The cool afternoon air wrapped around them as they stepped through the glass doors of the mall. The last lights of the day painted the sky in shades of orange, while street lamps and neon signs flickered on, casting colorful reflections across the shop windows. The constant hum of footsteps, voices, and engines filled the backdrop with vibrant noise.
Gasper walked with a different bearing than the one he had carried just hours earlier. His once long and unkempt hair was now clean, cut, and neatly styled, pale strands falling naturally over his forehead. The feminine clothes were gone; in their place, a casual masculine outfit—an open-collared shirt, dark pants, and discreet shoes—conveyed comfort and elegance without excess.
At his side, Akeno carried several bags, a smile bright on her face. There was genuine satisfaction in the results of their shopping, though a nearly imperceptible trace of disappointment lingered. As much as she appreciated his new look, she couldn't deny she missed the "timid doll" she had so much fun teasing and showing off.
"You look so different, Gasper-kun."
Her voice was light, almost musical, though tinged with a subtle note of both teasing and assessment. Her violet eyes traced every detail of his new appearance, as if cataloging it for later use.
"I just want to feel more like myself."
The answer came simply, shaped by his usual façade, but carried a calm that betrayed something new. It wasn't nervous timidity anymore—it was measured tranquility, as though he were testing his own control over his image.
Akeno's gaze lingered for a moment before she released a sigh, her smile caught between pride and disappointment.
"I think I'll miss that other version."
Gasper PoV
I felt my blood heat faintly. Another version. She talks as if I were some toy that's lost its charm. She has no idea how suffocating it was to live trapped in that pathetic image, stuffed into clothes I never chose, pretending I fit into them.
This wasn't just a haircut and a wardrobe change. It was ripping away a weight I'd carried since the moment I woke up in this body. Now, every step I take without that skirt is a reminder that I'm closer to who I want to be. Closer to who I need to be.
I want more than just shedding a ridiculous wardrobe. I want strength. Enough strength that I'll never again need to pretend to be fragile, never again bow to looks of pity or mockery.
If Akeno misses that "version," it's because she enjoyed playing with it. Good for her. But I won't miss it in the slightest.
Gasper PoV – end
Akeno tilted her head slightly, as though studying the silence hanging in the air. Then, in a curious, light tone, she asked:
"And now, Gasper-kun… where are you going?"
"To school."
The simple reply drew a short laugh from her.
"School? No, no… the President's already decided. You're going straight to the mansion. You won't be living in that room… or that cardboard box anymore."
'How stupid of me… of course it makes no sense. In the anime, it seemed so natural that everyone was always at school, as if it were the only place they existed. But here… Rias doesn't live in that building. Obviously, she has her own mansion in Kuoh. A place for her peerage, for training, for living. And I… I never truly thought about that.'
Akeno adjusted the shopping bags in her free hand and glanced sideways at him, her smile curling with playful amusement.
"Will you miss your cardboard box? I can ask the President to set aside a corner in the mansion, just so you feel at home."
Gasper's tone stayed neutral, though the mask of timidity was clear in the way he averted his gaze.
"No… I think I can survive without it."
Akeno chuckled softly, pleased with the reaction, and resumed walking. The sun was giving way to the first lights of night, their reflections in the windows marking not only the day's end, but the close of an entire stage of his life.
Rias's Mansion
The main hall glowed with warm, soft light filtered through classic-style lamps. Heavy curtains muffled the sounds outside, creating an atmosphere of comfort and exclusivity. The sweet scent of freshly served tea mingled with the faint perfume of flowers in low vases scattered across side tables.
Koneko was sunk into one of the smaller couches, holding a small open box of artisanal sweets. With short, precise motions, she lifted each piece to her mouth, chewing slowly, savoring every detail of sugar and filling.
Rias occupied the larger couch, posture relaxed yet eyes gleaming with intent. Her voice, when it broke the silence, carried a gentle weight heavy with meaning.
"Today, you're all going to have a surprise."
Kiba, seated opposite her, maintained perfect composure. His back straight, hands on his knee, his attentive gaze fixed on Rias. There was a spark of curiosity in his eyes, tempered by respect, as though awaiting instructions he would not rush.
"May I ask what kind of surprise, President?"
Rias's lips curved in an almost enigmatic smile. "Not yet. But I can tell you it'll be something… different from what you expect."
Koneko lifted her eyes briefly, still holding a sweet between her fingers. "Why isn't Akeno here?"
Rias rested her chin in her hand, her tone casual. "Because she's the one bringing the surprise."
Koneko blinked slowly, turning her gaze back to the box of sweets.
'Could it be more sweets? Or maybe… a new peerage member.'
From a distance, Akeno pointed toward the illuminated building atop a small rise. External lights highlighted the mansion's elegant, imposing lines, with white columns and wide windows reflecting the night's glow. The stone path, flanked by trimmed bushes, led to the main entrance, where two grand wooden doors stood beneath an ornate arch.
Their steps slowed as they reached the gate. Silence settled, heavy and nearly solemn, broken only by the faint rustle of leaves stirred by the wind. The mansion's façade cast a wide shadow across the garden, as if watching every visitor.
Gasper kept his gaze fixed on the building, analyzing every visible detail. The structure's presence went beyond its size; it carried an air of history, a place that guarded both authority and secrets.
Akeno stopped beside him, shopping bags still in one hand. Turning slightly toward the mansion, she broke the silence with a soft tone.
"This is the mansion where the President lives. Starting today, it'll be your home too."
The glow of the windows spilled outward, warming her words. She resumed her stride, passing through the wrought-iron gate. Gasper followed, the sound of their shoes echoing rhythmically against the stone path as they advanced slowly toward the entrance.
As they approached, Akeno gestured toward the breadth of the estate.
"There's plenty of space here. Halls, a library, training areas, gardens… Whatever you need, you'll find. Quite different from that cardboard box, don't you think?"
The grand door opened smoothly, revealing an interior lit by crystal chandeliers and adorned with flawless furniture. The scent of polished wood and fresh flowers filled the air, inviting them across the threshold from a confined past into a new routine awaiting inside.
Akeno stepped into the hall and turned back to him, her expression softened by a calm smile.
"Welcome to the Gremory mansion."
Gasper stopped at the doorway, his eyes sweeping the illuminated interior. The chandeliers' glow reflected off polished wooden walls, revealing old portraits and carved details that spoke of centuries of history and tradition.
'I have no memory of this mansion… it's hard to believe the boy whose body I inherited once traveled from the Underworld to here without ever leaving that box.'
The air was thick with the blend of fresh flowers and furniture polish, so different from the musty staleness of the room he had left behind. The muffled sounds of voices and footsteps mingled with the faint clink of porcelain from somewhere nearby.
Akeno moved further into the main hall, her heels striking a calm rhythm on the polished floor. White columns lined the sides, supporting a high ceiling where a central chandelier cast warm light throughout the space.
"Come. The President is waiting."
Gasper's feet touched the gleaming floor, a faint echo trailing each step. The corridor stretched ahead, flanked by heavy wooden doors and portraits of imposing figures staring down in silence.
In the adjacent salon, Rias rose from her seat as soon as they entered. Her crimson gaze swept over Gasper's new look from head to toe, and a shadow of satisfaction crossed her face.
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