Chapter 7: Rias's Invitation
Afternoon.
Renga came to the school cafeteria for lunch as usual.
"Tastes awful."
Renga could only give this evaluation of the cafeteria's food.
To be honest, while the cafeteria meals couldn't be considered particularly delicious, they were at least palatable for ordinary students.
But for Renga, whose tastes had long been refined by his own cooking, they were merely edible.
As for preparing meals in advance to reheat at noon—
Renga didn't have that habit.
Esther was usually asleep during the day, so there was no need to specifically summon her.
Just as Renga was normally eating to fill his stomach, two figures entered the cafeteria one after another.
After getting their food normally, they glanced around briefly before walking toward Renga's direction.
Wherever they passed, the sparse male students would grow nervous, while some female students would cast admiring glances.
One of them had golden hair as smooth as silk, like a natural fairy, paired with emerald-green pupils and flawless pale skin that together formed a perfect picture.
Her figure was well-proportioned and petite, with slender, straight legs encased in black tights beneath her skirt.
The other girl's hair color was the complete opposite—silver-white like moonlight, with amber eyes that sparkled brightly. However, her expressionless face diminished others' impressions of her. Her delicate skin was equally pale, and her figure was even more petite than the golden-haired Eriri, giving her a doll-like appearance.
Two different fragrances wafted toward him.
One on the left, one on the right, sandwiching Renga between them.
Incidentally, although Renga was very popular, there were no other girls sitting at his table.
Even some outgoing Shibuya-style gals wouldn't dare approach due to Renga's imposing presence.
Of course, if anyone did, they'd also have to endure nearly murderous glares from other girls.
But when they saw these two girls, whispers broke out around them.
After all, everyone knew that Eriri had been Renga's classmate since middle school, and Koneko had also interacted with Renga after enrollment.
It happened during a PE class—Koneko, who excelled at all sports, lost to Renga in every event. After that, the two had unconsciously grown somewhat closer.
"?!"
The two girls only noticed each other's presence when they were almost upon him.
Eriri stood still, looking at Koneko with surprise, feeling frustrated inside—why did she have to choose this moment?
Koneko, however, merely glanced calmly at Eriri as if completely unaffected, then carried her tray and sat opposite Renga.
Eriri felt as if struck by lightning, subtly baring her small canine teeth in a show of dominance before pretending to casually sit in the adjacent seat.
Watching this scene, Renga found it somewhat amusing.
Even without guessing, he knew Eriri must be extremely frustrated right now.
He then shifted his gaze to the girl before him.
"Koneko, are you here to return the game cartridge I lent you last time?"
Renga smiled slightly.
"Yes."
Hearing this, Koneko nodded slightly before handing a game disc to Renga.
The game was titled "Cyberpunk 2077."
It was because of this game that Koneko had been staying up all night playing recently, neglecting her studies and performing poorly on today's exam.
Thinking of this, Koneko gloomily took two bites of her food.
Several seconds of silence followed.
Renga didn't press further, simply waiting quietly.
"After school, the club president would like to invite you to visit the Occult Research Club later."
"Rias Gremory, huh."
Renga looked at the beautiful girl before him.
Koneko's direct superior was a pure-blooded noble devil from the underworld. Rias Gremory was the heiress of her family, the younger sister of the current Satan Lucifer of the underworld, and responsible for managing all affairs in Kuoh City.
Shortly after entering high school, he had received an invitation from Rias, but he had refused.
Since then, she hadn't mentioned anything similar.
However, Renga understood perfectly well that the stubborn young lady wouldn't give up so easily.
Still, becoming her servant was out of the question. Even though Rias treated people well, Renga didn't like feeling constrained.
"Will you accept?"
Koneko asked.
She was just delivering the message and wouldn't use any methods to pressure Renga, this was something Rias had specifically instructed.
"Alright."
Renga nodded.
He thought about it. Usually, he didn't have much interaction with Rias. Her taking the initiative to invite him this time clearly meant she had something in mind.
But this actually suited him well, as he happened to have some matters to discuss with Rias too.
Seeing Renga agree, Koneko gave a faint nod before seriously eating her meal in small bites, just like a real cat.
This made Eriri, who was watching from the side, anxious in her heart.