Rias had returned far sooner than either of them expected. Akeno Himejima sat up reluctantly, brushing stray locks of dark hair from her flushed face.
Rias's expression twitched slightly as she struggled to maintain her composure. "Akeno... what exactly is going on here?"
Her steps were deliberate, each one radiating restrained tension. Even her voice, though calm on the surface, carried a quiet fury.
"Hehehe... I was just teaching Ryuichi how to use flight magic," Akeno replied airily, wearing that same teasing smile as if nothing were out of the ordinary.
"Flight magic?" Rias's eyebrow arched sharply. "Then why are the two of you on the ground instead of in the air?"
Ryuichi tilted his head and answered honestly, "Uh... a small mishap. We fell."
That much was true. He had indeed lost control — though, honestly, mostly thanks to Akeno's "lesson style."
Of course, Rias wasn't buying it. She turned her gaze back to Akeno, eyes narrowing. "Just a mishap? From what I saw, it looked like you were about to move several steps past a 'lesson.' Care to explain that?"
Akeno chuckled softly. "Ara ara, I had no intention of going that far."
"Maybe not," Rias shot back, crossing her arms. "But this already crossed the line."
"Oh my, Rias, aren't you being a bit possessive? Hogging him every night — how sneaky of you." Akeno's smile turned wicked. "Tell me, how does Ryuichi taste? Sweet?"
That one hit its mark. Rias froze, cheeks reddening as she snapped, "There's no way I'm telling you that!"
Akeno giggled behind her hand. "That's why I decided to find out for myself."
"..."
"..."
Their eyes locked, silent sparks flying between them. The pressure in the room spiked, the air practically buzzing with female dominance.
Ryuichi could only grin helplessly from where he sat on the floor, leaning against the sofa. These two... their aura is insane.
He tilted his head, quietly watching the showdown unfold, amused despite himself.
Eventually, Rias broke first. Faced with Akeno's never-ending smirk, she sighed sharply, turned her gaze toward Ryuichi, and strode over.
Leaning down, she grabbed his cheeks and pinched them with a mixture of irritation and embarrassment. "Ryuichi... are you enjoying this? Having such a close bonding session with gentle, kind Akeno-senpai?"
"Eh~," Ryuichi drew out the sound, smiling awkwardly. "Not really. Honestly, Rias, you and Asia are still way ahead."
That made her huff, puffing out her cheeks before glaring sideways at Akeno. "Do whatever you want, then." She flopped onto the sofa beside him in a show of exaggerated indifference.
It wasn't often Ryuichi saw that kind of pout from her — rare enough that he found himself staring a bit too long.
Akeno watched from the other side, giggling softly. "Rias, you're adorable when you're jealous."
Great... she's pouring fuel on it now.
These two are going to end up as plastic sisters at this rate, Ryuichi thought wryly.
He sighed, then sat beside Rias and slipped an arm casually around her shoulders. "By the way, Rias — did you speak with President Sona yet? What does she think?"
Rias's pout faded, and her tone shifted back to serious business. "Yes. Sona agrees the situation has become dangerous. She's on high alert."
"Good. It's better to prepare early," Ryuichi said quietly.
"I told her the same thing," Rias replied, nodding. "She should already be moving. We can't afford to wait either. When the time comes, I'll contact Koneko and see how things are on her end."
As if on cue, Rias's phone began to ring. The caller ID read Koneko Toujou.
"Rias-senpai, something's happened." Koneko's usually calm voice was sharp, urgent.
"The two Holy Sword wielders were attacked by Fallen Angels. One of them's seriously injured."
Rias's expression hardened instantly. "Where are you? Have you been spotted?"
"I'm safe. We're in the woods by Central Park. I'm with the injured one now."
"Hold on, we're coming."
Rias hung up immediately. With the Fallen Angels now targeting the Church agents, things had escalated too far to ignore.
Ryuichi had overheard everything. He stood up at once. "I'll go get Asia."
Asia had just finished setting the table when he rushed in. Hearing the news, she dropped the towel in her hands and nodded firmly.
Akeno was already drawing a teleportation circle on the floor, her expression composed again. "Let's go."
In a flash, the group was gone.
The scenery shifted, and they appeared in the wooded area beside Kuoh's Central Park.
Koneko stood on the grass, stoic as ever, but beside her lay a badly injured girl with twin tails — Irina Shidou, the Holy Sword wielder who had parted ways with them not long ago.
She looked battered, her battle suit torn and barely holding together, exposing patches of fair skin. Her chest was completely unguarded.
Ryuichi crouched beside her, frowning. "Her wounds are deep. Asia, stabilize her first."
"Understood."
Asia knelt at Irina's side, her gentle voice steady but strained. "Miss Irina, please hang on."
Soft light bloomed from Asia's hands as her Sacred Gear, Twilight Healing – the Smile of the Holy Mother, manifested. The divine glow enveloped Irina's body, sealing torn flesh and fading bruises within seconds.
Irina's eyelids fluttered open. She winced, then whispered weakly, "The Holy Sword... it was taken..."
Ryuichi's eyes narrowed. He scanned her side, confirming what he feared — her sword, Imitation Holy Sword, was missing.
That meant the Fallen Angels now possessed four of them.
"Don't worry about that right now. Focus on recovery," Ryuichi said soothingly. He glanced to Asia. "How is she?"
"Her wounds are healed, but I can't restore her lost stamina," Asia replied apologetically.
"It's fine," Rias said firmly. "Sona and her peerage are on the way. Once they arrive, we'll have them take Irina somewhere safe."
No one had time to debate Church–Devil relations now.
Moments later, a new teleportation circle flared nearby as Sona Shitori appeared with her peerage. Her usual composed face was tight with concern.
"Rias," she said gravely, "Kokabiel has been sighted. I can feel his aura — it's unmistakable."
Rias's expression darkened. "Understood. Sona, please have someone escort Irina to safety."
Sona nodded once, and one of her subordinates immediately carried the unconscious Irina away.
Then, turning back, she asked quietly, "What are your plans now?"
Rias sighed. "We have no choice. Even knowing it might be a trap... I'll have to contact my brother."
For them, confronting a Cadre-class Fallen Angel like Kokabiel was beyond their current strength.
Off to the side, Shirou Saji approached Ryuichi, whispering in disbelief, "Sensei, we're really going up against someone at that level?"
Ryuichi smiled faintly. "Scared?"
"Uh... no! Well, maybe a little..."
Ryuichi chuckled. "Don't be. They won't succeed that easily."
Saji stared, half in admiration, half in confusion. How is Sensei this confident right now...?