After I fully recovered, I kept my promise to Sona.
The day I was scheduled to visit the Sitri household arrived far sooner than I expected. I had barely finished adjusting my coat when Rias crossed her arms and declared—very firmly—that she would be coming with me.
"Ise, it's only natural," she said, her tone perfectly reasonable. "You're visiting another noble house. As your King, I should—"
Before she could finish, Venelana-sama appeared as if summoned by fate itself.
"Oh my," Rias's mother said pleasantly, wearing that refined smile that never failed to put pressure on the air around her. "Rias, I'm afraid that won't be possible today. There are… matters in the household that require your attention."
"Eh?" Rias blinked. "What matters?"
Venelana-sama leaned closer and smiled just a little wider.
"Mother-and-daughter matters."
For some reason, that smile sent a chill down my spine.
Rias opened her mouth to protest—but one look at Venelana-sama's eyes made her freeze. A few seconds later, she sighed in defeat.
"…Fine. But don't do anything strange, Ise."
"I won't," I replied immediately.
Venelana-sama's gaze flicked to me, amused. "Ara~ such a reliable young man."
That weird smile again.
I didn't know why, but I felt like I'd just been gently—but firmly—pushed onto a stage I didn't fully understand yet.
•••
The Sitri household was every bit as imposing as the Gremory estate.
The moment I arrived, a long line of maids and butlers stood perfectly aligned at the entrance, all bowing in unison.
"Welcome, Hyoudou Issei-sama."
…Yeah.
Déjà vu hit me hard.
This was exactly what it felt like the first time I had visited Rias's family. Same overwhelming noble atmosphere. Same feeling of being quietly examined from every angle. Same internal voice telling me to stand straight and not embarrass myself.
Lady Sitri and Lord Sitri greeted me personally at the entrance hall.
"It is a pleasure to welcome you," Lady Sitri said warmly. "We have heard much about you."
Lord Sitri nodded, eyes sharp but not unkind. "Indeed. Please, consider yourself at home."
And then—
I noticed Sona.
She stood beside her parents, posture flawless as ever—but everything else was off.
She wasn't wearing her usual uniform-like attire or anything practical and reserved. Instead, she was dressed in an elegant, flowing dress—deep blue, accented with silver. It was refined, beautiful… and completely contradictory to her usual personality.
It suited her far more than she probably wanted it to.
She noticed me staring and adjusted her glasses slightly, cheeks faintly tense.
Something was going on.
I could feel it.
Serafall wasn't present. Neither were any members of Sona's Peerage. That alone was strange. If this were a normal visit, at least someone would have been around.
Instead, I was escorted deeper into the mansion and treated like visiting royalty—tea prepared to perfection, servants anticipating my every movement.
And throughout it all, Sona sat quietly beside me.
Troubled.
Not nervous—but conflicted.
There was something burning beneath the surface. Not anger. Not embarrassment.
Pressure.
Lady Sitri studied me for a moment before speaking again.
"Hyoudou-san," she said, folding her hands gracefully. "May I ask—are you well versed in devil history and etiquette?"
"Yes, ma'am," I replied honestly. "Lady Venelana has been personally teaching me. Quite thoroughly."
That earned a soft murmur of approval.
"I see," Lady Sitri said thoughtfully. "So she's already started."
Lord Sitri chuckled lightly. "That woman never does anything halfway."
Sona stiffened slightly.
Then Lady Sitri turned her gaze fully toward me.
"Tell me," she said gently, yet unmistakably directly. "What do you think of my daughter?"
The room went silent.
I opened my mouth to answer—
—and Sona stood up so abruptly her chair scraped against the floor.
"Excuse us," she said sharply.
Before anyone could react, she grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward the hallway.
"S-Sona?" I started, but she didn't slow down.
As we passed through the doorway, she turned her head just enough to shoot her parents a look—cool, sharp, and unmistakably warning.
Lady Sitri blinked once.
Then she laughed.
A light, amused laugh.
"Oh my," she said. "How energetic."
Lord Sitri smiled knowingly. "Youth is lively, isn't it?"
The door closed behind us.
And whatever was burning beneath the surface?
I was pretty sure I was about to find out what it was.
~~~