The first thing Shuo saw when he cracked open his eyes was the clock: already past ten in the morning. He stretched, rolled out of bed, and, after the usual routine—wash up, breakfast—headed out into the world.
It was a rare day off, and Kuoh Town was buzzing. Students crowded the streets, laughter and chatter replacing the usual sleepy calm. But Shuo had other plans. While everyone else enjoyed their free time, he was making for the academy.
He needed to get stronger. That meant more mission rewards—so today's goal was simple: hunt down and complete as many academy-side quests as possible.
Top of the list? The other Devil stronghold on campus—the Student Council.
But before he even reached the school gates, fate (or maybe something more deliberate) handed him a gift: standing right in his path were two of the people he most wanted to meet.
Sona Sitri, President of the Student Council. And at her side, her ever-composed vice president, Tsubaki Shinra.
"Well, well… President Sona, Shinra-san. What are the odds?" Shuo greeted them with a relaxed smile.
Sona's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "Quite the coincidence, isn't it, Nangong-kun? I was actually just looking for you. Though, tell me—why the half-asleep act? Trying to throw people off your scent?"
There was a glint of amusement—and something sharper—behind her glasses as she studied him.
Shuo's mouth twitched. He could already guess whose fault this was. That gossip-monger Tsubasa must have been running her mouth again, spinning tales until he sounded like some kind of enigma.
Of course. Classic Tsubasa.
"I'm not hiding anything. This is just how I am, Sona-san, really—"
He didn't even get to finish before Tsubaki cut in, voice crisp and direct. "If you're planning to keep playing dumb, Nangong-san, there's really no point."
Shuo gave up the act with an internal sigh. No use pretending now—not with these two. Still, he couldn't help but curse Tsubasa under his breath. What nonsense had she exaggerated this time?
What Shuo didn't realize was that this "coincidence" had been carefully orchestrated. From the moment he'd left home, Sona's familiars had been shadowing him, making sure their paths would "just happen" to cross.
Ding! Target identified: Sona Sitri. Mission Rank: Red. Objective: Refuse to become her Peerage member and help her recruit a Sacred Gear user.
Ding! Target identified: Tsubaki Shinra. Mission Rank: Red. Objective: Defeat her in direct combat!
Shuo's eyes flicked over the new missions, and he couldn't help but smile. Two High-Class Devils—no surprise the system rated them Red Tier. After yesterday's Rinnegan windfall, seeing two more Red Tier missions pop up had his heart racing.
Sona's mission was a mixed bag. Refusing her Peerage offer? Easy. But finding her a new Peerage member with a Sacred Gear… now that was tricky. No way he'd hand over a guy, but girls with Sacred Gears were practically unicorns. Unless…
Wait. He still had the Black Dragon Pulse—that Sacred Gear he'd stripped from Saji.
How could he have forgotten? Why search for a candidate when he could just find a girl he knew and implant the Sacred Gear directly? Problem solved. This mission was practically a freebie.
Tsubaki's mission was even simpler. He might not be able to go all-out, but with his current quasi-Satan-class power, Tsubaki's early High-Class Devil level wasn't much of a threat.
Lost in thought, Shuo's face shifted from frowns to grins, and back again. Sona, watching, found herself genuinely curious—what could possibly be going through his mind?
"Nangong-kun," Sona said, dropping all pretense, "since we've run into each other, I'll be direct. I'm sure you already know why I sought you out. Tsubasa's told me all about you—your talent, your potential. So I'll ask plainly: would you consider becoming a member of my Peerage?"
Shuo sighed, recognizing the scene all too well.
"You really are just like Rias, aren't you? But I'm sure Tsubasa already told you—I've already turned Rias down. I'm not interested in becoming a Devil, at least not right now. Sorry, Sona-san."
Sona nodded, as if she'd expected this. "Tsubasa did tell me. But I wanted to ask for myself. I won't give up that easily, though. In this, I'm a lot like Rias—when I want something, I don't back down. I'm sure she's the same."
She wore disappointment with grace—no drama, just a flicker of regret in her eyes.
Shuo couldn't help but laugh. "You and Rias really are two of a kind. Even your recruitment tactics are identical. But that's what makes you both so charming, Sona."
A faint blush colored Sona's cheeks. "Thank you, Nangong-kun. I'm honored."
After a few more pleasantries, Shuo decided it was time to move on. Now that the system had handed him his next set of objectives, he needed to start planning.
"Well, I've got some things to take care of. If you'll excuse me—see you around, Sona-san, Tsubaki-san."
He gave them a polite nod and headed off toward the classroom buildings.
Tsubaki watched his retreating figure, then turned to Sona. "President, why not let me challenge him directly? If I beat him, wouldn't it be easier to recruit him?"
Sona shook her head, her tone calm. "Rias found him first, and she's already made her intentions clear. I owe her the courtesy of asking before we do anything drastic. When the time is right, I'll get her blessing—and then you can have your match."
Tsubaki nodded, accepting the explanation. "Understood. I'll look forward to a proper fight with Nangong-kun."
With that, Sona led Tsubaki toward the Occult Research Club. She wanted to sit down with Rias and have a real conversation about Shuo.
—
Meanwhile, Shuo wandered the academy's halls, aimless but alert. It had been a busy morning—he'd scoured nearly every corner of the school, but not a single new mission had triggered. Frustrating.
Wait, was he seeing things?
A girl with brown hair in braids and glasses stepped into view, catching his eye.
No way… Aika Kiryuu.
In the original story, she'd been Issei's classmate and Asia's friend—one of the rare girls who could keep up with the pervert trio, always ready with a teasing remark. Glasses, a mischievous grin, and, according to rumor, a "supernatural eye" that could measure a guy's… well, measurements. She loved teaching Asia all sorts of risqué knowledge and was infamous for her dirty jokes. The "Master," the "veteran driver" of the class.
Shuo grinned. Maybe today wouldn't be so uneventful after all.