Akeno's face grew even redder. Her heart ached—but the pain was addicting.
It was a sweet kind of hurt, sharp yet intoxicating. The darker, masochistic side within her whispered softly, begging for more.
Rian released his warm embrace, then stepped back with that familiar, effortless smile of his.
"Get ready. I'll be waiting outside," he said casually before turning and walking out of the room.
For a moment, Akeno simply stood there in silence, her lips curling into a faint smile as she savored the lingering sensations still teasing her skin and mind.
Then, with calm precision, she began tidying up the futon—her movements gentle and deliberate, like a wife quietly accustomed to caring for her home.
Before leaving, Akeno took a moment to conceal her fallen angel wings, letting them fade away into a soft shimmer of light.
Once everything was in order, she headed to the bathroom to prepare herself, while Rian waited patiently outside the apartment.
After her bath, Akeno used her demonic ability to change outfits instantly—trying on countless styles in quick succession, all for one purpose: to match Rian's taste.
Minutes passed in thoughtful silence.
At last, Akeno settled on a long white dress—elegant, soft, and endearingly beautiful, its flowing fabric tracing her curves with gentle grace.
Her jet-black hair was left completely loose, cascading down her back like a waterfall of midnight.
She gazed at her reflection in the mirror for a brief moment, a faint smile curving her lips, then stepped gracefully toward the door—ready to meet the man waiting patiently outside with that familiar warm smile.
***
"That outfit suits you perfectly, Akeno. You look absolutely beautiful—cute and graceful all at once."
Standing by the apartment door in the hallway, Rian offered the compliment with genuine warmth, his smile soft enough to melt the morning chill.
"Fufu~" Akeno covered her lips with the back of her hand, a teasing smile dancing on her face. "I know. You must really like it, don't you?"
Without hesitation, she wrapped her arm around Rian's right arm, holding it tightly and playfully. Her cheeks flushed a faint pink, only making her charm even more irresistible.
"Ready for our date, darling?" Akeno asked in a flirtatious tone, her violet eyes glancing up at him meaningfully.
Rian chuckled softly. "Let's go then, my adorable mistress."
And with that, the two walked side by side—steps in perfect rhythm, hearts moving in quiet harmony.
Their first destination that morning was simple: breakfast. Neither had eaten yet, so the scent of the fresh morning air and the sound of their footsteps down the street became the gentle prelude to their day together.
When they arrived at the fast-food restaurant, the two ordered a light meal, accompanied by a pair of cold, dew-covered sodas resting on the table.
Small talk flowed easily between bites of bread and quiet laughter, wrapping the atmosphere in a sense of calm warmth.
After finishing breakfast, Rian and Akeno began their date in earnest.
They stopped by various places—trying their luck at claw machines in the arcade, shopping for clothes and perfume at nearby stores, and relaxing at a café while savoring the slow passage of time.
Of course, no one knew about their little date.
With his Six Eyes, Rian could sense every fluctuation of energy throughout Kuoh City, allowing him to effortlessly avoid any unexpected encounters with the other members of Rias's peerage.
After wandering around all day, Rian eventually brought Akeno to a karaoke place.
Akeno was initially surprised, but her curiosity soon got the better of her when she remembered Gasper once praising Rian's singing voice as something truly amazing.
And so, they now found themselves sitting together in the dim, cozy glow of a private karaoke room.
Rian held the guitar he had just rented from the place, while Akeno watched him with keen interest, her lips curving into a small smile she couldn't quite hide.
Music began to flow. The gentle strumming of the guitar filled the room, followed by Rian's deep, soothing voice — "Say You Won't Let Go" by James Arthur echoed softly, brimming with emotion.
Akeno slowly closed her eyes, leaning back against the plush sofa.
She allowed herself to drift within that voice — warm, sincere, and inexplicably calming, as if every lyric was meant for her alone.
"I met you in the dark, you lit me up~"
"You made me feel as though I was enough~"
"We danced the night away, we drank too much~"
"I held your hair back when you were throwin' up~"
As the lyrics flowed from Rian's lips, Akeno slowly opened her eyes. A faint blush colored her cheeks, and a warm smile bloomed on her lips, enhanced by the gentle light that fell across her face.
In her heart, she silently agreed with what Gasper had once said — Rian's voice truly was extraordinary. It carried a warmth that was hard to describe, like a soft touch that both stirred her chest and soothed her soul.
Every verse he sang made her heart feel lighter, as if it floated along with the melody he strummed so sincerely.
Without realizing it, Akeno's hand moved to play with the ends of her long hair, her fingers twirling the strands shyly as her eyes flickered toward Rian from time to time.
Rian only smiled faintly, his gaze briefly catching that small gesture.
But without stopping the rhythm of his guitar, he kept singing — softly, as though every word was meant just for Akeno.
When in truth, Rian was simply singing a song that happened to fit the mood.
"I knew I loved you then, but you'd never know~ 'Cause I played it cool when I was scared of letting go~"
"I knew I needed you, but I never showed~"
"But I wanna stay with you until we're grey and old~"
"Just say you won't let go~"
"Just say you won't let go~"
As the song "Say You Won't Let Go" reached its final notes, Akeno could no longer bring herself to look at Rian.
The gaze that had once been filled with curiosity and admiration now shifted into nervousness — her eyes darted away, and her face flushed all the way to her ears.
Her cheeks felt hot; her heart pounded so fiercely that she feared he might hear it. She tried to calm herself, but every lingering note from Rian's voice only made the rhythm inside her chest grow wilder.
The girl who could smile calmly even while summoning lightning with deadly grace was now completely powerless under the spell of his voice.
Akeno lowered her head, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her skirt, as if trying to hide the overwhelming blush burning across her face.
Rian only gave her a faint smile — a warm, gentle one that made Akeno even more flustered.
Before they knew it, time had slipped away. The sky outside the window had turned a soft shade of orange, the twilight slowly swallowing the remnants of daylight.
Realizing that evening had come, Rian decided to escort Akeno back to the shrine where she lived.
He waited for her to stand, and together they stepped out of the karaoke room, greeted by the gentle evening breeze brushing softly against their skin.
***
When they reached the stairs leading up to the shrine on the hill, they stopped. A gentle silence lingered between them, carried by the soft night breeze.
"Fufu~ That was such a lovely date, Rian. If you'd like, you can stay at my place tonight," Akeno said with a sweet smile hidden behind her hand.
With a teasing lilt in her voice, she added, "Think of it as a little reward for your… exceptional service. I promise, you'll be very satisfied."
Rian chuckled softly — a quiet, genuine laugh. "Thank you. And… I had a great time too, Akeno-chan."
He raised his right hand and gently placed it on her head. His touch was slow, tender — almost like a silent embrace in another form.
"I appreciate how much you like me," Rian said, his voice warm and sincere, "but… don't give your body away so easily, Akeno-chan."
His hand stilled, then moved down to rest on her shoulder. Behind the dark lenses of his glasses, his gaze carried a sincerity that couldn't be hidden.
"It's not that I don't want it," Rian said softly, his tone carrying a rare seriousness. "It's just… I prefer the Akeno-chan who knows how to value herself."
A brief silence lingered in the air, carried only by the gentle whisper of the evening breeze.
Then, slowly, Akeno lifted her right hand—her slender fingers brushing against Rian's cheek, as if to return the emotion behind his words.
"You really are an unusual man, Rian," she murmured, a faint smile curving her lips.
"Heh~ of course," Rian replied lightly, a hint of playful pride in his voice. "I am a unique man. I guarantee you won't find another like me."
Akeno let out a soft chuckle—her characteristic, gentle laugh tinged with a teasing allure, her cheeks now a deeper shade of red.
"You're really full of yourself…" she teased.
"And very handsome," Rian quickly added with a small grin. "Don't forget that."
Their eyes met for a brief moment, and in that silence, words became unnecessary.
Addition note:
I love James Arthur's song, and I think it suits Akeno. What do you think? Leave me a comment.