"Oh? Is that so? " I clapped my hands lightly, trying to cut the oppressive air. "Then let's all relax for a moment. I'd hate to ruin the mood over nothing. Koneko and I were actually enjoying the party. They just brought out this incredible pudding—limited portion. If we don't hurry, we'll miss it."
Koneko blinked, startled by the sudden shift. Her ears twitched, but she remained frozen in place.
Not far away, a figure emerged from behind a tree, yawning in boredom.
"Oi, Kuroka~." Bikou scratched his cheek lazily. "Let's head back. We're not exactly invited to that fancy devil party. Staying here is just wasting time."
Kuroka didn't take her eyes off Koneko. Her smile stretched, predatory and affectionate all at once.
"Yes, let's go back," she hummed softly. "But I'll be taking Shirone with me—nyan. Since I wasn't able to do so back then."
Koneko gasped quietly, her fists trembling.
Bikou sighed, leaning his staff over his shoulder. "Arara… If you just drag her away like that, Vali might actually get pissed. You know how he gets with unnecessary trouble."
Kuroka's tail swayed. "When they learn that she holds the same potential as I do, both Ophis and Vali will surely understand. They'll want her power on our side."
"Well…" Bikou made a face but didn't argue further. "That might be true."
Kuroka's smile widened into a razor-edged crescent. The look in her eyes—possessive, hungry, desperate—made Koneko take a fearful step back.
That was enough.
I stepped directly between them, blocking her path. The night wind rustled, and the atmosphere shifted.
"Kuroka," I said firmly, "Koneko isn't alone. She's one of us—part of the Gremory family. Her life, her heart, her future… they aren't something you can just claim."
She tilted her head, amused. Bikou let out a short laugh.
"No, no," he chuckled. "That's admirable and all, but… do you really intend to oppose us? We're not your enemy, kid. We just want this girl, and then we leave. Simple, right? "
"I don't want to fight you guys. But given that we both are stubborn, it is inevitable. But Kuroka, I say with certainty that Koneko is happy, and if something evil were to claw its way up to her, then I will stop it. You have my word."
Given that, I know her past, If I give her a promise to keep Koneko safe, she should back off.
The forest fell silent.
Kuroka's smile faded, replaced by something colder… sharper. Her eyes scanned me with new interest, as though reassessing a puzzle she hadn't realized was complex.
"You speak boldly," she murmured.
"I speak truth."
She exhaled—a soft, disappointed sigh—and lifted her hand.
"Bikou. We're leaving."
"Oh? That's it? " he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"For now." Her gaze flicked to Koneko, and her tail flicked behind her. "I'll come for you next time, Shirone. You can't run from familia forever—nyan."
Koneko flinched, gripping my sleeve.
Kuroka and Bikou turned away, disappearing into a swirl of black magic and distorted space. The forest grew calm once more, but the chill remained—like a claw scraping the back of the soul.
Koneko's breathing trembled. I could feel her fear through every shiver.
"…Are you okay? " I asked.
She didn't look up at first. But then, slowly, she leaned closer, seeking warmth—a fragile kitten pretending to be strong.
"…Thank you," she whispered, voice faint.
I placed a hand gently on her head.
"You don't have to thank me. You're not alone anymore."
Her tail curled in close, and she nodded.
•••
We slipped quietly back through the garden entrance, the distant hum of the party swelling louder as music and laughter greeted us once more. The warm lights of the hall felt strangely distant after the cold tension of the forest.
Rias noticed us immediately and hurried over, her expression shifting from relief to mild concern.
"There you are. I was just about to send Akeno to look for you." Her gaze alternated between me and Koneko. "Where did you two go?"
I shrugged lightly, keeping my tone calm and casual. "Koneko's sister paid her a visit. Things got tense, so I stepped in as a mediator."
Rias' eyes widened—not in surprise that someone came, but in who it was. She understood instantly.
"Kuroka…" she muttered, worry creasing her brow.
Akeno joined, giving me a teasing yet curious smile. "My, my~ You kept so quiet about it. Handling a Stray Devil and a member of the Vali team so coolly… How bold of you, Issei-kun."
I gave a small nod. "Koneko was scared. I wasn't about to let her face that alone."
Rias' expression softened. "I'll need to report this to Sirzechs-oniisama. But for now… enjoy the party."
~~~
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