Maybe Ryuya's answer caught her off guard, because Rias blinked in mild surprise before smiling and nodding in understanding.
"Well, you're the one who refused my offer, so don't blame me later for not being considerate as your master."
"That's fine," Ryuya replied calmly. "You don't have to take care of me that thoroughly."
He couldn't help but think to himself how completely different this was from what he'd imagined.
Who would've thought that after becoming a devil, he wouldn't be treated like a disposable pawn, but rather like someone precious, cherished by his master?
She even unlocked the function of sharing a bed with him. Seriously, was this some kind of sci-fi fantasy? Even TV dramas wouldn't dare go this far.
"I'll go take a shower first," he said softly.
He really couldn't stand that sticky, clammy feeling of sweat drying on his skin—especially now that his devil senses were absurdly sharp.
After a quick shower, he returned to the bedroom only to find Rias still completely relaxed, sitting on the sofa with her long legs crossed, casually sipping a cup of tea as if she owned the place.
"You're too slow," she complained lightly, then got up and headed straight for the bathroom the moment she saw him emerge.
Ryuya caught a glimpse of her flawless, fiery figure under the showerhead as she began humming a cheerful tune. He sighed, shook his head, and stepped forward to close the door so the steam wouldn't spread out.
Lowering his gaze, he picked up Rias's clothes from the bed and neatly folded them before placing them on the guest room's nightstand—where she was supposed to be staying.
When he returned to his room, he didn't even spare a glance at the perfect silhouette that the bathroom's frosted glass outlined. Instead, he collapsed onto the bed, exhaustion washing over him.
That battle earlier might've been short, but for Ryuya, it was like walking on the edge of death. Especially near the end—forcing himself to fight through the searing pain of light's poison—it had drained him mentally and physically.
At least… he was still alive.
The moment his nerves relaxed, an overwhelming fatigue surged in. Within moments, Ryuya had drifted off into sleep.
Somewhere in that half-dreaming haze, he felt the mattress dip a few times, followed by the sensation of someone crawling into his arms.
Rias.
Still half-asleep, he instinctively wrapped his arms around her—his hands moving on their own… and squeezing softly twice.
Even in his drowsy state, he could feel it—the warmth, the softness, the fullness that completely filled his palm. One hand wasn't nearly enough to hold it all.
A faint, surprised yet pleasurable sigh escaped Rias's lips near his ear. Then, darkness took him again.
—The next morning.
Ryuya awoke to the distant noise of cars outside, his consciousness slowly rising from deep sleep.
When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a head of crimson hair—brilliant and unmistakably belonging to Rias Gremory.
She was nestled in his arms, back turned toward him, still sleeping soundly.
Feeling the smooth, warm skin of her back against his chest, Ryuya realized his right hand around her waist was resting a little too low. His brow twitched.
How should he even describe this…?
It reminded him of that childhood feeling—playing with a balloon filled with hot water.
Remembering the faint awareness he'd had last night, he couldn't help but sigh.
Didn't he prepare a guest room for her? How did she still end up sneaking into his bed?
Oh well… at this point, what could he say? However it happened no longer mattered.
He simply tightened his embrace slightly, pulling her closer.
The soft, warm sensation of the girl in his arms seemed to envelop his entire being, and as the soothing heat lulled him once more—Ryuya Kurobane drifted back into a peaceful sleep.
Rias gently patted the back of his hand, her soft, teasing voice drifting into his ears.
"Ryuya, you can't keep sleeping~ It's time to get up."
"…Sorry. I dozed off again."
Ryuya woke up, loosening his arms around Rias before sprawling lazily on the bed, his eyes half open.
Ahh… sleeping in felt amazing.
He never wanted to get out of bed in the mornings.
Rias turned onto her side, resting her right arm beneath her head, and playfully tapped his cheek with her left index finger.
"Last night, you were really eager for me, weren't you?"
Ryuya slowly opened his sleepy eyes and turned his head, meeting Rias's amused, knowing smile.
"…Didn't I prepare a guest room for you?"
Since he ignored the teasing, Rias could only chuckle and sit up, stretching lazily. Her voluptuous figure instantly drew Ryuya's eyes, his rational thoughts barely holding the line.
"The guest room was too far," she said casually.
"It's just a few extra steps," he replied flatly, unimpressed by her excuse.
"But it felt so warm and cozy in your arms," Rias said truthfully, smiling as she leaned closer. "I couldn't help sneaking over."
Ryuya sighed helplessly. "Couldn't you at least wear pajamas?"
"Eh? But I can't sleep that way." Rias tilted her head in innocent surprise. "Can you fall asleep wearing clothes?"
"…No."
"See? I knew it!"
Ryuya was speechless. He'd always slept naked, but to find out Rias shared that same… habit—it left him utterly defeated.
Leaning comfortably against the headboard, Rias smiled. "Go fetch my clothes, won't you?"
"Yeah, yeah."
He fetched the girl's outfit and handed it to her, watching as her perfect figure was gradually hidden beneath the elegant layers of her uniform. Only then did he speak again:
"President, are there a lot of Fallen Angels and Angels in this city?"
"Not that many," Rias replied, buttoning her sleeve. "After the Great War in ancient times, all three factions were left heavily weakened. Their numbers are far fewer than before."
Seeing the concern in Ryuya's eyes, Rias smiled softly to reassure him.
"What happened last night was just bad luck. Encounters with Fallen Angels are rare these days. And if we move as a group, they'll usually avoid us altogether."
She stepped closer, adding thoughtfully, "Still, what happened was a good reminder. I need to improve my insignia's design. I can't let a simple barrier block my sensory link again."
"Agreed," Ryuya nodded earnestly.
He wasn't strong yet—far from it. For now, clinging to Rias Gremory's side was the smartest move he could make. There was no shame in holding onto a powerful superior's thigh when survival was at stake.
"I'll get stronger as soon as I can," he said seriously.
Rias's smile deepened. "Hehe, you've already exceeded my expectations. Akeno sent word that the Fallen Angel you killed last night had four wings. She used to be a High-Ranking Angel. Normally, only a mid-class devil could take one down."
Her voice carried pride and warmth. She was clearly pleased with his performance.
No wonder she'd spent ten full Evil Pieces to reincarnate him as her servant. For a newly reborn low-class devil to resist the corrosion of light and still fight back—that kind of talent and combat potential was astonishing.
"Don't worry too much," Rias said, flipping her crimson hair over her shoulder. "Training isn't a race. Take it slow."
She glanced at the clock and blinked. "Ah, we're going to be late."
Without hesitation, she activated a magic circle. The crimson glow enveloped them both—
—and in the next instant, Ryuya found himself standing inside the Occult Research Club room at school.
…Teleportation magic.
Ryuya couldn't help but feel a wave of envy. What an absolutely godly ability.
---