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Only Himejima Akeno was in the clubroom when Rias and Jack arrived. She looked up with her usual graceful smile.
"Good morning."
Then her gaze softened with concern as she turned to Jack. "How are you feeling? Any better?"
"Thanks for asking. President Rias already healed me," Jack replied. His eyes drifted across the room—it was strange, Koneko wasn't here. "Where's Koneko? Haven't seen her around."
"She went to check up on that Fallen Angel last night and got another contract call right after. She'll probably be late today," Akeno said with a small laugh. "You handed out quite a few flyers yesterday too, didn't you? Maybe you'll get a summoning soon yourself~"
"…Maybe," Jack murmured. Honestly, he didn't expect much. Who'd take those flyers seriously? Most people probably just tossed them after one glance.
Rias leaned against a desk, her expression thoughtful. "Any new info about that Fallen Angel from last night?"
She was still bothered by the one who had injured Jack. The servant he'd killed was just a subordinate—the real target was the master behind it.
Akeno shook her head gently. "Mmm… since that one's already dead, it's hard to tell just from the leftover divine energy. But if we run into another servant from the same group, I'll definitely recognize their aura."
Rias sighed. "So we'll have to wait for another chance to find her master. Don't worry, Jack—when that time comes, I'll make sure you get your payback. You didn't deserve what happened."
Jack chuckled. "President, there's really nothing to avenge. I only got a little banged up. That Fallen Angel's the one who paid the ultimate price."
Rias blinked, then smiled. "Fair point. Guess we can let them pray they never cross us again."
Just then, a small flash lit up in the corner as Koneko returned through teleportation.
"Oh my, you're back already," Akeno greeted her warmly. "Did the contract go well?"
"Completed," Koneko said with a rare hint of satisfaction tugging at her lips.
"Nice work—and thanks for your help last night," Jack said appreciatively.
Koneko handed him a small bag. "It's fine. Here, breakfast."
She'd brought food for everyone.
Rias smiled, opening the bag. "Cream bread! Not bad at all. Thanks, Koneko~"
They ate together, chatting casually. Meanwhile, Jack's mind wandered to the topic of contracts.
Do devils really have to rely on contracts with humans to get stronger?Isn't that… a bit pathetic?
Unable to shake the thought, he asked aloud.
The room fell silent. Rias, Akeno, and Koneko exchanged brief looks. After a few seconds, Rias exhaled softly.
"You're not wrong. We all know it's… less than ideal. But there's no other way anymore. It's not just us devils—angels face the same problem. Why else do you think they've been so desperate to spread faith and gather followers?"
"Pure-blooded devils are almost extinct now," Akeno added gently. "Same with pure angels, gods, and Fallen Angels. All three sides have reached a point where survival depends on humanity. That's the truth of the Three Factions today."
Jack frowned slightly. He'd known their numbers were low, but he hadn't realized it was this bad.
Devils and angels—once the most powerful beings—now reduced to surviving off the very humans they once looked down on.Ironic didn't even begin to cover it.
Still… it was their own fault.Too many wars, too many deaths. They'd destroyed their own future.
He couldn't say much else. Reality was what it was—if contracts were the only path to strength, then that's the path they'd walk.
Before long, it was time for class. The day passed uneventfully—lectures, lunch, small talk. Normal, almost boring.
But right after school, just as Jack was getting ready to hand out more flyers, he suddenly felt a surge of power wrap around him.
"What the…?"
Dark violet energy curled up from his body, flickering like flame.
Rias and the others immediately turned to look.
"Is that—" Rias' eyes widened. "A contract summoning?"
Jack's heart jumped. "So this is it? A real summoning?"
Akeno's eyes sparkled. "That's right~ Someone's calling for you! What are you waiting for? Respond quickly—I'll set up the teleportation circle."
He nodded, excitement breaking through his composure. So those flyers did work after all.
"Thanks, Vice President."
"Good luck," Koneko said quietly from the side.
Jack smiled. "I'll bring back good news."
Magic light flared beneath his feet. With Akeno's assistance, the teleportation circle activated—and in the next instant, his figure vanished from the clubroom.
A few minutes earlier.
The door to a high-end apartment clicked open. Sakurajima Mai stepped inside and shut it behind her.
She looked down at the pineapple bun in her hand and sighed faintly.
The strange phenomenon—being invisible to others—was getting worse.
Just earlier, when she tried to buy that bread, the cashier couldn't see her at all. In the end, she'd had to take the bread herself and leave money on the counter.
It had been like this for a while now. To confirm whether anyone could still see her, she'd even gone out in her bunny-girl costume. Walked all over town.
Not a single person noticed.
Mai wasn't the type to panic easily, but even she was starting to feel uneasy.
Maybe it was just the area around the school? Maybe someone elsewhere could still see her?
After all, yesterday—someone had.
She went into the bathroom, undressed, and hung the bunny suit on the rack. Slipping into the warm water, she finally let her mind drift.
That's when she noticed something.
Tucked between her clothes was a small piece of paper—a flyer.
She remembered immediately: it was from that boy yesterday. The one who could see her.
Curious, she picked it up. A strange magic circle was drawn across it, with the words "Occult Research Club" underneath.
"What even is this…? Supposed to grant wishes or something?" she muttered.
As if answering her doubt, the flyer suddenly began to glow—bright purple light spilling from the lines of the circle.
Mai blinked, startled. "What—what's going on?"
The pattern was shining.
Despite the shock, her natural composure kept her calm—at least for the first second.
Then—
Splash!
A wave of hot water surged over the edge of the tub as something—or rather, someone—suddenly appeared right in front of her and crashed straight into the bath.
Jack sat up, dripping wet, his expression twisting into a frown.
"…The hell?"
He looked up—and froze.
There, sitting across from him in the bathtub, was a very familiar girl.Sakurajima Mai.
Their eyes met.
Silence.
Jack: "…"Mai: "…"
The only sound left in the room was the soft ripple of water between them.
"..."
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