From Chapter 57 onward, prepare for a major upgrade—writing, cleaner grammar, and a more immersive story!
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~ Bonus Chapter => Thank you all so, so much for the amazing Support!
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Scene Shift: Old Schoolhouse
Sometime later, Rias, who had gone upstairs to her bedroom for "rest," came back down to the reception room wearing a fresh skirt.
She had barely settled onto the couch when she heard footsteps and the opening of the front door in the entryway—followed by a pair of voices exchanging banter.
"Hehehe~ Bokue, that's a bit much. Rias was doing that sort of thing for the very first time, and you ended up leaving her in that state! No wonder she came home walking all funny yesterday—she even insisted on taking the bath last."
"Hmm, that reminds me: this morning when I woke up and went to wash up, I noticed how the tub Rias used last night still had these white bits clinging to the bottom. That was… oh, I see. So that's how it is."
"So after we settle this whole Phenex business, how about we grab a hotel room in the neighborhood sometime? We can have a good, long talk—"
Ahem, ahem, ahem!
As if hearing her best friend's voice triggered an uncontrollable cough, Rias instantly straightened up from the sofa, posture snapping rigid.
Clearing her throat, she raised her voice so it would carry across the entire first floor. "Ahem—Akeno, Bokue… You're back."
"Of course, President~! We bought loads of stuff!"
Contrary to the dour mood she'd left with earlier, Akeno's voice now rang with cheerful exuberance.
When Rias swiveled to look, she saw Bokue Keikain at the reception room doorway, carrying a large plastic bag in one hand. Next to him, hugging his arm and practically dumping half her bodyweight onto him, was her longtime best friend.
Rias: "…"
"What's wrong, President?"
Seeing Rias struck mute for some unknown reason, Akeno cocked her head curiously—while also squeezing Bokue's arm even tighter, all but burying it in her chest's cleavage.
"…"
Still no words from Rias.
Granted, she had specifically left them alone to talk things out, but she never said it was okay for them to get so… cozy!
And this flamboyant "Shameless Mistress flaunting her favor in front of the main wife" vibe—what the hell was that?!
"Akeno…"
Rias's face darkened noticeably. "I'm already in a relationship with Bokue. I won't forbid you from being near him, but isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
"Inappropriate? But, Rias, you said—"
Akeno never got to finish. Rias cut her off at once.
"I said? When did I say anything?"
At that, Akeno went silent, her mouth shutting.
Clearly, Rias wasn't as open-minded as she pretended. At least not to the point of accepting it all in front of her face. Well then…
"Sigh, all right, I get it."
No further argument. Akeno obediently let go of Bokue's arm, stepping a pace aside to keep some distance, wearing her usual sweet smile.
"Otherwise your vinegar pot might overturn, President~"
"AKENO!!!"
Rias's cheeks reddened in frustration at that half-mocking tease. "It's not about jealousy or something, jeez…"
Really, she'd left them alone so they could talk… and ended up gnawing her nails upstairs. Then now they came back and did this on top of it—could these two be any more infuriating?
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"Here, Rias. Take a look; hopefully we didn't miss anything."
While the two girls stared each other down, Bokue stepped over with the big bag and handed it to her.
Rias grabbed it in one swoop, shooting him a vexed glare.
"You too, Bokue…"
"Mm?"
He raised his eyebrows as if clueless.
"Forget it," Rias muttered, pursing her lips and looking down to open the bag. She rummaged through it, then sighed.
"All these items were Akeno's picks?"
"Yeah. I've never been to the Underworld. Not sure what suits them, so I left it all to Akeno."
"That's… not how it works."
Rias pressed a hand to her forehead.
A gift was about sincerity—especially when you're visiting her family for the first time, effectively meeting the parents. You can't just wing it by letting someone else randomly choose. But… oh well.
"Hmm…"
"Something wrong?"
Seeing Rias trail off mid-sentence, Bokue asked curiously.
"No… not really."
She closed the bag with a swift rustle. "Anyway, my brother's schedule is insane these days—he barely goes home. So the only one home all day is my mother."
Tok, tok, tok.
Before she could continue, a rhythmic knock echoed at the front door.
Since Akeno stood right near the door, she spun around and opened it—revealing a short-haired glasses-girl in black, with another black-haired glasses-girl behind her.
"Well, well~ We've got rare guests here. Come in, Student Council President Sona, Vice President Shinra."
Akeno's eyes showed mild surprise, then resumed her gentle hostess smile.
Hearing the voices in the entryway, Rias promptly stood from the couch. She looked to see the two black-haired, bespectacled girls following Akeno in.
"Sona? Why'd you drop in all of a sudden?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
Sona Sitri let out a light sigh, pushing her glasses up with one finger.
"Because of the big fuss about your Gremory–Phenex engagement. We got official word from the Underworld earlier, saying you scheduled your showdown for this weekend. Even I know about it, so presumably every one of the Seventy-Two Pillars does, too."
"…All going to come witness, huh?" Rias mused.
Sona pushed her glasses again, gaze momentarily flicking to Bokue on the sofa. "Or, let's say they plan to watch the show. Whether Gremory or Phenex loses, for them, it's interesting. People love to watch chaos, you see."
Rias gave a wry smirk. "Right. They just want to see a spectacle."
"Isn't that fine?"
Bokue spoke, rising from the sofa to stretch. Sauntering to Rias's side, he slipped an arm around her waist.
"With so many onlookers, it'll be an excellent way to announce it to the whole world."
"My~ you're confident."
Sona folded her arms, her face calm though she tilted her chin up slightly.
Bokue shrugged. "Seventeen years of life, not a single loss. I'm looking forward to it."
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