That afternoon, Shuo received a message from Akeno Himejima—an invitation to the Occult Research Club. Her tone was unusually serious. "You must come. There's something important we need to discuss."
Shuo raised an eyebrow, puzzled. What could be so urgent that it couldn't be said over the phone? Still, he agreed.
Evening fell. After wrapping up some paperwork for Sona, Shuo made his way to the clubroom.
"Ara, Shuo-chan, you finally honored us with your presence," Akeno greeted him, her signature mischievous smile in place. "If we hadn't invited you, would you still be drowning in the Student Council's tender embrace, too busy to visit us?"
Shuo rolled his eyes, grinning. "Don't frame me like that. It's only natural for a man to spend time with his girlfriends. Besides, I was just helping Sona with some paperwork."
He scanned the room. Kiba and Koneko were here too—both looking unusually tense. Even Kiyome and Asia sat quietly on the couch, unease flickering in their eyes.
"Why is everyone here? Not even Kiba or Koneko are out on missions today?" Shuo asked, genuinely curious.
No one answered. The tension in the room was thick enough to cut.
Then Rias stepped forward, her face a mix of guilt and resolve. She wrapped her arms around Shuo, pressing her head into his chest. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this, Shuo-kun. But if I have to choose… I'd rather be with you than with him."
"Him?" Shuo's arms instinctively circled Rias's waist. "Wait—don't tell me it's that devil you're engaged to?"
Akeno's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Ara, so you do know. Well then, let's see what you're made of."
Shuo's lips curled into a confident smirk. "Don't worry. I'm not about to let anyone take Rias from me. Just watch—I'll show you all."
His declaration drew a round of knowing smiles from the group.
He settled onto the sofa, waiting for the infamous "turkey" to make his grand entrance.
Night deepened. Conversation drifted, but Rias remained tense. Even in the warmth of the clubroom, a chill clung to her skin.
Then, Shuo's eyes narrowed. His recent magical training had sharpened his senses—he felt the presence before anyone else.
"He's here."
A crimson magic circle flared in the center of the room, bathing everyone in scarlet light. Hearts skipped a beat.
From the circle stepped a man in a flamboyant red suit, golden hair slicked back, followed by a girl in a frilly dress, her twin-drill curls bouncing with every step.
The girl's beauty was striking—delicate features, porcelain skin, and, despite her petite frame, a figure that defied logic. Ravel Phoenix, the Phoenix family's cherished princess.
Riser Phoenix's voice oozed arrogance as he strode forward. "Oh, Rias, my dearest fiancée, did you miss me? I—"
He didn't get to finish.
"Who taught you to talk like that, you flashy clown? Look at me, you bastard turkey—I've been waiting for you."
Shuo rose to his feet, eyes cold and mocking, fixing Riser with a stare that cut right through him.
Riser blinked, momentarily thrown. How did they all know he was coming? Why did it feel like he'd walked straight into a trap?
For a heartbeat, silence reigned—then the room erupted with laughter. Even Ravel pressed a hand to her lips, struggling not to giggle at her brother's expense, her gaze lingering curiously on Shuo.
Riser's irritation deepened as the laughter echoed. He would have ignored Shuo entirely—if not for the sight of Shuo's hand entwined with Rias's.
His expression darkened. "Hey! What's your relationship with Rias? Let go of my fiancée's hand, now!" His voice was icy, each word laced with fury.
All eyes turned to Shuo.
Before Rias could say a word, Shuo swept her into his arms, settling her onto his lap with a cocky grin. "What's our relationship? We're lovers, obviously. Rias belongs to me—body and soul."
!!!
The girls stared, slack-jawed. No one had expected Shuo to be so brazen.
"Shuo-kun…!" Rias gasped, caught between shock and a flutter of secret delight.
Koneko frowned, her gaze complicated but silent. Kiba, meanwhile, shot Shuo a discreet thumbs-up—respect, bro.
Akeno just chuckled, eyes twinkling. "My, my… such a bold claim."
And so, as the tension crackled and the "turkey" fumed, the stage was set for a showdown that would shake the entire clubroom.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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