Winter gave way to spring, and in the blink of an eye, it was already March.
Though the season had shifted, the wind still carried a faint, biting chill. Fortunately, the warm sunlight overhead softened its edge enough to make it bearable.
Today was Kuoh Academy's graduation ceremony.
For third-years like Rias, Akeno, and Sona, it was a day unlike any other.
Amid the thunderous applause of parents and underclassmen, the graduating students filed into the gymnasium.
In the parents' seating area, there were several figures who stood out immediately.
For instance, Rias's parents—alongside Sirzechs and Grayfia—and a small boy who resembled Sirzechs by at least eighty percent… that was Millicas, Sirzechs and Grayfia's son, making him Rias's nephew.
Beside them was Serafall, who, being just as much of a doting older sister as Sirzechs was a doting older brother, would never dream of missing her little sister's graduation.
Rias's father, Sirzechs, and Serafall all had high-resolution digital cameras in hand, snapping photo after photo without pause. Just a moment ago, all three had even changed out their memory cards in unison to keep going… exactly how many pictures were they planning to take?
Baraqiel was also present—Akeno's father. After everything that had happened between them, their relationship had finally mended. This time, Akeno herself had invited him to attend. Right now, he was taking photos while bawling his eyes out, so over-the-top that Akeno blushed in embarrassment on stage.
The diplomas were handed out.
Xenovia, the new student council president, took the stage to read the farewell address.
Then Sona, as the representative of the graduating class, gave her speech.
Once the ceremony concluded, the third-years laughed together, cried together, hugged each other, and took pictures side by side.
In that warm, bittersweet atmosphere, Rias and Akeno, each carrying the diploma cylinder in hand, walked out through the school gates, accompanied by the fluttering petals of early-blooming cherry blossoms.
Waiting for them at the gate were Jeanne Alter, Asia, Hyoudou Issei, Koneko, and the other members of the Occult Research Club.
"Congratulations on graduating, Rias, Akeno."
On this special day, even Jeanne Alter's smile softened.
Everyone else offered their congratulations as well.
"Whew! I almost thought I was going to miss your graduation."
A few months ago, Beast 666 had broken free of the sealing ritual placed by the God of the Bible, descending first upon Heaven—the domain of angels.
As planned, the gods joined forces to trap Beast 666 in a specially prepared separate dimension. Jeanne Alter entered that dimension to fight it.
Accompanying her inside were the Infinite Dragon God, Ophis, and the True Red Dragon God Emperor, Great Red.
Yes—Great Red had shown up as well.
An unprecedentedly luxurious lineup… though admittedly, no one would actually envy it.
Beast 666 was absurdly powerful. Even Jeanne Alter, armed with the [Sword of Salvation], could not defeat it one-on-one unless she drew on even more of the earth's vital essence to boost her power… yet both Ophis and Great Red were stronger still.
However, the most terrifying thing about Beast 666 was its stubborn vitality. It could regenerate at absurd speeds—wounds vanished in the blink of an eye, even if it was crushed to pulp or burned to ash. It would not die, and would revive fully in mere moments.
No wonder the God of the Bible had chosen to seal it rather than kill it…
Before the final battle, Azazel had suggested that Jeanne Alter bring the [Sephiroth Graal]. Since her abilities could affect even Ophis and Great Red, perhaps permanently bestowing Beast 666 with the Dragon attribute via the Grail would make it easier to eliminate.
But Jeanne Alter refused.
There was something she had kept secret all this time…
After killing Rivezim and taking the [Sephiroth Graal], she had been stunned to discover that some of its power had seeped out, altering the five Holy Grails within her own body.
In other words—even if she returned Valerie's, she still possessed five [Sephiroth Graal].
In the end, the Grail and even [Ascalon] were unnecessary. One of Beast 666's seven heads was already a dragon's head—it naturally possessed the Dragon attribute. Jeanne Alter still chose to destroy it.
It had no reason, no conscience—only pure, unfiltered desire to destroy. Even if she could command and control it for a time, the moment she left this world, Beast 666 would resume indiscriminate annihilation. The only way to ensure it never became a threat was to wipe it out completely.
Ophis and Great Red were mighty, but they lacked the means to truly kill it. Jeanne Alter, however, had a number of divine weapons within her [Sword of Salvation] that could suppress regeneration and counter immortality—exactly what was needed.
Without her, Ophis and Great Red might have needed decades, even centuries, to wear down Beast 666's immortality. With her, that time was greatly shortened.
And so, Jeanne Alter had made it back in time for Rias's graduation.
"…But you managed to perfectly miss your final exams."
From behind her, Issei muttered the jab without thinking.
As soon as the words fell, silence descended. Everyone exchanged awkward glances.
Xenovia tilted her head, rubbing her chin in curiosity.
"Does that mean… if Jeanne-sama doesn't have a score for her finals… she'll have to repeat the year?"
At that, Koneko's eyes widened, sparkling with expectant light.
"If Jeanne-senpai repeated the year… wouldn't that mean she could be in my class?"
That would mean she wouldn't have to run to the upperclass classrooms just to see Jeanne-senpai—she could see her even during class!
She wasn't the only one getting excited—Ravel was as well.
The eldest daughter of the Phoenix family had once been her brother Riser's "bishop." After Jeanne Alter gave Riser a thorough thrashing, she'd been temporarily sent to her mother's side. Recently, Ravel's mother had made a new arrangement with Rias, making Ravel Rias's "bishop" instead.
It had been Ravel's own wish to join Rias's side. As for why… well, she hadn't said.
But it wasn't exactly hard to guess.
If Jeanne-sama really repeated the year, and ended up in my class… I… I'd be so happy to study together with her…
Fingers twisting together in front of her stomach, Ravel looked up at Jeanne Alter with a mix of nerves and expectation.
"Hmph!" Koneko let out a sharp, mocking snort. "Study together? Jeanne-senpai gets first place in the grade every single time. You think you're qualified to 'study' with her?"
"Ugh!" Ravel's cheeks flushed. She glared at Koneko with teeth clenched.
"Then… then I could still ask Jeanne-sama for help! I could make her tea and sweets, and we could have them together while she tutors me—"
"No need. The sweets Jeanne-senpai makes are already the best in the world. She doesn't need yours."
"That's a lie! Jeanne-sama told me herself my sweets are delicious, and my tea's wonderful too!"
"Jeanne-senpai was just being kind so you wouldn't feel bad."
Their foreheads bumped together as they locked horns, glaring fiercely.
Then Asia spoke up, her face clouded with worry.
"Th-then… if Jeanne-san had to repeat the year… would I not get to see her anymore?"
"…I'm repeating a grade, not dying. How could you 'not see me'? Just walk downstairs. And why are you all assuming I'm going to fail in the first place? Can't you wish me well for once? There's still make-up exams, you know?" Jeanne Alter stood with hands on hips, brows knitting in a mix of exasperation and helplessness.
"And seriously—why are we talking about me? Today's supposed to be about Rias and Akeno."
"It's fine, we don't mind," Rias said with a gentle smile and a wave of her hand.
No one was missing; everyone was together. That warmth, that harmony—that was the scene Rias had longed to see.
After so much chaos and disaster, all she wished for now was this ordinary happiness.
During the months Jeanne Alter was fighting Beast 666, with no way of knowing what was happening in that separate dimension, Rias had truly feared something might happen to her. Even though Azazel and Sirzechs kept assuring her that with Ophis and Great Red there, everything would be fine, the worry kept welling up from deep within… and she knew many others were just as anxious.
But now, Jeanne was back—safe, whole, and by their side again.
Everyone was happy to see her return, even Sirzechs and Azazel. No matter how calmly they had spoken before, concern was still concern, and care was still care.
"You three—didn't you have something to say to Rias? Go on, now."
With that, Jeanne Alter gave Koneko, Gasper, and Kiba a push forward.
Facing Rias, the three instantly tensed up.
Since Rias had officially graduated, she would naturally be stepping down as president of the Occult Research Club. Calling her "President" would no longer be right.
So, the three of them had made a decision…
"Rias-onee-sama."
"R-Rias-onee-sama…"
"R-Rias… o… o… onee… sama…"
Rias froze in shock the instant she heard them call her that.
Then, without thinking, she stepped forward and pulled all three into her arms, eyes welling up as tears spilled freely.
She had always longed to hear them call her that—because she had always thought of her servants as family, treating Kiba and the others like younger siblings.
It took her a long while to calm down. Then she gave them a teasing smile.
"Say it again."
"Ehh?!" x3
In the end, with faces flushed bright red, Kiba Yuuto and the other two finally screwed up their courage and called her that again.
Rias, overjoyed, practically danced on the spot.
"Today is truly a day worth celebrating!" Rias declared.
"How nice… I wish someone would call me onee-san too…" Akeno murmured, gently stroking her own cheek, her tone tinged with envy.
And then Jeanne Alter felt Akeno's gaze turn toward her…
Before long, even Rias was looking her way. Jeanne's lips twitched.
What is with you two? You've got the same bad habit as that boring Saint—why are you both so obsessed with making people call you onee-san?
...
Later, they held a celebration banquet.
Those who came included Jeanne Alter, Ophis, Asia, members of the Occult Research Club, Sona and her servants, and even Azazel, along with several parents who had attended the graduation.
"You're planning to leave for a while?!"
Azazel stared at Jeanne Alter in disbelief, and the others were much the same—their eyes on her carried shades of doubt and unease.
Finding the timing suitable, Jeanne had announced it to everyone. It was like dropping a massive boulder into a placid lake—sending up towering waves.
"I'm not leaving immediately." Her eyelids lowered slightly as she spoke in an even voice. "Soon, Rias and her team will be in a Rating Game, right? Their opponent is Sairaorg Bael—heir to the Bael clan, one of the most prominent rising stars of the new generation of devils. I plan to watch their match before I go… Besides, I still have make-up exams. I've no intention of repeating a year."
"No, but… isn't this a bit too sudden? You just got back." Azazel frowned, his expression shifting through light and shadow. "You are the current cornerstone of world peace. If you leave, those mythical factions that finally managed to reach a compromise might start getting ideas again."
"I'm not planning to be gone long. About a month… if nothing unexpected happens."
"That's… not reassuring at all…" Azazel sighed, fixing Jeanne Alter with a long, searching look, but gleaning nothing. "Can you at least tell me what you're going to do?"
"I have my own matters to take care of." Crossing her arms, Jeanne gave a brisk, almost rakish smile. "What, worried I'll get into trouble?"
"The two most unreasonable beings in the world work for you, and you've already taken care of the apocalypse. If you really did get into trouble, then we'd all just have to sit quietly and wait to die." Azazel shrugged.
Ophis had wanted to go with Jeanne, but Jeanne refused without the slightest room for negotiation. She told Rias and the others to look after Ophis and Asia in her absence.
Ravel looked ready to cry. She had gone so far as to become Rias's bishop just so she could see Jeanne every single day—and now, after finally managing it, Jeanne was preparing to leave… even if only for a month.
To long-lived beings like devils and fallen angels, a month was nothing more than a blink of an eye. Even so, partings still carried their weight.
...
Time passed swiftly—like a white colt flashing past a gap, like fine sand slipping through fingers.
The Rating Game between Rias and Sairaorg came to an end, with Rias's side emerging victorious.
Perhaps to show Jeanne the growth they had achieved in this time, Rias and her team fought with everything they had, each move carrying the resolve to seize victory no matter the cost.
And then came the night before Jeanne Alter's departure.
When she returned to the room the Gremory family had prepared for her, intending to go to bed, she found Akeno already lying in it.
From under the bed crawled Koneko and Asia. From behind the curtains peeked Ravel. And from inside the wardrobe, Ophis hopped out.
The others looked a bit shy, cheeks faintly red—even Akeno. Only Ophis was an exception; when she jumped out of the wardrobe, she announced in her flat tone:
"I. Have arrived."
That night, they all slept together. The bed provided by the Gremorys was big enough that even with so many sharing it, it didn't feel crowded.
The next morning, without disturbing a single one of them, Jeanne Alter left that room—and left this world.
In the rift between dimensions, Great Red stretched his wings, flying aimlessly with no particular destination.
Suddenly, as if sensing something, he turned his gaze in one direction and saw a shooting star flying against the flow.
He looked at the star receding into the distance, then at the nearby world. After a moment of thought, he spread his wings and began flying toward that star.
His duties meant he could not stray too far from this world.
But never before had there been a human who caught his interest so deeply, who drew his attention so completely.
So, he decided to escort this fascinating human for just a little of her journey.