The scorching sun burned the pavement, while a faint breeze tried to cool the few pedestrians walking down the street.
Daniel strolled calmly beside Koneko on their way to school. It felt strange to him—skipping class, only to show up at dismissal time… and with a basket full of muffins, no less.
He would have preferred arriving later, but Koneko had insisted they hurry. Rias had scheduled the meeting immediately after class, and she didn't want to be late.
Daniel had no choice but to endure the whispers of passing students. The worst part was that many of them were his classmates. He could already imagine the commotion the next day.
Massaging his temples, he arrived at the old school building—the headquarters of the Occult Research Club and, apparently, the gathering place of devils.
He gazed at it in confusion. He had always believed Koneko was the only devil; never had he imagined the school was crawling with them, much less that he himself would end up becoming one.
With a sigh, he tried to calm down. It was the first time he would meet the "boss" face-to-face, and he had no idea how to behave.
Although he had occasionally seen Rias-senpai from a distance, that was before he learned she was a devil and before becoming her servant.
Should he act formal or casual? Cheerful or serious? Nothing came to mind.
He didn't want to leave a bad impression; he wasn't even sure if they could fire him. Still, Koneko had told him the stray devils he killed were those abandoned by their masters or who had run away.
Daniel had no desire to end up as deformed as they were.
Out of ideas, he decided to copy Koneko. She hadn't seemed to have any trouble so far, so he figured that was his best bet.
---
The dim glow of candles illuminated the elegantly decorated room. Drawn curtains gave it a somber air, contrasting with the sunny day outside.
Rias had arranged every detail, wanting the new members to sense the right "atmosphere" to talk about devils. Akeno, who had helped her, stood tall at her side, occasionally serving her tea.
Satisfied with the preparations, Rias cheerfully awaited the rest of the members. Yet, because of the effort she had put in and the heat outside, she felt slightly sweaty.
Seeing there was still time, she decided to take a shower in the bath she had arranged for such occasions.
Just as she began to undress, Koneko and her new recruit, Daniel, arrived.
Both carried a basket covered with a cloth. Rias eyed it curiously; they were holding it together, as if it were too heavy.
Akeno also hesitated. Weren't Koneko and Daniel both "Towers," blessed with great strength and endurance? Was that basket carrying several tons?
On top of that, their expressions were identical. Rias wondered whether Koneko's peculiar attitude had rubbed off on Daniel, or if perhaps their similarity explained their close bond.
Daniel looked like a male version of Koneko, only taller.
Despite her doubts, Rias decided to greet them.
"Koneko, Daniel, welcome. This is the first time we're meeting with Daniel awake, isn't it~?" she said with a bright smile.
Daniel only nodded and placed the basket on the table.
Akeno nearly stopped him. Would the table even hold? If two "Towers" had struggled to carry it, she didn't want to see it collapse. She wondered what could possibly be inside—lead bars?
Intrigued but composed, Rias continued:
"Well, today will be our first meeting since Issei and Daniel joined the household. I already sent Kiba to fetch Issei. Once he's here, we'll begin."
Still uncomfortable with the sweat, she decided to shower anyway.
With a playful smile, she began undressing at the side of the room. She wanted to see if Daniel would falter or if he would keep that blank expression of his even in such a situation.
Once naked, she shot a sideways glance at the couch. Though subtle, she caught faint shifts in Daniel's expression.
With a mischievous smile, she stepped into the bath, drew the curtains, and began to shower.
---
Daniel was bewildered. Were all devils exhibitionists, or was this just Rias's personal quirk? Why had she shown herself in front of him? Was it a test? Or maybe she was pleased with his behavior and wanted to reward him? The questions plagued him: to look or not to look, that was the question. Would watching offend her, or would ignoring her be worse?
Unaware of his turmoil, Koneko watched with amusement as he squirmed on the couch.
She had decided to help him with his odd act only because he had promised her more sweets… and because he clearly looked nervous.
Koneko couldn't understand the source of his insecurity. She couldn't speak for other masters and households, but Rias would never think of dismissing or abandoning him.
The creak of the door snapped them out of their thoughts. Soon, a smiling blond boy and a surprised-looking youth walked in: Kiba and Issei.
Issei's eyes scanned the room in awe until they landed on the small girl on the couch. He remembered seeing her at the other boy's house. And speaking of him, he was sitting right beside her on the same couch.
A shiver ran down Issei's spine. The thought of sleeping naked next to another man still felt like a permanent stain on his reputation—not to mention the nightmare he'd had during a classroom nap. Just recalling it made his body tremble.
A sweet, beautiful voice soon dissolved his discomfort.
"Ara, it looks like we're all here now. Pleased to meet you, my name is Akeno Himejima." Akeno gave a polite bow.
Until then, she had been distracted by the strange basket, so much so she forgot to introduce herself. It wasn't until Issei arrived that she remembered.
Issei's eyes immediately sparkled. Standing before him was a stunning, voluptuous girl with long, sleek black hair, greeting him with a smile. Dazed by her beauty, he could barely stammer a reply. Daniel, still on the couch, only nodded silently.
The sound of running water caught Issei's attention. His gaze fixed on a curtain behind which a feminine silhouette hinted at alluring curves. His blood boiled.
If I just ignore that guy on the couch… this is the best club ever! he thought, fantasizing about Rias and Akeno. Subconsciously, he ignored the white-haired girl. She was beautiful, but she seemed too close to the boy beside her. Issei wanted no part of Daniel.
With a creak, the shower curtain opened, revealing a relaxed Rias—already dressed—stepping out as she dried her hair with a towel.
"Well, now that we're all here, let's begin~."
At her words, everyone straightened up; at least Daniel sat bolt upright on the couch. Rias seemed pleased with the solemn atmosphere.
They all took their seats. Issei chose the spot farthest from Daniel, while Akeno and Kiba stood behind Rias.
"Let me introduce myself once again. I am Rias Gremory, president of the Occult Research Club." She turned her gaze toward Daniel and Issei. "But that is only a façade—because in reality, everyone here is a devil."
As if on cue, they all spread their wings simultaneously. Issei watched in shock as dark wings sprouted from his back.
The atmosphere grew heavy, almost ceremonial… until a whisper shattered it:
"Toujou-chan, should I take off my shirt?"
Though Daniel's voice was soft, everyone in the room was a demon, blessed with senses far sharper than any human's.
Rias's lips twitched as the solemn mood evaporated like smoke.
Daniel, confused, thought the way they had all spread their wings in perfect unison seemed rehearsed. Even Issei had done it on cue. He suspected they had practiced without him.
Since he didn't understand why showing wings was necessary, he assumed it must be some sort of ritual or initiation. Not wanting to damage his uniform, he asked Koneko if he should remove his shirt. She, stunned, felt her usually blank expression starting to crack.
Everyone was perplexed, except for Rias and Kiba, who knew about Daniel's unusual situation.
"Your shirt?… Why would you undress?" Koneko whispered, slightly alarmed. Was this her fault for having seen him naked? Had he picked up the same exhibitionist streak as the others? Unconsciously, she glanced at Rias.
Unaware of Koneko's somewhat offensive thoughts, Rias cleared her throat and declared:
"That won't be necessary, Daniel. We'll discuss your mutated wings and strange energy later."
Daniel, embarrassed, scratched his cheek as his stoic mask crumbled into a shy, foolish smile.
Rias sighed at the loss of solemnity but chose to continue.
"Let's sit. First, we'll talk about fallen angels, about Issei, and the possibility of a Sacred Gear."
They all settled down again. Seeing Rias slightly uncomfortable, Akeno prepared tea. Soon, each of them was holding a steaming cup.
Rias took a sip and, calmer now, went on:
"Issei, the man who attacked you was a fallen angel…"
Before she could continue, Daniel interrupted:
"Um… Rias-senpai."
She froze for a moment before turning to him.
"Oh… yes, Daniel? What is it?"
Still scratching his cheek, Daniel replied awkwardly:
"I didn't mean to interrupt, but… well, I prepared something to share with everyone, and since we already have tea…"
He gently nudged Koneko with his arm. Tired, she stood up, and before Rias could say anything, the two were already serving plates, cutlery, and muffins from the basket.