The valley was alive with tension. Tenra moved with practiced caution, senses stretched thin, scanning the shadows for any sign of danger.
A sudden rush of air—
He barely had time to react. The sky above darkened, and something shot down at him like a meteor.
Koneko Toujou.
Tenra twisted aside at the last possible instant, feeling the shockwave as Koneko's fist obliterated the spot where he'd just stood, blasting a crater into the valley floor.
She didn't pause. Koneko launched herself at him again, feet pounding the earth, fists flying in a blur. Her attacks came so fast, Tenra could barely track them—each punch a flash of white, each movement sharp as lightning.
Tenra's eyes narrowed. Enough retreating. He let his spiritual energy surge, meeting Koneko head-on.
Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom!
Stone and sand erupted around them, the air thick with the force of their blows. The valley echoed with the relentless crash of combat.
As Rias's Rook, Koneko was a force of nature—her power and defense unmatched, her close-quarters fighting so fierce that even Tenra couldn't afford a single mistake.
They leapt and dodged, trading blows in a dizzying dance, neither willing to yield.
Since arriving here, Tenra had sparred with Koneko every day. He could tell she was driven by something more than just training. Rias hadn't intervened—after all, Tenra's guidance had helped Koneko improve by leaps and bounds.
Another thunderous impact—Tenra forced Koneko back with a punch, then sprang up the valley wall in a burst of speed.
Koneko wasn't about to let him get away. She kicked off and followed, but Tenra suddenly halted midair, grinned at her, and drove his fist into the cliffside.
The stone wall collapsed. Massive boulders tumbled down toward Koneko.
She started to dodge—then stopped. Instead, she clenched her fists and punched straight into the falling rocks.
Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom.
Each boulder shattered under her fists, pulverized into dust.
Tenra dropped to the ground, grinning at her through the haze. "Nice work, Koneko-chan."
She was getting stronger every day.
Koneko hesitated, eyes flickering. "Tenra-senpai, I… I…"
Her words faded. Suddenly, her knees buckled and she collapsed.
—
"Akeno, how's Koneko-chan?"
Tenra caught Akeno as she stepped out of the room, worry etched on his face.
"Koneko's sleeping now, Tenra…"
Akeno started to say more, but Tenra cut her off. "If you're going to scold me, save it for later. I need to see her."
He pushed past, leaving Akeno shaking her head, a small smile on her lips.
Of everyone, Tenra blamed himself most for what happened. She'd never intended to criticize him.
Inside, Koneko lay quietly on the bed. Rias sat at her side, watching over her.
"Sorry, Rias. This is my fault. I pushed her too hard."
Tenra brushed a hand over Koneko's sleeping forehead, guilt heavy in his voice.
Rias shook her head. "It's not your fault. I should have noticed sooner. Koneko's been forcing herself for a while now."
Her regret was plain. As Koneko's master, she should have seen the signs—should have protected her.
Koneko's brow was furrowed even in sleep. For a long moment, neither Tenra nor Rias spoke.
"Tenra," Rias said quietly, "you know about Koneko's past, don't you?"
Tenra nodded. "I've heard a little."
Rias's voice grew soft, almost distant. "There were two nekomata sisters, orphaned young. They survived together, clinging to each other."
"One day, devils found them. The older sister became a devil's servant, finally able to live a normal life. But when she became a reincarnated devil, her hidden powers exploded out of control. She killed her master and ran, becoming a dangerous stray devil who wiped out entire pursuit squads."
"The devils worried the younger sister might go berserk too. They planned to eliminate her, but Sirzechs-sama adopted her under strict surveillance—hoping I could teach her to smile, to find meaning in living…"
Tenra listened in silence, heart heavy. He knew the sisters in Rias's story: Koneko and her elder sister, Kuroka.
"This child fights against her own existence and power every day. She wants so badly to be strong enough to help me, but she's terrified her abilities will spiral out of control—terrified she'll become like her sister."
"I know all of this. I wanted to give her warmth and happiness, to let her live with a smile every day. But instead, I've only caused her pain. I'm not a good master."
Rias covered her face, voice trembling.
Tenra wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "Rias, you've done everything you could. One day, your feelings will reach Koneko-chan."
"And I'll help you. I'll help Koneko face her fears, so she can live happily from now on."
Rias sniffed, then shot him a glare. "Don't think I don't know what you're up to—you just want to add Koneko to your harem!"
Tenra grinned sheepishly. "Can you blame me? She's adorable. I want her to be happy, too."
"And wouldn't it be nice if she stayed with us, always?"
Rias rolled her eyes. "Excuses, huh?"
She bit him hard on the shoulder.
Tenra nearly yelped. He wondered, not for the first time, if Rias had gotten a little too fond of biting him lately.
If she ever found out about his more questionable thoughts, she'd probably bite his head off. But watching Tenra grit his teeth, trying not to wake Koneko, Rias couldn't help but laugh. The heaviness in her heart eased a little.
They stayed by Koneko's side a while longer, careful not to disturb her. Then quietly, they slipped out of the room.
Neither noticed the single, glistening tear that slid from the corner of Koneko's eye as they left.
"Tenra-senpai… Rias-buchou…"
🔥 Want to read the next 50+ chapters RIGHT NOW?
💎 Patreon members get instant access!
⚡ Limited-time offer currently running...
👉 [Join on - patreon.com/GoldenLong]