The morning sun filtered through Yuuto's bedroom window with the gentle insistence of a world that expected him to be normal. He lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, his mind still processing the previous night's acquisition.
Killer Queen.
The name alone carried weight. He'd spent hours reading and rereading the card's description, memorizing every detail about Yoshikage Kira's abilities and mindset. The power was terrifying in its simplicity—touch something, make it a bomb, eliminate the problem completely.
No evidence. No traces. No witnesses.
Perfect for someone who needs to hide, he thought with bitter irony.
But more than the abilities, it was the mindset that unsettled him. The skill labeled "Maintaining Normalcy Under Pressure" hummed at the edge of his consciousness like a second heartbeat. He could feel it there, a cold analytical distance that helped him compartmentalize, helped him smile and act ordinary even while carrying the weight of secrets that could destroy everything.
Just like Kira did for decades.
Yuuto shook his head and forced himself out of bed. No point dwelling on it. He had school today, and more importantly, he had a peerage to convince that he was still their normal, reliable Knight, who got lucky to defeat three fallen angels at once.
No one will be suspicious.
No one.
---
Lunch period found Yuuto on the roof, bento box balanced on his lap as he enjoyed the spring breeze and relative solitude. He'd learned early that this spot offered the perfect balance—visible enough that he didn't seem antisocial, isolated enough that he could actually think.
The door opened behind him.
"Ara ara~ Found you."
Akeno stepped onto the roof, her own lunch in hand and that ever-present gentle smile on her face. But Yuuto had learned to read the subtle variations in that smile—this one carried something heavier than usual.
She wants to talk about yesterday.
"Akeno-san," he greeted warmly, patting the spot beside him. "Care to join me?"
"I'd love to." She settled down with practiced grace, arranging her skirt carefully. For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, just eating and watching clouds drift across the sky.
"So," Yuuto said after a while, keeping his tone casual. "What happened after I left yesterday? With the Fallen Angels' bodies and Asia?"
Akeno's smile dimmed slightly. "Buchou contacted her brother about it and then he contacted Lady Leviathan immediately. Reported about the attack, the location, everything." She paused, chopsticks hovering over her bento. "She said, she will be addressing this with Lord Azazel within two days"
"That fast?"
"Fallen Angels attacking a High-Class Devil's peerage in protected territory?" Akeno's voice carried an edge now. "This is a concerning matter, Yuuto kun. Lady Leviathan said she wanted everything documented before the Grigori could spin their own narrative."
Politics and power plays, Yuuto thought. Of course.
"And Asia?"
"Buchou kept her at the clubroom, explaining devil society basics until late." Akeno's expression softened. "The poor girl was overwhelmed. So many rules, so much information all at once. But she tried so hard to understand everything."
Yuuto nodded, taking another bite of his lunch "She's resilient. She'll adjust, in no time"
They fell into silence again, but Yuuto could feel the weight of unasked questions hanging in the air between them. Akeno was building up to something.
Finally, she spoke.
"Yuuto-kun." Her voice was quieter now, more serious. "About yesterday... how did you really do it?"
Here it comes.
"Do what?" He kept his tone light, curious but not defensive.
"Kill three Fallen Angels by yourself." Akeno turned to look at him directly, violet eyes searching his face. "I've seen you train, Yuuto-kun. I know how strong you are. But three experienced Fallen Angels, in their own barrier, with you protecting someone at the same time?" She shook her head slowly. "That's... extraordinary. Even for a Knight piece."
Yuuto met her gaze steadily, channeling every bit of Kira's skill at maintaining normalcy under scrutiny.
"I got lucky," he said simply. "They underestimated me because of my age. Thought I'd panic, make mistakes. Instead, I stayed calm and exploited every opening they gave me."
"Also...You were stronger" Akeno repeated, her tone suggesting she didn't quite believe that.
"And desperate," Yuuto added, which was technically true. "They were going to kill me, Akeno-san. Kill Asia. I didn't have the luxury of holding back or fighting honorably. I fought like my life depended on it, because it did."
Akeno studied him for a long moment, and Yuuto could see the wheels turning behind her eyes. She was analyzing, questioning, trying to reconcile what she knew about his abilities with what he'd accomplished.
She won't let it aside easily he thought I have to settle this right now
"Why do you ask?" He tilted his head, genuine curiosity coloring his voice. "Do you think I'm hiding something, Akeno sa?"
The direct question seemed to catch her off guard. Her eyes widened slightly, and for a moment her careful composure slipped.
"I... no, that's not..." She paused, regrouping. "I just want to make sure you're alright. That you're not haunted by it or hiding injuries or..." She trailed off, frustration flickering across her face.
She suspects something, but she doesn't know what. And the direct confrontation made her second-guess herself.
"I'm fine, Akeno-san," Yuuto said gently, putting warmth and reassurance into his voice. "A little sore, maybe tired, but nothing serious. Asia's healing took care of the worst of it."
"But still.." Akeno pressed, not quite ready to let it go "Killing three Fallen Angels... that's not something that leaves you unchanged, Yuuto kun. You can talk to me if you want to, get over it. I understand what it's like to—"
She stopped abruptly, cutting herself off before she revealed too much.
She's thinking about her own experiences with the violence Yuuto realized. But she didn't know Yuuto had a similar experience as her, seeing someone they cared for, dying in front of them, while protecting them
"Thank you," he said sincerely. "Really. But I promise, I'm okay. It was either them or me, and I chose me. I don't feel any guilt about that."
Which was true. He didn't feel guilty about killing those Fallen Angels. They would have killed him, would have taken his Sacred Gear, would have hurt countless others.
What he felt guilty about was the deception. The manipulation. The lies he was telling to the people who trusted him.
But he couldn't tell her that.
Akeno sighed, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. "Alright. I believe you." She paused, then added more quietly, "But Yuuto-kun, if there's ever anything you need to tell me—anything about what happened, anything about you—I want you to know you can trust me."
I know I can, Yuuto thought with a pang of genuine regret. That's what makes this so hard.
"I appreciate that, Akeno-san," he said aloud. "More than you know."
They finished lunch in a more comfortable silence, though Yuuto could still feel her occasional glances, still seeing the questions lurking beneath her gentle smile.
She's not convinced, he thought as they gathered their things and headed back inside. But it's for her own good that she doesn't trouble herself with this, anymore.
It was a complication he didn't need, but it was also inevitable. Akeno was perceptive, intelligent, and she cared about the people in the peerage. Of course she'd notice when something didn't quite fit.
I'll just have to be more careful, with my words he decided. More consistent with my cover story. Give her nothing to latch onto.
But even as he thought it, he knew it would be difficult. Akeno was like a dog with a bone when something caught her attention. She wouldn't let this go easily.
One more thing to manage, he thought tiredly. One more secret to keep track of.
The weight of deception was getting heavier.
---
After school, Yuuto made his way to the Occult Research Club as usual. The familiar corridors of the old school building wrapped around him like a well-worn blanket, and he could smell jasmine tea before he even opened the door.
Inside, he found organized chaos.
Koneko sat on the couch with a manga, that Yuuto lent her. Her golden eyes kept flicking toward the corner where Asia knelt on the floor, surrounded by books, looking utterly overwhelmed.
Akeno moved through the room with tea and snacks, playing the perfect hostess.
And Rias sat at her desk, reviewing what looked like contract paperwork while simultaneously explaining devil society to their newest member.
"—and that's why we use the transportation circles," Rias was saying patiently. "It's much faster than conventional travel, and it keeps us from being spotted by humans during jobs."
"Jobs?" Asia looked up from the book she'd been studying—Introduction to Devil Hierarchy and Noble Houses "What kind of jobs?"
"Contracts, mostly." Rias gestured for Yuuto to come in, which he did, settling into his usual chair. "Humans summon us using flyers we distribute, then make requests. We fulfill those requests in exchange for payment—usually money, though sometimes other arrangements."
Asia's brow furrowed. "But... isn't that... don't devils make people sell their souls?"
"Common misconception," Yuuto said, accepting a cup of tea from Akeno with a grateful nod. "Modern devil society moved away from that centuries ago. Now we just do jobs—find lost items, provide protection, perform services humans can't do themselves"
"Like supernatural task services," Koneko added flatly, not looking up from her manga.
Rias nodded. "The point is, you'll be expected to take contracts once you understand, how it works. It's how we maintain our positions in the Underworld and bring glory to the peerage and our family's name"
Asia nodded slowly, absorbing this new information. "And... the church won't...?"
"The church doesn't operate in Kuoh," Rias assured her. "This is devil territory, protected by my family's authority. You're safe here."
Safety Yuuto thought, watching Asia's shoulders relax slightly. Such a simple thing to want. And yet she'd never had it until now.
"Now then," Rias continued, pulling out what looked like a practice magic circle diagram. "Before you take contracts, how about You learn the basics of devil magic. Starting with transportation circles."
She spread the diagram across her desk, and Asia leaned in to look at the intricate geometric patterns.
"Transportation circles are the foundation of devil travel," Rias explained. "They allow us to move instantly from one location to another, as long as we have a clear mental image of our destination."
"But... I've never done magic before," Asia said nervously. "What if I can't—"
"You already have," Rias interrupted gently. "Think of your Sacred Gear like magic as well, Asia. Twilight Healing channels divine power, which is just another form of supernatural energy. Now that you're a devil, your Bishop piece has amplified your magical capacity significantly. You just need to learn how to direct it."
Asia looked down at her hands, flexing her fingers experimentally. "It does feel different. Like there's something... more inside me now."
"Exactly." Rias smiled encouragingly. "That's your devil power awakening. Today, we're going to teach you how to access it consciously."
"I'll help," Akeno offered, setting down her tea tray and moving to stand beside Asia. "Magic circles can be tricky at first, but once you understand the basic principle, it becomes second nature."
Yuuto watched as Akeno knelt beside Asia, her hands glowing with magical energy as she demonstrated the proper technique. Asia watched with wide-eyed fascination, her earlier nervousness giving way to genuine curiosity.
"You need to visualize the circle in your mind first," Akeno explained. "See every line, every symbol, every connection. Then channel your power into that visualization and project it outward."
She demonstrated, and a red transportation circle materialized on the floor beside them, glowing softly.
"Now you try," Akeno encouraged.
Asia closed her eyes, her face scrunching up in concentration. For a long moment, nothing happened. Then, slowly, a faint glow began to emanate from her body.
"Good!" Rias said. "Keep going, Asia. Don't force it—let the power flow naturally."
The glow intensified, and suddenly a magic circle flickered into existence on the floor. It was unstable, the lines wavering and incomplete, but it was there.
Asia's eyes snapped open in shock. "I did it!"
"That's great, Asia" Rias assured her "The fact that you manifested one at all on your first try is impressive."
"Good" Koneko added from the couch, still not looking up from her manga but clearly paying attention.
Asia brightened at that. "Really?"
"Really," Rias confirmed. "You're doing excellent work, Asia"
They continued practicing for the next hour. Asia managed to create several more circles, each one slightly more stable than the last. By the end, she could maintain a transportation circle for almost ten seconds before it collapsed from exhaustion.
"That's enough for today," Rias decided, noting Asia's obvious fatigue. "You've made excellent progress. Tomorrow we'll work on teaching the different magic, which should be known by every devil"
Asia nodded, swaying slightly on her feet. The magical exertion had clearly taken its toll.
"Here." Yuuto stood and moved to her side, offering his arm for support. "Let me help you to the couch."
"Thank you, Yuuto-san," Asia said gratefully, accepting his assistance. She settled onto the couch beside Koneko, who silently shifted her manga to make room.
Rias checked her watch. "Now then, we have a few hours before dinner. Yuuto, Koneko—you both have contracts tonight. Make sure to get them done"
Yuuto nodded, finishing his tea. Koneko simply stood, tucking her manga into her bag with practiced efficiency.
"Asia," Rias continued, "you'll stay here with Akeno and me. We'll continue reviewing the basic information about devil society and the peerage system."
"Hai!" Asia's enthusiasm was endearing, even exhausted as she was.
Welcome to the peerage, Yuuto thought as he stood and stretched. Where the learning never stops and the work never ends.
---
The contract that night was refreshingly mundane.
A single woman in her 30swanted help moving furniture in her apartment—nothing supernatural, nothing dangerous, just heavy lifting that she needed, because she just moved in this town.
Yuuto transported directly to her location via magic circle, introduced himself politely, and spent the next hour rearranging her living room exactly as she wanted it.
"Such a nice young man," she kept saying, offering him tea and cookies. "And so handsome! Do you have a girlfriend?"
"Not currently," Yuuto answered with his practiced Prince smile. "I'm focusing on my studies."
"Smart boy. Though don't wait too long—a catch like you won't stay on the market forever!"
He accepted the compliment gracefully, finished the job, collected his payment, and transported back to the clubroom with the pleasant weariness of honest physical labor.
This is what normal devil work looks like, he reflected as he wrote up his contract report. Ninety percent mundane requests, ten percent actual supernatural problems.
Koneko returned shortly after, looking vaguely annoyed.
"...Creepy client," she muttered, dropping onto the couch. "Wanted me to pose for photos."
"Did you?"
"...Made him pay triple."
Yuuto laughed. "That's fair."
Rias looked up from her paperwork, smiling at her returned servants. "Good work, both of you. Head home and get some rest.
---
Yuuto's apartment welcomed him with its usual quiet stillness. He kicked off his shoes, loosened his uniform, and collapsed onto his bed with a satisfied sigh.
A normal day. Normal contracts. Normal interactions with normal people living normal lives.
Exactly what I wanted, he thought, staring at his ceiling. A quiet life. No attention. No suspicion. Just... normal.
The irony wasn't lost on him.
He'd gained the powers of a serial killer who wanted nothing more than to blend in, to be unremarkable, to live peacefully without anyone noticing what he really was.
And here Yuuto was, doing exactly that. Hiding his true power, maintaining a carefully crafted persona, making sure no one looked too closely at what he was capable of.
We're not so different, Kira and I.
Except Kira had killed innocent women to satisfy his compulsions.
Yuuto killed to protect people. To save them.
There's a difference, he insisted to himself. Between Lust and love Afterall.
He closed his eyes and let sleep take him, hoping that tomorrow would bring fewer philosophical dilemmas and more of that comfortable, ordinary normalcy.
Even if he knew, deep down, that normalcy was a luxury people like him could never truly afford.
. . .
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