Gasper entered the Occult Research Club with calm steps, accompanied by Asia and Koneko, while Akeno followed right behind them, wearing her usual serene smile. Kiba and Saji were already in the room, seated and speaking quietly, stopping their conversation as soon as they noticed the group's arrival. There were no exaggerated greetings. Only short nods, as if everyone understood that this meeting was not casual.
Rias waited near the central table. As soon as Gasper stopped in front of her, the leader's expression shifted from welcoming to serious. There was no unnecessary tension, only the firmness of someone who needed to deliver news that affected everyone.
"Sit down." Rias gestured simply. "Today's training has been canceled."
Gasper lifted his gaze slightly. "Grayfia."
"Yes." Rias confirmed. "She will not be training you this afternoon."
Asia blinked, confused. "But… wasn't the training important?"
"It is." Rias answered without hesitation. "But something more urgent has come up."
The silence adjusted itself to the weight of that statement. Gasper did not ask questions. He already knew the direction this detour pointed to. The name surfaced in his mind before it was spoken, along with vague yet vivid memories of an arrogant heir, surrounded by flames and far too certain of himself.
"Riser Phenex will be visiting tonight." Rias continued. "Grayfia will be present. By direct order."
Saji swallowed hard. Kiba kept his face neutral, but his shoulders stiffened for a brief moment. Koneko crossed her arms, saying nothing. Gasper simply nodded, as if acknowledging something inevitable.
"He is coming to discuss the marriage." Rias spoke plainly. "Because of that, I want everyone here. No one leaves the club. No separate meetings. No exceptions."
Asia raised her hand slowly, hesitant. "Sorry… who is Riser?"
The question was simple, but its effect was not. Akeno stepped closer, inclining her head toward the newcomer.
"Riser Phenex is a noble of the Underworld." Akeno explained gently. "Proud. Convinced that the world should bend to his will."
"He is…" Asia searched for the word. "Dangerous?"
"Arrogant," Akeno answered first. "Conceited." She paused briefly. "And he does not take rejection well."
Rias kept her gaze firm. "That's why everything will be done under my rules."
Gasper thought about how Riser was described in the stories he knew. Always smiling, always speaking as if he were granting favors. Always treating people like pieces. The kind of presence that did not shout threat, but demanded submission out of habit. He took a slow breath, organizing the response he already knew would come.
"So the training is over." Gasper said, more a statement than a question.
"For today." Rias confirmed. "From now on, the priority is keeping everyone safe and aligned."
Asia clasped her fingers, looking from Rias to Gasper. "Is he coming because of me too?"
Rias answered with measured honesty. "Not directly. But your presence changes the board."
Gasper turned to Asia. "You don't need to worry."
She met his gaze, still full of doubts. "But… if he's like that…"
"I will protect you." The words came out firm, without raising his voice. "And Rias."
Koneko inclined her head slightly, approving in silence. Kiba watched Gasper a second longer than usual, recognizing the seriousness of that promise. Saji let out a breath of relief, as if someone had finally said what he needed to hear.
Akeno smiled faintly. "Ara… that was direct."
"It's what's necessary." Gasper replied.
Rias stepped closer, crossing her arms calmly. "Gasper, I don't want unnecessary confrontations. Not today."
"I know." He nodded. "I won't act without your signal."
Asia looked between them, absorbing the dynamic. There was something new there. Not fear. Not empty tension. It was organization. Preparation.
"So…" Asia spoke softly. "We just stay here?"
"Yes." Rias replied. "Together."
Akeno leaned against the table, relaxed. "Think of it as a night of observation. Some people reveal a lot when they believe they're in control."
Gasper thought that Riser would probably talk too much. He always did. And when that happened, every word would be noted.
"If he tries anything," Kiba began.
"He won't." Rias cut in, confident. "Not with everyone present."
Gasper closed his eyes for a brief moment, as if sealing an internal decision. When he opened them, his voice was low but clear.
"If he crosses the line, I intervene."
Rias held his gaze for a few seconds. Then she nodded once. "Understood."
Asia let out a slow breath, realizing that despite everything, she was not alone. She looked around. Rias steady. Akeno calm. Koneko alert. Kiba and Saji attentive. And Gasper in front of her, like a silent wall.
"Thank you." She whispered.
Gasper did not reply. He simply remained there.
Rias took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. "That's it, then. Tonight will be long. I want everyone alert."
She let the silence settle for a brief moment, just long enough for everyone to grasp the weight of her words. Then the rigidity in her tone softened slightly.
"But it's still break time." Rias continued. "Eat. Rest a bit. I want everyone back here when classes end."
Saji exhaled almost immediately.
"Thank you, Rias-sama."
Kiba nodded politely.
"We'll return without delay."
Koneko was already moving toward the door, pulling Asia by the hand naturally. Asia looked at Gasper one last time before leaving, still carrying that mix of gratitude and nervousness she had not yet learned to hide.
Akeno was the last to approach the exit. Before passing through the door, she turned and cast a quick look at Rias, full of silent intent.
Soon, the club grew quieter.
Rias watched the door close and only then allowed herself to relax her posture slightly. Akeno stepped closer, crossing her arms casually.
"You handled that well." Akeno commented. "Especially considering who's coming tonight."
Rias looked away for a moment.
"It's not the first time he's tried to pressure me."
Akeno tilted her head, glancing at where Gasper had been standing.
"And Gasper handled it even better."
Rias raised an eyebrow.
"Are you praising him?"
"I am." Akeno smiled faintly. "Cold. Direct. No posturing. He didn't try to show off. He just positioned himself."
Rias crossed her arms, thoughtful.
"He's… efficient."
Akeno let out a low chuckle.
"Small, but efficient."
The word echoed strangely in Rias's mind.
Small…
The thought came almost automatically, unexpected even to her.
'He's not that small.'
She cut the thought off before it could take shape. She cleared her throat softly, regaining focus.
"Did you notice how Asia reacts when he speaks?" Rias asked.
"Hard not to." Akeno replied. "She calms down. She trusts him. That doesn't happen quickly."
Rias nodded, silent.
There was little else to say for now. The two left the club soon after, each returning to finish the school day, maintaining the appearance of normalcy that Kuoh demanded.
Classes passed without major incidents.
As night began to fall, one by one, the members of the peerage returned to the Occult Research Club. There were no delays. No jokes. The atmosphere was different. More contained. More alert.
Gasper arrived among the first, followed by Koneko and Asia. Kiba and Saji were already there. Akeno appeared shortly after, as if she had calculated the exact timing.
Rias was the last to enter.
She closed the door behind her and walked to the central table.
"Everyone's here."
Before any other comment could be made, the air in front of the room compressed slightly. There was no alarm, no exaggerated reaction. Only immediate recognition of what was about to happen.
Grayfia appeared in a single step, posture impeccable, expression neutral. Beside her, a second presence materialized almost at the same time.
Riser Phenex.
He stepped half a pace ahead of Grayfia, as if the room automatically belonged to him. His smile was far too confident, far too comfortable.
"Rias Gremory." His voice was clear, loaded with forced familiarity. "You're exactly as I remember."
Riser's eyes briefly scanned the others present, without genuine interest. They stopped only on Rias.
"Beautiful." He continued. "And stubborn."
Rias did not respond immediately.
Grayfia remained motionless at his side, fulfilling her role as absolute observer.
"You're not going to welcome me?" Riser asked, tilting his head slightly. "I thought we were past formalities."
"You're on my territory." Rias replied firmly. "And I didn't ask for this visit."
Riser laughed softly, as if that were charming.
"You never ask. You react."
He took another step forward, completely ignoring Gasper, Akeno, and the others. His focus was singular.
"I came to talk." Riser continued. "About our future."
Gasper watched in silence. No visible change. No impulsive movement. Only complete attention.
Asia stayed close to Koneko, feeling the weight of that presence even without understanding all the details. The way Riser spoke, as if everything were already decided, made her uneasy.
Akeno inclined her head slightly, her smile far too gentle to be innocent.
"You seem very confident, Riser-san."
Riser finally cast a quick glance at her, only to dismiss her immediately after.
"Adults are talking."
Akeno kept smiling.
"Of course."
Rias crossed her arms.
"If you came to impose something, you wasted your time."
Riser spread his arms theatrically.
"Impose? No. Just reminding you of the agreement."
"That agreement is dead." Rias replied without hesitation.
Riser's smile did not fade. If anything, it sharpened.
"We'll see."
Grayfia stepped forward, her voice neutral.
"This discussion will occur under supervision. No excesses."
"As always." Riser replied, never taking his eyes off Rias.
The silence that followed was not awkward. It was tense.
Gasper remained where he was, his thoughts clear and focused.
'Arrogant, as expected.'
And if Riser had not noticed yet, there was something different about this room.
This time, Rias was not alone.
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