"Father!"
No one expected the mighty former clan head to be defeated so easily. The Himejima practitioners stared in shock as Suzaku, ignoring all restraint, darted onto the battlefield.
"Cough… cough…"
"Boy, I've lost. If you want this old life, take it—but please, spare the Himejima clan."
A savage gash carved across his chest, the elder slumped weakly as Suzaku helped him sit up. He managed a wry smile.
He'd known he'd lose, but not like this—not so quickly, not so completely.
Just how strong had Tenra become?
"If you want my father dead, you'll have to go through me first!"
Suzaku planted herself in front of him, defiant, shielding her father with her own body as Tenra approached.
"Foolish child!"
"Suzaku, have you forgotten my orders? Step aside at once!"
The elder's tone was sharp, his face contorted with urgency. His own life meant little—but Suzaku, as clan head, must not come to harm.
"Father, I won't!"
Suzaku bit her lip, head turned stubbornly away. For the first time in her life, she defied him.
"You… you…"
Agitated, the elder coughed up blood. Suzaku panicked.
"Father! Father!"
Watching their father-daughter drama, Tenra couldn't help but roll his eyes. Seriously, you two—do you have to go full tragedy? You're making me look like the villain here.
Well, from their side, he probably was.
"Akeno, what do you want to do with him?"
"He gave the order to kill your mother, and tried to erase you too. If you want, I'll finish him for you, right now."
Tenra glanced at Akeno.
His grudge over the broken sword was settled enough. Honestly, this "weak" opponent didn't interest him anymore. Better to let Akeno—the true victim—decide.
"Akeno, please… Please don't let him hurt Father. I'm begging you…"
Suzaku pleaded desperately as Akeno stepped forward, her expression unreadable.
"Tenra, that's enough. Let him go."
Akeno's voice was soft, but resolute.
"No regrets?"
Tenra's lips curled, searching her eyes.
"I won't be trapped by the past or hatred anymore. Mother wouldn't want me to seek revenge."
"And the pain of losing someone… I've endured enough. I don't want Suzaku-neesan to suffer like I did."
She shook her head. In that moment, Akeno finally let go—her hatred, her grief, her past.
Rather than dragging others into the darkness, she'd choose to live well. That's what her mother would have wanted.
"Akeno… thank you, thank you…"
Tears spilled down Suzaku's cheeks as she clung to her.
Tenra shrugged, letting the demon sword dissolve in his hand.
"If that's Akeno's choice, then so be it."
Had she wanted vengeance, he'd have delivered it. But seeing her let go—he was glad for her.
"Uncle, my grudge with the Himejima clan ends here. I won't seek revenge again—but please, don't interfere in my life anymore."
Akeno's voice was cool, clear. The elder nodded, defeated.
He'd lost, utterly—this time, in every way.
"Suzaku-neesan, I'm sorry about today."
Akeno's gaze softened as she looked to Suzaku, apology in her eyes.
"No, we're the ones who should apologize, Akeno."
Suzaku shook her head, guilt written all over her face.
As clan head, she knew everything. Her people had wronged Akeno and her mother. Yet Akeno chose forgiveness…
"Tenra, let's go home."
Akeno leaned into Tenra, exhaustion etched across her face.
"Yeah, yeah…"
Tenra brushed her forehead gently, tossed a vial of Phoenix Tears to Suzaku, then unfurled his crimson wings. Holding Akeno close, he shot skyward, vanishing into the night.
"This is…"
Recognizing the gift, Suzaku's face lit up. She hurried to treat her father with the Phoenix Tears, watching as his wounds healed almost instantly.
"Cough… cough…"
"Suzaku, for family honor and position, I once ordered those terrible things done to Akeno and her mother. And I've paid for it—with a lifetime of regret."
"I don't deserve that child's forgiveness. But you're different—your hands are clean, and she doesn't hate you. So… so…"
"I understand, Father. I understand…"
—
Night fell. Kamiyo residence, Tenra's room.
"Ah… ah…"
The air was thick with chaos and embarrassment, the room echoing with Rias's mortified cries.
"Rias, still jealous?"
Tenra grinned, stroking the flushed face beneath him.
"You two… you two…"
Pinned down by Tenra and Akeno, Rias squirmed, her shame and frustration boiling over.
"Ara ara, Rias—dishonest girls get punished, you know."
Akeno's wicked smile flashed. She leaned down, silencing Rias with a kiss.
"Mmph… mmph…"
Rias's eyes flew wide. Her struggles only seemed to encourage the two devils, who grew bolder in their teasing.
Asia's face was scarlet as she covered her eyes, refusing to watch.
Irina and Xenovia exchanged glances, contemplating a rescue—then immediately thought better of it. They weren't about to become victims themselves.
Elsewhere, Yubelluna, Tosca, Mira, Ni, Li, and several Fallen Angels sprawled about, reactions ranging from embarrassed to sympathetic to simply defeated.
Raynare's eyes, though, sparkled with excitement. Watching Akeno join Tenra in tormenting Rias, she looked positively thrilled.
Akeno Himejima—truly one of their own. Raynare found herself liking her more and more.
Licking her lips mischievously, Raynare rallied herself and dove into the fray.
Poor Rias. Tonight was destined to be a nightmare she'd never forget…
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