The mood in the hot spring was electric—Draconis could feel every curve and contour of Akeno's body pressed against him, her arms looped around his neck with zero hesitation. The sensation was impossible to ignore.
Rias's expression darkened by the second as she watched her friend cling to him. "Enough. Let him go, Akeno. What do you think you're doing?"
Akeno just smiled, unbothered. "What's wrong with getting close to a comrade? We've fought side by side. Isn't it natural to bond a little?"
Draconis could only sigh. When these two started in, it was always a headache.
But Akeno's teasing had an edge tonight. She glanced at Rias, voice dropping to a whisper. "Rias, don't tell me you've actually fallen for Draconis?"
The question hit like a splash of cold water. Rias, Koneko, and Asia all froze for a beat. Draconis raised an eyebrow, keeping his silence. Now he understood—Akeno was testing Rias's reaction.
Rias took her time before answering, her voice calm but steady. "And why not?"
Akeno fell silent, her smile fading as she sighed inwardly. So it was true—Rias really did care that much. You could see it in the way she'd bristled when Asia ended up in Draconis's arms.
But Rias's family… that was a whole other problem.
Akeno's next words were quiet, almost out of nowhere. "Is that really okay?"
Koneko and Asia looked confused, but Rias and Draconis both understood. Akeno was talking about the engagement—the pureblood devil family politics that always hung over Rias's head.
Rias's answer was firm. "My life is mine to decide."
If only it were that simple. Draconis and Akeno both knew better, and Akeno suddenly understood why Draconis trained so hard—he was fighting for more than just power.
The pressure was real, and it pressed down on all of them.
Draconis gently patted Akeno's arm. "Let go, Akeno."
She released him, smoothing her wet hair back, her playful mood gone.
Asia and Koneko still looked lost. "Did something happen?" Asia asked.
Draconis kept his voice calm. "Nothing big. Just a little trouble. We'll handle it."
But in Rias and Akeno's eyes, the truth was bitter—this wasn't "little trouble." Rias's family was pureblood, high-ranking devils. Even with Rias's own status, she couldn't just ignore them. And time was running out.
Rias composed herself. "Enough. We're done talking about this." She cut off anything Akeno might have said, her tone decisive. "Akeno, tomorrow you're coming with me to the Underworld. We might be there a few days—get ready."
Draconis's gaze sharpened. Across the pool, Koneko and Asia looked like they wanted to object, but Draconis shook his head, signaling them to stay quiet.
Akeno pressed her lips together, nodding. She knew Rias well enough—this time, Rias was serious. She was going home to face her family, consequences be damned.
Would it go smoothly? Of course not. But Rias would go anyway, even if she couldn't change the outcome.
"I'll get ready," Akeno said softly.
Rias turned to Draconis, her eyes serious. "Draconis, I'm sorry. You can't come with me yet. You're my last trump card."
Draconis smiled, understanding. "Alright."
He knew this trip to the Underworld wouldn't be easy. Things were about to get complicated.
He stepped forward, ignoring the others, and pulled Rias into a gentle embrace. They held each other close in the steaming water, honest and unguarded.
"Don't worry, Rias. I've never let you down, have I?" His voice was light, but his eyes—golden and intense—carried a quiet power.
Pureblood devils? If push came to shove, he could take them down—even if it meant breaking the world open. If Rias truly had no way out, he wouldn't hold back.
—
The next day, Rias and Akeno left together for the Underworld.
Draconis stayed behind with Koneko and Asia, carrying on with their usual routine—fulfilling summoner requests, keeping busy.
Days passed quickly. Draconis visited the Nakano house daily to tutor the quintuplet sisters. The more time he spent there, the more familiar they all became.
He also made time for Mai Sakurajima, teleporting over every day. The faith contract's power showed itself—Mai's emotional feedback alone matched what he got from all five Nakano sisters combined. And her requests? Mostly just wanting him by her side.
Even without a formal contract, Draconis would've made time for her. Mai was just that thoughtful.
As for the Nakano sisters, their studies were still a disaster. Every day, Draconis had to reteach everything the school covered. Without magic, it would've taken him ages.
At the moment, his only active clients were the Nakano sisters and Mai. His familiars kept distributing flyers, but no new summoners appeared. Nothing he could do about that.
Five days slipped by.
Rias and Akeno hadn't returned, but everyone had braced themselves for a long wait.
—
On the sixth morning, Draconis finished training, showered, and stepped out of the bathroom, towel wrapped around his waist. Suddenly, a surge of magic flickered—teleportation.
He turned to see a violet-red magic circle glowing in his bedroom. Rias's familiar silhouette appeared in the light.
"Welcome back," Draconis said, smiling softly.
But Rias strode over, urgency in her eyes, grabbing his hand.
"Draconis, take me. Now."
"…Not this again." Draconis groaned. "Didn't we agree that wouldn't solve anything?"
"It's the only option left. If we make it a done deal, maybe my family will finally shut up."
She was already stripping off her clothes, Draconis barely out of the shower and still wrapped in a towel. Rias yanked the towel away, tossed it aside, and pushed him onto the bed, straddling him.
"…"
—
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