Gasper—what he might become and the void of knowledge she held about vampires. Entrusting such a matter to her brother was not an option; there were things she preferred to keep far from Sirzechs's ears.
The soft sound of footsteps approached in the corridor, distinct against the wooden floor. The door opened with restrained ease, revealing two familiar figures. Sona Shitori entered first, upright posture and analytical gaze, followed closely by Tsubaki Shinra, whose serene expression concealed any immediate thought.
Their arrival shifted the atmosphere almost imperceptibly. Rias lifted her eyes, her expression—slightly tense before—softening at the presence of the student council president. In silence, she watched them cross the room. Their presence here was never without purpose.
Sona stopped in front of Rias's desk, her eyes discreetly assessing her friend, while Tsubaki stood by her side, hands folded before her body. The vice president's stillness did little to hide the subtle curiosity that flickered in the arch of her brows.
"Rias… I hope this isn't a bad time."
"Not at all. In fact… perhaps you can help me."
Rias's gaze glimmered differently. The thought had risen almost instinctively: if she needed to learn more about vampires without involving her brother, Sona might be a valuable ally.
Sona tilted her head slightly, intrigued. The silent exchange stretched for a few seconds until Rias, calm as though placing an important card on the table, revealed the fact.
"Gasper left his room today."
The effect was immediate. Sona's slight widening of her eyes was almost imperceptible, but enough to reveal genuine surprise. At her side, Tsubaki's discreet curiosity slipped through—a subtle lift of her brows and renewed brightness in her gaze, as though gauging the importance of the revelation.
"That's… unexpected."
"It was for me too."
Rias leaned back in her chair, letting the statement carry its weight.
"But it's a welcome surprise. I had started to think that day might never come. Today, he took his first step."
Sona adjusted her glasses with a precise gesture, weighing her friend's tone. "And you want to make sure it won't be his last."
"Exactly."
Her crimson gaze sharpened.
"Gasper has potential I don't fully understand. He's… different. Half vampire, half Devil. I need to understand the half I don't know."
Beside them, Tsubaki remained silent, her serene eyes indicating she absorbed every word.
Sona crossed her arms, her expression already weighing the request before it was spoken.
"Rias, I know some things about vampires. Basic information, weaknesses, a few customs. But… it's not enough to train Gasper. Certainly not enough to prepare him for anything beyond simple control."
Rias studied her friend's face for a few seconds. "Then you suggest…?"
"You mentioned he's half Devil." Sona placed her hands lightly on the desk, her tone dropping into something more thoughtful.
"That opens another possibility. You could ask Grayfia to help him. She has the discipline, the combat knowledge, the experience to shape that side. And more importantly… she's someone you can trust."
The idea lingered between them like a new piece set on the board. Rias let the silence stretch, her hands clasped beneath her chin as her gaze drifted into the distance, weighing each implication. The tea's scent had already dissipated, replaced by the faint aroma of wood and paper.
Sona waited without pressing, while Tsubaki stood like a silent sentinel, calm eyes but sharply attentive.
Rias knew the proposal had merit. Grayfia was not only the Gremory Clan's Head Maid, but a fighter feared and respected across the Underworld. Entrusting Gasper to her would expose him, but it could also accelerate his growth in ways Rias could not replicate alone.
Rias PoV
I never wanted to involve family. I've always preferred to solve my own problems within my circle, without leaning on names or blood ties to justify my choices. Involving Sirzechs was never part of my plans.
But I have to admit… Sona is right.
What I know about vampires amounts to shallow information—scraps of stories, technical details, none of it enough to shape a warrior. Gasper is different. Half Devil, half vampire, and that mix demands more than I can offer alone.
Grayfia… her name carries a weight few can understand. Discipline, coldness, flawless technique. If anyone can turn the uncertainty that is Gasper into a reliable piece, it's her.
Accepting this means surrendering part of my control. It means exposing a secret I had been ready to guard. It means admitting that, alone, I can't reach where I need to be.
But time isn't on my side. My engagement with Riser tightens like a chain each day, and every gap in my peerage is a weakness he can exploit. If Grayfia can accelerate Gasper's growth, perhaps… perhaps she's the key to breaking those chains before they close for good.
I don't like depending on anyone. But in this game, refusing help may cost far more than accepting it.
Rias PoV – end
"You're right, Sona."
The faint smile on the student council president's face carried the certainty of someone who had always known as much. There was something almost provocative in the ease with which she received Rias's agreement.
Rias raised an eyebrow, tilting her head slightly.
"Then tell me… why did you really come here? Besides the privilege of gracing me with your presence."
"I wanted to see how you're doing." Sona's tone was calm, but the firmness in her gaze showed it was not mere courtesy. "And of course, I wanted to hear how your peerage recruitment is going."
Rias sighed, her shoulders relaxing slightly.
"Badly… very badly."
Sona stayed silent, letting her continue. At her side, Tsubaki stood still, her watchful eyes betraying the faintest trace of curiosity.
"I've been searching, but haven't found anyone with potential worth the risk. Each passing day I feel Riser's advantage grow, while I remain with gaps I can't fill."
"That is concerning."
Sona's words carried no reproach, only statement. "You know that without completing your peerage, entering a Rating Game against him will be far more dangerous."
"I know." Rias's crimson gaze fell to the desk's surface for a moment. "But I won't accept anyone just to fill space. If it doesn't truly strengthen us, it's not worth it."
The silence that followed weighed heavy. Sona stayed motionless, though the subtle rigidity in her gaze revealed she didn't approve of Rias's reasoning.
"If properly trained, Gasper will make a difference." Her firm tone came as she rose naturally from her seat.
Shff.
Beside her, Tsubaki shifted her gaze toward the president, as if expecting her to add more. The air grew taut with silent tension, but no further words were spoken.
"Then… until next time, Rias."
"Until next time, Sona."
The door closed softly as Sona left the room, her footsteps and Tsubaki's echoing down the corridor until fading into the distance.
The sound of their soles against the wooden floor grew quieter with each step, until silence reclaimed the hallway.
Tsubaki kept pace with her president, walking beside her without rushing or lagging. Her calm, attentive gaze flicked to Sona in passing.
"Why didn't you tell Rias about your discovery?" The question was neutral, though tinged with curiosity.
Sona didn't answer right away. The slight adjustment of her glasses betrayed her careful choice of words.
"Because, this time, it's not something I want to share."
Tsubaki's eyes drifted briefly away before returning to her friend.
"Not something I usually hear from you."
"I know."
Sona's tone carried unusual firmness, as though the decision had already been sealed. "But I've spent too much time putting others first. Today, I'll think of myself first."
The rest of the walk passed in silence. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence, but one heavy with the weight of a choice Tsubaki understood would not be reversed.
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