The atmosphere within the Occult Research Club had settled into a quieter rhythm, the earlier tension fading into something more measured, more deliberate, as each person in the room adjusted—whether consciously or not—to the presence of someone who did not belong to their world.
Goku sat where he had been, relaxed in posture yet unmistakably aware, his gaze occasionally drifting toward the window as if the night outside still held answers he had yet to uncover.
"You can't wander around like this forever."
The voice came from Rias Gremory, calm yet firm as she stepped forward, her attention now fully focused on him.
Goku glanced at her.
"…I wasn't planning to wander forever."
"Then you need a base," she replied without missing a beat. "A place to stay. A place to think."
He didn't respond immediately.
Instead, his eyes shifted briefly across the room—taking in the others, the environment, the structure of it all.She wasn't wrong.But—
"I'll figure something out," he said.
It wasn't defiance.Just independence.Rias studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable before she continued, her tone shifting slightly—less authoritative, more deliberate."You could stay here."
The words were simple.But the meaning behind them wasn't.Goku looked back at her.
"…Here?"
"Yes," she said. "This building has more than enough space. It would be… convenient."There was a pause.Not because Goku didn't understand.But because—He did.
"You're still trying to recruit me," he said plainly.
A faint smile touched Rias' lips.
"…I won't deny that."
Across the room, Akeno Himejima watched the exchange quietly, her eyes lingering on Goku with a thoughtful interest that had yet to fade since his arrival.There was something unusual about him.Not just his strength.But the way he carried it—
Effortlessly.
"…Ara, but it's also practical," Akeno added gently, her voice smooth as she stepped slightly closer. "You are unfamiliar with this world, after all."Goku exhaled lightly.
"…Yeah."He couldn't deny that part.Rias continued, pressing the advantage—but carefully."You would have a room," she said. "Privacy. Stability. Time to understand this world properly."Goku's gaze lowered slightly, his thoughts clearly moving beneath the surface now.He wasn't tempted by comfort.Or luxury.But—
Time?
Information?
A stable place to think?That had value."…Only staying," he said after a moment. "Not joining."Rias didn't hesitate.
"…Of course."Even if she had no intention of giving up entirely.
"There's one more thing," she added.Goku looked at her again."…What?""You'll need to attend school."Silence.Complete silence.
"…School?" Goku repeated slowly.
"Yes," Rias replied. "Kuoh Academy. It will allow you to blend in, observe, and gather information without drawing unnecessary attention."Goku stared at her.For the first time since arriving—He looked genuinely conflicted.
"…You're serious."Rias nodded calmly.
Goku leaned back slightly, rubbing the back of his head as he let out a quiet sigh.
"…Man… this is just like Gohan."
The name meant nothing to the others.
But the tone—Said everything."He always liked studying," Goku continued, half to himself. "Guess I'm stuck doing it now."
Akeno covered her mouth, a soft laugh escaping her."…How unexpected."
Even Kiba's composed expression softened slightly.Meanwhile—At the side of the room—
Issei Hyoudou was dealing with an entirely different crisis.
"…This is heaven…"
His gaze moved—very obviously—between Rias and Akeno, his expression slowly shifting into something far less subtle.
"…President… Akeno-senpai…"
Akeno's smile didn't change.
But her eyes flicked toward him briefly.
"…You should focus on understanding your situation first, Issei," she said sweetly.
"…Y-Yes…! Of course!" he snapped upright instantly.
Though his eyes betrayed him almost immediately after.Goku glanced at him briefly.
Then back at his food.
"…He's got a lot to figure out."While the conversation continued—Something else lingered quietly beneath it.Akeno's gaze returned to Goku.This time, more observant.
More thoughtful.Not just his strength.His presence.His build.The way he sat—relaxed, yet grounded."…He's quite composed," she murmured softly.Rias didn't respond immediately.But her eyes had already moved.Taking in the same details.Goku's posture.His natural confidence.The quiet strength that didn't need to be displayed.
"…Yes," she said after a moment."…and more perceptive than he lets on."There was a brief pause."…And…" Akeno added lightly, her tone teasing."…not unpleasant to look at."Rias exhaled softly."…That too."Neither of them said it loudly.But the thought had already formed.Goku stood up after finishing his food, stretching slightly as he looked around the room once more."…Alright."
Rias' attention returned to him immediately.
"I'll stay here," he said. "For now.""And I'll go to this school," he added, though his expression shifted slightly.
"…Even if I don't like it."Akeno smiled warmly.
"…We'll make it as comfortable as possible."
Goku scratched his cheek.
"…Yeah… just don't expect me to sit still all day."Kiba let out a small breath of amusement."…I imagine that would be difficult."The night deepened further as arrangements began to take shape, the unfamiliar slowly turning into something structured, something manageable.A room prepared.A path decided.Not permanent.But enough.As Goku stepped toward the window once more, his gaze lifting toward the dark sky above—His thoughts remained unchanged.
"…I'm still going back."Not a wish.Not a hope.A certainty.Behind him—Rias watched quietly.Because she understood now—
Keeping him here… would take more than convenience.
It would take effort.