"DXD: Infinite Loot System"Chapter 278: Shinra Tsubaki's Story
"Sona, that's enough for today. I'll head out."
Tenra left the student council office with a satisfied grin, leaving Sona slumped in her chair, cheeks flushed and breath ragged. She stared down at her torn uniform, mortification and fury warring on her face.
How many times has that bastard shredded my clothes now?
Tenra, of course, was blissfully unaware of the president's embarrassment. Outside, he found Shinra Tsubaki waiting, poised and silent as ever.
"Tenra-sama."
Her usual cool composure was betrayed by a faint blush creeping across her face.
No need to ask—Tsubaki had clearly stationed herself there to make sure no one disturbed Tenra and Sona.
"Do you have a moment, Tsubaki-san? I'd like to talk."
She hesitated, caught off guard by the invitation, but nodded after a brief pause.
Tsubaki led him to a quiet, elegantly furnished lounge. Sunlight filtered through the window, painting the room in gentle hues. Tenra settled onto the sofa and stretched, relaxing into the cushions.
"Funny, isn't it? This is the first time we've been alone together, Tsubaki-san."
As Sona's Queen, Tsubaki was always at her side, managing paperwork and smoothing over chaos whenever Tenra dropped by. He'd lost count of how many times it was Tsubaki who handled his requests.
"Tenra-sama, we… we…"
His teasing tone sent a flush across her cheeks. For all her ice queen reputation, Tsubaki looked utterly flustered—if the students saw their vice president like this, jaws would hit the floor.
"Relax—I'm just joking around," Tenra said with a gentle smile. "Actually, I'm a bit thirsty. Could you make me some tea?"
"Ah… Yes, Tenra-sama."
She seemed relieved to have something to do, quickly gathering the tea set and preparing a pot.
Tsubaki couldn't help but feel a little troubled. She could face anyone with the same calm as Sona, but whenever she was alone with Tenra, her thoughts scattered and her composure slipped.
A few minutes later, she placed a cup of steaming black tea in front of him. Tenra took a sip and nodded in approval.
"Excellent. You really know your tea, Tsubaki-san. This is as good as Akeno's."
Tea ceremony was an art—a single misstep could ruin even the finest leaves. But Tsubaki's brew was flawless, refined and comforting.
He set his cup down. "Tsubaki-san, you all know about me and Sona, don't you?"
Her eyes widened. She faltered, cheeks burning, but Tenra's gentle gaze made it impossible to dodge the truth.
"Yes," she whispered, lowering her head.
Once or twice, they might have missed it. But after so many times, how could Sona's peerage not notice?
"Just as you guessed, Sona and I are together. She's not ready to go public yet, though."
He leaned forward, voice soft but sincere. "As her servants, I hope you won't misunderstand Sona. She didn't keep it secret out of mistrust—just a girl's natural reserve. You understand, don't you?"
"We… we do. All of us."
"Good. Since Sona can't say it, I will. She's always been proud to have such reliable people by her side."
Tsubaki's smile was genuine now, her posture relaxing. "And we're honored, Tenra-sama. Serving Sona-sama is our greatest privilege."
Their relationship had long since outgrown simple master and servant. They were sisters, friends, comrades—bound by daily life and battle, by laughter and hardship.
Tenra smiled, then shifted the conversation. "Since we're alone, would you tell me about yourself, Tsubaki-san?"
"Me?"
She blinked, uncertain.
"I've troubled you so many times, but I barely know you. I'd like to understand you better. Of course, if it's uncomfortable, forgive my rudeness."
He made no attempt to hide his curiosity; he genuinely wanted to know her story.
And what would he do with that knowledge? Well, whatever he felt like.
"There's no discomfort," Tsubaki said, meeting his eyes. Her face grew even warmer, her heart thudding in her chest. A strange happiness fluttered inside her.
She'd never felt this way before, but she understood what it meant. Still, thinking of Sona-sama, she forced herself to tamp down the fluttering in her heart.
She took a steadying breath and, under Tenra's gentle encouragement, began to tell her story.
As her surname suggested, Tsubaki hailed from the renowned Shinra clan—a family of magicians, one of the five great supernatural houses that had shaped Japan from the shadows for centuries. Like Akeno's mother's Himejima clan, the Shinra were famed for their mystical arts and secret influence.
From birth, Tsubaki had been marked by the gods, awakening her Sacred Gear—the power to summon otherworldly creatures through mirrors.
But uncontrolled power brings only misfortune. Her abilities caused chaos, drawing fear and resentment from her family. As she grew older, her Sacred Gear rampaged more and more, putting her very life at risk.
Desperate, her parents sought help from the devils—the Sitri family. Sona's house helped Tsubaki master her power, but the price was steep: she would serve as Sona's Queen, bound to her forever.
To the Shinra clan, consorting with devils was unforgivable. Tsubaki and her parents were cast out, stripped of their name and status.
Tenra listened in silence, sympathy flickering in his eyes. Like Akeno, Tsubaki's life had been shaped by trauma and exile—another outcast who found family among devils.
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