DingDangDongDeng
The bell finally rang, marking the end of the school day, and with it a light wave of relief swept through the classroom. The teacher was the first to move; he gathered his papers quickly and stacked his books with his usual haste before leaving without sparing much of a glance behind him. And the moment he stepped out, the students began to breathe freely—laughing, packing their books into their bags, and preparing to either head home or go out with friends.
Ren, for his part, stood up calmly. He picked up his bag from beside his desk, but unlike everyone else, he didn't head straight to the door. Instead, he remained still for a few seconds, observing the familiar chaos that always followed the end of a school day, then made his way with steady steps toward the desk where Irina and Xenovia were sitting, chatting quietly as they packed their things.
The two girls stopped talking when he approached, lifting their heads toward him at the same time—one with a bright smile, the other with her usual composed look. It wasn't surprising; he had already agreed with them earlier that morning to hang out together after school, and Yuma was also joining them, her seat close enough that she naturally observed everything in her usual quiet manner.
"Are you all ready?"
Ren asked with a gentle tone, looking at each of them in turn as if making sure everyone was prepared before starting their little after-school plan.
And as the moment approached, the atmosphere seemed to shift from the routine of the school day into the beginning of something livelier… something clearly resembling a small outing among friends who knew well that life after school always carried a different kind of fun.
"Yes!"
Irina nodded with a small burst of enthusiasm, exchanging a quick glance with Xenovia before the two stood up together. And under the watchful gazes of the other supernatural beings in the room—fallen angels, devils, and even the clueless humans—the four of them walked out one after another, looking very much like a mysterious little group carrying a secret no one else knew.
Across the classroom, Issei watched them leave, his eyebrows lifting slightly as he glanced sideways at the blonde-haired nun beside him—Asia—who couldn't hide her curiosity, her wide and innocent eyes following the group with interest.
"Let's go, Asia."
Issei said, trying to redirect her attention away from the departing trio. He tightened the strap of his bag and added in a low voice, as if already anticipating trouble:
"President is waiting for us. It looks like she has something important to announce today."
Asia blinked hesitantly, then nodded shyly before following Issei toward the door, though her mind lingered with quiet questions she didn't yet have the courage to ask… at least not now.
_
After leaving the school gates, the three walked at a relaxed pace toward a nearby café—a familiar spot they had visited countless times, the same place where Ren often handled small "deals" and their usual meeting point whenever they needed one. The late-afternoon light filled the streets, the air carrying that familiar sense of freedom after a long day.
Upon arriving, Irina stopped for a moment in front of the café's glass façade before breaking into a wide smile.
"It's been so long since we last came here!"
She said it with childlike excitement as she stepped inside behind Ren, with Xenovia following her quietly, though anyone could notice the faint flicker of comfort on her face.
As they entered, the traditional greeting of the waiter near the entrance rang out.
"Welcome!" he said with a professional smile and a small bow. "Would you like a table for four?"
Ren waved his hand lightly.
"No need. We're meeting a friend who's already here."
And as he spoke, his eyes scanned the room. The warm scent of coffee and the usual calm atmosphere grounded him in familiarity. Soon, his gaze stopped at a table in a semi-secluded corner—occupied by a single person who seemed to have been waiting patiently for them.
Ren nodded toward the girls, signaling them to follow, then walked toward the table with steady confidence. Behind him, Irina and Yuma watched with open curiosity, while Xenovia remained cautiously observant, as she always was in public spaces.
It was clear that today's meeting… wasn't going to be just another ordinary café visit.
The four soon reached the secluded table, where a beautiful girl sat waiting—blonde/flaxen hair, caramel eyes, dressed in a school uniform: a blue shirt, a brown skirt, and a pair of long socks.
"Ren-kun!"
The moment she saw him approach, her face lit up with a warm smile, the kind you couldn't possibly mistake. Without hesitation, she moved her bag aside to make space for him beside her. It was obvious she had been waiting, and that seeing him was enough to lighten her entire day.
Ren sat next to her calmly, as if this was something he'd been doing for a long time.
"Did I keep you waiting, Mahiru?"
He asked in a soft tone—more like a gentle tease than an apology.
Across from them, Irina, Xenovia, and Yuma stood frozen for a few seconds…
"…?"
They stared at the pair in clear, unhidden curiosity; it was rare to see Ren sit so naturally beside a girl—especially a girl who was entirely human. No holy aura, no magic signatures, nothing supernatural at all. Just an ordinary girl… though his familiarity with her seemed anything but ordinary.
Still, despite the questions filling their minds, the three silently chose to hold back their curiosity and took their seats with well-practiced composure.
Ren noticed their looks and smiled faintly before deciding to clear up any misunderstandings early.
"Let me introduce you."
He gestured toward the girl beside him with quiet confidence.
"This is Shiina Mahiru, my former neighbor from the apartment I used to live in."
Then he turned to Mahiru.
"And these are my friends: Amano Yuuma, Shidou Irina, and Quarta Xenovia."
Mahiru, who carried a natural calmness and a graceful poise in her movements, offered them a gentle smile and an elegant little bow.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. I hope we get along well."
A polite smile, a soft voice, an impeccably smooth bow… for a moment, the entire café felt a bit calmer.
As for the three girls?
They exchanged quick glances—filled with curiosity, and perhaps a faint hint of wariness—before returning her greeting with their own polite words.
One thing was clear:
This meeting… was not going to end without raising many questions.
...
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