The next day during PE, Shuo sprawled comfortably on the grass, soaking up the sun and watching Rias, Akeno, and the other girls jog around the track. Their ponytails bounced, laughter carried on the breeze, and every now and then, a flash of athletic grace caught his eye.
Ah, bliss. If there's a secret to happiness, it's this: good weather and beautiful girls. Like the saying goes—admiring the view is its own reward.
"Hentai, Nangong-senpai! Peeping on girls again?"
A chilly voice cut through his reverie. Shuo glanced over his shoulder. Koneko, dressed in crisp white gym clothes, fixed him with a look that could freeze lava.
He grinned, unbothered. "Hey, Koneko, don't call it peeping. I'm just appreciating beauty. You shouldn't slander an art critic."
Koneko's cheeks colored, but her glare didn't waver. "Only you could make being a pervert sound poetic. And I don't need extra fat—being small is better for fighting."
Shuo laughed, delighted. "That's what makes you so cute, Koneko! Honestly, you're so adorable I almost want to scoop you up and spoil you rotten."
She sputtered, face burning. "Pervert! If you weren't you, I'd have punched you into the wall by now."
Shuo just winked, stretching out on the grass. If anyone else tried this, they'd be in traction.
Before he could tease her further, a familiar figure drifted into view—a tall, blonde girl with a sharp gaze. Something about her rang a bell, but the name wouldn't come.
"Ding! Sign-in character detected: Kiyome Abe. Task Level: Green. Mission: Break her fixed mindset—make her a fangirl!"
Ah, right. Kiyome Abe. Senior year, tennis club president, scion of the Abe family—famous beast tamers. She could command magical creatures with a word and knew more about monster lore than half the teachers. But she had zero respect for the devils at Kuoh Academy.
This task sounded tricky, but the solution was simple. She looked down on devils? Find someone she'd never expect—a rookie devil—who could crush her pride.
And as for making her a fangirl? Well, he had a few tricks up his sleeve.
After classes, Shuo tracked down Aika, made his excuses to Rias and Sona, and slipped away. Aika peppered him with questions, but he just winked and said, "Secret mission."
They arrived at the tennis club. Girls glanced up, some giggling, some whispering—Shuo's reputation as Kuoh's resident heartthrob was well-earned.
But Kiyome met his arrival with cool indifference. "Nangong-kun, what brings you to the tennis club?" Her tone was polite, but her eyes held a hint of annoyance.
She'd heard the rumors—Occult Research Club, devils, supernatural weirdness. Anyone close to Rias was suspect, and she wasn't about to cozy up to a devil.
Shuo smirked, folding his arms. "I'm here to challenge you, President Abe. What do you say—up for a match?"
Aika shot him a look. She'd heard stories about Shuo's habit of humiliating challengers. Now she watched Kiyome with a mix of pity and curiosity.
Kiyome bristled, pride flaring. "Fine. Just don't lose your nerve when you're outmatched."
A devil, challenging her? She'd make him regret it.
But Shuo didn't hold back. He swept the court, leaving Kiyome staring in disbelief, her confidence shattered.
"You came here just to humiliate me, didn't you?" she muttered, voice low and dark.
Shuo shook his head, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Not at all. Actually, I wanted to discuss something with you—something I guarantee you'll find interesting."
Kiyome eyed him warily, suspicion written all over her face. But curiosity won out, and she nodded.
He led her and Aika to a secluded corner of the campus. With a flick of his hand, he wove a barrier—magic humming in the air, invisible to ordinary eyes.
Kiyome recoiled, instantly on guard. "What are you doing?"
Shuo kept his tone calm. "Relax. The barrier's just so we aren't interrupted. I'm not here to hurt you."
Kiyome stayed tense, but didn't run. Aika looked between them, thoroughly confused.
Shuo got straight to the point. "I want you to join me. Be my partner. What do you say?"
Kiyome scoffed. "Join a devil? Not a chance. If that's all you wanted, save your breath—I'm leaving."
As she turned to go, Shuo's voice took on a mocking edge. "Wow. The heir to a beast tamer clan, reduced to playing with harmless little pets. Can't even beat a devil. That's just sad."
Kiyome froze, anger flaring in her eyes. "What did you say? Harmless pets? I can't even beat a devil?"
Shuo pressed his advantage. "Did I stutter? You couldn't even beat my girlfriend, who just became a devil. Don't believe me? Go ahead—challenge her."
Aika's jaw dropped. How did she become the pawn in this game?
Kiyome's pride wouldn't let her back down. "Fine! I'll show you what a true beast tamer can do. After I crush your girlfriend, then we'll see what you're really made of."
Aika shot Shuo a look—half exasperation, half disbelief. "Seriously? How did I end up in the middle of this?"
Shuo just grinned. "Believe in yourself, Aika. Win, and I'll give you a reward."
Aika rolled her eyes, but squared her shoulders. Challenge accepted.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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