"Akeno, are you… serious?" Rias looked at her friend.
"What do you think, Rias? If you end up refusing, don't blame me for snatching Luo Guang for myself." Akeno gave a faint smile.
Rias's heart was a mix of emotions. "In any case, I'll talk to Luo Guang again. It's too risky for him to face Riser and his familiars all by himself."
Luo Guang wasn't worried about the upcoming contest. At most, Riser was a high-class devil. But even without the Boosted Gear and the Holy Sword Est, Luo Guang himself had the power of a top-class devil. Now that he could use his Longinus's Balance Breaker at will, his strength was even greater than a regular Demon King's. Even if the entire Phenex family, from the elders to the children, were to challenge him, they wouldn't be qualified.
As for revealing his Longinus, Luo Guang believed that his ability to use the Balance Breaker would be enough to make some people suppress any thoughts of harming him.
Of course, Luo Guang was a man who didn't feel very secure. He wasn't satisfied with just the Balance Breaker. He would only be satisfied when he could unlock the Juggernaut Drive mode, which was his current goal.
Back in the classroom, Luo Guang noticed a lot of people staring at him. He was used to it. But one person's gaze was especially intense. If looks could kill, Luo Guang would have been burned to ashes a thousand times by the eyes of a certain "blonde loser."
After class ended, just as Luo Guang was about to go home, a golden figure flashed into his line of sight. The girl's twin tails swung back and forth, a sign of her anxious heart. Her pretty face showed a hint of nervousness, but as Luo Guang looked at her, the anxiety in her eyes was quickly hidden.
"H-Hikaru, do you have... have time this weekend? My mom said it's been a long time since she's seen you and wanted to invite you to dinner this weekend." Besides a slight stutter at the beginning, the rest of her words came out surprisingly smoothly. But after she spoke, Eriri entered a long and frustrating waiting period. She had never considered what she would do if he refused.
Luo Guang looked at his half-childhood friend with interest. Before his awakening, they had attended the same school. After his awakening, although he still kept in touch with her, it wasn't as frequent as before. This was especially true after they started high school. Luo Guang had put most of his energy into training and had neglected the girl's feelings. If he refused her now, what would Eriri become?
But he wasn't that heartless. The contest was exactly three days away, on the weekend.
"I have time on Saturday."
Hearing this, Eriri's eyes lit up. It was like a flower blooming in early spring, and even the scent around her became more refreshing.
"I'll go back and have my mom prepare. I also finished a new piece of art recently that will definitely impress you!"
"I hope you've truly improved." Luo Guang finished speaking and walked out of the classroom. Eriri saw this and grabbed her school bag to follow him.
"By the way, after starting high school, you've been surprisingly popular with girls, Luo Guang. It seems like the eyes of the entire school are on you. Even the most popular girls have tried to talk to you..." There was a hint of jealousy in her voice.
"Given my circumstances, it would be strange if I wasn't popular with girls. A sunflower always faces the sun. The only way for that to change is if the sun goes out."
Eriri really wanted to call him a narcissist, but after looking into the eyes of the young man next to her, she swallowed the words. Although it sounded laughable, it was true. Besides that, Luo Guang had a presence that made people want to be near him. This charm was what fascinated her the most.
Noticing the look of adoration in Eriri's eyes, Luo Guang smiled faintly. In front of him, even the "blonde loser" from his memories would change.
The two separated at the school gate. Before leaving, Eriri was still reluctant and reminded him repeatedly, "You have to come on Saturday morning, okay?" Her voice was not loud, but many people heard it and started gossiping about their relationship.
Luo Guang was unfazed. He simply nodded, got on his motorcycle, and quickly went home.
Inside the villa, Asia happily ran out when she heard the sound. She was like a child eagerly waiting for her parents to return home.
"I have something to tell you. You don't have to stay here anymore starting tomorrow."
Misunderstanding Luo Guang's words, tears welled up in Asia's eyes. But Luo Guang's next sentence made her face light up.
"I have registered you for Kuoh Academy. You'll start school tomorrow."