The kitchen knife moved through the tamagoyaki with the precision of habit, each slice releasing a small whisper of steam into the morning air. I arranged the golden rolls on the plate beside the grilled salmon, miso soup already cooling to the perfect temperature in its lacquered bowl. Fresh rice gleamed in the cooker, and I'd even managed to get some pickled vegetables that actually looked appetizing.
Domestic bliss.
The past few days had blurred together in a comfortable rhythm. Asia had settled into the peerage. Rias had taken her under her wing like a mother hen, patient and encouraging as Asia fumbled through knowledge about devil politics. Akeno had been equally supportive, her gentle guidance helping Asia learn basic magic spells.
Even Koneko had warmed up to her—which, for Koneko, meant sharing her manga collection and only sharing her "cookie" twice a day instead of constantly.
Asia bloomed under their attention like a flower finally getting sunlight. The haunted look in her green eyes had faded, replaced by something softer. Hopeful. She laughed more now, smiled without that edge of fear that someone would punish her for it.
She deserves this, I thought, plating the rice with careful attention. After everything she went through, she deserves people who treat her kindly.
The irony wasn't lost on me that I was the one person in the peerage living a lie.
My own "progress" had been... interesting. Late night excursions to forests in neighboring towns, far from any prying eyes or territorial devils. Testing the limits of Killer Queen's transmutation abilities in ways that would've made Yoshikage Kira proud.
Or horrified. Hard to tell with a serial killer's power set.
The water bubble technique had been my favorite discovery. I would make Killer Queen, touch it and then entire mass became a bomb, molecular bonds twisted into explosive potential. But here's where it got creative: I could divide that single bomb into dozens of smaller bubbles before detonation, creating a minefield of liquid explosives that detonated simultaneously. Taking out multiple opponent, in one go.
The craters that I'd left in that forest was enough to put me behind bars.
I settled the plates on the dining table.
Rias had explicitly forbidden me from training alone after the Fallen Angel incident.
So naturally, I'd been sneaking out three times a week.
"Yuuto-san?"
I turned to find Asia hovering in the doorway, and my breath caught for just a moment.
The Kuoh Academy uniform fit her perfectly—white blouse crisp and neat, red bow tied with obvious care, magenta skirt falling just above her knees. She'd pinned her hair back on one side with a simple clip, revealing more of her face. But it was the expression that really got me: nervous hope mixed with fragile excitement, like a kid on their first day of school who wasn't sure if they were allowed to be happy about it.
"How... how do I look?" Her fingers twisted in her skirt, and I could see the slight tremble in her hands.
"You look great, Asia," I replied gently.
Her face lit up like I'd just told her she'd won the lottery. "Really? You think so?"
"Indeed" I gestured to the chair across from mine. "Come, have breakfast before it gets cold. First days are exhausting, and you'll need the energy for the history classes"
She practically bounced to the table, settling into her seat with the kind of careful grace that suggested she still wasn't quite used to being allowed to take up space. I watched her eyes widen at the spread—nothing fancy, just standard Japanese breakfast, but from her reaction you'd think I'd prepared a feast.
"This looks amazing, Yuuto-san!"
We ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes. Asia attacked her food with endearing enthusiasm, pausing occasionally to make small noises of appreciation. I found myself relaxing despite everything, enjoying this simple moment of domesticity.
This is what normal feels like, I thought. Just... having breakfast with someone.
"Asia," I said abruptly, the question that had been gnawing at me finally breaking free. "Are you getting used to being a Devil?"
She looked up from her miso soup, blinking in surprise. Then her expression softened into something genuinely happy.
"Everyone has been so kind," she said, and there was wonder in her voice. "Rias-san is patient when I make mistakes with the magic circles. Akeno-san always makes time to help me practice, even when she's busy. And Koneko-chan..." She giggled. "She shared her favorite manga with me yesterday. She said it was because I looked 'pathetically bored,' but I think she was just being nice."
"Sounds like Koneko," I agreed, amused despite myself.
"It's all because of you, Yuuto-san." Asia's gaze turned earnest, almost painfully sincere. "If you hadn't saved me, if you hadn't brought me to Rias-san... I would still be alone. Or dead. Or worse."
She's stronger than she looks, I thought, watching her smile despite the weight of those words. To go through what she did and still be this open, this welcoming... that takes real strength.
But there was still one thing I couldn't understand.
"Asia," I started carefully, setting down my chopsticks. "Aren't you going to ask me?"
She tilted her head, curiosity replacing the happiness on her face. "Ask you what, Yuuto-san?"
"Why I'm keeping my peerage members in the dark." The words came out heavier than I intended, but I pressed on. "You helped me cover my lie. You stood there and let me deceive Rias, Akeno, Koneko—people who trust me, who care about both of us. And you haven't questioned me even once about why I'm doing this to people I supposedly care for."
Asia looked down at her plate, her fingers stilling on her chopsticks. For a moment, I thought maybe I'd pushed too far, asked too much.
Then she looked up at me, and her green eyes were clear and certain.
"Yuuto-san has always been kind to me," she said quietly. "You saved me when you could have just left me to my fate. You didn't have to help me, but you did." She paused, then continued with more strength in her voice. "I trust you completely, Yuuto-san. I believe... I believe you must have very strong reasons for doing what you're doing. And someday, when you're ready, you'll tell everyone the truth."
She trusts me, I thought with a mixture of warmth and guilt. Completely. Unconditionally. Even knowing I'm lying to everyone else.
I chuckled, shaking my head at the absurdity of it all. "Thank you, Asia. For showing so much trust in someone who probably doesn't deserve it."
"You do deserve it!" she protested immediately. "You saved my life!"
"Maybe," I allowed, then shifted the conversation to safer ground. "I'm glad you joined the peerage, Asia. Really. And make sure you train hard with Akeno, okay? Your magic talent is significant."
Her expression turned determined, almost fierce. "I won't become a burden to you, Yuuto-san! I'll train with Twilight Healing and my magic until I can be useful in battles, too!"
The word 'burden' hit me harder than it should have.
"Asia, listen to me." I leaned forward, making sure she was paying attention. "Don't think of yourself as a burden. Ever. Your role as a healer is incredibly important—probably the most important role in any peerage. And your dedication to learning magic? That's going to make you strong faster than you realize. So don't think such petty things about yourself, alright?"
Her smile could have powered a small city. "Alright, Yuuto-san! I'll do my best!"
"Good." I stood, gathering our plates. "Now let's get going. Can't be late on your first day of school."
She practically vibrated with excitement as she helped me clean up.
At least someone's happy, I thought, watching her hurry to grab her bag. Even if it's built on a foundation of lies.
---
School passed in a blur of normalcy that I'd almost forgotten was possible.
Asia's first day as a student was... adorable, honestly. She approached every class with wide-eyed enthusiasm, took notes like her life depended on it, and nearly jumped with joy when some of the girls invited her to eat lunch with them. Watching her experience ordinary school life—something she'd never had before—made the deception feel almost worth it.
She deserves this, I reminded myself. The normal life. The friends. The peace.
After school, Rias found me at my locker.
"Yuuto." Her tone was business-like, which meant either contracts or politics. Given recent events, probably politics. "Come with me to the Student Council Room."
I blinked. "Buchou, why are we going to see Sona Kaichou?"
Rias paused mid-step, then actually looked sheepish—a rare sight on the Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess. "Oh. Right. I didn't tell you, did I?"
"Tell me what?"
"You'll find out when we get there." She smiled in that way that meant she was enjoying having information I didn't. "Come on."
Great, I thought, following her through the corridors. Political devil business. My favorite.
We reached the Student Council Room, and Rias knocked with the confidence of someone who owned half the school. Which, technically, she did.
"Come in," Sona's voice called from inside.
Here we go, I thought, plastering on my pleasant Prince Charming smile as I followed Rias through the door.
The Student Council Room was exactly as I remembered—immaculate, organized, and somehow managing to smell like tea and paperwork. Sona Sitri sat behind her desk with the posture of someone who'd been taught proper etiquette since birth, her violet eyes sharp behind her glasses. Her short black hair was perfectly styled, and her student council president armband gleamed with obvious pride.
But it was the peerage members around the room that made this interesting.
Tsubaki Shinra stood to Sona's right, the Queen with calm competence. Her long black hair was tied back in her signature style, and her purple eyes swept over me with analytical precision. Next to her, Momo Hanakai—one of Sona's Bishops—offered a polite smile, her glasses catching the afternoon light. Tomoe Meguri, Sona's Knight, leaned against the wall with the relaxed confidence.
And then there was Genshirou Saji.
The blonde Pawn grinned at me like we were about to arm wrestle, his eyes bright with competitive energy. I'd always found Saji entertaining—he wore his emotions on his sleeve and had the kind of straightforward personality that made him easy to read.
A room full of devils with various agendas, I thought. This should be fun.
"Rias, Yuuto." Sona nodded to each of us in turn. "Thank you for coming. Please, sit."
"Sona." Rias took one of the chairs with practiced grace. I remained standing, because sitting felt like committing to a longer conversation than I wanted.
"I see you're doing well, Yuuto-san," Sona observed, studying me with the intensity of someone trying to solve a particularly interesting puzzle.
Before I could respond, Saji jumped in.
"Is it true?" He leaned forward, practically bouncing with curiosity. "Did you really kill three Fallen Angels by yourself?!"
I glanced at Rias. "Buchou, is this about me having to recount the details again? Because I've already given all the details—"
"No, no," Rias interrupted, shaking her head. "I came here to get the report on actions taken by Lady Leviathan against the Fallen Angels." She turned to Sona, her expression hardening slightly. "What did your sister say about the incident?"
Sona adjusted her glasses, a tell I'd learned meant she was about to deliver news someone wouldn't like.
"Serafall-neesama had a meeting with Azazel, the leader of the Fallen Angels," she said carefully. "According to him, the three Fallen Angels weren't sent to target any devils. They were supposedly keeping an eye on a certain human who has since gone missing. He claims their decision to attack your Knight was... independent action."
Rias's demonic power flickered, the temperature in the room dropped several degrees.
"That's just an excuse," she bit out "Their plan failed, so now Azazel is trying to avoid responsibility for ordering an attack on my servants. This is despicable"
From her perspective, it does sound like complete bullshit, I thought. The problem is, Azazel is actually telling the truth.
Which means I need to keep Issei as far from this town as possible. If Azazel ever meets him and pieces together what actually happened... if Rias finds out I deliberately manipulated events to get her potential Pawn out of town before she could recruit him...
I couldn't even imagine her reaction. The betrayal would be worse than any Fallen Angel attack.
"Yuuto-san."
Sona's voice pulled me from my thoughts. She was watching me with open curiosity now, her analytical mind clearly working through something.
"I've heard interesting things about your Sacred Gear," she continued. "The reports mention ice-type abilities, but your Sacred Gear is Sword Birth, correct? How exactly does that work?"
Her interest might be more inclined to knowing ice magic, as a fellow water magic user.
"It's an ice sword I created using Sword Birth," I explained "The Sacred Gear lets me manifest demonic swords with various properties. I developed one specifically attuned to ice elemental magic."
"Fascinating." Sona leaned forward slightly. "But the reports also mention something about... a breathing technique? That contributed to your victory?"
Rias jumped in, pride evident in her voice. "Yuuto has created his own unique fighting style. He researched various human martial techniques from history and synthesized them into something new. Tell her, Yuuto."
Thanks for the spotlight, Buchou, I thought. Really appreciate it.
"It's called Mist Breathing," I said, keeping my tone modest. "I studied historical records of human warriors who used breathing techniques to enhance their physical capabilities. I adapted those principles to work with my devil physiology and Sacred Gear, with my own methods"
"I've never heard of such a technique," Sona admitted, genuine interest coloring her usually composed voice. "Can you demonstrate it?"
"It's not something that shows visible changes," I explained. "The technique enhances my physical capabilities and allows me to perform different forms of my sword style. The real effect is in the application—speed, precision, power output."
An idea crystallized in my mind with the clarity of a perfect chess move.
I can use this, I realized. Challenge her peerage, get actual combat experience, and maybe get a quest if the system decides this counts as worthy entertainment.
"I could show you in action, Sitri san" I offered "But I'd need an opponent to demonstrate how it works. Not just the mechanics, but the speed and effectiveness of the style."
Rias caught on immediately, and I saw the calculating gleam in her eyes that meant she was about to enjoy herself.
"That's a wonderful idea!" she said, her tone carefully enthusiastic, as she crossed arms "Sona, wouldn't it be interesting to see our peerage members spar? After all, we haven't witnessed our peerage members crossing the blades against each other"
She paused, then added with the precision of someone throwing down a gauntlet: "Unless you're not confident in your peerage members' capabilities?"
The room went very still.
There it is.
Pride.
The universal weak point of high-class devils.
Sona's expression didn't change, but I saw the slight shift in her eyes. The challenge had been delivered, and refusing would mean admitting weakness.
"Tomoe," Sona said calmly, gesturing to her Knight. "You'll be Yuuto's opponent. As fellow Knights, you should be evenly matched. Does that arrangement work for you, Yuuto-san?"
I looked at Tomoe—tall, athletic, confident. A skilled Knight who'd clearly seen her share of combat. In a straight fight, she'd give me a good workout.
But where's the fun in that?
"Does it have to be just her?" I asked, keeping my tone innocent and curious.
Saji's eyes widened. "Wait, what?"
"I mean," I continued, warming to the performance, "if we're going to demonstrate the effectiveness of my technique, shouldn't the test be... more comprehensive?"
The temperature in the room dropped about ten degrees, but not from demonic power. This was the chill of stunned silence.
"What exactly are you suggesting, Yuuto-san?" Sona's voice was carefully neutral, but I could see the glint in her eyes, behind those glasses.
I gestured casually to the assembled peerage members. "I'll fight all of them at once."
The dead silence that followed was absolutely worth savouring.
Saji recovered first. "You... you want to fight all of us? At the same time? Are you insane?"
I looked at him with the kind of patient expression you'd give someone who'd just asked if water was wet. "Why would that be insane? I'm just offering a more thorough demonstration of my skills"
"This sounds more like reckless," Tomoe spoke up, pushing off from the wall. Her voice carried an edge now. "Or an insult to all of us"
"I'm not insulting anyone," I said quickly, raising my hands in a placating gesture. "I'm just being practical. You want to see how I overwhelmed three Fallen Angels, right? Well, three versus one is precisely what happened. This way, you get an accurate representation."
Sona adjusted her glasses, her expression caught between offense and disbelief "You're saying my peerage is equivalent to Fallen Angels?"
"Most likely" I replied, keeping my tone neutral.
Tsubaki spoke for the first time, her voice measured and calm. "Kaichou"
Saji scoffed, though I could see the excitement building in his eyes. The kid loved a good fight. "I'm game if you are. Someone needs to knock that arrogance down a peg out of you!"
Sona studied me for a long moment, her eyes dissecting every micro-expression, every subtle tell. I maintained my pleasant smile, projecting nothing but polite confidence.
"Even if you defeated three Fallen Angels at once," she paused, then continued "that doesn't mean you can defeat my entire peerage, Yuuto-san. You're being far too confident about your abilities."
Time for the careful play of truth and omission, I thought.
"With respect, Kaichou," I said, injecting just the right amount of humility into my voice, "I can estimate power levels fairly accurately just by observation. It's a skill I've developed over time, with lots of training sessions"
"You're definitely stronger than me," I continued, and I could see Sona's slight surprise at the admission. Though that might be overstating it, I added mentally. But I really don't want to piss off a Satan's little sister. Magical Girl Leviathan would probably drown me in sparkles of her wand.
The mental image of facing down Serafall Leviathan in her magical girl outfit while she lectured me about being disrespectful to her little sister, was somehow more terrifying than any Fallen Angel.
"So here's what I'm proposing," I continued smoothly. "Either I have a friendly spar with Tsubaki-san, where I hold back significantly and you don't get a real demonstration..." I paused for effect. "Or I fight all of them at once and show you the true capabilities that overwhelmed the Fallen Angels."
Sona looked at her peerage members. Saji was practically vibrating with eagerness to fight Yuuto, Tomoe looked offended but intrigued, Momo seemed caught between interest and wounded pride, and Tsubaki maintained her calm but calculating expression.
"This is ridiculous," Tomoe said, out loud "A Knight against a Bishop, another Knight, a Pawn, and the Queen. This is—"
"What I've faced already, unlike you" I interrupted gently. "Three opponents, all with flight, ranged attacks. At least this time I won't have to worry about light spears."
Saji grinned, and I knew I had him. "Alright, you asked for it, man. Don't come crying when we make you regret talking down to us."
"We're not someone you can look down upon," Momo added, her voice sharp with wounded dignity.
Perfect, I thought. Get them emotional to stop thinking tactically.
Sona adjusted her glasses again, but this time I saw the faint smile tugging at her lips. She'd seen through my manipulation, recognized that I'd deliberately goaded her peerage, but she was going to allow it anyway.
Because she's curious, I realized. She wants to see if I can actually pull this off.
"Very well," Sona said, finally making the official decision "If that's what you want, Yuuto-san, then let's see if your words match your actions. We'll arrange a proper sparring match. Tomorrow after school, in the training grounds. My peerage against you, excluding myself.
She paused, then added with a hint of amusement "I hope you're prepared for the consequences of your confidence, Yuuto kun"
Rias turned to me, her expression carefully neutral but her eyes worried. "Yuuto, I don't doubt your strength, but fighting all of them at once..." She trailed off, glancing at the increasingly hostile-looking Sitri peerage "Are you certain you can win?"
I looked at the assembled devils—Tsubaki with her calm competence, Tomoe radiating knightly pride, Momo's scholarly determination, and Saji's aggressive enthusiasm. I thought about Killer Queen techniques I'd developed in secret, about the power I'd been carefully hiding behind a mask of normalcy.
And I smiled.
"Nah, I'd win"
. . .
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