As Rias and her peerage approached,
Arthur watched Kuroka teleport away.
She was like a ghost, leaving only a faint, lingering trace of her scent on the breeze.
Just before she vanished, Arthur's voice cut through the air, clear and resonant.
"I know you're staying on the rooftop of my apartment. Come and see me after this."
Kuroka's cat-like eyes narrowed, gleaming with an unreadable mix of curiosity and mischief.
She offered no reply, simply disappearing in a ripple of distorted space.
"She's a cat, of course she'd act like this,"
Arthur muttered to himself, a wry smile on his face as he shook his head.
Rias and the others finally reached him, their faces a mix of relief and profound gratitude.
"Thank you so much, Arthur,"
Rias said, her voice filled with a serious sincerity.
"If it wasn't for you, Issei wouldn't have been able to defeat Riser."
She was deadly serious.
The deal she had been prepared to make—to offer herself to him in exchange for his help—was now a pointless plan.
She would do anything in her power to repay him.
"Is there anything you want? I will give you anything in return."
Arthur was blunt.
"I want nothing. To be truthful, you have nothing that could be useful to me."
His only purpose in this world was to find Ophis and Great Red.
Rias didn't seem offended.
"That's a shame. But if you ever change your mind, you can tell me anytime."
Arthur simply nodded, and their conversation continued for a while longer, the lingering tension of the Rating Game slowly dissipating.
Sona was the first to realize the hour was growing late.
"I have to return to my duties. Arthur, would you mind helping me again?"
"Alright, come here,"
Arthur said, patting his lap.
To everyone's surprise, Sona sat down on his lap as if it were the most natural thing in the world, her head resting on his shoulder.
Arthur began to gently massage her back, his hand glowing with a soft, ethereal light.
This was his Lifestream power, a soothing energy that mended both body and soul.
A soft moan of pleasure escaped Sona's lips, uncaring of who was watching.
"Me next,"
Koneko said softly, her expression calm as she sat patiently next to them, waiting for her turn.
Rias and Akeno watched the scene unfold, completely speechless.
"What is going on…,"
Rias whispered, her eyes wide with bewilderment.
When it was Koneko's turn, Arthur simply patted her head.
He knew if he did anything more, a certain black cat might just leap on him, ready to pounce.
The Rating Game was officially over, and Issei was nowhere to be found, currently being taught proper manners by Ravel Phenex.
"Well, all's well that ends well,"
Arthur said to himself as he returned to his apartment, which had been secretly renovated into a massive mansion while the game was taking place.
Waiting for him were Rias, Akeno, and Koneko.
Arthur blinked and thought about it a little bit. He should have expected something like this to happen.
He didn't mind the unexpected company though.
He simply looked at the three of them and asked,
"Which one is my room?"
"Choose whichever one you'd like,"
Rias said with a slight smile, gesturing to the many doors that lined the long, newly-renovated hallway.
The once-modest apartment had been transformed into a sprawling estate, its halls now filled with opulent furniture and a faint scent of fresh paint and wood polish.
Before Arthur could even consider his options, Koneko grabbed his hand.
Her small, gentle grip was surprisingly strong as she began to pull him down the hall.
"I want you to stay next to my room,"
She said softly but with a clear tone of finality, her expression unwavering.
Akeno giggled, her signature 'ara ara' sounding through the spacious hall as she watched them.
Rias simply shook her head in amusement, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.
It was clear that Koneko had no intention of taking no for an answer, and Arthur, with a wry smile, simply allowed the petite girl to lead him to his new quarters.
He was led to a room at the very end of the hall.
She opened the door to reveal a spacious suite, furnished with a king-sized bed and a large window overlooking a vast, newly-landscaped garden.
It was clear that much thought had been put into the design, though he had no idea by whom.
Koneko then pointed to the door right next to it, her room.
"This is my room,"
She said, her voice barely a whisper, a faint blush on her cheeks.
"Well, it seems I have my own little guide,"
Arthur said with a laugh, gently patting her head.
"Thank you, Koneko."
The night deepened, and the quiet of the mansion settled in.
After a long day, Arthur finally returned to his new room.
He closed the door, a sense of calm washing over him.
Arthur sat on the edge of the bed, the soft mattress sinking under his weight.
He was just about to lie down when a shimmering ripple appeared in the air.
Out of it stepped Kuroka, her black cat ears twitching.
A playful smirk was on her face as she looked at him with those sharp, cat-like eyes.
"So you came after all,"
Arthur said, a knowing smile on his face.
"And here I thought I'd have to wait all night."
"Nyahaha, you know I can't resist a good mystery, and you, Arthur, are a very interesting one,"
Kuroka purred, her tail swaying gently behind her.
"But I must ask... what were you doing with my cute little sister? I hope you're not thinking anything bad, nyann~."
Arthur sighed, a mix of amusement and a hint of tiredness in his eyes.
He got up and walked over to her, his movements smooth and calm.
He pulled her into a hug, a simple, friendly embrace.
Kuroka stiffened for a moment, surprised by the directness of his actions.
She could feel his quiet strength, not threatening, but powerful.
"Relax, I was just helping her."
Arthur said, his voice low.
"She was tired and hurt. I can heal her mind slowly."
Kuroka didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned into the hug, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Oh? You were just 'helping' her? And what about me? Don't I deserve a little help too, nyann~?"
Arthur chuckled softly.
"You're not one for needing help, are you? You're too independent for that."
Kuroka laughed, a soft, musical sound. She finally pulled away, her eyes fixed on him.
She tilted her head, a curious expression on her face.
"What did you want to talk about, nyann?"
She asked.
"Why did you tell me to see you?"
Arthur looked at her calmly.
"You'll be able to see Koneko again soon,"
He said.
"I gave Sirzechs proof that you're innocent."
Kuroka's eyes widened. The playfulness she usually showed was gone, replaced with a look of pure shock.
"What?"
She whispered, the word barely audible.
"You... you're serious?"
Arthur nodded. He explained about the chip.
A tear rolled down Kuroka's cheek, something she quickly wiped away with the back of her hand.
Her usual confident and sassy personality had vanished, and she looked like a small, lost cat.
"But... why?"
She asked.
"Why would you help me?"
Arthur simply looked at her.
"Does a reason really matter?"
He asked in a gentle voice.
"You're her sister, and she loves you. That's all that's important."
He reached out and gently patted her head.
"Now, get some rest,"
He said. His hand was heavenly. His Lifestream was too much.
"You should be able to see her soon, and you'll want to be ready."
Kuroka said nothing, but a soft, grateful look was in her eyes.
No one ever helped her like him before.
She had been on the run and almost at her limit.
There was nothing like Khaos Brigade in this time line. So no one was there for her.
She hugged him tightly, a silent thank you, then teleported away, leaving behind only a faint, sweet smell.
Arthur sat on the bed and took a deep breath.
He knew his life would get even more complicated from this point on, but he didn't care.
He was doing what he felt was right, and that was all that mattered.